Yes, you can. You can have your own digital Nook for reading books. Barnes & Noble’s new eReader is called the “Nook”. It is to be introduced today to the clamoring masses, just in time for the holiday rush.

Its feature set is impressive. The unit will have a grey and white reading display area, with a color touchscreen immediately below the reading area.

But it gets even cooler: the Nook will allow both wireless book downloads and the ability to lend books to others (unless, of course, your friend is sporting a Kindle). A sizeable number of B&N’s offerings will be downloadable for free via the Google Books project, not available to Kindle users.

This has gotten me to thinking, which is always a dangerous thing: when are “they” going to allow these eReader units to access reference materials or library works on a temporary loan basis? Imagine heading off to court with the relevant portions of the applicable administrative codes and annotations in your slick, slim, touchscreen beauty? You can “return” the sections when you no longer need them and fill your eReader back up for your next case.

Asking price is $249, which matches the latest Kindle price.

So, what do you think? Will you be reading from a screen this holiday season?