I have Kindle touch and Kindle fire. I received both as gifts last Christmas and love both of them.

Kindle touch is in black and white (or black and pale grey) and I use it for downloading and reading ebooks, including recipe books. I expect it would work well for magazines as well, but would not be in color. I use it a LOT for books!

Kindle Fire is full color. I do read on it sometimes, but only when I can get it away from my husband! He uses it most for games. There are a gazillion games available, as well as other applications. I mostly use it myself for going online (via Wi-Fi), for my Evernote and other applications, and for recipe books (full color). It is great for watching videos or movies as well, and for viewing photographs.

I've not tried Nook.

Have you gone to your library? Ours now has Kindles. Maybe yours does too & you could do a trial run before you buy?

I have a Kindle & like it. Easy to download books. Web surfing is different on it than with a computer. The Fire is the latest version, so I guess I would lean toward that rather than just Kindle. I don't know anything about the Nook, but it probably isn't much different. You might check to see if your library gets Consumer Reports Magazine & see if they have rated e-readers. That is usually helpful for me when trying to decide between "this" or "that".

I have the Kindle Touch. It's a basic reader--you just have to touch the screen to turn the page. Not backlit, so I have to use a little book light when reading in bed (and DH is asleep).

Personnally, I like the touch screen feature--don't think I'd be as happy with the lower kindle with buttons. The touch feature is nice for playing some of the games available.

Bottom line, the Touch does everything I want it to, and I believe is a bit smaller than the more involved ones (so that's nice for tossing it into my purse).

I'm sure you'll get all sorts of responses. You're still going to have to assess what features are 'must haves' for you, and which will work best.

I have both the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Fire HD. My DH has taken over the Kindle Fire. I like them both but the newer Kindle Fire HD does seem a bit easier to web surf. The HD is brighter but a little bit larger so not as easy to hold in my opinion anyway.

I have a $79 Kindle that was a Christmas 2011 gift from my daughter. Like it a lot, I just buy what I like to read or get ebooks for free. Unfortunately, my local library chose the Nook for its free library services. Also, my kindle has no bells and whistles, no back light for night-time reading,no Web service, etc. Like Azzalea said, it depends on what are your "must-haves".

I have the original Kindle, black & white. It weighs only ounces, slimmer than my phone, and fits very nicely in my handbag...and is the less costly device, and has a very long battery life.

I downloaded the Kindle reader to my laptop(windows), and also the android app to my Notebook(Android) and my phone(android app). There is no extra cost at all to do this.

It really depends on your price target. If money is not the issue, I would take a look at the iPad Mini.

I had the same question a year ago as I bought my brother an ereader for Christmas. I came across this review, it is even more updated, since they just revised it less than a month ago. It gives a lot of the pros/cons. I look to CNET when it comes to electronics, since they seem to have a good handle on it (Consumer Reports but focuses on electronics). I ended up not getting him any of these, but I sure would've gotten the 9 inch Nook-hands down less expensive than the Kindle (which it appears to be getting closer in price), but a better screen. Better color saturation and bigger.

Here is a link that might be useful: CNET's review

I got my Kindle Fire last year and love it. I use it extensively for reading books, magazines, and newspapers as well as for playing games and hanging out on the internet. I'm on my Kindle right now, lol.

I think the first question is: Do you want to only read books and magazines, or do you want to do that plus have the option for web access (for checking e-mail, popping in on this forum, checking out the latest news headlines). You might think the former, but give the latter some thought.

There are dedicated e-readers, and there are the higher-end models of those brands that are really tablets.

And, do you think you want to be able to watch downloaded movies/TV shows?

You might also want to go to YouTube, where there are lots of videos of side-by-side comparisons.

Have you been to Best Buy or Office Depot or a similar store to see the variety? Because as strange as this may seem, you need to see what feels right in your hands, too -- some might be too big, some might be a bit heavy, some screen sizes may be too big for your liking.

I got a Kindle Fire a few weeks ago. I thought I wanted it just for the books, but I love the other features. I really like the Scanner app that I downloaded. I can listen to my local police and fire calls while I am surfing around on the Kindle or reading a book. Our local library offers free books on the Kindle.

I chose to go with the Kindle Fire HD because of the sound system. Music was an important factor in my decision and I heard that you can't beat the kindle for sound.

And, if you don't mind side-loading, you are not anchored to Amazon only, which seems to be the biggest complaint.

I'm still on the fence. Some of these babies are really heavy, and I've always hated having to hold huge tomes. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" is something like 20 ounces. What does the simple, original Kindle weigh? I JUST WANT TO READ A BOOK and be able to put library books on my 'something'. No camera. Not interested in sound.

Kindle info...

If you want a dedicated ereader chisue, then you need the kindle touch with wifi or the kindle with keyboard (not my choice).

If you want a dedicated ereader AND want to read in the dark (in the car, on an airplane, or in bed), then get the kindle touch Paperwhite with wifi.

If you want a dedicated ereader AND want to read in the dark AND want to buy books on the beach or in your car you need the kindle touch Paperwhite with wifi and 3G. That's the kindle on the amazon site that is 179. I got my boys these for Christmas. They are awesome.

I have a Kindle and an IPad and I do not like to read on my ipad. Can' not read outside on iPad due to glare. My kindle is the old model with keyboard but I can use my boys' when they are not using them since they are all on my account.

My daughters kindle is on my account and we share books.

Clear as mud, huh?

Thank you everyone! I have not read all your replies but when I finish reading everyone's reviews, I believe I can choose more wisely. Love that we can come on here and everyone is so kind to give their opinions!!!

Moonie, my husband just ordered that Kindle and I am amazed at the sound! Dolby speakers. Crazy!

I received a Kobo Light for Christmas. It is not heavy, lights up for bedtime reading - no need for the bedside lamp!, and is touch screen allowing you to turn the page by swiping a finger. It also goes into Sleep Mode if left untouched for a while. I am still working on downloading books from the Kobo site - I am technically challenged (LOL) so have had a little difficulty but I am catching on. I really only read books so the fact that it is black and white works for me. You can also adjust the size of the font if you need large print. I am very happy with this e-reader.

Thanks, Red_Lover and JAK1. Very helpful

My one foray into this was to buy a Kobo Lookbook two years ago ($50 at CVS). It's cumbersome to have to download via computer, but the color and weight are just fine.

I'll be looking at weights for the Kindles with wifi.

The Kobo Light sounds good, but I think I'd miss the color.

I am an avid iPad lover, have two regular size and a mini. But, I hated not being able to read outside. I hinted a couple of times, and got a Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas! Love it too.

Hi everyone...my son is coming this weekend and meeting us to go get me one. I think he has one, and is going to help me pick out one since he is a computer guru...thanks for all the information, and I will let him see all your answers before we go shopping!

just keep in mind that android tablets let you install the kindle app and the nook app so you can have all of those on one device.

It really depends on your needs and wants as to what you get.
the tablet with the best sound that I have owned was the vizio it had 3 speakers so no matter which direction you held it in you had stereo and the sound was fantastic. Wish more manufacturers would be more interested in the sound quality and take a lesson and put at least 3 or 4 speakers on them. I often struggle hearing with the one small speaker especially on my phone.

I love love love my new Asus transformer tf300 10" tablet with dock but it too could use some improvement in the sound and speaker department.

My husband still absolutely loves his lookbook in fact he now has his and mine and I am trying to make him transition over to my Vizio tablet so he has more options and can do other things on it. He is fighting me he wants to stick with his lookbook he is not a fan of the touch screen he keeps touching things by accident then I hear swearing lol.
He is not a good student is all I have to say LOL
That lookbook is extremely light weight you will not likely find any tablet that is that light.