I solved my first problem on the TOC with the following in the pre-amble:
Code:
\usepackage{tocloft}
\setlength\cftparskip{-5pt}
\setlength\cftbeforechapskip{10pt}
\setlength\cftaftertoctitleskip{2pt}
With this I am able to tweak the table of contents and make it show on a single page on the nook.