Hello, DianaQ, and Welcome to MobileRead.
First of all, please thank your husband for his service to our country. And thank you for supporting him.
Now, IF you have a US based credit card with a US mailing address, the Kindle could be one way to go.
You don't need the whispernet. Anywhere in the world you can get internet access, you can download books from Amazon or whereever and transfer to the Kindle with the USB cord supplied.
Free books are available from here, feedbooks.com, mnybks.net, and assorted other places, you'll get more suggestions from members as they chime in. Also, did you know, if you have a US based library card, you could read their e-books on your Kindle without stripping the drm.
I am in the middle of three books right now....whichever one I want I just click on the title and it takes me to whereever I last left off.
I also really enjoy the built in dictionary, available only in English at the moment.
Currently, with the 4GB SD card inserted, I have room for about 4000 books.......that should last even you!
I am perfectly satisfied with the current Kindle model, and wouldn't switch to the new one even if their offered an even trade. Others don't feel the same. amazon offers a 30 day no strings attached return policy if you aren't satisfied.....
Since I see you are already in Japan, this may not be the best choice for you, just wanted to give you a 'heads up'.
Other readers I can't talk about, but again, I"m sure you'll get more info from their owners.
Good luck with which ever reader you decide on, and be sure and check out our books here. They are hand formatted by our members, and can be read without an ebook reader as well.