Do it.

I read for years using Kindle app, both on my phone and tablet. Few years ago got Kindle and even though I still use app occasionally, Kindle is so much better. More comfortable when it comes to the size, ergonomical, easier for the eyes (especially if you spend time on phone and computer), better battery, less distractions due to lack of other functions.

I have Kindle (80$ one)

A world in which censorship is viewed as pragmatic is a frightening world indeed.

And I am living in the same world as young people with the same economic conditions from a poor family and no college degree and yet I feel far more suited to dealing with this Hellscape than many of my contemporaries. I reckon that has to do with my mom raising me with my head not in the sand to the horrors of the world around me.

I'd see it just a pragmatic response from the publisher to changing social attitudes. Personally, I don't think it's cool to use fatness for example as a short hand for laziness, greed or stupidity and I might not choose to give books to kids that do make that association. I think that the rates of depression and anxiety among young adults have a lot more to do with climate collapse and economic conditions that are making it increasingly difficult to aspire towards independence (e.g. getting a job that enables you to pay for your own place to live) than with a culture that emphasizes inclusion and diversity.

A mix of both, audible for on the run, reader app on the phone for leisure. Honestly, the reader app on the phone is a godsend, I started reading again because of it. Got sucked in to the Wandering Inn in the last few months, didn’t realize the whole thing is like 18 million words, so yeah… not feasible with physical.

It's a great book. I've read it several times. I read it again about a year ago because I was preparing to write a book set in that time period. It helped me get in the proper mood. Thanks for reminding me of this, Old Sport.

I’m also interested to hear OPs connections of Gatsby to Fitzgerald. All I can think of is how F. Scott Fitzgerald had a similar romantic obsession to a former born rich girlfriend (Ginevra King), similar to Jay Gatsby’s fixation with Daisy Buchanan. However, it’s fairly well known that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for Jay Gatsby’s character was based on a neighbour (Max Von Gerlach) he and his wife Zelda had while living in Long Island. Apparently Max Avon Gerlach was mysterious and claimed many stories about himself, also had lavish parties, always wore brand new clothing, frequently used the phrase “old sport”, had severed in the military, became rich through bootlegging, and many other similarities to the character Jay Gatsby.

My point was that the books do indeed portray abuse and neglect, portray children being chronically unheard and mistreated and mistrusted, they are indeed dark. I think the darkness is prob very clear to the children who made the series so popular. Not every kid can put into words the experience of being cast out and hurt, but the books portray it as a norm and thus are super validating.

Plus, I am am adult and I say adults are stupid. I mean, we are really stupid. Right?!

If I were getting into a serious, dark discussion, I'd also mention that what is portrayed as adult stupidity is often actually systemic violence, unhealthy social hierarchies (like churches) and well meaning adults who are thwarted when they try to help vs adults, are merely stupid.

From a child's perspective, yes, I think "stupid" suffices as a good enough description. As an adult, I can see a larger system. Individual adults may not be responsible for their own powerlessness and inaction (they tried, after all), but the children are still harmed. No one does well in the books, and that's a pretty fair depiction of life as I know it. Adults are stupid, but it's not really their fault. Not an uplifting thought, but that's why I stopped reading the books. They're bleak.

I can only enjoy audio books after I’ve physically read it. I prefer physical copies to digital, but then again, I’m nearly out of room on my bookshelves.

At the same time, my commute is about an hour. So, I really should get into audiobooks. Generally though I listen to YouTubers or Critical Role.

He has a pleasant, Nick Carraway-sounding voice indeed.

Thanks! thats super helpful, appreciate you taking the time!

I once went on vacation to Australia and took four physical books and bought another handful there. My kindle was a life saver.

I wasn't even looking for them when I found them! You can also look at shopgoodwill.com, which includes listings from a whole bunch of Goodwills. I might make sure they're tested, though? In the store I could test it on my own, but you can't really do that online.:/

I don't know why, but somehow I enjoy reading on my phone more than reading on my kindle.

And maybe books about bad things that aren’t just Orwell. If everything is 1984 then nothing is.

I really have to check it out! Probably the second time that someone mentions it under my post

Thanks for your thoughts! Everytime I go to the mall, I visit the bookstore there, knowing that I will leave without buying anything. Just seeing so many books makes me happy

ADHD is so different in different people. For me, audiobooks make books so much more accessible due to my ADHD. But I will admit, it took me about a year to get my brain used to it.

I’m actually the opposite. I have a short attention span so when I’m nearing the end of a book I want to finish it quickly so I can move on to the next book.

You got some very good points. I am also aware of the market position of Amazon and the thought of losing all my books never occured to me...but it's frightening nevertheless. Thanks for offering an alternative!

There are rewind buttons in audiobooks that allow this. I often will relisten to an entire chapter if I want to make sure I got it. Super easy to do in audiobooks.

Is it easy to find Kindle at Goodwill? Like out of stock, so if I am lucky I will find one etc

And Libby!!

Free ebooks!!

Because of life, I've also made the change to audiobook. I still try to read a physical book, but if I can't, its nice to fill in the blanks with the audiobook.

Plus, depending on the narrator(s) I love gotten through books I don't think I would've trad physically.

I've started avoiding the Kindle App, too much control of Ebook market by Amazon.

As an alternative, I use Ebooks.com and others, buy EPUBs and then remove the DRM (legally) and put the books into my Calibre Library. I have a Boox ereader and have large chunk of my library loaded. I also have the Kindle app on there for my older kindle books.

It's a little faffy but I truly own my books forever. Amazon can't decide to just delete them or if I get locked out of my Amazon account I don't lose everything; this has happened to multiple people! There are stories of people crossing borders and being locked out of their accounts due to falling foul of the DRM rules.

Thank you for promoting libraries! ♥