Good eReader and free books?

[TomG2]

The Subject line says it all. I am wanting to explore the world of electronic books with little or no cost.

[derh20]

I have not read all the entries, but many libraries offer digital books free. You might want to check out a library near you.

[Campfire_Time]

Also keep in mind that Calibre itself cannot decrypt protected books. You need plugins. And not all encryption can be broken.

[Dutch_12078]

1492 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

With a bit of Googling, Calibre will also convert copy protected formats. There may be some copyright issues with that though.

Specifically, the DMCA. :W

Yep... Making an unprotected copy of a legally purchased ebook for personal use seems to fall into some undefined grey areas relative to backups, but hopefully the courts and legislatures will get that all sorted out eventually. That doing so violates Amazon’s terms and conditions is pretty much black and white though.

[1492]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

With a bit of Googling, Calibre will also convert copy protected formats. There may be some copyright issues with that though.

Specifically, the DMCA. :W

[JoeTampa]

Bookbub.com will send you daily alerts of discounted or free e-books in both the Amazon and Apple stores in the categories you specify. I highly recommend it.

[Dutch_12078]

Lady Fitzgerald wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Fizz wrote:

Kindle reads only Amazon MOBY format.
The Calibre program will convert to/from any format but nothing that is copy protected
http://calibre-ebook.com/

With a bit of Googling, Calibre will also convert copy protected formats. There may be some copyright issues with that though.

The software for that doesn't always work well. I often have chapters get truncated.

I have run into conversion problems with Amazon's AZW3 format books at times, but usually converting to a different format fixes it. Using FB2 instead of EPUB for instance, usually gets it right for me. The older MOBI format books usually convert ok.

[Campfire_Time]

coolmom42 wrote:
Get a generic Android tablet---not a Kindle, not a Nook. You want something like a Samsung. You can use it for reading and a lot of other stuff as well. Do NOT get an Ipad!!! That way you can install 3 different apps that will let you read anything out there. The apps are Nook, Kindle, and Adobe Digital Editions.

X2! When Samsung took over the Nook spot, we got 2 of the Galaxy Tab 4 7 in. This tablet blows away the Nook HD and HD+. Not locked down like the iPAD, Kindle, or old Nooks. Lots of options. And I use it for email, weather, and tons of other things. Not to mention everything syncs with my Android phone. Get a anti-glare screen cover and you can read everywhere except direct sunlight. BTW, we have a Kindle Fire HDX and it doesn't hold a candle to our Galaxy Tabs.

Free books? Do online searches. Both B&N and Amazon have tons of free books. B&N has "Free Fridays". Sometimes they are just books that are always free, others are only free for a short period. I'm also a big fan of using http://manybooks.net/ and https://www.gutenberg.org/.

[Johno02]

The Kindle, NOOK, and Overdrive reading apps for Android are all free, and seem to work well. I have them all three installed on my tablets, and everything but the NOOK app installed on both of my NOOKs. In adition, most new tablets have some type of e-reader already installed that can be used for most e-books, and PDFs

[ncscz]

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. I should have made it clear that I already own a Samsung tablet but want an app and source of free books. The library thing sounds like the best source of reading material. Is the Kindle app compatible with most formats?

The Android app that I use is 'AlReader- any text book reader'. It is a free app. It does handle every ebook type that I have come across.

Project Gutenberg and archive.org have public domain materials available for free and is my primary source of reading.

For more current materials I use BookBub.com. They have free books from Amazon, Google & other sources. I have 'bought' about 10 books from Amazon through them in the last year and there does not seem to be any hidden tricks. I have not ended up on any email lists, or had any fees or charges to my Amazon account. From the bookbub.com web site

Looking for free ebooks? BookBub features limited-time offers for the best free books in over twenty genres, from both top-tier publishers and critically-acclaimed independent authors. These free ebooks are available on all devices, including Kindle, Nook, iPad, and Android.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. I should have made it clear that I already own a Samsung tablet but want an app and source of free books. The library thing sounds like the best source of reading material. Is the Kindle app compatible with most formats?

Most library books through Overdrive work with Kindle. The Gutenberg Project has PDFs of books in public domain. I like Goodreader for PDF's. It's a paid app but only a few dollars and well worth it. Note I use the IOS version of Goodreader so can't speak for sure on Android based tablets.

[Lady_Fitzgerald]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Fizz wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. I should have made it clear that I already own a Samsung tablet but want an app and source of free books. The library thing sounds like the best source of reading material. Is the Kindle app compatible with most formats?

Kindle reads only Amazon MOBY format.
The Calibre program will convert to/from any format but nothing that is copy protected
http://calibre-ebook.com/

With a bit of Googling, Calibre will also convert copy protected formats. There may be some copyright issues with that though.

The software for that doesn't always work well. I often have chapters get truncated.

[Lady_Fitzgerald]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Fizz wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
OP here. I should have made it clear that I already own a Samsung tablet but want an app and source of free books. The library thing sounds like the best source of reading material. Is the Kindle app compatible with most formats?

Kindle reads only Amazon MOBY format.
The Calibre program will convert to/from any format but nothing that is copy protected
http://calibre-ebook.com/

With a bit of Googling, Calibre will also convert copy protected formats. There may be some copyright issues with that though.

The Kindles will read any e-book in any Mobi format, not just Amazon's.

Amazon also has free e-books available. Just sort by price, low to high.

[Lorne_Lorraine]

Bookbub

[lynndiwagon]

Any android or apple tablet will run the Kindle App. "Bookbub" offers free books from amazon on the kindle app. For libraries and such I use the Aldiko app.