The holidays are no joyride. Between the stress, the money and the relatives, no wonder so many people contract Seasonal Depression, Financial-Obligation Migraine and Family Drama Disorder.

And in the electronics business, Greed-Borne Insanity is contagious.

That’s when electronics executives, blinded by dollar signs on their corneas, rush a product to market before it’s ready. (See also: BlackBerry Storm, Christmas 2008.)

Well, here comes the hotly awaited Nook from Barnes & Noble: an electronic book reader in the style of the Amazon Kindle.

Actually, not just in the style of; this thing is ripped right out of the Kindle’s master playbook. Same price ($259), same off-white plastic frame around the same six-inch E Ink screen (crisp, black type against a light gray background). Same screen saver showing woodcuts of famous authors. Same ability to display your own photos and play music files. Same free cellular connection so that you can download books wherever you happen to be. Same compatibility with iPhone or computer.