I read 2-6 hrs a day and get 4-10 days of reading on my Nook. The Kindle should last at least a couple weeks with heavy reading.
I haven't heard anything about the Kindle actually being that fragile, but I have heard the concern before. I would get a case or sleeve to put your reader in whichever one you decide on. I never actually use my case unless I am going out, and I have kids!, but I have the extended warranty. It is pretty durable though.
The page blinks aren't as noticeable since the 1.5 update. Or maybe it is just because the page turns so much faster I don't notice it as much. Eventually you will not even notice it. I HATED the blinking so much, but then after a couple hours I barely noticed it.
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