E-ink reading & analog notes
The one gadget that makes you do less, plus the notebook and pen you'll actually open.
An e-ink reader is the rare gadget that makes you do *less*: no notifications, weeks of battery, readable in sunlight. The analog half is the same idea in paper. A notebook and pen you want to open beats any app you have to remember to open.
Choose a reader ecosystem first: Kindle if you already own Kindle books, Kobo if you borrow from the library and read EPUBs, Boox if you refuse to choose. Then decide separately whether you want to write on glass, where the real split is subscription polish (reMarkable) versus owning your data (Supernote).
Looking for what to put on the reader? The reading lists collect books notable people have publicly recommended, each with its source.
The kit
Libra Colour with buttons, a Supernote for long-form notes, a Hobonichi and a LAMY 2000.
Budget is our editorial estimate (USD, Oct 2026) from the sum of items you keep. It is not an Amazon price; check live prices on Amazon.
- 01 · E-reader$$$
Kobo Libra Colour (7", page-turn buttons, stylus support)
Physical page-turn buttons and an asymmetric grip: the best one-handed reading ergonomics.
Buttons matter more than you expect on a cold morning or in bed. 32GB, Libby built in, optional Kobo Stylus 2 for margin notes. This is the open-ecosystem recommended tier: you can buy books anywhere, borrow from the library, and sideload freely.
- screen
- 7" Kaleido 3
- storage
- 32GB
- buttons
- yes
- stylus
- optional
- 02 · Alt: Kindle ecosystemoptional$$
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th gen, 7", ad-free)
The fastest, sharpest 7" e-ink screen and the Kindle store. Buy the ad-free one.
If you already own Kindle books or live by Send-to-Kindle, this is the obvious device: Carta 1300 panel, weeks of battery, Whispersync. The ecosystem is closed, though Send-to-Kindle now converts EPUBs. The Signature Edition adds auto-brightness and 32GB for $20 more. The Kindle Colorsoft is the color variant.
Choose this instead of the Kobo if your library is already on Kindle.
- screen
- 7" Carta 1300, 300 PPI
- storage
- 16GB
- 03 · Writing tabletoptional$$$
Supernote Manta A5 X2 (10.7" writing tablet)
The writing tablet that owns your data: no subscription, on-device search, user-replaceable battery.
On-device handwriting recognition and search, no cloud fee, a ceramic nib that never wears, and a battery you can swap yourself. The pen feel is a notch below the reMarkable Paper Pro's but the software philosophy is the opposite of a subscription. reMarkable Paper Pro ($580+) wins on polish and color; Kindle Scribe wins if you mainly mark up Kindle books.
- screen
- 10.7" e-ink
- sync
- optional, no fee
- battery
- replaceable
- 04 · Light$
Rechargeable neck reading light (warm 2700 K)
Reading next to a sleeping partner without waking them.
Even frontlit e-ink is nicer under a warm light at night, and a neck light goes where a lamp cannot. Choose one with a 2700 K setting; cool white keeps you awake.
Find on Amazonpaid link - 05 · Standoptional$
Lamicall Adjustable tablet stand (metal, folds flat)
Hands-free reading at a desk or a kitchen counter.
Holds a reader or a writing tablet at any angle and folds flat for a bag. A Mobo Cross book stand does the same for paper books.
Find on Amazonpaid link - 06 · Planner$$
Hobonichi Techo 2026 Original (A6, English, page-a-day)
Tomoe River paper, a page per day, and a cult following among fountain-pen people.
The paper is the point: thin, fountain-pen friendly, sheens beautifully. The page-a-day layout works if you will write every day; if not, the Leuchtturm is the better daily notebook. The A5 Cousin is the larger version.
- size
- A6
- paper
- Tomoe River
- layout
- page per day
View on Amazonpaid link - 07 · Pen$$$
LAMY 2000 fountain pen (14k nib)
The 1966 Bauhaus design that is still the best pen under $250.
Piston-filled, hooded 14k gold nib, Makrolon body that ages beautifully. People buy one and stop looking. Choose F or M; the nibs run slightly broad.
Find on Amazonpaid link
Skip this / common mistakes
- !
Don't buy a color e-reader expecting tablet color. Kaleido 3 shows 4,096 muted colors at 150 PPI; it is for covers and highlights, and it slightly darkens text.
- !
Don't buy a Kindle with ads to save $20. Removing them later costs the same.
- !
Don't buy a 13" writing tablet unless you need A4. 10–11" is the portability sweet spot.
- !
Don't buy a reMarkable without budgeting for Connect if you want sync beyond 50 days.
- !
Don't use wet fountain-pen inks in a Leuchtturm or Moleskine and expect no bleed. That is what Tomoe River and Midori MD paper are for.
Questions people ask
Kindle or Kobo?
Kindle if you already own Kindle books or rely on Send-to-Kindle. Kobo if you borrow from the library (Libby is built in), read EPUBs, or hate ads and lock-in.
reMarkable vs Supernote vs Kindle Scribe?
reMarkable for writing feel and polish, with a subscription. Supernote for no-subscription ownership, on-device search and a replaceable battery. Kindle Scribe for reading Kindle books and marking them up.
Is the Hobonichi worth $55?
If you will use a page a day with a fountain pen, yes; the paper is unmatched. Otherwise a Leuchtturm1917 is the better everyday notebook.
Can a Kindle read library books?
In the US, yes, via Libby's Send to Kindle. Kobo does it natively on the device in more countries.
Sources
Heads up: links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing and does not change which products get picked. How this works
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Bill Gates
Microsoft co-founder, Gates Notes
The books Bill Gates recommended on Gates Notes in his 2024 and 2025 holiday and summer lists, each with the original post.
Naval Ravikant
AngelList founder, investor
The books Naval Ravikant recommends in the Almanack of Naval Ravikant's reading list, with his own one-line reasons.
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Spotted a better part, or a price that moved? Tell us. Every kit is re-checked when the hardware changes. All kits.