Choosing the right eReader for you

More and more of us are reaching for eReaders instead of the traditional books, and for good reason. They are lighter, and you can carry more options with you without weighing you down, not to mention there are so many more options because of the expanded list of e-books.

Crystal Patriarche, owner of BookSparksPR , shares details on the top 5 eReaders on the market, or hitting the market.

1. iPad/iPad2: iPads are versatile, Patriarche says they are great because you can download the Kindle or Nook apps which allow you to read in different formats. She says you can also read in a PDF. It's also a great tool for all the other app options, from Netflix to video games, making it a great option for the kids. It also has the bookshelf where you can put all your downloaded books on one shelf. When it comes to reading indoors, Patriarche says the iPads are great, outdoors however can get tricky because of the glare on the screen.  Pros: entertainment galore with a great bookshelf Cons: bigger than the other eReaders and more expensive, $499 and up.

2. Nook/Nook Color: This was Patriarche's first eReader and her favorite. She says the Barnes and Noble eReader is more like holding a book. You can read it inside or out, and she loves being able to see the book covers in color much like CD art shows up in your iPod. Both versions of the Nook have a touch screen and both are available with wi-fi capabilities. The Nook Color has a few more features than the original version, including the option of downloading and playing music, and photos. You also have the option of additional memory through micro-SD cards on each version.  Pros: feels like a book, share books in your library, Kate Spade cases at B&N are cute. Price: $139 for Nook to $249 for Nook Color. 

3. Kindle: Amazon's version of the eReader has the best price point, starting at $115. The Kindle has built in wi-fi and a screen that is conducive to reading indoors or outside. It also has the option of reading PDF's. If you're not a fan of the touch screen, the Kindle has a keypad. The Kindle holds about 3,500 books, and has a battery life of 2 months (without the wi-fi enabled).  Amazon also has tons of eBooks on sale for only .99 so it's cheap to build your library. $129.

4. Sony eReader: Sony has 3 versions of the eReader. With a 5-inch display the Pocket Edition is a little smaller than most traditional 6-inch eReaders, making it a great option for portability. The Daily Edition has a 7-inch display screen, with an expandable memory option, and is great for newspaper subscriptions. The Daily Edition also allows you to read in either portrait or landscape style (vertically or horizontally). The Touch Edition is right in the middle with a 6-inch screen.  Cons: The Daily Edition (featured on Sonoran Living) is priced at $299 which seems pricey compared to the Kindle or basic Nook

5. iRiver Story: Google is the latest to enter the eReader market, with it's iRiver Story. It has a 6-inch display screen, and a similar style and feel to the Kindle and Nook. Like the Kindle it also has a keyboard, a high-def screen, USB ports, and it is integrated with Google's bookstore, which has more than 3 million titles. The iRiver Story holds 1,500 books and also has an expandable memory option. The iRiver Story is currently available at Target priced at $139.