Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
AFAIK Amazon still requires publishers to use DRM (why Baen books aren't available through Amazon). And some publishers have their own ebook stores & don't want to sell through Amazon.
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Not true. I have purchased commercial works from Amazon without DRM. Having said that, virtually all publishers opt for DRM -- but it's not an Amazon requirement.
OP:
Best ebook store?
Quote:
Originally Posted by susan_cassidy
To me, you need to pick a reader associated with, or compatible with the store that has more of the books you want to read. Find the format, then the reader.
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In Canada, amazon.com is clearly the best ebook store. It has selection, pricing, easy sales process, direct device delivery, great recommendation and user community. It's an outstanding reason to buy a Kindle 3.
However, kobobooks is pretty good. Like the Kobo, there aren't bells and whistles, and there isn't a recommendation engine (usually just a list of other titles by the same author). But pricing is generally competitive with Amazon and, once you know what you're looking for, the search engine is quick -- using a webpage or the app. Kobobooks also had a reasonable selection of titles NOT available through amazon.com in Canada, including some Canadian content like the wonderful Dundurn Press mystery imprint.
Everything else pales in comparison -- booksonboard, Sony ereader store, fictionwise, etc. Some other stores -- Whitcoulls, Waterstones and others -- sell selected titles to Canadian addresses, enhancing the ePub selection.
And, as noted, for non-commercial works, there is Mobileread, Manybooks, Project Gutenberg (including the Canadian and Australian variations which have some material not at the main US site because of different copyright rules, notably the 50 years past author death: both Raymond Chandler and George Orwell are PD in Canada).
In sum: amazon.com wins the race in Canada, but kobobooks.com is better than it might appear at first blush. If ePub is your thing, you'll be well served by the folks at Kobo.