Absolutely. I saw it for the first time maybe a year ago and went in not knowing anything about it, not even the synopsis, and that was the perfect way to experience it. What a ride.
Skipping the OS backup is reasonable, but you probably want to at least save a package list. Add something like dpkg -l > ~/packages.txt to your backup script.
But seriously, ebooks... maybe 8.5 times out of 10. E-ink screens are amazing and just as good as paper, but having your books also available on your phone, and thus always in your pocket, is transformative. So, digital on a platform that syncs between devices. (Bonus points for accomplishing this with an open-source app.)
Sharper text for reading more comfortably, and viewing photos at nearly full resolution. You don't have to discern individual pixels to benefit from either of these. And stuff you wouldn't think of, like small thumbnails and icons can actually show some detail.
Thank you for your service.