UPDATE: A NEW Free eBook to download to PCs! (For the Kindle-less readers)

[Humphrey Bear]

No, I don't read ebooks and really don't think I will be any time soon. While our library offers ebooks, I prefer the real deal. Fortunately I don't have to go out in bad weather as I can go online, choose the books I want and the library will mail them to my home. When it's time for them to go back, I drop them in the mailbox.

Wow, what a great service. Wish we had something like that.

Instead I bought the Sony Reader Digital Book(similar to the Kindle) and have been downloading them from our library. They give you a 21 day window to read them and will automatically return the title for you. Plus I have come to like just browsing and checking out the books right from home.

 

[rcraw45425]

For a while I was doing the books on CD (checked out of the library so not a budget buster), I'd load them to my iPod and sit on the beach and still be able to watch the kids. I got tired of it though, if I keep the ear buds in for too long my ears begin to really hurt, no matter what type I buy (and believe me I've tried most of them!). If the lighting on this is good enough to allow me to read in bright light (like on a beach or outside) I am sold. I cannot do the eBooks thing because my 13YO has appropriated my laptop (cheaper than buying her her own!)

 

[DVCLiz]

For a while I was doing the books on CD (checked out of the library so not a budget buster), I'd load them to my iPod and sit on the beach and still be able to watch the kids. I got tired of it though, if I keep the ear buds in for too long my ears begin to really hurt, no matter what type I buy (and believe me I've tried most of them!). If the lighting on this is good enough to allow me to read in bright light (like on a beach or outside) I am sold. I cannot do the eBooks thing because my 13YO has appropriated my laptop (cheaper than buying her her own!)

There's NO lighting on a Kindle - is that what you mean??? It CAN be read in bright sunshine - that's one of the great selling features. It has an Eink screen instead of a backlit LCD one, so the text can be read in bright outdoor light, like on a beach. Of course, that means you need an external light source to read inside in the "dark" - some people have complained because they want to be able to read in bed without turning on a lamp. Now, if they have an Iphone, too, they will have the best of both worlds - daytime reading on the (to me anyway) superior Eink screen of the Kindle, and nightime bed reading in the "dark" on the Iphone - and the devices will sync to each other so you can always keep your place!!

 

[Humphrey Bear]

For a while I was doing the books on CD (checked out of the library so not a budget buster), I'd load them to my iPod and sit on the beach and still be able to watch the kids. I got tired of it though, if I keep the ear buds in for too long my ears begin to really hurt, no matter what type I buy (and believe me I've tried most of them!). If the lighting on this is good enough to allow me to read in bright light (like on a beach or outside) I am sold. I cannot do the eBooks thing because my 13YO has appropriated my laptop (cheaper than buying her her own!)

The great thing about the e-readers is that they use E-ink technology that is not like an LCD screen, and there is no back lighting on most models. They tend to look pretty close to paper and give you no eye strain. They would be perfect for reading outside.

Here is a forum that has a lot of great info on all of the different e-readers.

http://www.mobileread.com/

 

[Nie0214]

I have really loved mine - I had taken a break from reading and it has really rekindled my interest and love of a great book. Plus it is fun and cool - and it is saving me money because I was a hardback book buyer - most of the kinds of books I read are 9.99 in the Kindle store as opposed to 16.95 or 21.95. At some point this year I will do a breakdown of the cost and see where I broke even - oh, wait, I will have to do that next year since I just bought a new Kindle 2!!!

I don't buy hardcovers, but even buying 10 paperbacks can be around $140! I bought a used paperback a few weeks ago and it still cost $7. I'm seriously debating getting one.

 

[rcraw45425]

Another hardback purchaser, I cannot wait till they come out in paperback! Plus, I hate how you can be reading a paperback and all of a sudden the glue fails and the pages fall out everywhere! IMO, this will be saving DH money Kindle book price: $9.99, Amazon/B&N/Sams book price: $16-$25 Not having my books laying all over the house (DHs pet peeve) It's a win win situation! Oh yeah, I"ll be getting one soon!

 

[LisaNJ25]

I just joined audible.com and I am downloading them on my ipod. I haven't tried reading ebooks.. but I like the audio books

 

[Karibeth19]

Also, breaking news - Iphone app for Kindle was just released!!! You can go to your Amazon account and order a Kindle book and read it on your Iphone!!!!! So that will be fun - I am debating getting a new Iphone today and will like having the same book I am reading on my Kindle available for my Iphone - the two books will sync so if I read a chapter on my Iphone while I am in carpool when I get home and pick up my Kindle it will take me to the page I just finished - pretty sweet!!!!

Isn't that exciting? I just downloaded the app to my iPod touch, and when I added the book I was reading on Kindle, it opened right up to the place I left off! So cool!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

Isn't that exciting? I just downloaded the app to my iPod touch, and when I added the book I was reading on Kindle, it opened right up to the place I left off! So cool!!!

Even better (or worse) it inspired me to go ahead and upgrade to the "new" Iphone ( I had been holding off since the original version is plenty for my actual needs) so now I have a NEW Iphone and will download the app in a minute (or as soon as I go outside - AT&T service is so bad that I can't use my phone in the house!!)

 

[Iluvthemouse]

I never thought I wanted an ereader until reading some of the threads here.

RIght now I love the audio books. Our library membership uses netlibrary so I download them for free and listen on my mp3 player. I love, love, love them but the choices are limited. I havent plunged into audible yet but I am looking.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't buy hardcovers, but even buying 10 paperbacks can be around $140! I bought a used paperback a few weeks ago and it still cost $7. I'm seriously debating getting one.

Or you could check out books for free at the public library. I'd say we go through 75 books/month in my family, all for free at the library.

 

[Praise2Him]

I have really loved mine - I had taken a break from reading and it has really rekindled my interest and love of a great book.

LOL! Nice pun!

 

[rcraw45425]

FWIW, I just found a bunch of free books on the Kindle site, granted some are Harlequins, but I figure that if they're free it's a great way for me to try it out, since the next book I really really want to read doesn't come out for a few weeks. I have a couple of paperbacks here to get me through along with some library books to finish before their due date (last one of the CHarlaine Harris Harper something series, a Lee Child, and a few more)

 

[Nie0214]

Or you could check out books for free at the public library. I'd say we go through 75 books/month in my family, all for free at the library.

My local library isn't the best, and the only day I could even try to visit is Saturday because of my work schedule (and it's only open 9-12 on Saturday). Not to mention I've never once seen parking near the place.

The library back in Rhode Island was great, and they could get books from other RI libraries and you could order them online and pick them up. Here, not as great, even if it is a cuter library. I try to go when I can.

I also like to make notes when I read things, but I can't do that in a library book.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Nope. I like to curl up in my bed to read. And I have no laptop. So there is no reading on my computer.

I really want a Kindle, but can't afford one right now. Maybe someday I will be able to get one.

 

[Imzadi]

A friend sent a link to free ebooks to me a few weeks ago.
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

you have to search by author and they are all old books that have no copyright. but you can also see a list of current top 100 searches here: http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/scores/top

I hope you guys enjoy!

I found "The Art of War" by Sunzi. That is a book I've been wanting to read.

FWIW, I just found a bunch of free books on the Kindle site,

Is there a separate section these are in, or are they all mixed in with the other books?

Edited: Aww, I just looked on the Amazon site and the free ebooks I found seem to only be in the Kindle, iPod or iTouch format. No Adobe PDF files to download for those of us with only a PC or laptop.

 

[Imzadi]

I found a link for 5 FREE science fiction and fantasy ebooks from Suvudu, a division of Random House publishers. It is in a straight PDF file format, so it automatically downloads and opens on your computer (if you have Adobe installed,) when you click on the individual links for each book. Nothing to sign up for.

http://www.suvudu.com/freelibrary/

"NEW YORK, NY - March 4, 2009 - Random House, Inc. today unveiled the first five titles in its new Suvudu Free First Book Library. Designed to introduce new readers to popular and acclaimed science fiction and fantasy series, the Suvudu Free First Book Library allows readers to access free digital copies of the first book in each series.

The program launches with access to the following novels:

• His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
• Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
• Settling Accounts: Return Engagement by Harry Turtledove
• Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt

The books will be made available through Random House’s science fiction/fantasy portal, Suvudu.com as well as on other content services, including Scribd.com and the Stanza ebook reader application for the iPhone.

Says Christine Cabello, Random House Publishing Group Deputy Director of Marketing: 'The Suvudu Free First Book promotion provides us with a new digital vehicle to build an author’s fan base and is an ideal way to bring new readers to these series.'

New titles are scheduled to be added to the Suvudu Free First Book Library on a regular basis. Coming soon are Terry Brooks’s Magic Kingdom for Sale, Elizabeth Moon’s Trading in Danger, and many more."​

Also here's the link to download 16 FREE Harlequin Romances:

Harlequin Romance is celebrating it's 60th anniversary by giving away free ebook downloads.
www.harlequincelebrates.com.​

The types of downloads are in digital formats including: Adobe PDF, eReader, MS Reader, & ePub.

I checked out the page a while ago and downloaded several books in PDF and read a few already. That's what got me hooked on reading ebooks off my laptop.

There is no catch. You don't have to register for anything. It's a straight download. The PDF files are about 2 MB and take only a few seconds each to download.

One of the books is a Vampire romance book: Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf. It's the fourth one from the left.
It looks like this:

Here's the book description:

Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf:

Death cocktail is what the vampires call a witch’s blood. It’s poisonous—a drop will destroy a vampire within minutes. Nikolaus Drake is the rare vampire who has survived his first taste. Now he’s on the hunt for the witch who almost brought him to his demise—Ravin Crosse.

A witch who spends her nights hunting vampire tribes, Ravin has three obligations to fulfill to set her soul free. One of those obligations—crafting a love spell—twists her world upside down when Nikolaus draws the spell from her veins. Natural enemies rarely make the best bedfellows—but is it possible their intentions are really, truly the same? Can Nikolaus’s tribal loyalty survive if he surrenders to desires far darker than his own?

Happy reading!

 

[rcraw45425]

I found a link for 5 FREE science fiction and fantasy ebooks from Suvudu, a division of Random House publishers. It is in a straight PDF file format, so it automatically downloads and opens on your computer (if you have Adobe installed,) when you click on the individual links for each book. Nothing to sign up for.

http://www.suvudu.com/freelibrary/

"NEW YORK, NY - March 4, 2009 - Random House, Inc. today unveiled the first five titles in its new Suvudu Free First Book Library. Designed to introduce new readers to popular and acclaimed science fiction and fantasy series, the Suvudu Free First Book Library allows readers to access free digital copies of the first book in each series.

The program launches with access to the following novels:

• His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
• Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
• Settling Accounts: Return Engagement by Harry Turtledove
• Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt

The books will be made available through Random House’s science fiction/fantasy portal, Suvudu.com as well as on other content services, including Scribd.com and the Stanza ebook reader application for the iPhone.

Says Christine Cabello, Random House Publishing Group Deputy Director of Marketing: 'The Suvudu Free First Book promotion provides us with a new digital vehicle to build an author’s fan base and is an ideal way to bring new readers to these series.'

New titles are scheduled to be added to the Suvudu Free First Book Library on a regular basis. Coming soon are Terry Brooks’s Magic Kingdom for Sale, Elizabeth Moon’s Trading in Danger, and many more."​

Also here's the link to download 16 FREE Harlequin Romances:

Harlequin Romance is celebrating it's 60th anniversary by giving away free ebook downloads.
www.harlequincelebrates.com.​

The types of downloads are in digital formats including: Adobe PDF, eReader, MS Reader, & ePub.

I checked out the page a while ago and downloaded several books in PDF and read a few already. That's what got me hooked on reading ebooks off my laptop.

There is no catch. You don't have to register for anything. It's a straight download. The PDF files are about 2 MB and take only a few seconds each to download.

One of the books is a Vampire romance book: Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf. It's the fourth one from the left.
It looks like this:

Here's the book description:



Happy reading!

I also found a bunch of free harlequins on the Kindle site

 

[Imzadi]

I found another Sci-Fi site for Free ebook downloads, in quite a few formats: Kindle/Palm, HTML (regular webpage), and RTF (Rich Text Format,) Sony & Microsoft Reader formats. No PDF, probably HTML & RTF are the closest.

http://www.webscription.net/c-1-free-library.aspx


Enjoy!

 

[Imzadi]

Offered has expired on this one.
If the show re-airs and she offers it again, I'll let everyone know.

Another FREE eBook in PDF format for a very limited time.

Jean Chatzky's new financial book, The Difference, for free until 10:59 a.m. ET Saturday, March 14, 2009! We're offering this as a free download for Oprah.com members. If you are an Oprah.com member, you'll be prompted to log in first. If you are not already a member, you will be prompted to become a member. It's free!

Read up on Jean Chatzky's other tips: (but book offer has expired.)
http://www.oprah.com/article/money/personalfinance/20090313-jean-book-difference


What can The Difference teach you?

• The top five things you can do to not just survive but thrive during tough times
• The eight things that make The Difference (i.e., the key traits and abilities of people who describe themselves as financially free)
• Advice for those having job insecurity as well as strategies for finding a job
•Why money doesn't breed happiness—but happiness can breed money
•The direct connection between The Difference and your health
•How people who know The Difference make a difference for others
•Myths and facts about the wealthy