How to read ebooks

on a computer   |   on an e-reader   |   on smart phone   |   on a tablet

Reading ebooks on a computer

To read an ebook on a computer you need the programs  EPUBReader,  Calibre or Stanza.

EPUBReader
EPUBReader works on Firefox. Open Firefox and install EPUBReader  from  http://www.epubread.com. Restart Firefox. On the toolbar you can now see a book icon. Click on it and the EPUBReader window opens. To read your book drag and drop an ebook file onto the window. The book will be added to the catalogue and opens automatically. You can also add books via the Firefox File menu with Open File… command.

Calibre
Install Calibre from http://calibre-ebook.com/download. When first running Calibre, the Welcome Wizard starts and will help you to set up Calibre for your reader device. Now add books through Add books menu or by clicking on Add books icon. Once you have added the books, they will show up in the main view window. Simply double-click on the title to read a book.

Stanza
Stanza has been developed for iPhone, iPad and iPod. Its simplified version is suitable for a computer, especially for reading on laptops with low-resolution screens. Install Stanza from http://stanza-desktop.en.softonic.com. Start Stanza, go to File menu and use Open File command to open ebooks.  Stanza does not support content indexing, use Bookmarks menu to add bookmarks.

Reading ebooks on an e-reader

It is most convenient to read ebooks on e-readers – Kobo, Nook, Kindle, Sony, iRiver, Elonex. Usually you can add books onto your e-reader from the computer using an USB cable. Some e-readers come with their own software. The e-readers are usually supplied with detailed instructions by the producer.

NB! Kindle users!

Kindle does not support EPUB format books but they can easily be converted for use on Kindle. To do that install Calibre into your computer and do the following:

In Calibre choose a book which you would like to read on Kindle and press button C or right-click on the title of the book. In popup menu select Convert Books and then Convert individually.  In the new window select Output Format from the right upper drop-down menu and choose MOBI.  Click OK.  Calibre will convert your book into Kindle format in a couple of minutes. Connect Kindle to your computer.  When the device is connected the icon Send to device appears on the Calibre toolbar. Choose a book, click on the icon Send to device and the book will be copied onto Kindle. Now you may disconnect Kindle from your computer and start reading.

Reading ebooks on smart phones

iPhone:

In your computer drag and drop the EPUB file to iTunes window.  iTunes will place it in the corresponding section. Then install the free iBooks app from Appstore onto your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to your PC. In iTunes settings set the Books to be synchronized and sync your iPhone with iTunes. Disconnect iPhone from the PC, open iBooks, choose a book and enjoy reading.

Android phone:

Open Android Market and install free Aldiko Book Reader. Connect your phone to your PC with  the USB cable and choose Disk drive as connection type. In Windows the phone’s SD card appears as an external disk drive (e.g. D or E) and on Mac a new drive icon appears on desktop. Copy ebooks into folder eBooks/import on your phone. Disconnect the phone from your PC and start Aldiko. Choose Import from the menu. Aldiko will
identify and organise the added books into folders by the authors. To read a book open Bookshelf  from the menu and tap on the book.

Reading ebooks on tablets

iPad:

In your computer drag and drop the EPUB file to iTunes window.  iTunes will place it in the corresponding section. Then install the free iBooks app from Appstore onto your iPad. Connect your iPad to your PC. In iTunes settings set the Books to be synchronized and sync your iPad with iTunes. Disconnect iPad from the PC, open iBooks, choose a book and start reading.

Android tablet:

Open Android Market and install free Aldiko Book Reader. Copy ebooks onto your tablet and start Aldiko. Choose Import from the menu. Aldiko will identify and organise the added books into folders by the authors. To read a book open Bookshelf  from the menu and tap on the book.