Looking for an ebook reader that will display plot

CndChaos · 06-18-2012, 09:57 AM

I am looking to get an ebook reader for my mom, who does not have access to the internet. As such I will be managing her files using Calibre. When I give it to her I am going to have it pre-loaded with the types of books I know she likes, but it would be nice if she were able to read the synopsis that is downloaded by Calibre (again, with her not having internet it makes it a little more difficult for her to know what a book is about).

Currently I have a sony prs-650 which I love for many reasons, but it does not appear that it is possible to transfer over the book synopsis.

I *think* I saw a kobo that did this, but I'm not sure if it only works for books purchased and loaded directly from the kobo store, or if it also worked for books transfered via calibre.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

CndChaos · 06-18-2012, 11:49 AM

Just discovered the option to inject the metadata into the first page of the epub file which solves my problem

ProfCrash · 06-18-2012, 11:50 AM

Alternativly, you could get her a Kindle with 3G which would not require she have internet at home but uses cellular service. If AT&T has decent service in her area, she would be able to download samples from books to her Kindle and then choose to buy the book if she wants.

faithbw · 06-18-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Alternativly, you could get her a Kindle with 3G which would not require she have internet at home but uses cellular service. If AT&T has decent service in her area, she would be able to download samples from books to her Kindle and then choose to buy the book if she wants.

Honestly, this does seem like the best option for her. Not only could she read samples but it would allow her to buy and load books without having to rely on CndChaos.

dwig · 06-18-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithbw

Honestly, this does seem like the best option for her. Not only could she read samples but it would allow her to buy and load books without having to rely on CndChaos.

... and CndChaos could email new ebooks to her Kindle, either via standard email software or via calibre.

JSWolf · 06-18-2012, 06:06 PM

Of course, you could get her internet access.

Cdesja5 · 06-18-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CndChaos

I am looking to get an ebook reader for my mom, who does not have access to the internet. As such I will be managing her files using Calibre. When I give it to her I am going to have it pre-loaded with the types of books I know she likes, but it would be nice if she were able to read the synopsis that is downloaded by Calibre (again, with her not having internet it makes it a little more difficult for her to know what a book is about).

Currently I have a sony prs-650 which I love for many reasons, but it does not appear that it is possible to transfer over the book synopsis.

I *think* I saw a kobo that did this, but I'm not sure if it only works for books purchased and loaded directly from the kobo store, or if it also worked for books transfered via calibre.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Create an epub catalogue using Calibre... Put her books into a separate library in Calibre, run the create a catalog feature (on the convert button; make sure you change the format to epub instead of csv) and load the catalogue on her reader along with her books. The epub catalogue lists all the books by author and also by title. The title/author contain hyperlinks that bring you to the page of the catalogue that has the synopsis for that book. Really cool feature of Calibre!
I have added screenshots of what it looks like on my tablet, it would be essentially the same but no colour on a Kobo or T1.
Because I am assuming that if she doesn't have Internet she is even less likely to have 3G and know how to load the books herself?

Shopaholic · 06-18-2012, 08:52 PM

I don't think a synopsis for an ereader is a good thing because when the book is on your reader you've already paid for it so reading a synopsis is a moot point by then. Internet access is a must or go with the Kindle 3G as suggested for the reasons suggested. I think that's your best option.

Eskarina · 06-18-2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdesja5

Create an epub catalogue using Calibre... Put her books into a separate library in Calibre, run the create a catalog feature (on the convert button; make sure you change the format to epub instead of csv) and load the catalogue on her reader along with her books. The epub catalogue lists all the books by author and also by title. The title/author contain hyperlinks that bring you to the page of the catalogue that has the synopsis for that book. Really cool feature of Calibre!
I have added screenshots of what it looks like on my tablet, it would be essentially the same but no colour on a Kobo or T1.
Because I am assuming that if she doesn't have Internet she is even less likely to have 3G and know how to load the books herself?

Thanks so much for this. I'm off to try it on my kindle!

ProfCrash · 06-18-2012, 10:08 PM

3G is a cellular thing. If she lives in an area where AT&T is located, then she she will have 3G. No one has to pay anything extra, other than the cost of the more expensive Kindle.

As for loading books, she simply shops at the Amazon store on her kindle. She can search by author, genre ect... She can download sample and books without touching a computer or the Internet.

Pomtroll · 06-19-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

I don't think a synopsis for an ereader is a good thing because when the book is on your reader you've already paid for it so reading a synopsis is a moot point by then.

I do. I have a few books on my reader & at times I forget what the book is about. Sometimes looking at the cover helps (if they have an image for the cover). But often I just want the description. My Kindle makes it easier to get it, but I do need internet access for it.

CndChaos · 06-22-2012, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to look more closely at a kindle. I am in canada, so previously it wasn't worth the effort, but now that everything works in canada it will be worth it to at least research.

Thanks again everyone.

ProfCrash · 06-22-2012, 10:59 AM

The Kindle has worked in Canada for close to four years. The 3G capability has been available since the K2 International was released a while back.

sqdancer · 06-23-2012, 02:59 AM

When the kindle went international, 3G only worked in certain areas of Canada. If you live in Canada outside the border belt, it is worthwhile to check out the coverage map.

ProfCrash · 06-23-2012, 11:00 AM

That was the same for the US. It had nothing to do with the Kindle and everything to do with cellphone coverage.

06-18-2012, 09:57 AM	#1
CndChaos Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: PRS-505	Looking for an ebook reader that will display plot I am looking to get an ebook reader for my mom, who does not have access to the internet. As such I will be managing her files using Calibre. When I give it to her I am going to have it pre-loaded with the types of books I know she likes, but it would be nice if she were able to read the synopsis that is downloaded by Calibre (again, with her not having internet it makes it a little more difficult for her to know what a book is about). Currently I have a sony prs-650 which I love for many reasons, but it does not appear that it is possible to transfer over the book synopsis. I think I saw a kobo that did this, but I'm not sure if it only works for books purchased and loaded directly from the kobo store, or if it also worked for books transfered via calibre. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

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06-18-2012, 11:49 AM	#2
CndChaos Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: PRS-505	Just discovered the option to inject the metadata into the first page of the epub file which solves my problem

06-18-2012, 11:50 AM	#3
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Alternativly, you could get her a Kindle with 3G which would not require she have internet at home but uses cellular service. If AT&T has decent service in her area, she would be able to download samples from books to her Kindle and then choose to buy the book if she wants.

06-18-2012, 06:06 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Of course, you could get her internet access.

06-18-2012, 08:52 PM	#8
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1841741 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	I don't think a synopsis for an ereader is a good thing because when the book is on your reader you've already paid for it so reading a synopsis is a moot point by then. Internet access is a must or go with the Kindle 3G as suggested for the reasons suggested. I think that's your best option.

06-18-2012, 10:08 PM	#10
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	3G is a cellular thing. If she lives in an area where AT&T is located, then she she will have 3G. No one has to pay anything extra, other than the cost of the more expensive Kindle. As for loading books, she simply shops at the Amazon store on her kindle. She can search by author, genre ect... She can download sample and books without touching a computer or the Internet.

06-22-2012, 10:50 AM	#12
CndChaos Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: PRS-505	Thanks for the advice. I'll have to look more closely at a kindle. I am in canada, so previously it wasn't worth the effort, but now that everything works in canada it will be worth it to at least research. Thanks again everyone.

06-22-2012, 10:59 AM	#13
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	The Kindle has worked in Canada for close to four years. The 3G capability has been available since the K2 International was released a while back.

06-23-2012, 02:59 AM	#14
sqdancer Guru Posts: 638 Karma: 891247 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Device: Sony T2 T3, Kobo Glo H2O GloHD Clara Libra2, Kindle NT PW4, PB Verse	When the kindle went international, 3G only worked in certain areas of Canada. If you live in Canada outside the border belt, it is worthwhile to check out the coverage map.

06-23-2012, 11:00 AM	#15
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	That was the same for the US. It had nothing to do with the Kindle and everything to do with cellphone coverage.