I used to love reading. I’d read multiple books in a day, and the library was practically my second home. But somewhere along the way, I just… stopped. I tried to get back into it more times than I can count, but nothing quite stuck. Turns out, all I was missing was an eReader.
My iPad and Phone Were the Biggest Reason I Stopped Reading
Physical books are expensive, and as an unemployed middle school student, I didn’t exactly have enough money to keep buying new ones. So I turned to my iPod and iPhone back then to keep reading on apps like Wattpad and subscribing to anything that gave me access to free or cheap books. At first, it worked. I was still reading, just digitally.
But over time, I started missing reading physical books, and my parents eventually caved and got me a Kindle. That might’ve just been the peak of my reading addiction, and I loved it. I wouldn’t get as distracted as I would on my iPod or iPhone, and my parents wouldn’t worry about me spending hours glued to a screen full of apps anymore.
A couple of years ago, I ended up getting an iPad, and I thought, “Hey, it has a bigger screen and looks kind of like a Kindle, maybe I can start reading on this instead.”
And I made the worst decision I could: I ended up selling my Kindle. Before I knew it, I wasn’t reading at all anymore. I was binge-watching Netflix show after show and just bouncing between apps, telling myself I’d come back to the book later. I never really did, and suddenly, years had passed, and I hadn’t finished a single book in what felt like forever.
When I was creating my vision board for 2025, I added something simple: read more books. I’m currently away from college for summer vacation, and it felt like the perfect time to actually follow through on that goal.
So I did the one thing I knew would give me a real shot at getting back into reading: I became an eReader owner again. I didn’t purchase a Kindle this time around. I ended up with the Boox Palma 2 and a Note Air 4C.
Having One Device Just for Reading Made the Habit Stick Again
I got my iPad Air primarily for studying. When I didn’t feel like studying, I’d remind myself I spent over a thousand dollars on it. I’d instantly open my note-taking and planning app and start studying even when I didn’t want to, because the guilt kind of worked.
Sure enough, getting an eReader worked the same way. When you have an expensive device lying around that’s just for reading, you end up reading. It’s like your brain feels obligated to use it for what it’s meant for.
And though I started reading on my eReader because I felt like I needed to, once I spent a few days reading on it, I remembered why I loved reading so much—and this time, I didn’t want to stop.
An E-Ink Display Actually Feels Like a Book, Not Just Another Screen
This might sound obvious, but the difference between reading on an iPad and reading on an eReader with an E-Ink display is massive. Given that I had a Kindle years ago, I didn’t exactly remember what it felt like to read on an E-Ink screen.
But the moment I picked up my new Boox devices, it all came back. Reading a book on an E-Ink screen actually feels like you’re reading a real book, not just staring at another screen that happens to have words on it. The only thing missing is that distinct book smell (but I’ll take the trade-off).
I get migraines often, and reading on my iPhone or iPad would almost always trigger one. I’d start a new book and end up with a headache before I was even halfway through. E-Ink displays are designed to be easy on your eyes, and it really shows. They don’t strain your vision the way backlit screens do. With my eReaders, I can read for hours without feeling the familiar eye fatigue creeping in.
I’ve been reading every night since I got an eReader. Typically, I’d fall asleep once my eyes got too tired to keep going. But now, I’m the one forcing myself to stop because I actually want to keep reading. That hasn’t happened in years.
My eReaders Run Android, but I’m Not Downloading Every App
Unlike the majority of eReaders out there (including Amazon Kindles), Boox devices run Android 13. This means they come pre-installed with the Google Play Store, and I have the freedom to download any app I want.
I’ve been really intentional about what I install on my Boox devices and avoid downloading social media apps that would distract me as I read. But I’ve downloaded apps that I feel genuinely add to the reading experience, and that flexibility actually makes me want to read more.
For instance, there are times when I’m about to start a new book but want to look into user reviews first. When I had my Kindle, I’d pick up my phone or laptop to do so. With my Boox devices, I can just open the browser (or an app like Goodreads or Fable), check reviews then and there, and dive into the book without breaking my flow.
I don’t get this kind of flexibility when reading a physical book or even a traditional eReader, and it’s really helped me spend more time reading.
I Can Carry My eReader Everywhere, and That’s Why I’m Always Reading
Though I have my iPhone with me pretty much everywhere, it’s never been my preferred reading device. It just has too many distractions, and I’d be scrolling on TikTok or Instagram before actually reading anything.
So, before I had an eReader, my iPad was my next best option. If you own an iPad, you know they’re portable. My iPad Air sports a 10.9-inch display and weighs 461 grams (the number goes up when you add my case). My Boox Note Air 4C isn’t too different and has a 10.3-inch display and weighs approximately 420 grams without the case. And though both of these numbers sound manageable, they’re not exactly pocket-friendly.
The real game-changer here is my palm-sized Boox Palma, which has a 6.13-inch display and weighs only 170 grams. The small form factor means I can slip it into my pocket or bag and carry it with me everywhere. I’ve been taking it with me to doctor appointments and grocery runs.
I always read books in the car while growing up, but reading on my phone made me dizzy. With the Palma, I’m finally able to read in the car again without feeling sick.
It’s been the perfect companion for the random pockets of time I never used to take advantage of. I’ve been reading when I’m waiting in long queues, riding in the backseat, or even sitting outside with a snack. My college commute is also quite long, so I already know what I’ll be doing once the semester starts — reading. A lot.
It’s become a part of my everyday carry, and having a dedicated, distraction-free device on me at all times is probably the biggest reason I’m reading so much again. In just the last week alone, I’ve read four books and that’s with working pretty much full-time and juggling everything else I’ve got going on. That’s more than I read in all of last year!
