Are you one of the lucky ones who got your very first e-book reader or tablet (where you can install e-reader apps) under the tree? Regardless of the brand, there are many similarities and you should know a few basic facts.

1. You are NOT locked into only buying e-books from the reader's manufacturer. You only need e-books formatted to work on your particular reader. For example, .prc works on Kindle, .epub works on nook and Kobo, etc. You can buy books from many legitimate sources, such as directly from independent publishers and authorized third-party outlets (like BookStrand.com, AllRomanceEbooks.com, Smashwords.com or CoffeeTimeRomance.com). Some third-party retailers even offer a service to email files directly to your device. (But make sure your account is set up to accept those emails or they won't reach your device!)

2. If your reader comes with a USB cable, you can drag and drop files easily from your computer to your reader. Some readers come with Wi-Fi and not a cable. In that case, refer to your reader's instructions on how to transfer files.

3. If you find an e-book you really want, but can only get it in say .pdf format, you can use the Calibre conversion software (free) at http://calibre-ebook.com/ and convert it to your reader's format.

4. There are tons of LEGALLY available, free e-books at: http://www.gutenberg.org/ And careful searches of bestseller lists on Amazon, nook, and other authorized resellers will reveal free e-books there, too.

Enjoy your new toy! :)