eBook readers are one of the latest gadgets to inspire book lovers around the world. Certainly for many book lovers an ebook reader will not replace their existing book collection, nor will it stop them from continuing to purchase new books. Rather ebook readers serve to enhance and supplement an existing collection.

An ebook reader allows you to carry a portion of your library with you. People who use ebook readers tend to download titles in ebook format that are more ephemeral. Either that or they are more word based that picture based books.

Often this means that the most often downloaded books are new novels that people would generally read once and then either sell, pass on to friends or shelve and forget. Most are never read by the same person again.

As most ebook readers are black and white (color ebook readers like the Nook Color and the ipad are increasing in popularity) then they are not so great for downloading photo or illustration heavy titles - things like art books or magazines - picturesque titles don't transfer well in black and white format.

So you need to decide what your purpose is. Why do you want to have an ebook reader? Do you read alot of novels and want to simply read one and forget it, not have to think about where to store it or who to pass it onto afterwards? Do you borrow titles from your library and are you able to do so in electronic format? If these approaches are familiar then you may be better off with a dedicated black and white ebook reader like the Kindle or the regular Nook.

These two devices use E-Ink technology which makes their reading surface great for reading novels. They are not reflective. They cause no more eyestrain than reading a regular book and you can read it in full sun, not something you can achieve with an ipad or a Color Nook. They are light and easy to use. Downloading books is a breeze.

If you envisage yourself viewing magazines and comics on your ebook reader then you might be better oof choosing a color version. Here you have a couple of different options. The Nook Color by Barnes and Noble allows you to read books in color as well as subscribe to magazines and newspapers. You can also use social media and the internet. Another advantage of the Nook over the Kindle is the ability to share ebooks with friends.

However if you are also interested in using your ebook reader as a typing device then an ipad might be an option. It also allows you to view TV shows and movies as well as a whole heap of other things. The downside of the ipad's large HD screen is that it can be hard to see outside. If you can find some shadows however you will be fine, just don't try reading it at the beach!

If you are in the process of choosing an ebook reader, then take into account your long-term interests and whether you will use it enough to warrant a stand-alone device or whether you will use it more as one part of a larger portable entertainment device.