A nook E-reader is linked to a Barnes and Noble account, just like Kindle is linked to Amazon. upgreaded to the Nook HD+ for the bigger and better color screen, now I use it more than my laptop. Internet access, e-mail, plus I get all the books I can read free from my library. I can use the kindle and/or Nook readers on my laptop also, and on my smartphone. When reading, all stay linked, so if I switch from one to the other, They all keep my place ing the books I am reading. The NOOK readers seem to have better access to the library books, as they do not need to be in a special format like Kindle needs.