Awhile back I got a new toy - the Nook Color. I'll admit that what I really, truly wanted was an iPad, but my budget just wouldn't allow it. So I decided to take a look at the Nook Color. After all, Sarah Jessica Parker endorses it, so it has to be cool, right? Let me tell you that once I started reading about it on the Barnes and Noble website, I just had to have this e-reader.

Best Features of the Nook Color

The feature I like best about this device is the fact that it is in color. I am addicted to magazines, and I can get all of my favorite magazines on the Nook Color in beautiful, glorious color. If I were going to spend the money on an e-reader, it only makes sense to buy one that allows me to do more. The Nook Color also offers children's books. While this little device is mommy's toy, it is helpful to be able to distract my toddler's occasional meltdown with colorful stories, some of which even come alive with audio narration. What I also love about the Nook Color is the size and weight of it. It's sturdy, but it fits easily in my purse. I can take it anywhere. I bring it to doctor's appointments and to the bus stop while I'm waiting to pick up the kids. I'm easily bored, and the Nook Color has become integral in my daily routine.

Books on Demand

Not only am I easily bored, I'm also impulsive and hate to wait for anything. So, of course, I love that I can have a new book, magazine or even a newspaper in my hands within seconds. I have my Paypal account set up as my default payment method. All I have to do is look up a book in the handy shop feature, and with a few clicks, I can start reading it. The shop section also gives suggestions for other books I might liked based on previous selections. So helpful for an impulsive, can't-wait-for-anything gal like me! Okay, so it's true that this little toy could start to cost quite a bit of money, but there is an awesome Steals n' Deals section in the shop with high quality books at very affordable prices. There's also a LendMe feature that allows you to trade certain books with friends. Just ask my buddy, Candice, from Fashionably Organized. She and I already have each other hooked up! Barnes and Noble offers a free Nook book every Friday as well. I just picked up Millie's Fling by Jill Marsell. It looks like a good read and usually sells for $7.99. These e-books and magazines are far less expensive, on average, than the paper versions and take up less space. I love being able to take all my books with me. I get bored easily, remember?

Extras, Extras

As if this weren't enough, the Nook Color offers so much more. It's Wi-Fi enabled, and you can surf the web anywhere with a connection. It also has some apps that are a lot of fun. My favorite is the Pandora app. I love to listen to music while I read. I think this was a genius addition to the Nook Color. There are also a few games you can play if you don't feel like reading. Also, you can upload your own music and PDF files. There are so many e-books I've collected just sitting on my computer because I've been too busy to read them. I work online at my laptop all day, so I don't often want to sit there and read for leisure. I just uploaded my files right to my Nook Color. Now I can read them whenever I have some free time, and I'm not tied to my computer. If you want to read material from your Nook library at your computer, though, you can. Nook has apps for PC, Mac, and smart phone. I started reading Twilight on my phone!

What I'm most excited about is that the Nook Color has really helped me to rediscover my love of reading. Anyone who comes to my home will see that I have shelves of books, but they're mostly non-fiction. I love learning new things and read on all kinds of subjects. It's been awhile since I've read fiction for the simple pleasure of reading and for nothing more than leisure. In the few weeks since I got my Nook Color, I've read the entire Twilight series and The Help. Right now I'm reading Water for Elephants, and I have a ton of books purchased and just waiting for me to get to them. Not to mention my wish list. Nook lets you keep track of a wish list both on your device and online at the Barnes and Noble website.

What books are on your wish list? Do you have a Nook Color? If so, let's get together and trade books. I've got some good ones to lend!

* Referral links used in this post. If you click on one and purchase a Nook Color, I will receive a $15 gift certificate to help feed my addiction love of literature.