Some readers (such as the upper level Sony model, the 700) have lights built in. They're not backlights, but they illuminate the screen for you. Others don't have them built in, but have small led light accessories you can buy. So yes, you can read in the dark.
The catch is that powering a constant light source drains the battery much more quickly. Your battery life will once again be measured in hours (albeit quite a few hours), rather than days or weeks. That's probably not a big deal for reading in bed though, since you'd be right by a power outlet.
Here's a picture of the 700 I was talking about. The picture is a bit blurry, but rest assured that in real life, the lights look nice, and the screen is crisp.
The catch is that powering a constant light source drains the battery much more quickly. Your battery life will once again be measured in hours (albeit quite a few hours), rather than days or weeks. That's probably not a big deal for reading in bed though, since you'd be right by a power outlet.

Here's a picture of the 700 I was talking about. The picture is a bit blurry, but rest assured that in real life, the lights look nice, and the screen is crisp.

Let's Discuss: Ebooks
03/09/2009 06:19:42 PM
- 1415 Views
I don't think I could ever use Ebooks.
03/09/2009 06:51:47 PM
- 881 Views
It's not necessarily one or the other.
03/09/2009 07:32:56 PM
- 913 Views
This is so.
03/09/2009 07:53:41 PM
- 986 Views
You probably will be able to soon.
03/09/2009 07:58:52 PM
- 814 Views

You can with some of the more expensive models.
03/09/2009 11:19:01 PM
- 1005 Views
Ideally, universities will start renting out eTextbook readers, or something. *NM*
03/09/2009 11:30:29 PM
- 464 Views
That'd be great. My school rents out standard ebook readers now, so it won't be long. *NM*
03/09/2009 11:32:27 PM
- 488 Views
Re: This is so.
03/09/2009 09:02:21 PM
- 1036 Views
Regarding pricing...
03/09/2009 07:40:02 PM
- 1003 Views
Not so
03/09/2009 09:01:32 PM
- 1021 Views
That's a fairly horrible blog post.
03/09/2009 11:05:22 PM
- 1068 Views
Re: Let's Discuss: Ebooks
03/09/2009 08:42:26 PM
- 1364 Views
Now that is a clever idea.
03/09/2009 11:14:07 PM
- 823 Views
Amazon has actually been using that idea for a while now, in a limited sense.
03/09/2009 11:22:00 PM
- 836 Views
I cannot stand them.
03/09/2009 08:59:03 PM
- 1076 Views
Regarding the "Insulting" blog...
03/09/2009 10:22:43 PM
- 939 Views
Re: " I have a very tactile and olfactory relationship with books."
04/09/2009 09:38:22 AM
- 821 Views
This. . .is quite long. I feel pretty strongly about this subject.
03/09/2009 11:14:11 PM
- 1113 Views

No, it's a cool post.
03/09/2009 11:29:33 PM
- 931 Views
More than fair.
03/09/2009 11:39:29 PM
- 874 Views
lovely! this is what i would have wanted to say had i gotten here earlier...
04/09/2009 12:44:55 AM
- 1045 Views
Thank you for the education. I had a completely different idea as to what e-books were.
04/09/2009 09:35:11 AM
- 966 Views
No problem. And thanks!
04/09/2009 03:15:14 PM
- 1009 Views

A possible selling point for me was when you said it was lighter than a paperback
05/09/2009 12:25:18 AM
- 956 Views
Yes and no.
05/09/2009 02:49:26 AM
- 1166 Views
Re: Let's Discuss: Ebooks
04/09/2009 01:39:31 AM
- 1015 Views
I hate ebooks and everything they represent
04/09/2009 03:50:48 AM
- 827 Views
Hold on a moment now.
04/09/2009 06:28:09 AM
- 995 Views
Your logic is seriously flawed
04/09/2009 02:28:21 PM
- 1243 Views
I see your sceneclips, and raise you a New York Times.
04/09/2009 02:59:33 PM
- 1045 Views
You have an almost cult-like enthusiasm for e-books.
06/09/2009 12:53:04 AM
- 976 Views
Perhaps you mis-read the graph.
04/09/2009 03:14:06 PM
- 938 Views
No, I didn't mis-read the graph.
06/09/2009 12:56:15 AM
- 814 Views
You must be talking percentage of the population who attend theaters? *NM*
06/09/2009 05:26:43 AM
- 433 Views
I don't have any fancy reasons for you.
05/09/2009 01:47:09 AM
- 1113 Views
Craig, you're incredibly interesting
05/09/2009 01:59:27 AM
- 861 Views
... Are you hitting on me?
05/09/2009 03:02:06 AM
- 1379 Views