Where do you get books for your Sony Reader?

kcnightfang · 12-15-2009, 08:56 PM

Ok, so I was considering the Nook, but after playing with it, some UI decisions made me look elsewhere. I'm really liking the look of the upcoming PRS-900, however, I have just one major question; where do you get your books?

I know there's the Sony store, but I'm also aware that most books cost more there than at Amazon or from B&N. So, I was looking around for some third party sellers with Epub books, but couldn't find any really good ones for general books. I really mostly Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with some theology and philosophy books thrown in.

I was also wondering if it's possible to get them from Amazon and convert and strip DRM. I have Calibre on my Mac currently, so I'm wondering if I can convert/strip in that.

I realize this is a newbie question, but any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I also would like to use an Ebook reader for my roleplaying books, so I'm also curious as to how the Sony readers handle PDF.

Lilly · 12-15-2009, 09:10 PM

Anywhere, with the Sony you can price hunt for your books. My favorites are BooksonBoard and CyberReads (they are good for coupons). The Sony bookstore is also a great store, while I stopped shopping there because I could not liberate my books after adding a 2nd reader; I rarely had any problems finding the kind of books I loved to read. Do what I did in Dec 2007, it was between the Kindle 1 and Sony PRS-505 for me but gosh I hated how the K1 looked. Anyway, I decided to search the 2 bookstores for some of my genre and authors and I was satisfy enough to go with my 1st choice, Sony PRS-505. Now you have even more bookstore options for Sony since the PRS-900 will be ePub dominate, to help you decide.

HorridRedDog · 12-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Baen Free Library is a very good place to get started.
http://www.baen.com/library

And not to push Baen but when you want to spend money try
http://www.baen.com/

And then there is (related to Baen)
http://www.webscription.net/

The great thing about the above is that THEY DO NOT USE DRM in any of the formts. So if you download a book in one format and later buy/get a different ereader then you can download the same book in a new format.

To restate it - if you buy a book from them you can download it again in ANY format they use.

Did I tell you that I like them?

www.ebookwise.com has good prices and is another good place to go.

Then too there is www.fictionwise.com for good prices and if you select "MultiFormat" then you are almost as well set as Baen Books.

Good luck

P.S. If you're interested in converting non-DRM books into a format that you need then get Calibre http://calibre-ebook.com/

lilac_jive · 12-15-2009, 09:18 PM

I'm happy with the prices I pay at the Sony store (personal preference), so I get my books primarily from there. I also get books here on MobileRead and have once or twice used fictionwise. I also just downloaded a freebie from Smashwords (and those books will be available on Sony soon) by a MR author. When it comes to popular books, I'm usually happy as long as the books are cheaper than their paper versions somewhat. Plus I'm lazy

If you like Scifi/fantasy, you should check out the Baen Free Library. I don't know much about it but I know quite a few members on here love it.

Sony's, and most readers in general, don't handle PDF very well. It's a pretty icky format. Usually it's basically a picture of a book, so when you zoom on a small screen, you can imagine how it looks. Sony Readers reflow them, but it's not ideal. Are the role playing books only available in PDF? I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising individuals made them into different formats.

wallcraft · 12-15-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcnightfang

I was also wondering if it's possible to get them from Amazon and convert and strip DRM. I have Calibre on my Mac currently, so I'm wondering if I can convert/strip in that.

P.S. I also would like to use an Ebook reader for my roleplaying books, so I'm also curious as to how the Sony readers handle PDF.

As Lilly says, there are many stores that sell ePubs. This includes UK bookstores, although then you get the geographic restriction run around that the rest of the world goes through in the US. The only ePubs you cannot currently use on the Sonys are those from B&N, because they are using a new "password" DRM that isn't on the Sony's yet (and perhaps never will be).

Currently, Kindle for PC is your best bet for buying Kindle ebooks for the Sony. Its DRM has not yet been circumvented, but i♥cabbages is close to a solution. Note that at best only AZW ebooks will be available, no one has a handle on Amazon's TOPAZ ebook portability yet. If you have an iPhone/iPod Touch it is already possible to shift its Kindle app AZW files to ePub.

The 7" screen of the PRS-900 might be good enough in landscape to read letter/A4 PDFS. Particularly since it will have an autocrop margins mode.

SHOECHICK · 12-16-2009, 12:26 AM

I primarily use the Sony Store but just discovered Books on Board and love them. The new Michael Crichton was not on the Sony store but available at BOB for $9.99. BOB also doesn't seem to have the same geographical restrictions for Canadians. The Thirteenth Tale has been blocked from Canadians since forever on the Sony site, I got it from BOB

BookCat · 12-16-2009, 02:16 AM

Also, take a look at the Wiki (see link at the top of the page) which contains all kinds of info, including where to find free and non free books.
Some formats are easier to convert than others. PDF are the worst.
I've haven't yet bought a book: I download freebies of the public domain and give-away type.

Stitchawl · 12-16-2009, 02:39 AM

I don't think anyone mentioned it as yet, but there are thousands of free books available right here in MobileRead that you can search by genre or author. THOUSANDS!!! Also, for wonderful sources of free books check out the various Guttenberg Projects, US, Canada, and Australia.

Stitchawl

sononkyo · 12-16-2009, 01:11 PM

option 1-3: my library

Any other place with "free" content such as kobo (aka shortcovers.com)

Dalwyn · 12-16-2009, 01:41 PM

I like Shortcovers.com (recently converted to KOBO).

Kolenka · 12-16-2009, 02:29 PM

For me:

Reader Store (post-ePub conversion, never bought a book from them previously)
Kobo (found a book in ePub I couldn't find anywhere else except in MOBI)
Fictionwise (Less so now that fewer and fewer books are appearing in LIT)
Feedbooks

Failing that, I just look through the list of stores selling ADE versions, but right now, these are the 4 sources I trust.

ostler99 · 12-16-2009, 08:46 PM

Buy books already formatted in lrf on ebay
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

Or just search google

Beware of pirated copies.

JSWolf · 12-16-2009, 09:18 PM

Do not buy ePub from B&N. They will not work with any reader other than a nook.

lilac_jive · 12-16-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ostler99

Buy books already formatted in lrf on ebay
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

Or just search google

Beware of pirated copies.

The ones I saw on your link looked like all books in the public domain, which you can get for free here on MobileRead, among other places.

kcnightfang · 12-17-2009, 05:26 AM

Thanks for all the input! It's re-assured me greatly, so I will be going with the PRS-900. Now if only there was a source for legit copies of the Malazan Book of the Fallen...

12-15-2009, 08:56 PM	#1
kcnightfang Member Posts: 19 Karma: 2058 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-900 but selling to move to and Ipad	Where do you get books for your Sony Reader? Ok, so I was considering the Nook, but after playing with it, some UI decisions made me look elsewhere. I'm really liking the look of the upcoming PRS-900, however, I have just one major question; where do you get your books? I know there's the Sony store, but I'm also aware that most books cost more there than at Amazon or from B&N. So, I was looking around for some third party sellers with Epub books, but couldn't find any really good ones for general books. I really mostly Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with some theology and philosophy books thrown in. I was also wondering if it's possible to get them from Amazon and convert and strip DRM. I have Calibre on my Mac currently, so I'm wondering if I can convert/strip in that. I realize this is a newbie question, but any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I also would like to use an Ebook reader for my roleplaying books, so I'm also curious as to how the Sony readers handle PDF.

12-15-2009, 09:10 PM	#2
Lilly Guru Posts: 688 Karma: 2090 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-900 & PRS-950, Amazon Kindle2	Anywhere, with the Sony you can price hunt for your books. My favorites are BooksonBoard and CyberReads (they are good for coupons). The Sony bookstore is also a great store, while I stopped shopping there because I could not liberate my books after adding a 2nd reader; I rarely had any problems finding the kind of books I loved to read. Do what I did in Dec 2007, it was between the Kindle 1 and Sony PRS-505 for me but gosh I hated how the K1 looked. Anyway, I decided to search the 2 bookstores for some of my genre and authors and I was satisfy enough to go with my 1st choice, Sony PRS-505. Now you have even more bookstore options for Sony since the PRS-900 will be ePub dominate, to help you decide. Last edited by Lilly; 12-15-2009 at 09:39 PM.

12-15-2009, 09:17 PM	#3
HorridRedDog Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1592 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: PRS-600 EB-1150	Where to start for good books Baen Free Library is a very good place to get started. http://www.baen.com/library And not to push Baen but when you want to spend money try http://www.baen.com/ And then there is (related to Baen) http://www.webscription.net/ The great thing about the above is that THEY DO NOT USE DRM in any of the formts. So if you download a book in one format and later buy/get a different ereader then you can download the same book in a new format. To restate it - if you buy a book from them you can download it again in ANY format they use. Did I tell you that I like them? www.ebookwise.com has good prices and is another good place to go. Then too there is www.fictionwise.com for good prices and if you select "MultiFormat" then you are almost as well set as Baen Books. Good luck P.S. If you're interested in converting non-DRM books into a format that you need then get Calibre http://calibre-ebook.com/ Last edited by HorridRedDog; 12-15-2009 at 09:28 PM.

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12-15-2009, 09:18 PM	#4
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I'm happy with the prices I pay at the Sony store (personal preference), so I get my books primarily from there. I also get books here on MobileRead and have once or twice used fictionwise. I also just downloaded a freebie from Smashwords (and those books will be available on Sony soon) by a MR author. When it comes to popular books, I'm usually happy as long as the books are cheaper than their paper versions somewhat. Plus I'm lazy If you like Scifi/fantasy, you should check out the Baen Free Library. I don't know much about it but I know quite a few members on here love it. Sony's, and most readers in general, don't handle PDF very well. It's a pretty icky format. Usually it's basically a picture of a book, so when you zoom on a small screen, you can imagine how it looks. Sony Readers reflow them, but it's not ideal. Are the role playing books only available in PDF? I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising individuals made them into different formats.

12-16-2009, 12:26 AM	#6
SHOECHICK Addict Posts: 228 Karma: 1032 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Device: Red Sony 505 and Ipad	I primarily use the Sony Store but just discovered Books on Board and love them. The new Michael Crichton was not on the Sony store but available at BOB for $9.99. BOB also doesn't seem to have the same geographical restrictions for Canadians. The Thirteenth Tale has been blocked from Canadians since forever on the Sony site, I got it from BOB

12-16-2009, 02:16 AM	#7
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Also, take a look at the Wiki (see link at the top of the page) which contains all kinds of info, including where to find free and non free books. Some formats are easier to convert than others. PDF are the worst. I've haven't yet bought a book: I download freebies of the public domain and give-away type.

12-16-2009, 02:39 AM	#8
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	I don't think anyone mentioned it as yet, but there are thousands of free books available right here in MobileRead that you can search by genre or author. THOUSANDS!!! Also, for wonderful sources of free books check out the various Guttenberg Projects, US, Canada, and Australia. Stitchawl

12-16-2009, 01:11 PM	#9
sononkyo Member Posts: 19 Karma: 336 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: PRS300S, PRS505S (ret.) PRS 500 (ret.)	option 1-3: my library Any other place with "free" content such as kobo (aka shortcovers.com)

12-16-2009, 01:41 PM	#10
Dalwyn Member Posts: 19 Karma: 500 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader	I like Shortcovers.com (recently converted to KOBO).

12-16-2009, 02:29 PM	#11
Kolenka <Insert Wit Here> Posts: 1,017 Karma: 1275899 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Puget Sound Device: Kindle Oasis, Kobo Forma	For me: Reader Store (post-ePub conversion, never bought a book from them previously) Kobo (found a book in ePub I couldn't find anywhere else except in MOBI) Fictionwise (Less so now that fewer and fewer books are appearing in LIT) Feedbooks Failing that, I just look through the list of stores selling ADE versions, but right now, these are the 4 sources I trust.

12-16-2009, 08:46 PM	#12
ostler99 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 442 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony 700, iRex 1000s	Buy books already formatted in lrf on ebay http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories Or just search google Beware of pirated copies.

12-16-2009, 09:18 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,008 Karma: 144284074 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Do not buy ePub from B&N. They will not work with any reader other than a nook.

12-17-2009, 05:26 AM	#15
kcnightfang Member Posts: 19 Karma: 2058 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-900 but selling to move to and Ipad	Thanks for all the input! It's re-assured me greatly, so I will be going with the PRS-900. Now if only there was a source for legit copies of the Malazan Book of the Fallen...

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