Best Device for large ebook collections

JainaSJedi · 03-12-2016, 05:08 PM

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new ereader. I'm currently using the original ipad mini (still running iOS 6) with Marvin as my reader app and Calibre on my computer. I have a large collection of ebooks (>1000) that are organized in Calibre into Collections.

I was looking to upgrade to a new ipad mini until I heard that iOS 8.3 bricked the ability of Calibre to connect directly to Marvin. So I'm probably not going to be buying another ipad unless there's a similar reading app to Marvin.

So my question is how are the newer Kindles (like the paperwhite)? I have a Kindle 3, but it was a pain to add books to collections so I didn't use it for very long.

Ultimately, is there any device out there that will communicate with Calibre and transfer large collections of ebooks that will show up in the new E-reader already organized into collections?

dwig · 03-12-2016, 05:34 PM

You likely get a lot of suggestions with a wide range of "solutions".

I too have a K3 and have semi-retired it because it bogged down with a large library installed and managing collections was too much effort.

My "solution" to having a large library managed by calibre and having a portable reading device was to get an 8" tablet running Windows 8.1. I have calibre installed and the primary copy of my full library. I use a Modern UI ebook reading app (currently Book Bazaar Reader, free from the Store) instead of calibre's ebook-viewer, which is a desktop app and not a comfortable in a touch-only tablet environment. I merely export a few ebooks at a time from calibre to load into my reader app to be my "currently being read" collection. TouchMousePointer has been a boon to using calibre in a touch environment, but I usually do any major calibre work with either a mouse and keyboard connected (Bluetooth) or my remote from my desktop (via TeamViewer).

I have calibre and a copy of my library copied to my desktop machine which I use for quick reference when using that machine and for any "heavy lifting" (read: creating ebooks, editing ebooks, ...). Edits and new creations done on the desktop are simple exported from calibre (Save to Disk) and then copied to the table and imported into calibre.

ekbell · 03-12-2016, 06:24 PM

I personally use an android tablet with the Calibre Companion book organizer since I enjoy having all my books organized together regardless for format. Everything is organized just as it is on Calibre with similar search capabilities and the books can be easily opened by the appropriate book reader app.

The rest of my family uses kobo ereaders (touch and Glo HD), it takes a bit of setup using a kobo plugin but you can automatically organize your books into collections as they are sent to the kobo from calibre.

JSWolf · 03-12-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JainaSJedi

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new ereader. I'm currently using the original ipad mini (still running iOS 6) with Marvin as my reader app and Calibre on my computer. I have a large collection of ebooks (>1000) that are organized in Calibre into Collections.

I was looking to upgrade to a new ipad mini until I heard that iOS 8.3 bricked the ability of Calibre to connect directly to Marvin. So I'm probably not going to be buying another ipad unless there's a similar reading app to Marvin.

So my question is how are the newer Kindles (like the paperwhite)? I have a Kindle 3, but it was a pain to add books to collections so I didn't use it for very long.

Ultimately, is there any device out there that will communicate with Calibre and transfer large collections of ebooks that will show up in the new E-reader already organized into collections?

For the PW3, it depends if you get one that has firmware 5.6.5 or if it has one that's newer. If it's newer, you will have to manage all your collections by hand. If you get one that has firmware 5.6.5, you can jailbreak it and install the software needed to use the Kindle collection manager plugin for Calibre.

But if you don't want to take that risk of maybe having to return a Kindle, you could get a Kobo Glo HD or a Kobo Aura H2O. Calibre can manage collections for Kobo devices no matter the firmware.

AnemicOak · 03-12-2016, 10:24 PM

If you want to manage collections with Calibre on an eInk reader you'll want to look at a Kobo. Personally I've quit using collections for the most part and just search for the book, author or series I'm looking for using my devices (Kobo Aura HD) search feature. Works well for me with 4,000+ books on the device.

For Android devices Calibre Compantion is awesome.

JainaSJedi · 03-18-2016, 08:49 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

For those of you that use a Kobo, how do you like it? And where did you purchase it from?

In regards to the Kindles, I assume the Paperwhite 3 is the one to get? Is it that much better than the basic Kindle ereader (version 7, maybe)? Also, in regards to jailbreaking, can you jailbreak an older Kindle (my mom has the Kindle 4, I believe)? I'm assuming it's running the original firmware. I'm also thinking about chancing it and buying a new Kindle and hoping it's running the older firmware.

meeera · 03-18-2016, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JainaSJedi

Thanks for all the replies!

For those of you that use a Kobo, how do you like it? And where did you purchase it from?

I got my H2O from the local JB Hi-Fi, and I love it, as I have my previous Kobos. This doesn't mean anything about whether it will be the perfect device for you - however if collections management with Calibre is your killer feature, that should definitely put Kobo at the top of your list.

AnemicOak · 03-18-2016, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JainaSJedi

For those of you that use a Kobo, how do you like it? And where did you purchase it from?

I bought my Aura HD directly from Kobo and I really like it.

Quote:

In regards to the Kindles, I assume the Paperwhite 3 is the one to get? Is it that much better than the basic Kindle ereader (version 7, maybe)?

It has a nicer, higher resolution, screen. It also has a frontlight if that's important, the basic Kindle does not.

Quote:

Also, in regards to jailbreaking, can you jailbreak an older Kindle (my mom has the Kindle 4, I believe)? I'm assuming it's running the original firmware. I'm also thinking about chancing it and buying a new Kindle and hoping it's running the older firmware.

Most older Kindle's can be jailbroken. The best place for info on any jailbreaking is the Kindle Dev forum...
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=150

03-12-2016, 05:08 PM	#1
JainaSJedi Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Best Device for large ebook collections Hi, I'm in the market for a new ereader. I'm currently using the original ipad mini (still running iOS 6) with Marvin as my reader app and Calibre on my computer. I have a large collection of ebooks (>1000) that are organized in Calibre into Collections. I was looking to upgrade to a new ipad mini until I heard that iOS 8.3 bricked the ability of Calibre to connect directly to Marvin. So I'm probably not going to be buying another ipad unless there's a similar reading app to Marvin. So my question is how are the newer Kindles (like the paperwhite)? I have a Kindle 3, but it was a pain to add books to collections so I didn't use it for very long. Ultimately, is there any device out there that will communicate with Calibre and transfer large collections of ebooks that will show up in the new E-reader already organized into collections?

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03-12-2016, 05:34 PM	#2
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718541 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	You likely get a lot of suggestions with a wide range of "solutions". I too have a K3 and have semi-retired it because it bogged down with a large library installed and managing collections was too much effort. My "solution" to having a large library managed by calibre and having a portable reading device was to get an 8" tablet running Windows 8.1. I have calibre installed and the primary copy of my full library. I use a Modern UI ebook reading app (currently Book Bazaar Reader, free from the Store) instead of calibre's ebook-viewer, which is a desktop app and not a comfortable in a touch-only tablet environment. I merely export a few ebooks at a time from calibre to load into my reader app to be my "currently being read" collection. TouchMousePointer has been a boon to using calibre in a touch environment, but I usually do any major calibre work with either a mouse and keyboard connected (Bluetooth) or my remote from my desktop (via TeamViewer). I have calibre and a copy of my library copied to my desktop machine which I use for quick reference when using that machine and for any "heavy lifting" (read: creating ebooks, editing ebooks, ...). Edits and new creations done on the desktop are simple exported from calibre (Save to Disk) and then copied to the table and imported into calibre.

03-12-2016, 06:24 PM	#3
ekbell Guru Posts: 627 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	I personally use an android tablet with the Calibre Companion book organizer since I enjoy having all my books organized together regardless for format. Everything is organized just as it is on Calibre with similar search capabilities and the books can be easily opened by the appropriate book reader app. The rest of my family uses kobo ereaders (touch and Glo HD), it takes a bit of setup using a kobo plugin but you can automatically organize your books into collections as they are sent to the kobo from calibre.

03-12-2016, 10:24 PM	#5
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	If you want to manage collections with Calibre on an eInk reader you'll want to look at a Kobo. Personally I've quit using collections for the most part and just search for the book, author or series I'm looking for using my devices (Kobo Aura HD) search feature. Works well for me with 4,000+ books on the device. For Android devices Calibre Compantion is awesome.

03-18-2016, 08:49 PM	#6
JainaSJedi Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Thanks for all the replies! For those of you that use a Kobo, how do you like it? And where did you purchase it from? In regards to the Kindles, I assume the Paperwhite 3 is the one to get? Is it that much better than the basic Kindle ereader (version 7, maybe)? Also, in regards to jailbreaking, can you jailbreak an older Kindle (my mom has the Kindle 4, I believe)? I'm assuming it's running the original firmware. I'm also thinking about chancing it and buying a new Kindle and hoping it's running the older firmware.

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