Hey, History!
You could have a look at
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=247151
In this thread I discussed with other members tablet options with the same needs in mind. In the end, I went for a £129 Nook HD+ (9" 256 dpi screen!). I put Cyanogen mod 11 on it and it runs like clockwork!
The other option is pretty solid, too £80 for Hisense Sero 8 (8", 188 dpi) - the body of that tablet is as big as a normal 7" tablet - it just has a smaller bezel.
Just my 2c thrown in the pond.