What kind of e-books do I buy?

KiwiGenie · 07-02-2017, 06:30 PM

Hi, I'm wanting to purchase some new ebooks, but not sure what I need to look for. I use the Aldiko app on my android tablet, and all the ebooks I've had so far have been 'dodgy'

The next book I want to read I've found as either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, but I'm not sure what will work with my setup. The ones I have had before are epub format. Can anyone advise what I need to do?
Thanks

barryem · 07-02-2017, 09:02 PM

If you buy books from either B&N or Amazon you'll have to remove the DRM to use them in Aldiko. DRM is encryption to keep you from sharing books and nearly all book sellers use it for ebooks. Removing it isn't something we can discuss in this forum but google will find the information for you.

You will need to use Calibre along with a plugin, both of which are free and easily downloaded. You'll also have to have an older version of Kindle for PC installed. The new version has some new stuff that Calibre can't deal with yet. This is also easily available.

If you're not familiar with any of this be aware that it's all pretty simple and there are lots of instructions for getting set up from google searches and the process involved is trivial and fast. I buy my books at Amazon and I can read them on my Kobo a minute later. The Kobo won't normally read Amazon's books.

There were problems in the past with books bought from Barnes and Noble that made this difficult. I never bought books from them so I don't keep up with that and I'm not sure that issue has been resolved. Buying books from either Kobo or Amazon is no problem at all.

Barry

Cinisajoy · 07-02-2017, 09:17 PM

You can also install the kindle for android app.

JSWolf · 07-02-2017, 09:25 PM

Using Aldiko, you buy ePub. But don't buy from B&N unless you have a way to download them and remove the DRM. Buy from Google Play or Kobo. You can also borrow from your ocal library if it supports Overdrive.

KiwiGenie · 07-03-2017, 08:05 AM

Oh that's great, thanks everyone, that gives me a few things to look into. I'm in NZ so I'm not sure if there could be region issues as well, so will have to look at that also. I have Calibre already, and had been able to convert some books from mobi and pdf formats into epub before, so shouldn't be too much of a stretch to figure it all out.
Thanks again

barryem · 07-03-2017, 09:20 PM

This all gets pretty simple if you leave Barnes and Noble out of the calculation. If they still make conversions difficult, and I'm not sure about that but I am sure neither Kobo or Amazon do.

If you have Calibre and you get it set up the way you need it you can buy books from either source, or a number of smaller vendors, and read them on pretty much any reader you choose. Then it's just a matter of picking the ereader you like.

I have Kindles and Kobos and like them both. I prefer Kindles but if I could only have one I'd be happy with either of them.

I also have a Nook Glowlight Plus and while there's a lot about that thing that I really like, I don't use it much. It has a couple of serious show-stoppers. I'll probably eventually find a neighbor or friend who needs an ereader and pass it on.

I recently got an old Nook Simple Touch, the one without the light, and that thing surprised me. I do need a light so I'll be passing it along to someone but it has a decent screen and works pretty nicely. I may eventually get one of these with the Glowlight. It's easy to find them at very low prices used on Amazon and Ebay.

Barry

KiwiGenie · 07-03-2017, 11:38 PM

Thanks for all the advice Barry, much appreciated

As far as devices go, I'm quite happy just using an e-reader app on my android tablet, I like the versatility of being able to also use facebook etc if I feel like it without going to my computer. I haven't experimented with many of the apps, as Aldiko has done all I need it to so far.
Anyway, good to know that I can go ahead and buy books from Amazon, thanks so much for all your help.
Jenny

07-02-2017, 06:30 PM	#1
KiwiGenie Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NZ Device: Android tablet	What kind of e-books do I buy? Hi, I'm wanting to purchase some new ebooks, but not sure what I need to look for. I use the Aldiko app on my android tablet, and all the ebooks I've had so far have been 'dodgy' The next book I want to read I've found as either Barnes and Noble or Amazon, but I'm not sure what will work with my setup. The ones I have had before are epub format. Can anyone advise what I need to do? Thanks

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07-02-2017, 09:02 PM	#2
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	If you buy books from either B&N or Amazon you'll have to remove the DRM to use them in Aldiko. DRM is encryption to keep you from sharing books and nearly all book sellers use it for ebooks. Removing it isn't something we can discuss in this forum but google will find the information for you. You will need to use Calibre along with a plugin, both of which are free and easily downloaded. You'll also have to have an older version of Kindle for PC installed. The new version has some new stuff that Calibre can't deal with yet. This is also easily available. If you're not familiar with any of this be aware that it's all pretty simple and there are lots of instructions for getting set up from google searches and the process involved is trivial and fast. I buy my books at Amazon and I can read them on my Kobo a minute later. The Kobo won't normally read Amazon's books. There were problems in the past with books bought from Barnes and Noble that made this difficult. I never bought books from them so I don't keep up with that and I'm not sure that issue has been resolved. Buying books from either Kobo or Amazon is no problem at all. Barry

07-02-2017, 09:17 PM	#3
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	You can also install the kindle for android app.

07-02-2017, 09:25 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,745 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Using Aldiko, you buy ePub. But don't buy from B&N unless you have a way to download them and remove the DRM. Buy from Google Play or Kobo. You can also borrow from your ocal library if it supports Overdrive.

07-03-2017, 08:05 AM	#5
KiwiGenie Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NZ Device: Android tablet	Oh that's great, thanks everyone, that gives me a few things to look into. I'm in NZ so I'm not sure if there could be region issues as well, so will have to look at that also. I have Calibre already, and had been able to convert some books from mobi and pdf formats into epub before, so shouldn't be too much of a stretch to figure it all out. Thanks again

07-03-2017, 09:20 PM	#6
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	This all gets pretty simple if you leave Barnes and Noble out of the calculation. If they still make conversions difficult, and I'm not sure about that but I am sure neither Kobo or Amazon do. If you have Calibre and you get it set up the way you need it you can buy books from either source, or a number of smaller vendors, and read them on pretty much any reader you choose. Then it's just a matter of picking the ereader you like. I have Kindles and Kobos and like them both. I prefer Kindles but if I could only have one I'd be happy with either of them. I also have a Nook Glowlight Plus and while there's a lot about that thing that I really like, I don't use it much. It has a couple of serious show-stoppers. I'll probably eventually find a neighbor or friend who needs an ereader and pass it on. I recently got an old Nook Simple Touch, the one without the light, and that thing surprised me. I do need a light so I'll be passing it along to someone but it has a decent screen and works pretty nicely. I may eventually get one of these with the Glowlight. It's easy to find them at very low prices used on Amazon and Ebay. Barry

07-03-2017, 11:38 PM	#7
KiwiGenie Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NZ Device: Android tablet	Thanks for all the advice Barry, much appreciated As far as devices go, I'm quite happy just using an e-reader app on my android tablet, I like the versatility of being able to also use facebook etc if I feel like it without going to my computer. I haven't experimented with many of the apps, as Aldiko has done all I need it to so far. Anyway, good to know that I can go ahead and buy books from Amazon, thanks so much for all your help. Jenny

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