I readily admit it. After picking up my first ebook back in 2004, I have read more books than ever.

I own close to 2,000 treebooks. Yet nowadays I can barely open a paperback without trying to click on a word to look it up, or touch the page to turn it.

Yes, ereading becomes second nature very fast. But what has it meant for me as a reader?

1. I read faster than before

I have always considered myself a good reader. Having read books for as long as I can remember, I think it’s fair to say I am a “skilled reader”. I would churn through at least 1 paperback per week. Nowadays I do have less time to read, but I read faster, thus I manage to cover almost the same ground. The iPod as a device makes it easy to read fast without skipping paragraphs.

2. I have more fun reading

The ebook format fits me like a glove. I don’t know exactly why, since I was of the “books have to be made of paper” school. Without paper books wouldn’t be, well, books. But after years of ereading I am realizing that it is more fun, it is more user friendly, and it is more practical to read in an iPod than carrying books all over the place.

3. I read stuff I wouldn’t bother buying in paper format

I find some pleasure in this fact. The back catalogue of many of my currently favorite writers would probably remain off limits since they either wouldn’t be available in stores (although nowadays everything is available at Amazon so that may be a moot point).

4. I don’t need to buy more bookshelfs

In fact, I can have fewer. My wife and I threw out at least 500 books this spring. We simply gave them away to a local flea market and that was that. Four years ago that would have been unthinkable! Who gives away books! They must surely be on display in a bookcase so I can look intellectual and important. But no more! I carry 100+ ebooks wherever I go.

5. I learn more words

Ereading has the added bonus of letting you look up words as you read. What does “ovation” actually mean? How is a word pronounced? On my iPod I have Merriam-Websters 11th Collegiate Edition installed. It’s a feature I use virtually every day. It enriches my command of the English language (yes, I am Norwegian).

6. I actually read the books I buy

Maybe this will change eventually. But up until now I have read every single ebook I have bought. In my bookshelves there must be hundreds of unread books. Books which will remain unread forever.

7. I can listen to music when I tire of reading

Of course I can. I read on an iPod. I read more than I listen. Who thought iPods would turn into ebook devices? It’s all bliss.