I've now been carrying the Sony PRS-505 ebook reader for three months, and I've read nearly twenty books on it--which is surprising, considering that I spend so much of my time answering people's questions about the ebook itself.

FAQ #1: Do you like it? Yes, I really do--the format is good for the times and places I am able to get reading done, such as standing in a crowded subway or wolfing down Korean food before class. If you do most of your reading at home on your sofa, the device might not add much value. But I like that it's slim and lightweight, can easily be whipped out during a 5-minute wait for the bus, and will stay open without being propped.

FAQ #2: Where do you get the books from? I've bought books and downloaded free sample books from the Sony ebook store, read PDFs from the internet, and checked out a fair number of things from my library.

FAQ #3: Is that a Kindle? Why did you get the Sony one? I already carry a laptop and Blackberry, so an extra Qwerty keyboard didn't appeal--I just liked the Sony model's design better. Also, I believe the library ebooks don't work on the Kindle.

FAQ #4: Reading on paper is nicer--doesn't that hurt your eyes? Between work, classes, and homework, I log a lot of time with LCD screens--probably 11 hours a day on average. The ebook screen is a totally different technology and easy to look at. It only consumes power when you're turning the page, which means that there is no flicker and that you can go weeks without charging it.

FAQ #5: Isn't that the end of reading as we know it? Having worked in libraries and book publishing, I hope that my book-lover credentials would satisfy anyone. At the same time, more than physical books, I love stories and information, and in some situations, the ebook reader is a good way to get those things. I definitely have concerns about licensing and preservation, but when it comes to reading books that exist in many copies (LOCKSS principle) for pleasure, I don't mind that I'm not reading a codex.