Reading e-books: guide for tablet, phone and e-reader
E-books are digital books that you read on your tablet, smartphone or e-reader. You always have an entire library with you, you can adjust the font size and you can read at night without a lamp. In this comprehensive guide you'll learn everything about e-books: from choosing the right device to finding and reading books.
Which device should you read e-books on?
E-reader (Kobo, Kindle, Tolino)
An e-reader is made specifically for reading books.
Pros:
- E-ink screen: reads like paper, no blue light
- Weeks of battery life
- No distractions (no apps, messages, email)
- Lightweight, easy to take with you
- Perfectly readable in sunlight
Cons:
- Black-and-white screen (no color images)
- Slower than a tablet when turning pages
- An extra device to buy
Recommendations:
- Kobo: Works with Dutch stores (Bol.com), supports many formats
- Kindle: Good quality, but only works with Amazon
- Tolino: German e-reader, also available in the Netherlands
Price: From €90 for basic models, €150-200 for models with a built-in light and waterproofing.
Tablet (iPad, Samsung, etc.)
Pros:
- Color screen for magazines and comic books
- Multifunctional (also for other apps)
- Larger screens available
Cons:
- Heavier than an e-reader
- Screen can be tiring during long reading sessions
- Hard to read in direct sunlight
- Distractions from other apps
Smartphone
Pros:
- Always at hand
- Free: you already have a phone
- Syncing with other devices
Cons:
- Small screen
- Lots of scrolling needed
- Lots of distractions
Where do you buy or borrow e-books?
Dutch online stores
- Bol.com: The largest e-book selection in the Netherlands. Works with Kobo e-readers and the Kobo app.
- Kobo Store: Buy books directly from your Kobo e-reader.
- Libris Blz.: From the Libris bookstores, with its own app.
International options
- Amazon Kindle Store: Huge selection, including many Dutch-language titles. Only works with Kindle and the Kindle app.
- Google Play Books: Works on all devices, good app.
- Apple Books: For iPhone, iPad and Mac users.
Free e-books through the library
With a library membership you can borrow e-books for free!
- Join your local library (from approx. €40 per year)
- Download the Libby app (or use onlinebibliotheek.nl)
- Sign in with your library card
- Search for and borrow e-books (up to 10 at a time)
- Loan period: 3 weeks, after which the book disappears automatically
Free legal e-books
- Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org): Classics whose copyright has expired
- Standaard Boekhandel: Free Dutch-language classics
- ManyBooks.net: A collection of free e-books
Installing and using e-book apps
Libby (for library books)
- Download Libby from the App Store or Play Store
- Open the app and tap "Find My Library"
- Search for your library (e.g. "Amsterdam" or "Utrecht")
- Select your library and sign in with your card number
- Find a book using "Search" or browse the categories
- Tap "Borrow" to borrow the book
- Open the book and start reading!
Kobo app (for Bol.com e-books)
- Download the Kobo app
- Create an account or sign in
- Your purchased books appear automatically
- Tap a book to download and open it
Kindle app (for Amazon e-books)
- Download the Kindle app
- Sign in with your Amazon account
- Your books sync automatically
Adjusting font size and display
A big advantage of e-books: you adjust the display to suit your preferences.
Changing the font size
- Open a book
- Tap the middle of the page (to show the menu bar)
- Tap the Aa icon or the gear icon
- Drag the font size slider
Other adjustments
- Font: Choose a font you find comfortable (OpenDyslexic is often available for dyslexia)
- Line spacing: More space between lines
- Margins: Wider or narrower
- Background color:
- White: standard, bright
- Sepia (yellowish brown): easier on your eyes
- Black: dark mode, ideal at night
Handy e-book features
Bookmarks
Tap the top right of the page to place a bookmark. Handy for finding your place later. Your book also automatically remembers where you left off.
Highlights and notes
Hold your finger on a word and drag to select text. You can:
- Highlight in different colors
- Add a note
- Find all your highlights through the menu
Dictionary
Tap a word to see its meaning. Most apps have a built-in dictionary. Handy for difficult words or books in another language.
Syncing
Start on your tablet, continue reading on your phone. The apps sync your reading position, highlights and bookmarks across all your devices.
Read-aloud feature
Some apps can read the book aloud:
- iPhone/iPad: Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Speak Screen
- Kindle: Some books support Text-to-Speech
Tips for comfortable reading
Reduce blue light
- Use dark mode or a sepia background in the evening
- Turn on Night Shift on iPhone or night mode on Android
- Dim the brightness
Take breaks
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 meters away for 20 seconds
- Just like with paper books: take a break every now and then
Organize your library
- Create collections or folders (to read, read, favorites)
- Remove books you have finished (they stay in the cloud)
Frequently asked questions
Can I share e-books with family?
Officially no, e-books are personal. Some services offer a family subscription.
What if my e-reader breaks?
Your books are linked to your account, not to the device. Buy a new e-reader, sign in, and all your books are back.
Can I print e-books?
Usually not, because of copyright. That's not really what e-books are meant for anyway.
What is the difference between ePub and PDF?
ePub adapts to your screen and font size settings. PDF is a fixed format that doesn't adapt well to small screens.
Give it a try: many people find e-books just as pleasant as paper books once they get used to them!
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