eReader Brings E-Books to BlackBerrys

Good news for BlackBerry-toting book lovers: E-book app eReader is now available for the BlackBerry. The app itself is free, though naturally you'll have to pay for the books. Fortunately, most of them are discounted, and eReader offers some free books to get you started.

We've mentioned eReader before: It's been around on the iPhone for a while now and was the go-to e-book app for Palm and Pocket PC devices for years.

In case you're new to it, eReader.com is an online e-book store that carries thousands of fiction and non-fiction titles. The eReader app is what lets you view the books on your BlackBerry.

Okay, but can you download them directly to your device, Kindle-style? The answer is a qualified yes. You have to navigate to eReader's mobile site to browse and purchase books, which then get added to your "bookshelf." The app allows you to download titles from your bookshelf to your 'Berry.

Thus, it's not a totally seamless experience, but it works. I haven't had a chance to do a feature comparison with MobiPocket for BlackBerry (which does offer a built-in bookstore), so my advice is to take both apps for a spin.

eReader is compatible with most BlackBerry models, including the Bold and Storm. To install it, point your device's browser to www.ereader.com/bb-beta.xjad.

One last note: Most BlackBerry screens are pretty small, and thus not ideal for book reading, but I still urge you to give it a try. There's nothing like having a good book in your pocket (or clipped to your belt) everywhere you go.