Discovering the Ultimate Reading Setup Without an E-Reader: A Tech Enthusiast's Guide

So, picture this scenario: your trusty Kindle bids farewell after twelve faithful years. I've found that... hat now? Well, let me share a little secret—I stumbled upon a game-changer, a multi-device 'eReader-less' setup that's all about flexibility, comfort, and saving you a trip to the store without breaking the bank.

The Method: An Inbox, Two Surfaces, and the Outputs

Let's break it down: I've got an Inbox, Two Surfaces, and the Outputs to streamline my reading experience. The Inbox is where everything I want to devour resides. The Surfaces dictate where I devour it: quick bites on my iPhone, deep dives on my iPad or laptop. And the Outputs? They capture the gold nuggets, turning mere reading into tangible knowledge for future reference.

The Inbox: Collect Everything

My go-to Inbox? Instapaper—a neat, no-frills Pocket alternative for web reading. With the Instapaper share extension or bookmarklet on my phone and laptop, anything intriguing gets a one-way ticket there. Plus, I've got a Google Drive folder aptly named 'Books' for ePubs and PDFs. Convenient, right? Easily convert and transfer them to Apple Books or the Kindle app with a cloud-side seat for universal access.

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The Surfaces: Right Screen for the Right Moment

On my iPhone, it's all about short, sweet reading sessions. A few tweaks—like reducing white point, enabling True Tone, and opting for Safari Reader View—set the mood just right. And guess what? I even crafted a nifty 'Reading Mode' Shortcut that preps my oasis with don't Disturb, low brightness, Instapaper, and more—all with a double-tap magic trick. As for my iPad, it's all about immersive book bonding with locked screen orientation and cozy 10-minute Auto-Lock settings. Safari, Instapaper, Apple Books, and the Kindle app for iPadOS are my go-tos for lengthy literary rendezvous.

The Follow-ups: Highlights Today, Remember Tomorrow

Here's the scoop: reading more isn't the answer if nothing sticks. Luckily, both Apple Books and the Kindle app have your back with note-taking features alongside highlights. Sometimes, you'll catch me ruminating over wisdom, jotting down quick thoughts on Apple Notes with or without the trusty Apple Pencil. No Pencil? No worries! Both apps offer note space with your highlights for some digital margin scribbles. And hey, if automation is your jam, Readwise can swoop in, gather those highlights from various corners, and serve them up for later. Intrigued? Well, there's more where that came from!