I have a PDN which I like and I can use it at the local library just like borrowing a hardback book. It is only on loan to you and will become inactive when your time is up. You may be able to renew it like a hardback but not sure about that. Or I can buy books from Barnes and Noble. There are also free books out there.

I have a Kindle and have paid for a few books but a lot of the books I get from Amazon are free. Some of these free books are really good books that are put on free for a short time only....sometimes for a few hours and sometimes for a day or so. I check the free book sites frequently and download them asap. If you live in the States, you can download them from the public libraries on loan as well but that option hasn't come to Canada yet.

With the nook, you can lend and borrow books from other users - you connect online.
Check the Amazon start page today. Amazon just announced their lending library for Amazon Prime members who are kindle owners. I ordered a Fire the first day they were announced. It should arrive in two weeks.

Here's the link re the Amazon lending library.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId=1000739811

the main things you need to consider do you want a reader that can handle many types of formats so you can get books from multiple websites, if you do then you should consider ones that use epub format that is the most common format and also what the library uses. For example kindle uses one specfic format(azw) that is more limited, you can get it from amazon and there are a few other free sites that offer that format.
If you have one that uses epub you can get a copy of anyones epub, I have shared some of mine with others, you just email it to them and they put it on an sd card and into their reader, Amazon is more protected and they do have a lend feature now as do a few others.

For free books you will find many many more free books in epub format since it is the most widely used format. You can of course buy them also at many online book sites.

The android tablets which have ereader applications on them can be used for pretty much the same things you use a pc for, surfing the net, email, read magazines, watch youtube, listen to music and view pictures all of that plus you have a ton of games and other applications you can download for free and some for pay.

IT is very easy to download books, most of them you just use the browser to go to the site you want to get the book from and choose to download it and it goes right to the device, I prefer to download all of my books to a folder on my computer then from there put them on my SD card and use the SD card in my tablets, that way I can move the SD card to which ever one I want to use. I keep all the books on the sd card and leave the memory on the device for the apps.

I have put up some reviews on here and the computer help forums on a few different tablet/readers. I currently own a Pandigital Novel tablet, a Sylvania tablet and a lookbook color ereader. I enjoy them all.

this is a very good blog I recommend to those looking it has a lot of good info.
The eBook Reader Blog
Plus they list places for free books quite often

Prices vary dramatically, the sylvania tablet I have was just on sale for $99, a very good price for a starter that does a lot. You do not have to invest a lot of money to get a good tablet that does what you want.

I have the look book, I only used it a few times. It's ok. The battery seems to run out too quick for me.

"If you live in the States, you can download them from the public libraries on loan as well but that option hasn't come to Canada yet."

I have Kobo and I download books from the library all the time, and I'm in Canada. So this option is available here; I'm not sure if you were just referring to the Kindle, though. Kobo isn't as restricted.

I don't know about any of the others but I love my Kindle. I just go to the Amazon site and it of course keeps track of all the books I have downloaded and gives me reccomendations for books I might enjoy. When I find one I like, I just click on the download to my Kindle, and within seconds I have my book. I have never paid more than .99 for a book, and so far, they have all been good books. The battery life is great. I mean I can read a whole book on a full charge. If your battery life runs out to fast, it may be because you have your e reader connected to the internet. Once I download a book I disconnect from the net. I carry my Kindle in my purse everywhere I go, That way if I'm ever stuck somewhere I can entertain myself for hours.

I agree with everything Curlysue said. Love my Kindle.

If you need about kindle information, you can read the website that I recommended. The site are full or kindle tips and information that you need. ok. just visit this site. >>>>

Here is a link that might be useful: kindle review

I love my Kindle. Please read my post "Kindle problem solved". I have over 250 books on mine and have never bought one. I too download the free books and do it daily so I don't miss one that won't be posted but a day.