Book description on Kindle

Kbex · 08-20-2016, 09:00 PM

I have side loaded books on my Kindle Paperwhite 2. Is there any way to bring up the book description?

My Kobo Glo HD has the information on the device, but the Paperwhite tries to connect to wifi.

eschwartz · 08-21-2016, 02:59 AM

No, the Kindle does not display the embedded metadata. (It will, however, let you see the product description via ASIN in the Storefront -- requiring WiFi.)

Some people use calibre to embed a Book Jacket with the metadata, allowing them to see the description and other metadata as a "page" in the ebook.

Kbex · 08-22-2016, 08:43 AM

Thanks. People on this forum are so helpful.

JSWolf · 08-22-2016, 10:01 AM

There are other Readers that do allow you to see the book's description.

Kbex · 08-22-2016, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There are other Readers that do allow you to see the book's description.

Yes. One of many reasons why I mostly read from my Kobo Glo HD. Only occasionally use my Paperwhite now.

93terp · 08-22-2016, 12:37 PM

Isn't there a way to basically add the book jacket metadata to an AZW3/mobi file, which is included in the beginning of the book when sideloaded via Caliber? Thought I recently read something about this in another string, but can't put my finger on it ATM.

eschwartz · 08-22-2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There are other Readers that do allow you to see the book's description.

We can tell, because the OP mentioned exactly that in the first place...

"Is there any way to show the description on the PW2, the way my Kobo can"?
Yeah, seems fairly obvious the OP knew that...

If I may make a suggestion? That is essentially power posting, which is kind of socially discouraged on internet fora.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93terp

Isn't there a way to basically add the book jacket metadata to an AZW3/mobi file, which is included in the beginning of the book when sideloaded via Caliber? Thought I recently read something about this in another string, but can't put my finger on it ATM.

You can read about it in this thread too! It was the primary component of my post #2 ...

93terp · 08-22-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

You can read about it in this thread too! It was the primary component of my post #2 ...

Oops, it was staring straight at me the whole time!

Can you point me to specifics in Calibre for the book jacket info, i.e., where do I find this functionality in Calibre?

eschwartz · 08-22-2016, 01:18 PM

See the Polish Books tool (if it is not in your toolbar, you can add it from Preferences ==:> Toolbars).

Polish Books can perform a number of changes, including subsetting fonts, embedding updated metadata/covers into the EPUB/AZW3 internal metadata fields... and of course, creating a Book Jacket and inserting it as a "page" in the front of the ebook.

It is also capable of recognizing existing Book Jackets and updating them rather than inserting additional ones.

93terp · 08-22-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

See the Polish Books tool (if it is not in your toolbar, you can add it from Preferences ==:> Toolbars).

Polish Books can perform a number of changes, including subsetting fonts, embedding updated metadata/covers into the EPUB/AZW3 internal metadata fields... and of course, creating a Book Jacket and inserting it as a "page" in the front of the ebook.

It is also capable of recognizing existing Book Jackets and updating them rather than inserting additional ones.

Excellent, thanks! I do have the Polish Books tool loaded so now I just need to have a go at using it.

tomsem · 08-22-2016, 03:30 PM

(In case it is not obvious) devices and Kindle apps that support About This Book do have a book description that is readable off line. I think in most cases you have to open the book to access this information.

eschwartz · 08-22-2016, 06:23 PM

Not it was not obvious, thanks for mentioning it.

My Kindle Touch does not have that, but ISTR the feature, mentioned as first introduced on the PW2? (And likely backported to the PW1.)
Always difficult tol remember the features I don't actually have to play with.

IIRC it should use a *.asc file in the sdr folder, next to the book -- Amazon will send it with the ebook when downloading from their servers, and X-Ray Creator can probably create one as well.
But by default, they don't exist, and if the ebook file has updated metadata that won't be automatically reflected in the *.asc

That is the way AuthorProfile.profile.${ASIN}.asc works for About the Author, which my Kindle Touch does have.

08-20-2016, 09:00 PM	#1
Kbex Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Kobo Glo Hd	Book description on Kindle I have side loaded books on my Kindle Paperwhite 2. Is there any way to bring up the book description? My Kobo Glo HD has the information on the device, but the Paperwhite tries to connect to wifi.

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08-21-2016, 02:59 AM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	No, the Kindle does not display the embedded metadata. (It will, however, let you see the product description via ASIN in the Storefront -- requiring WiFi.) Some people use calibre to embed a Book Jacket with the metadata, allowing them to see the description and other metadata as a "page" in the ebook.

08-22-2016, 08:43 AM	#3
Kbex Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Kobo Glo Hd	Thanks. People on this forum are so helpful.

08-22-2016, 10:01 AM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,740 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	There are other Readers that do allow you to see the book's description.

08-22-2016, 12:37 PM	#6
93terp Fear The Turtle! Posts: 868 Karma: 4067244 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Margaritaville Device: KV, Kobo Forma, Kobo A1LE, KO3, K3	Isn't there a way to basically add the book jacket metadata to an AZW3/mobi file, which is included in the beginning of the book when sideloaded via Caliber? Thought I recently read something about this in another string, but can't put my finger on it ATM.

08-22-2016, 01:18 PM	#9
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	See the Polish Books tool (if it is not in your toolbar, you can add it from Preferences ==:> Toolbars). Polish Books can perform a number of changes, including subsetting fonts, embedding updated metadata/covers into the EPUB/AZW3 internal metadata fields... and of course, creating a Book Jacket and inserting it as a "page" in the front of the ebook. It is also capable of recognizing existing Book Jackets and updating them rather than inserting additional ones.

08-22-2016, 03:30 PM	#11
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,939 Karma: 27060151 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	(In case it is not obvious) devices and Kindle apps that support About This Book do have a book description that is readable off line. I think in most cases you have to open the book to access this information.

08-22-2016, 06:23 PM	#12
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Not it was not obvious, thanks for mentioning it. My Kindle Touch does not have that, but ISTR the feature, mentioned as first introduced on the PW2? (And likely backported to the PW1.) Always difficult tol remember the features I don't actually have to play with. IIRC it should use a .asc file in the sdr folder, next to the book -- Amazon will send it with the ebook when downloading from their servers, and X-Ray Creator can probably create one as well. But by default, they don't exist, and if the ebook file has updated metadata that won't be automatically reflected in the .asc That is the way AuthorProfile.profile.${ASIN}.asc works for About the Author, which my Kindle Touch does have.

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