A little while ago I wrote an article called ‘How to Read a Book When You Have ADHD’. Its aim was to stop ADHDers from feeling guilty if they didn’t read books in the traditional linear way.

After that article, people emailed me asking for tips to read novels, which do have to be read beginning to end. Lots of people said their mind would wander or they would stop reading half way through the book even if they were enjoying it.

This article is about the benefits of reading books on a Kindle  when you have ADHD.

But I love books!

I  hear you, I love books too. Everything about them makes me happy, from the information they contain and their texture to the comforting feeling of turning pages.  I also love buildings that have books in them, like book stores and libraries.

This is why when ereaders first came out, I didn’t think they were for me.

Then, 8 years ago, my book, Untapped Brilliance was going to be available on Kindle. I wanted to understand more about Kindle and see how Untapped Brilliance would be formatted.

Without that incentive,  I doubt I would have tried one. However, I am so glad I did! It changed my reading experience completely and all my

ADHD clients too. So, if possible, keep an open mind as you are reading the rest of this article.

7 Reasons why Kindles are awesome when you have ADHD

1. Choose your font style

You get to choose your own font, which sounds like a ‘nice to have’ feature.  However, if you pick a font that is easy for you to read, you don’t have to work so hard to read, and your brain is less likely to wander off. When you  stay focused on the text, you can get wrapped up in the story, which in turn means you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

There is a special font called ‘OpenDyslexic’. The font was especially designed to help common dyslexia problems, such as changing, turning , switching and melting words together, rather than designed for how pretty the font looks.

The letters aren’t uniform, and the thing that helps me the most is they are weighted at the bottom, which helps to stop turning letters around.

I find I am reading faster and more accurately. I use to have to go back and reread sentences until they made sense. Now they usually make sense the first time.

This font can help some readers who have ADHD and don’t have dyslexia, so it’s worth checking out. And the great thing is, if it doesn’t help you, it only takes a few seconds to change the font back.

2. Choose the size of your font

You can make the font as big as is comfortable for your eyes. I make mine quite big. It’s not an eye sight thing; it seems to make processing the information easier.

Also, a large font means there are less words on the screen, so less chance to feel overwhelmed. Another advantage is it is easier to keep your eyes focused on the next word rather than jumping to the lines above or below.

3. Consistency

Having the same font style and size, for every book you read is helpful too. You don’t have to adapt with each new book.

4. Screen

Lots of people say, ‘Oh but I am on a screen all day. I don’t want to spend more time on a screen’ The screen isn’t shiny like a computer screen. It is ‘non glare’, which makes them easier on the eyes because they reflect light like paper.

In fact, some readers find reading on a Kindle easier than reading from white paper pages that can cause ‘visual stress’.

5. Reading Goals

The Kindle tells you what percentage of the book you have read so far for example 11%.  This means you can set yourself mini reading goals. You might say, ‘I wonder if I can get to15% before dinner’. Creating goals like this is motivating and helps you to keep reading. When you reach your goal,can set another goal or take a break.

6. Free samples

You can download a free sample to read before you buy the whole book. If you don’t get absorbed in the sample, that is a sign!   Only start to read books that you find really interesting. Downloading a free sample is also a good way to support your prospective memory. You have a visual reminder of the books you would like to read, without having to buy them.

7. Downsizing your book collection is easy

As amazing as paper books are, they do take up space and get weighty. Every time I have moved, the movers complain about how many heavy boxes of books they had to carry. Having too many belongings is a problem for ADHDers, and  giving books away can be hard because each feels like a friend.

A great thing about reading books on your Kindle is you don’t have to get rid of them. They can sit happily on your Kindle, barely taking up any space at all. You can carry 100’s of books at one time in your handbag, and it will still be lighter than 1 paper back.

Downsizing your book collection isn’t a chore…because you don’t have to!

Other things to Consider

Which Kindle?

Because I didn’t think I would like reading much on the Kindle, I just got the cheapest one. It was $79.  This turned out to be a huge blessing. It doesn’t have super fancy features. It’s just for reading. This means it is easy to stay focused on my book.

Now I have the Paperweight Kindle, which is great because I can read in the dark and not wake my fiancé Dave up!

What about the Kindle App?

There is a Kindle app that you can download to read books on your phone or tablet. There are pros and cons.

Pro.

There is a feature on the Kindle app called Word Runner (check the menu in the right hand side when reading a book). It shows you one word at a time, and you can set the speed. Someone I know uses this and loves it. She sets it fast so is forced to concentrate.  “I know it helps me focus A LOT better and read faster.  I can visualize the story just as well too, probably because my focus is so intense”

It’s worth checking out and seeing if it’s helpful for you.

Con

The 2 main downsides to the app verses the Kindle ereader are

  1. Phones etc have  shiny screens, which can make reading tiring.
  2. It might be tempting to start surfing the web or texting rather than reading your book.

Customer service

I have only needed to contact customer service twice, and each time they were very helpful and friendly.

What is your experience reading on a Kindle?

*There maybe affiliate links in this blog post and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase as a result on clicking one of the link​s​. However I never recommend anything that I haven’t personally used and don’t ​absolutely love. You won’t be charged any more by using one of these links*

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