Welcome and congratulations, fekg.
I'd say that lumi has the general gist of the matter: you don't really need the cradle to use any function of the Reader, but some do find it a convenience not to have to futz with getting everything plugged in correctly. The cradle does offer a very visible charge indicator light,as the clear plastic part is lit when it's charging, and is visible from several meters away even in a lit room.
I'd say the real answer to your question of should you get one, is probably the counter question of how much do you, personally, value those conveniences?
