How to Download eBooks
eBooks are available in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats. EPUB is a format compatible with many smartphones and eReader devices. MOBI is the native format for all Kindle eReaders and tablets. PDFs can be opened on any Mac or PC with the free Adobe Reader software as well as on many smartphones. The eBooks can be viewed on more than one device. If you download the eBook file to your computer, you can then copy it to a portable eReader, Kindle, Nook, Android phone or tablet, iPhone or iPad, or another smartphone.
Choosing the Right File Format for Your Device
Find your device and recommended eBook file format below. Click on the links for more device-specific information.
- PC or Mac – EPUB or PDF
- iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch – EPUB or PDF
- Kindle and Kindle Fire – MOBI or PDF
- Android – EPUB
- NOOK, NOOK Color and NOOK Tablet – EPUB
- Sony Reader and Other eReaders – EPUB
If versatility is important to you, choose the EPUB version of a book; it’s compatible with almost all devices and will look best on the screen of your specific device. Note that EPUB files will not work on the Kindle unless they are first converted to MOBI. If you have a Kindle, we recommend downloading the MOBI version of our eBooks.
If page fidelity is important to you, choose the PDF version of a book; it exactly reproduces the original printed page and can be viewed with the popular Adobe Reader software on many devices.
Downloading eBooks
PC or Mac
Download EPUB or PDF formats for PC or Mac. Several eBook file formats are available, each offering their own unique features.
Available File Formats
eBook Format | Can Be Viewed with These eReader Applications | Unique Features |
Adobe Reader Adobe Digital Editions |
Exact reproduction of original printed page Widespread availability |
|
EPUB | Adobe Digital Editions | Text automatically flows from page to page Easy to change font size and add bookmarks Compatible with most mobile devices |
Mobi (Kindle) | Kindle for PC Kindle for Mac |
Text automatically flows from page to page Easy to change font size and add bookmarks Available only from Amazon.com |
The nice thing about reading an eBook on your computer is that e‑reader software is available to let you read virtually any file format. You probably have some of these programs already installed on your computer; most other eReader programs are available for free downloading.
What eBook file formats can you read on your computer? The following table details the formats available in our store, the unique features of each file format, and what eReader applications are necessary to view each type of file.
Kindle
The eBooks are available in the MOBI format for Kindle. If you prefer the PDF version of an eBook, you can also read them on most Kindles.
Note: Since the MOBI format is Kindle native, you can change font options (including size), make notes, and highlight text. PDFs, however, are faithful representations of the print book. Therefore you cannot adjust the font sizes or make notes when reading PDFs on a Kindle.
There are two ways to get an eBook purchased from our website onto your Kindle:
- You can easily transfer a MOBI or PDF to your Kindle via USB. You’ll learn how to do this in the “Transferring the eBook to Your Kindle via USB” section below.
- Using Amazon’s Kindle Personal Documents Service, you can email either MOBI or PDF files to your Kindle (some fees may apply).
This guide will assist you in loading your eBooks to your Kindle using both of the above methods after purchase.
Transferring the eBook to Your Kindle via USB
Once you’ve downloaded the MOBI or PDF file to your computer, it is simple to get it onto either your eInk Kindle or Kindle Fire using the following steps:
- Locate the USB cable that came with your Kindle. Plug one end into your Kindle and the other into a USB port on your computer.
- Your Kindle enters into USB Drive mode. A drive labeled “KINDLE” will appear on your computer (On Windows it’ll be in “My Computer,” and on OS X it appears on the Desktop).
- Copy the MOBI or PDF files into the “Documents” folder on the new KINDLE drive on your computer.
- Follow your operating system’s proper procedure for safely removing hardware/ejecting the KINDLE drive, and unplug your Kindle from your computer.
Your books are now in your Books library on your Kindle Fire (PDFs are stored in the “Docs” library) or the home screen on your eInk Kindle.
iPad/iPhone
EPUB or PDF versions of eBooks can be read on Apple’s iPad and iPhone portable devices. To do so, you need to download the EPUB or PDF version of a title and install iBooks or another eReader application on your device.
Installing iBooks on Your iPad or iPhone
There are several eReader applications available for the iPad and iPhone, but the most popular is iBooks. This is a free application developed by Apple for use on its iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices. iBooks can read eBooks in both EPUB and PDF formats. It is best suited, however, for reading EPUB-format books, which flow automatically from page to page on your device’s screen. You can easily increase or decrease the size of the book’s text, and iBooks instantly reformats the pages accordingly. To download iBooks to your device, go to the Apple App Store and search for “ibooks.” Follow the onscreen instructions to install the free application.
Downloading an eBook
Once you’ve downloaded an eBook, you need to add it to your iTunes library and copy it to your iPad or iPhone. Open iTunes and select the Books library. Open the folder where you downloaded the eBook and drag the eBook file from that folder to the iTunes Books library. The next time you sync your iPad or iPhone to your computer, the new eBook will be copied to your portable device.
Reading an eBook with iBooks
When you launch iBooks on your iPad or iPhone, you see the Library, a virtual bookshelf that holds all your purchased titles. You can scroll through multiple bookshelves to view all the books you’ve downloaded. Tap a book cover to begin reading.
Android
To read eBooks on Google’s Android operating system, you need to download the EPUB version and install an EPUB-based reader, such as the Aldiko eReader on your device. Aldiko can read PDF files as well.
Installing Aldiko on Your Android Device
There are several eReader programs available for Android devices, and one of the most popular is Aldiko. This is a free application that can read eBooks in the EPUB format. Aldiko is available in a free ad-supported version or a $2.99 ad-free version. To download Aldiko to your device, go to the Android Market and search for “aldiko.” Follow the onscreen instructions to install the application.
Downloading an eBook
Once you’ve downloaded an eBook, you need to add it to your Aldiko library on your Android phone. Begin by connecting your Android to your computer; a new drive for your phone should now appear in the My Computer window. (Mac users may require a few additional steps from the Status Bar to mount the phone on their desktop.) Navigate to the Import folder in the file window for the Android. You can now copy the eBook file from its home on your computer to the eBooks/Import folder on the Android. Disconnect your phone from your computer and open the Aldiko application. From the Aldiko’s Home screen, press your phone’s Menu button and then select Import. From the next menu, select Import again, then select OK. The new eBooks you just added will now be imported into the Aldiko application.
Nook
The Amazon Kindle isn’t the only eReader device on the market today. When you want to read an eBook on the go, you have your choice of the Barnes & Noble NOOK, Sony Reader, and other similar devices – many of which support the popular EPUB and PDF formats.
Transferring and Reading eBooks on Your NOOK
Several ways exist for you to load eBooks onto your NOOK HD or NOOK HD+ (called sideloading): by connecting your NOOK HD or NOOK HD+ to your PC or Mac and copying the files over, by copying the files to a MicroSD card and inserting that card into your NOOK HD or NOOK HD+, or by using a program on your PC for eBook management such as Calibre.
- Connect your NOOK HD or NOOK HD+ to your computer using a USB cable. Microsoft Windows users will see the MyNOOK appear as a new drive in My Computer (you’ll see an additional drive if you have a MicroSD card inserted in your NOOK Tablet or NOOK Color). Mac users will see a MyNOOK drive on their desktop.
- Copy the EPUB file from its location on your computer to the My Files\Books folder in the MyNOOK window.
- On your NOOK HD or NOOK HD+, from the Home screen, tap Library and then tap the Options and then tapRefresh to update your NOOK’s Books folder
Sony & Other Readers
- Open the Reader Library software and connect your Reader to your PC or Mac with a USB cable.
- Sign in to your Reader Store account.
- Within the Reader Library, locate the purchased EPUB file on your hard drive.
- Drag your eBook from your Library to the “Reader” icon located in the left nav area of the Reader Library software.
- Click on the Reader icon to verify that your new book has successfully transferred to your device.
- Once confirmed, you can now disconnect the USB cable and read your book on your eReader.