beyond the wide world's end

Smartphone might be another reaonable option: Personally I have no problem reading ebooks, emailing, internetting, or even watching videos on the smaller screen. Android powered phones should have ebook-reading apps for the full variety of formats, and the newish ones such as the Galaxy S2 have quite large screens, though older ones probably work just as well for most tasks. Plus they let you "talk" to people on the "telephone", old fashioned as that is! Disadvantages are cost (for new, high spec, large screened phones) and reduced battery life. Possible point to consider: UK mobile works on different band than US: might need a new phone anyway.