Five Kindles Later: Why I Love My Kindle (and Recommend Paperwhite)

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555 consecutive days of reading. 195 consecutive weeks. 46 books so far this year. You could say I have a bit of a reading habit.

A great book, a cozy spot, and a cup of coffee. My kind of perfect morning.

I love to read. And if there's one piece of technology that has made my reading life infinitely better, it's my Amazon Kindle.

I'm currently on my fifth Kindle, a Kindle Colorsoft, and I can't imagine not having one. Whether I'm curled up in bed, relaxing by the pool, or heading off on another vacation, my Kindle is almost always along for the ride.

And I'm not exaggerating about how much I use it.

According to my Kindle app, I've read for 555 consecutive days and 195 consecutive weeks!

Want to know why that daily streak isn't even longer? Because 556 days ago, I accidentally fell asleep without reading. ONE NIGHT! I broke my streak, and apparently I've been making up for it ever since.

So what makes me such a Kindle devotee? Let me tell you.

An Entire Library That Fits in My Bag

I love books. Lots and lots of books.

But I don't particularly love having to decide which books to take with me when I travel.

If you've followed Curated by Shelley for a while, you know I love to travel, particularly cruising. And one of my favorite things about my Kindle is that I can take an entire library of books with me without sacrificing precious suitcase space.

Am I going to read 20 books on a cruise? Probably not.

But do I want the option? Absolutely!

Maybe I'm in the mood for a romance. Maybe I want to dive into an entire series. Maybe the book I thought I'd love just isn't doing it for me.

With my Kindle, I have options. All in one compact little device.

No packing multiple paperbacks. No worrying about finishing my only book halfway through a vacation. And no trying to squeeze just one more book into an already full suitcase.

An ocean view and an entire library at my fingertips. This is why my Kindle always makes the packing list.

My carry-on library, reporting for flight duty.

Reading in the Sunshine? Yes, Please!

This is one of the biggest reasons I love a dedicated Kindle rather than just reading on my phone or tablet.

I love reading outdoors.

Give me a comfortable lounge chair by the pool, a beautiful sunny day, and a great book, and I'm a happy girl.

The E Ink display makes reading in bright sunlight much more comfortable for me than trying to read on a typical phone or tablet screen.

And when you're someone who loves vacations, pools, and sunshine, that makes a big difference.

I don't want to spend my relaxing afternoon fighting screen reflections or trying to find the perfect angle to see what I'm reading.

I just want to enjoy my book!

A lounge chair, a pool, and a good book. Yes, please!

Sea days leave plenty of room for just one more chapter.

Kindle+ Has Been a Game Changer for My Reading Budget

Let's talk about one of my absolute favorite Kindle-related perks: Kindle+.

If you're familiar with Kindle Unlimited, that's what Amazon now calls Kindle+.

For one monthly subscription price, I have access to an enormous selection of books. Kindle+ is a separate subscription, not something you need to buy to use a Kindle.

And for someone who reads as much as I do, that is a very good thing.

I've read 46 books so far in 2026.

Imagine if I had purchased every single one of those books individually!

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely still buy books. There are authors I love whose books aren't included in Kindle+, and I'm perfectly happy to purchase those.

But there are also plenty of books from authors I enjoy that are included with my subscription.

That means I can read, explore new authors, and dive into another series without feeling like every new book requires another purchase.

Coffee, something sweet, and another chapter. A very good combination.

Curious whether Kindle+ would fit your reading life? Check your eligibility for a free Kindle+ trial. Trial availability and terms vary. Check the offer details before signing up; a paid subscription begins after the trial unless you cancel.

But what about borrowing eBooks from the library?

Yes, I know. Libraries offer digital books, and that's a wonderful option!

But here's where Kindle+ wins for me.

I don't have to wait.

When I finish a book and I'm ready for the next one, I want to start reading.

Not join a waiting list and hope a digital copy becomes available in a few weeks.

If a book is included in the Kindle+ catalog, I can borrow it right away.

And when I'm in the middle of a series, that instant gratification is especially appealing.

Is every book available through Kindle+? Of course not.

But the selection is large enough that I consistently find plenty of books I want to read.

For my reading habits, it's a subscription that earns its place in my monthly budget. You can borrow up to 20 titles at a time, and the catalog can change. The books shown in my photos are snapshots of my reading life, not a promise that each title is included in Kindle+.

Reading Is Part of My Every Single Day

I'm a creature of habit when it comes to reading.

Every night before bed, I read.

Rather than turning on the television, I pick up my Kindle and settle in with a book.

It's my favorite way to end the day.

And on weekends? That's when I try to squeeze in even more reading during the day.

A lazy Saturday or Sunday with no immediate obligations and a really good book sounds pretty fabulous to me.

I also love that the Kindle app keeps track of my reading streaks.

Seeing those 555 consecutive days and 195 weeks is oddly satisfying.

It's not that I need an app to remind me to read. I genuinely love doing it.

But there's something fun about watching those numbers grow and realizing just how consistently I've made time for something I enjoy.

And yes, I'm still a tiny bit annoyed about that one night I fell asleep and broke my previous streak!

A cozy blanket and a good book are always a tempting weekend plan.

Is the Kindle Colorsoft Worth the Upgrade?

My current Kindle is the Colorsoft, and I upgraded from a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.

What convinced me to upgrade? The pictures!

When Amazon introduced the Colorsoft, I was completely intrigued by how beautiful the color display looked. After years of black-and-white Kindle screens, the idea of seeing my books in color was pretty exciting.

And now that I own one, I can confirm that the colors really are beautiful.

The colorful covers caught my eye. Most of my reading time is still spent on black-and-white text.

But here's where I might surprise you.

I don't think you need to spend the extra money on a Colorsoft.

Don't get me wrong. I love mine, and I don't regret buying it. But the reality is that most of the time I'm reading, I'm looking at black-and-white text. The beautiful color display is especially noticeable when I'm browsing book covers, but that's a pretty small portion of my actual reading time.

Before the Colorsoft, I had a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, and it was fantastic.

In fact, if someone asked me which Kindle they should buy, I'd have absolutely no hesitation recommending the Paperwhite instead.

You still get the features that make me love reading on a Kindle in the first place: a compact library, a comfortable reading experience, and the ability to read outdoors in bright sunshine.

The Colorsoft is a lovely luxury, but it's definitely not a necessity.

My recommendation? Save the money and buy a Kindle Paperwhite. And if you want to splurge a little, the Paperwhite Signature Edition is a great option based on my experience with my previous model.

Sometimes the best upgrade is the one you don't actually need to make!

Shop Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, my value pick | See Kindle Colorsoft

My Favorite Kindle Accessories

But there's another important part of my reading setup: making my Kindle comfortable to hold.

I particularly like using either a PopSocket or a case with a built-in handle.

They're simple accessories, but they make holding my Kindle more comfortable during longer reading sessions.

And I'm very excited about my newest Kindle accessory purchase.

Meet the Kindle Click!

I've preordered Amazon's new Kindle Click, and I am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

It's a Bluetooth remote that lets you turn pages without having to touch your Kindle.

Now, I've experimented with page-turning remotes before, and I wasn't particularly impressed.

The ones I tried required attaching a separate piece directly to the Kindle screen.

I found that setup clumsy and inconvenient.

The Kindle Click is different. It connects wirelessly to compatible Kindle devices, so there's no awkward attachment hanging off the edge of my screen.

Just a little remote to advance the pages. Amazon lists compatibility with Kindle models released in 2024 or later, so check your exact model before ordering.

I haven't tried it yet, so I can't give you my verdict on whether it lives up to my expectations.

But I love the concept, and I'll definitely share my thoughts once I've had a chance to use it. See the Kindle Click I've preordered.

Do You Really Need a Kindle If You Already Have a Phone?

Technically? No.

You can download the Kindle app and read on your phone or tablet without purchasing a dedicated Kindle device.

But for me, there's no comparison.

I love having a device specifically for reading.

No scrolling social media. No checking work emails. No getting distracted by everything else my phone can do.

Just me and my book.

Add in the comfortable outdoor reading experience and the convenience of carrying my library everywhere, and my Kindle is easily one of my favorite pieces of technology.

And considering I'm now on my fifth one, I think it's safe to say this isn't a passing obsession!

Even holiday reading gets a spot in my travel bag.

Is an Amazon Kindle Worth It?

For me, the answer is an enthusiastic YES!

But whether it's worth it for you really depends on your reading habits.

If you only read one or two books a year, you may be perfectly happy using the free Kindle app on a device you already own.

But if you love reading, travel frequently, enjoy reading outdoors, or want a dedicated device without all your phone's distractions, I think a Kindle is absolutely worth considering.

And if you're a frequent reader, I'd encourage you to look at Kindle+ too.

Between my Kindle and Kindle+ subscription, I have access to more books than I could possibly read, all in a device that's easy to take just about anywhere.

Five Kindles later, I'm still completely hooked.

And with 555 consecutive reading days behind me, I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Are you a Kindle reader, a physical book loyalist, or someone who uses the Kindle app on your phone? I'd love to know!

Product and service details checked October 31, 2026, using Amazon’s Kindle+ guide, Kindle+ help, and Amazon’s Kindle and accessory announcement. My photos show devices I have used over time, not every current model.