The real question is, What do you want to do with this device?
If you JUST want to read books, one of the basic Kindles is your best bet. The screens are better for hours of reading without eye strain, and they're read-able in sunlight -- no glare. They're also more affordable, and the battery'll last weeks between charges. Lots of nice features: The ability to create your own categories, hold your place in the book, dictionary feature, and some books will read outloud.
The Nook is very much like the Kindle in terms of features and price (except that I don't think it has the make-your-own-category feature), but its screen isn't as good -- if eye strain matters, you want to stick with Kindle.
On the other hand, if you want a device that will allow you to read AND ALSO play games, music or movies, the Kindle Fire is a good choice. Its screen does have a glare in full sunlight, making it less attractive for reading by the pool. It also will need to be charged every 1-2 days. Think of it as an ipad light.
The ipad is great, but pricey. It can do everything the Kindle Fire can do -- and more, and better. You can download both the Kindle and Nook aps and get free books from each site. However, for just plain reading, it's heavy. That will make a difference if you read for hours. And its battery life isn't great.
Regardless of which you choose, you can get plenty of free books on either the Kindle or the Nook, but you'll buy plenty too. I buy way more books than I did pre-Kindle. Do not buy any e-reader based upon the idea of borrowing from the library; even if your library offers e-books, this concept is in its infancy, and few libraries have much in the way of lending.
Similarly, don't count on lending books with an ereader. Whether an individual book can or can't be lent is up to the publisher. I suspect this is the type of thing that's going to evolve with the industry.
If you JUST want to read books, one of the basic Kindles is your best bet. The screens are better for hours of reading without eye strain, and they're read-able in sunlight -- no glare. They're also more affordable, and the battery'll last weeks between charges. Lots of nice features: The ability to create your own categories, hold your place in the book, dictionary feature, and some books will read outloud.
The Nook is very much like the Kindle in terms of features and price (except that I don't think it has the make-your-own-category feature), but its screen isn't as good -- if eye strain matters, you want to stick with Kindle.
On the other hand, if you want a device that will allow you to read AND ALSO play games, music or movies, the Kindle Fire is a good choice. Its screen does have a glare in full sunlight, making it less attractive for reading by the pool. It also will need to be charged every 1-2 days. Think of it as an ipad light.
The ipad is great, but pricey. It can do everything the Kindle Fire can do -- and more, and better. You can download both the Kindle and Nook aps and get free books from each site. However, for just plain reading, it's heavy. That will make a difference if you read for hours. And its battery life isn't great.
Regardless of which you choose, you can get plenty of free books on either the Kindle or the Nook, but you'll buy plenty too. I buy way more books than I did pre-Kindle. Do not buy any e-reader based upon the idea of borrowing from the library; even if your library offers e-books, this concept is in its infancy, and few libraries have much in the way of lending.
Similarly, don't count on lending books with an ereader. Whether an individual book can or can't be lent is up to the publisher. I suspect this is the type of thing that's going to evolve with the industry.
