EBook Reader or Not? [Amazon Fire Tablet] 1

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If you’ve been someone who peeks in at this blog over the years, you know I am not an ebook fan at all. I like having a tangible book – the feel, the smell, being able to see your physical progression.

However, as I am getting older I am all for convenience and ease. And now we are post COVID, I am beginning to travel a bit more and go between where I live and my parents quite a lot. All that traveling as a reader can take a toll! Heavier backpack, taking up more space, having to make that dreaded decision of which book to actually bring.

So, this Black Friday, I went down the rabbit hole for an ereader. This started as another conversation with my parents for them, but decided to keep the research going.

When I think an e-reader or tablet, I immediately think of either a Kindle or an iPad. That’s a decent investment for something that I’m not going to use all the time.

But then, Amazon did it again with a very well priced tablet.

I stumbled upon their Amazon Fire 7 and their Amazon Fire HD 8.

What got me was the price during Black Friday – $39.99 and $59.99 respectively (w/ lockscreen ads). I mean what?? That is beyond a steal.

I’m not going to bore you with the technical nature of these tablets (you can find some great videos and articles about that out there already) but for the price of course it is not blistering fast. But I mean, under $80 on sale?? To read books? Doesn’t get much better.

I was a fan that I can both use Kindle Unlimited (which I am new to) and the Libby App, which a lot of libraries provide to let you loan ebooks! Based on my knowledge, the tablet gives a bit more of a range through the Libby app than you can do on a Kindle e-reader.

And immediately, I was sold! With 32GB, it has plenty of room to download to read offline wile I travel, I can stream some of my favorite shows on there in bed without a bulky computer, and not break the bank.

Am I going to use this to read everything? Absolutely not. But when I am traveling, want a cheaper book, or need a book ASAP and cannot get to the library, this will be my go to!

The Fire 7 has a 7″ display and is a bit closer to some of the Kindle e-readers but to me felt a little bit too small. I felt I’d always be turning pages. It also is a bit older. Perfect for what my parents needed.

I got the Fire HD 8 which has an 8″ display and after spending a few hours reading yesterday is hitting the spot nicely!

Over the coming months I will certainly be putting it through its paces, however, so far I am pleasantly surprised and cannot wait for a lighter travel back.

If you’ve been holding out, this is a sign to get one! You cannot go wrong for the price during their Black Friday sales. At full price I may have gotten a dedicated tablet from a laptop company like Lenovo, but with the sale there was no question!