I haven't taken the plunge yet because I keep thinking I'll get an iPad, which would also do what a Kindle does, plus more.

Sort of. A Kindle is more book like than an iPad. You are reading ink, electrostatic ink but still ink. It's easier on the eyes than an LCD screen. It also uses less power so you can go for days on end without plugging in.

On the other hand, you can't play angry birds on it.

I'm also holding out for an iPad (whatever new model or upgrade Apple releases this year). Not worried about the LCD screen - I stare at one all day. Plus, the new B&N Nook Color (the one they're pushing hard) has an LCD screen.

As much as I'd love a dedicated book reader, I'd also like to read comics in color. All of the other things the iPad can do (even Angry Birds) just helps push it over the edge for me.

I stare at LCD screens all day too, but find I can't really read a book on one. It is a different kind of staring I guess.

That said, my recommendation is to go ahead an get a tablet with book app if these two conditions apply to you:

1. You can comfortably read a book on an LCD screen for whatever durations you typically read.
2. The need to charge the device daily won't be an issue for you
Mini-3. You don't spend a lot of time reading outside in the sun.

If those are true for you (neither is for me) then the only remaining benefit for the dedicated device is form factor in that it is still and and more comfortable to hold one handed than the tablets. I occasionally see a Nook Color on BART and I just don't get it, it seems to combine the negative aspects of both instead of the best of both.

I would still love an iPad, but the price point is so much higher, it is a lot more akward, and the monthly expense is great. The Kindle is compact, easy to read, very portable, has a great price point and, so far, I'm really liking it.

I am, however, getting used to the fact that it doesn't have a touch screen!

I love my kindle as well. I do read outdoors a lot and it's perfect.

I miss wandering through a bookstore though and just picking up a random book that looks interesting. It's a little hard to shop the kindle store like that. And I still can't tell how far I am in the book even with the indicator at the bottom.

I'll still need to go to bookstores for cookbooks and such but for my everyday reading I love it.

I agree about the initial price point - but there's no real monthly expense unless you decide to pay for a month of 3G (unlike the iPhone, you don't need to have a contract - you can do one month at a time).

And I'll bet the next gen Kindle will have a touch screen... it's the only eReader that doesn't have one...

Or, if you don't plan to travel with it, and have WiFi at home, iPad is free once you buy it. The 3G plans seem cheap enough.

I've actually downloaded the Kindle for the PC to read a kindle only book someone has loaned me. That is kind of weird, but it works well.

And now there is a (very unverified) rumor floating around the Apple is interested in buying Barnes and Noble.

I find reading comics on the iPad a true joy, and very addictive.