FreeGameDev

Was thinking for a while now that it can't be so hard to wire up a e-ink display to a single board computer and have a nice edit: mostly-libre platform for reading ebooks.

This looks like some guy (no connection or endoresement what so ever) put this idea to practice and came up with a cool working prototype:

http://bibliatek.onlinewebshop.net/

as well as a Kickstarter campaign:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bi ... l-library/

Thread on Reddit where he responds to questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/opensource/com ... ke_a_shot/

Maybe interesting for someone else here?

Any other suggestions for a hackable ebook reader that is not too expensive?

It's a RasPi. Hackable? Yes. Libre? Not entirely. I'm assuming you're aware of the ARM board driver issues, especially those pertaining to this brand.

Eh, yeah. But I don't think there will be anything more libre realistically speaking anytime soon. And it's miles ahead of other ebook readers that I am aware of.

There are Linux-Libre systems which can run just fine on ARM boards for a 100% libre software stack. Add a screen and you've got an "e-reader".

Or for a cheaper solution that may be less libre, just view pirated ebooks on your Android device.