The Nook Simple Touch is currently on offer in the UK at £29. It seems to have a lot of features I want, but I'm not quite sure if I can download files on my PC (e.g. from the archive) and transfer them to the Nook (or to a micro SD and put that into the Nook), or have to use the Barnes and Noble marketplace interface. Anyone know?
Later - got a reply elsewhere, appears to be fine for my needs so I've ordered one.