[Avista]

From a woman's perspective, I would not be interested in the I-Pad as a reader. It might be OK to use to read occasionally, but not for those of us who read hours at a time. For one thing, the back light is like a computer. The e-ink is so easy on ones eyes. The font on the Nook and probably the KIndle is so easy to adjust--even while reading. The size of the Nook and Kindle is just right. I have a book cover for my Nook. So small and easy to take everywhere.
I Pad may be great, but in my opinion, not as a dedicated reader.

Oh, and as far as music goes, one can download music into a Nook and listen/read at the same time.