If you’re new to digital books or have a shiny new digital book reader, you may be wondering where to find books. Some stores use DRM that may limit the book to a device, while others sell DRM-free books allowing you transfer the book to a new device. Below are some quick lists to help get you started.
eBook Stores
- iBookstore for iPad
- Amazon using Kindle software
- Barnes & Noble using nook or B&N reader
- O’Reilly [technical, DRM-free]
- Smashwords [some free, DRM-free]
- Feedbooks [many free, DRM-free]
- Project Gutenberg [free, DRM-free]
The iBookstore provides searching Project Gutenberg, but if you are shopping elsewhere you may find it easier to download an ePub using your PC then import the book using iTunes same as a song.
iPad reading software
- iBooks (need to add, not included out of the box)
- Kindle for iPad
- GoodReader for PDF and MS Office documents.
iPhone / iPod Touch reading software
- Kindle for iPhone
- Stanza
- GoodReader
- Barnes & Noble
Android reading software
PC reading software
Digital Reading
Until recently, I considered myself a traditional reader especially with technical books. I preferred using the physical book, marking pages and quickly flipping through to find something. PDF documents on the PC are difficult to work with, and many eBooks on the PC aren’t much better with the ability to search as the only benefit. Searching usually just jumps through the document, but the iBooks search reveals a list of results showing surrounded context. Some of my technical books are full of sticky notes, many of which I’ve forgotten their purpose for being there and end up checking each one. Digital readers make bookmarking cleaner.
The iPad using iBooks and GoodReader has changed my opinion. The iBooks bookmarking tool is handy. I highlight as much text to give me enough information, a reminder that may be all I need in a pinch. If I need to read more, I can jump to the page. Devices like Kindle and iPad allow the reader to hold and carry the device like a book, even leaf through pages. Even better, I can now carry my 1,500 page technical book around without breaking my back. Another great bonus: some technical eBooks get updates downloaded straight to my reader. No need to visit the web for corrections.
The pages of my favorite book has turned yellow and the spine is falling apart. I read it too much. When I replace it, I will get the eBook.