[violagirl]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The Kindle is another option. I know you said it was out because you want to read library books on your e-reader. Since that feature is coming, I am going to discuss the Kindle.

Since this would be an intermediate eReader, I want something that has library access already. I don't buy books unless they are reference books, very rarely. I buy novels that I loved so much I want to own them physically, or to support my favorite authors. I can read a novel a day, which makes buying them impractical for me. (Yeah, I was that kid you'd see teetering out of the library trying to balance 15 books ) I realize ebooks are still limited at libraries, but I'm sure I could still find books to read, considering I have library cards in two states, both of which have ebooks. I'm also annoyed that Kindle is making libraries pretty much have to buy two versions of an ebook to support Kindle as well. It just makes things harder for the library, and harder to get more ebooks overall. I don't think I want to support that at this time.

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The Sony 350 would be a good fit. It reads EPub and so is open to a multitude of bookstores which makes shopping easier for you overseas. It has a 5 inch touch screen, good battery life, and is loved by just about everyone who uses it.

I'll think about that one. Me and touch screens have had our issues, so I'm not a huge fan, and I've heard the touch screen eInk screens don't look nearly as good as the non-touch ones for some reason. But I'll keep it in mind. ^^ Thank you for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by boswd

I think you might be a little hard on the Kobo. For one he did ask for a budget ereader so budget usually means basic features as well. I like the kobo for a basic ereader. Nice form factor, love the quilted back. solid battery life, supports ePub, Decent enough screen, very intuitive. solid bookstore platform, wireless.

It always makes me chuckle that I have a screenname with girl in the name and people still call me "he" online. That aside, the Kobo sounds nice. I'm debating whether the page change button would annoy me though, as I'm left-handed. The Kobo sounds like it might be worth it for me.

Originally Posted by HarryT

This is very much incorrect. Some books have geographical restrictions which restrict where they can be sold, but that's a restriction on the book, not the reader.

Thank you, I didn't know that. I might have been thinking about something similar to how the Kindle uses a propriety format, that Japan has its own propriety format on its eReaders.. it wouldn't surprise me knowing Japan.

After all this advice, I think I'll look at the flea market these next few weeks. I am seeing that PDF support won't be great unless I pay more, and at this point I'm not willing to do so, so if I just want to use it for books, it'd be great if I could find a used one for 80 bucks or so. If not, maybe I'll get a Kobo. ^^ If anyone has any more suggestions for just an ereader that has eInk, and can read library books and Japanese books (so I'm nixing the PDF part), I'd be happy to hear them!