[bendable]

Hey everyone. Looks like a great community. I stumbled across it as I have been looking into whether it is worth getting an ebook reader as a grad student.

Being a grad student, ebook readers have attracted me for a number of reasons, but I have some questions that I cannot seem to find good answers for. Until I find these answers it will be difficult for me to pick a reader. So if you fine people would be able to help me out, I would really appreciate it.

1. Do ebook readers allow a user to search content? If I'm looking for passages that use a specific phrase/word, can I search for it among all my books or even just within one book?
2. Being in Canada, which ebook stores do not sell to me? I have noticed that Amazon limits which books are available in Canada, but I haven't figured out the rest.
3. From any of the sites available in Canada, am I able to buy books from any of them and put them on basically any device? (granted, using Calibre or something similar). For example, if I buy a Kobo, can I still buy from Sony's store and get it onto my device?
4. How easy is it to be in Canada and buy books that are not available in Canada, but only in the US? (for example, Kindle's books that are only available in US) Is there any way to spoof Amazon and get those books still?

So, based on all my above questions, which reader is best for me? Let's assume that I have access to the readers that are only available in the US as well as any available in Canada.

If it's around $150 or less, that'd be even sweeter.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for the advice/answers in advance!

Oh yeah...one more question/thought. I'd love to be able to access any ebook libraries. Does anyone know how easy that is in Canada? Which libraries?