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
- 1442 Views
I don't think I could ever use Ebooks.
03/09/2009 06:51:47 PM
- 907 Views
It's not necessarily one or the other.
03/09/2009 07:32:56 PM
- 942 Views
This is so.
03/09/2009 07:53:41 PM
- 1018 Views
You probably will be able to soon.
03/09/2009 07:58:52 PM
- 846 Views

You can with some of the more expensive models.
03/09/2009 11:19:01 PM
- 1037 Views
Ideally, universities will start renting out eTextbook readers, or something. *NM*
03/09/2009 11:30:29 PM
- 481 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
- 503 Views
Re: This is so.
03/09/2009 09:02:21 PM
- 1063 Views
Regarding pricing...
03/09/2009 07:40:02 PM
- 1031 Views
Not so
03/09/2009 09:01:32 PM
- 1051 Views
That's a fairly horrible blog post.
03/09/2009 11:05:22 PM
- 1097 Views
Re: Let's Discuss: Ebooks
03/09/2009 08:42:26 PM
- 1398 Views
Now that is a clever idea.
03/09/2009 11:14:07 PM
- 854 Views
Amazon has actually been using that idea for a while now, in a limited sense.
03/09/2009 11:22:00 PM
- 864 Views
I cannot stand them.
03/09/2009 08:59:03 PM
- 1104 Views
Regarding the "Insulting" blog...
03/09/2009 10:22:43 PM
- 969 Views
Re: " I have a very tactile and olfactory relationship with books."
04/09/2009 09:38:22 AM
- 850 Views
This. . .is quite long. I feel pretty strongly about this subject.
03/09/2009 11:14:11 PM
- 1143 Views

No, it's a cool post.
03/09/2009 11:29:33 PM
- 956 Views
More than fair.
03/09/2009 11:39:29 PM
- 903 Views
lovely! this is what i would have wanted to say had i gotten here earlier...
04/09/2009 12:44:55 AM
- 1078 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
- 997 Views
No problem. And thanks!
04/09/2009 03:15:14 PM
- 1038 Views

A possible selling point for me was when you said it was lighter than a paperback
05/09/2009 12:25:18 AM
- 982 Views
Yes and no.
05/09/2009 02:49:26 AM
- 1197 Views
Re: Let's Discuss: Ebooks
04/09/2009 01:39:31 AM
- 1047 Views
I hate ebooks and everything they represent
04/09/2009 03:50:48 AM
- 854 Views
Hold on a moment now.
04/09/2009 06:28:09 AM
- 1025 Views
Your logic is seriously flawed
04/09/2009 02:28:21 PM
- 1274 Views
I see your sceneclips, and raise you a New York Times.
04/09/2009 02:59:33 PM
- 1074 Views
You have an almost cult-like enthusiasm for e-books.
06/09/2009 12:53:04 AM
- 1004 Views
Perhaps you mis-read the graph.
04/09/2009 03:14:06 PM
- 963 Views
No, I didn't mis-read the graph.
06/09/2009 12:56:15 AM
- 844 Views
You must be talking percentage of the population who attend theaters? *NM*
06/09/2009 05:26:43 AM
- 447 Views
I don't have any fancy reasons for you.
05/09/2009 01:47:09 AM
- 1139 Views
Craig, you're incredibly interesting
05/09/2009 01:59:27 AM
- 889 Views
... Are you hitting on me?
05/09/2009 03:02:06 AM
- 1407 Views