Okay I've read a few of your post, it looks like your not 100% opposed to touch screens, your concern is that they will require two hands to use.
I can tell you I read on my phone 4" and nook 7" screens with one hand all the time. Both are Android devices, the software I use to read has the ability to change gestures so you can changes pages by swiping, tapping, or just scrolling ( I use the scrolling). And the Android device supports all the formats under the sun.
You might also want to look into an iPod or wait for Samsungs Galaxy Player (
my post).
It's essentially their Galaxy phone w/o the phone features. I have their phone and it's a phenomenal piece of hardware, and it's extremely light with good build quality.
Disabling the WI-FI and setting the screen to low should give you a full's day charge. My sons iPod last more than a day and he is always on the device.
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