As for the UI, you’re right about the “fewer clicks”.
I’m having issues with the “Star” , “Share” “Mark as read” icons, shown at the bottom of the post. If you’re viewing a really really long post, you have to scroll until the end, to click those buttons (keyboard shortcuts to the rescue). In list view, you get only the “Star” icon…
Looks like Google really needs a lot more UI work on its Reader :)

Give this a try in subscribing to RSS feeds(if you haven’t seen it by now). It’s a lifesaver for me.
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/2571

Too bad there’s *still* a lot of friction in subscribing to feeds. You have to press “subscribe for real” once on GReader, then you have to select a “category”. I’d much rather click the RSS icon *once* then get sent to a page where I can select my category. If I abandon the page I don’t get subscribed, if I select a category I do get subscribed.

Also, Dear Internet: Fewer clicks please.

Nathan, as always Greasmonkey to the rescue. I don’t remember the script. If you want I’ll find the link.