E-readers are more complicated to buy than actually use.
Most of the devices in this class are single-purpose, deliberately simple gadgets which get out of the way and let you read whatever it is you're trying to get through instead of playing Game Dev Story.
Even those like the Amazon Kindle Fire, Nook HD and Kobo Arc which have full-colour screens and run apps are usually designed to be easy to operate, putting the consumption (both buying and reading) of media front and center.
So why is buying them such a pain? Not only do you have to consider where you'll be buying your books - whether Amazon's store, iBooks or another competing service - you also have to think about cost, screen quality, whether or not you want touch controls and battery life.
To make it easier watch the buyer's guide above. Hopefully it will get you through the basics so you can make a better decision.
But don't forget too that many market leading tablets also make excellent e-readers. Check out our 9 favourites, below.