I hope you know about the
eBookwise-1150. Although it is not eInk, people say it is a great reader. Cheap too!
Also, a
refurbished Palm will give you a lot of good use as a reader. I have used a series of them for years. Prices vary. I picked one up this spring for US$39. Aim for the monochrome models that use two AAA batteries. The batteries last a month and you can easily carry spares.