Monday 20 June 2011

Reading eBooks without an eReader

My first car was a red Volkswagen beetle. I loved that car! Except for a day about three weeks after I got my drivers licence. There I was, driving merrily along, the wind rushing through my hair when suddenly...my dear  little bug died on me. Poof. Nothing. I couldn't get it started. In pre-cell phone days, it was a mission, but eventually I found someone who knew someone who knew my Dad. Called him from an important meeting to rescue me, the first thing Dad did was check the petrol gauge. Empty. I won't repeat the words that burned my tender ears as Dad explained I can't just switch the car on and expect it to go. A car needs petrol, and that's that!

Not being technically minded, I still find it difficult to understand how cars run on petrol, why computers need anti-virus programmes and that eReaders come in many shapes and sizes.  

I love my first eReader - a wireless 3G Kindle - with as much passion as I loved that little red bug of mine. And I'm equally clueless about how eReaders work. I switch the Kindle on, buy a book and read.

Now that my own book Dancing in the Shadows of Love is published as an eBook, many people are asking me how they can read it, because they don't own an eReader such as a Kindle or a Nook.  The good news is that - unlike my Volkswagen which couldn't work without petrol - you can read an eBook without an eReader.

You can read it on your laptop or desktop. You can read it on your Iphone or Blackberry. You can read it on almost anything. 

1. On Amazon there are FREE DOWNLOADS FOR KINDLE to various reading devices. All you do is download the software onto your device of choice and then you can buy my book (and as many other eBooks as you want) and be reading within minutes.


2. You can also read an eBook in the EPUB format by downloading the free Adobe Digital Editions software  to your computer or device, and adding the file to your library.

3. Barnes and Noble has the same option of FREE DOWNLOADS FOR NOOK.

4. Smashwords is an eBook sales platform that offers many formats of eBooks for sale, including the simple PDF format, easily readable on your laptop or desktop or you can download the EPUB format, readable on the Adobe Digital Editions software (No 2 above.)

These free software programmes are a great way to ease into the new world of eBooks. I used the Kindle for PC programme for about 6 months before I took the leap and bought the actual eReader for the convenience it offers (reading a Kindle device in bed is a lot easier than taking your laptop into bed!)

For those of you interested in finding out more about the technical side of eReaders, or who want to compare the different eReaders, here are some links with more information than my technically challenged self can give you:

Back to Basics: What exactly is an eReader?

Comparing eReaders: Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Sony

Detailed Comparison of eReaders

How to Read an ebook: Formats, Devices, Dedicated Readers and iPhone Applications

Buy your Kindle or Nook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble directly, but here is an interesting site which shows different eReaders for sale Shop for eReaders.

Although it still needs petrol to work, I now drive a car that has so many bells and buttons on it, my little red Volkswagen looks archaic by comparison. As the eBook market grows and expands, I've no doubt that the future holds many exciting reading possibilities for both eBooks and eReaders.

But, for now, all you need to remember is that you don't need an eReader to read an eBook!
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Remember to enter the LAUNCH COMPETITION before 30 June 2011 for the chance to win great prizes, including a full manuscript critique or an Amazon US$100 gift voucher.
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Dancing in the Shadows of Love is available on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords. 

11 comments:

Linda Cassidy Lewis said...

Excellent post to spread the word about reading ebooks! Before I got my Kindle, I read on my laptop and iPhone. Today I enjoyed reading a lovely book by YOU. :-)

Nas said...

Thanks for sharing such great information regarding eReaders and it's software. It is hard to keep to the computer to read ebooks after spending time working on it as well.

Amanda Holly said...

Thanks for the ereader plug! I love my Sony despite the fact that you can't buy it out here in SA!!! Sony does not bring them to our shores. How retarded is that?

Also, so many sites out there don't let you buy ebooks from them when you're based in SA!! I won't even begin to tell you how I feel about that.

I shall continue to plod on with my Sony ereader regardless! I will not allow my postal code to relegate me back to the dark ages.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

LINDA: Probably because I adore my Kindle, I'm often surprised how many readers are still nervous of eReaders. Glad you're enjoying my book.

NAS: Yes, that's why I eventually got my Kindle - because reading on the free PC app was tiring after spending all day working on the computer. Getting the real Kindle made *such* a difference to my enjoyment.

AMANDA: Ja, Beric's found that georestrictions affect his MP3 purchases - very annoying. How do you find the Sony? I've heard good things about it.

Birdie said...

Ah, such a simple lesson to learn. Did your dad goes as red as the Beetle?

I have not purchased an ereader yet. I love my books so much. Maybe one day.

Hilary said...

Hi Judy .. great information here - many thanks .. so much help .. and I must download your voucher and get to read Dancing in the Shadows of Love shortly .. it's having great reviews ...

I bought an orange beetle in SA .. great little car & like you loved using it touring around SA .. til someone wrote me off!! Luckily I was ok .. badly shaken .. the car was not so lucky!

I too ran out of petrol .. my father was going to collect me from taking my car for a service .. he went all of the 20 miles - then wondered where I was .. on the side of the road, without petrol. Ooooooh .. he was not best pleased!!

Cheers have a great week .. Hilary

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

BIRDIE: He did! He was so cross with me (but lucky I'm his baby so he forgave me quickly!!!)

HILARY: An orange beetle - how cute! And thanks goodness for our Dad's who come rescue us (even if they end up a bit grumpy at the hassle!)

Ann Summerville said...

I hopped on over from Straight from Hel. Great post. I didn't know you could download Kindle on other e-readers. I've linked to your post from my blog.
www.cozyintexas.blogspot.com
Ann

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

COZY: Lovely to have you here! When I did my research on eReaders I was surprised to realise that Kindle could go onto IPads etc. Thanks for the cross-link - much appreciated! :)

Gigi Ann said...

I came here from Straight from Hel, also. I didn't know I could download eReader books onto my PC. I will have to see if I can figure out how now, if not I will have to get one of my young friends to do it for me. I think this will be a way for me to find out if I want to invest in an eReader.

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

GIGI: That's exactly how I became a converted Kindle lover. For 6 months I used Kindle for PC and eventually took the plunge, buying the actual device.It's so convenient in so many ways, you won't be sorry!