1) Disable cover caching in
Preferences|Advanced|Plugins|Device interface plugins|Apple device interface|Customize plugin. Alternatively, you could let the covers cache the first time you connect, which will speed up subsequent connections.
2) Disable the Apple device driver, then either:
- Drop a book into the 'Automatically add to iTunes' folder in your iTunes media folder, or
- While connected to iTunes, drag a book onto the Books playlist in iTunes.
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