The Kindle doesn't play well with open formats, so if it isn't a Kindle approved e-book, you'll be out of luck. The Nook, my personal choice, has no such issues and will take all format thus allowing you to package up PDFs and other formats on your device.

As a librarian I am honor-bound to state: "Depending on your address, the Public Libraries in the area offer a variety of e-books for check out and use."

For Duluth Public Library: 
http://arrowhead.lib.overdrive.com

For Wisconsonians.
http://dbooks.wplc.info

Whatever device you purchase, e-readers are not going away - and I feel they are creating a buzz about reading again.   Good luck in your purchasing!

The Nook handles more book format types than the Kindle. For example, a lot of book files are in .epub format, which the Kindle does not handle.

I've never used a Nook, but I have no complaints at all about my Kindle. I LOVE it, and I use it all the time.

I have the new Nook simple touch e-reader and am completely satisfied. I have had the Kindle too but like the Nook a little better (although they are pretty comparable). The Nook has a bigger library available, is easy to upload free public domain books to and can borrow books from friends and libraries. I think the e-ink ones are easier to read off of so I would stick with those if you don't need the tablet aspect but I don't believe either of them have sound capability for Pandora. Happy reading!

Mrs. Goose has a kindle that she had to put away for awhile it was so addictive - thousands of free or very cheap books, manuscripts, etc.  

I have used it too and it is not hard to read which I feared.  I find the lack of a touchscreen or "mouse" type function to be very clumsy.  I heard that the Kindle Fire has been savaged by  critics 

Without going into full on threadjack can you tell me why Amazon is such an evil empire, Claire?  I had no idea of this, other than the obvious "buy local" angle.

Not to nitpick, but I didn't say Amazon was evil. I merely answered Wildgoose's question as to why Amazon was perceived as evil. Now, that being said, I personally feel that Amazon IS evil. Smart and evil are not mutually exclusive- particularly under the rules (or lack thereof) of capitalism. I am more than capable of choosing the words I put in my own mouth.

Nook simple touch isnawesome for PDFs and for goodies in their cafe.

Kindle fire, nook tablet, nook color and iPad all hurt my eyes...

I've used both Kindle and Nook (but not the Kobo in the article referenced above) and I find Adam Brisk's comments perceptive and professional.  I currently own the Nook Color -- because I especially like the magazine offerings -- and I like the open options with Nook, and use the Calibre ap with it.  I use both the Nook and my Android phone to read books depending on my location and my library is available anywhere and always up to date on both devices.  That is very handy.

Well, first I thought I messed up trying to post because I didn't see mine for so long so I went in blind and got a Kindle Touch.  I DID do a ton of review reading online, as well as comparing the features.  I picked the one I did specifically for the Eink feature, as the tablet-like ones seemed to be affected by the glare of overhead lights and since I do a ton of reading while camping, in a lawn chair in the sun, I knew that glare would drive me crazy.  

The fact that the display models of the Nook Simple Touch and Nook Color were not working at Best Buy solidified my decision to go with the Kindle Touch because that one was working and I got to get a feel for it first.  I was also limited to where I purchased it from due to not having the cash on hand but having a best buy card.  

Right now I'm 100% happy with what I chose, but thank you for your recommendations!

Avoid color if you prefer to read outdoors or are going to be away from a powersource.  THe color tablets have a day at most for battery power.  While a eInk Kindle or Nook (Same Screen) technology can be used for 2 weeks or more.  They also work alot better in direct sunlight

Hi Metalist:  I found the article interesting as well, and am now thinking about whether it really is better to buy from Amazon.  I use the library for 99% of my reading, but always, guiltily, use Amazon for purchased books due to less expense.  
That said, the demise of the independent bookstore, if inevitable, is nonetheless extremely depressing (e.g. Hungry Minds closing in St Paul).

Without judging the evilness or non-evilness of other companies... Amazon has come under fire this past year for unsafe working conditions in their distribution centers that some have compared to sweatshops. During particularly hot days they hired ambulance crews to park outside of their facilities to treat heat related collapses (rather than fix the problems). Mandatory overtime, routine treats of termination, abuse of temporary workers, unsustainable work pace...

So, yeah it's understandable to say something like "all corporations are likely to be evil in some way, that is how they make money". Sure. But don't let that be a salve to your conscious. The reason things continue is because of tacit support.  

We all may be guilty of it, but that doesn't mean we should all be accepting of it.

Sometimes PDD is like a Catholic mother: "Have fun, dear. Enjoy yourself. But remember to feel bad about it!"

You mean an iPod Touch?