Font not changing on Clara BW

[samReader]

I cannot change the font on a certain Epub. I've seen other threads suggesting that some Epubs are not formatted properly or that the publisher mandates a particular font. OK, I get that. But the strange thing is that this same Epub loaded onto my Nook Glowlight DOES allow the font to be changed.

I sideloaded the Epub onto both readers the same way - from Adobe Digital Editions.

I just got the Clara. My 12 year old Nook is starting to give up the ghost. Is this 'fixed font' thing going to be a common experience with me on the Clara? If so, it'll be a deal breaker (and I hope not because I like the Clara otherwise).

Thanks for any advice and tips.

Sam

[Sirtel]

Probably the font has been embedded on the paragraph level.

The simplest way is to use KEPUB instead of EPUB - either with the help of Calibre or Kepubify (https://pgaskin.net/kepubify/).

Other ways are converting from EPUB to EPUB with Calibre and stripping out all font-family attributes in the process, or edit the EPUB manually with Sigil or Calibre editor.

[samReader]

If the EPUB had "paragragh level" font, wouldn't the same thing happen on my Nook? The same EPUB that my Clara is having trouble with works as expected on my Nook.

I'll look at those programs.

My question remains: Does this happen often on the Clara (or Kobo readers in general)? Or is this just some rare anomaly?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by samReader

My question remains: Does this happen often on the Clara (or Kobo readers in general)? Or is this just some rare anomaly?

The only time I've seen what you have reported is when a font has been specified in the ePub file. Generally in a CSS stylesheet but can be done using inline styles. One nasty example simply used:

p {
  font-family: sans-serif;
}

which forced a sans-serif font for all paragraphs.

If you are using calibre, you can open the ePub with calibre's ebook-editor and see what is being used or if you are using Sigil, you use it for the same purposes. You can also use either calibre's builtin Polish tool or the Modify ePub plugin to remove embedded fonts.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by samReader

My question remains: Does this happen often on the Clara (or Kobo readers in general)? Or is this just some rare anomaly?

Sorry, no idea. I edit all my ebooks before loading them on my Kobos, so they no longer have any embedded fonts for main text. From what I've seen in the code of different books, I'd say it happens occasionally. Not very often, but I can't say it's a rare anomaly.

Many people read KEPUBS for this reason among others.

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by samReader

If the EPUB had "paragragh level" font, wouldn't the same thing happen on my Nook?

Not necessarily. Nook may be ignoring the font information in the CSS. Your options are a) use KEPUB so you can always override ugly fonts, b) edit all of your books with Calibre or Sigil to remove stupid CSS rules, c) learn to accept ugly font choices.

There is no shortage of poorly formatted books, so yes, if you stick with regular EPUB and don't spend time editing every book you buy, you will run across this problem now and then.

[samReader]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Calibre conversion to kepub did allow me to change the fonts. I also like the endnotes popup in kepub better than EPUB.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by samReader

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Calibre conversion to kepub did allow me to change the fonts. I also like the endnotes popup in kepub better than EPUB.

I read a fair few library ebooks on my Kobo, and for what it's worth, I rarely run into an ebook where I can't change the font. It does happen, because some publishers are CLUELESS, but not too often.

Don't let it put you off Kobo, they make nice devices. I started out with a Nook way back when in 2010, but have had Kobo since 2013. The larger screen of the Aura HD sucked me in, and I never left, though I do also own a Kindle and a Pocketbook Era. But Kobo made the 8" Sage and Forma, and my old eyes love that size!

[samReader]

I do like my new Clara BW a lot. Especially now that I know the font problem is not common and that I have a way around it when it does happen.

I have a Nook SimpleTouch Glowlight from around 2014 but it is becoming unreliable. When deciding what to get for a replacement I reckoned that:
1) I get all my books from the library (Libby, Overdrive, SAILS)
2) I prefer to sideload them rather than share my library selections with Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
3) I'm comfortable with EPUB and the occasional PDF
4) I don't use any of those vendor ecosystems (I probably won't use Kobo's either)

I read a lot of reviews and opinions and the Kobo stepped to the front of the line for my needs. I thought about getting another Nook but the Kobo really seemed strong with EPUB.

I'm sure the new Nook is better than my old one but comparing my new Clara BW to my old Nook I find that:
1) The Clara backlight is much more even. The Nook was edge lit and a bit splotchy.
2) I like the natural color light options on the Clara.
3) I like the Clara's font control such as being to adjust the front weight
4) Text is definitely clearer on the Clara
5) I can easily delete a sideloaded book from the Clara. There is no way to do this on the Nook - I have to go into the filesystem and search for all the little artifacts and delete them manually.

Some things I liked better about the nook:
1) the non-slip rubberized bezel. Not a big deal because I generally keep it in a bookfold cover (as I do the Clara).
2) the screen is the same height but the Nook screen is about 1/4" wider.
3) the Nook bezel is wider making it easier to hold and to keep my thumbs out of the way.

I hope the Clara and I have as long and happy of a relationship as I did with the Nook. I couldn't guess how many 100s of 1000s of pages I read on that. I expect the Clara to meet the challenge.

[JSWolf]

I suggest you learn HTML/CSS so you can edit your eBooks when you have a problem like this. The problem is not difficult to fix.

[Pajamaman]

In Calibre, convert it to mobi, delete the epub, then convert the mobi to epub. It works 99% of the time.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by samReader

II have a Nook SimpleTouch Glowlight from around 2014 but it is becoming unreliable.

The SimpleTouch was a classic. I had a couple and rooted them and used them as Android e-readers. I think Nook went downhill after that.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

In Calibre, convert it to mobi, delete the epub, then convert the mobi to epub. It works 99% of the time.

That trashes the formatting. Better just to use kepub.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

In Calibre, convert it to mobi, delete the epub, then convert the mobi to epub. It works 99% of the time.

That seriously messes up the code. Don't do this.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

In Calibre, convert it to mobi, delete the epub, then convert the mobi to epub. It works 99% of the time.

Probably backup the epub first.