How to Choose the Right eBook for You

Your Guide to buying the best eBook

Overview

Whether you’re a voracious reader looking for the newest must-reads, a student looking for textbooks on a budget, or someone just looking to save space on your bookshelf, eBooks can be a great way to acquire new books. This eBook buying guide will provide an overview of the various sources for eBooks, how to determine the best price, and how to make sure your purchase is compatible with the device(s) you’ll be using to read it. Let’s get started!

Key features

  • Compatibility - Check that the eBook is compatible with the device you plan to read it on. Different eReaders and devices support different types of eBook formats such as MOBI, EPUB, AZW, and PDF.
  • Price - Compare the price of the eBook on different sites and whether the cost is worth the content you will be getting.
  • Reviews - Read online reviews before purchasing an eBook to get an idea of how previous readers enjoyed the content.
  • Format - Check the format and size of the eBook. Is the file size too large for your device? Can you read the format on your device?
  • Accessibility Options - Check whether the eBook has any accessibility options such as read aloud or text-to-speech.
  • Printability - Check whether the eBook can be printed or not.
  • Publisher - Check the publisher of the eBook to ensure that the content is reliable and of good quality.
  • Re-downloadability - Check if you can re-download the eBook in case it gets deleted or lost.

See the most popular eBook on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Convenience: eBooks can be purchased and read instantly, without having to wait for physical delivery or to visit a store.
  • Instant access: With an eBook, you can start reading the book the moment you make the purchase.
  • Wide selection: With more books and publishers entering the digital market, the selection of eBooks available to read is growing exponentially.
  • Portability: eBooks can be read anywhere, as they are able to be stored and accessed on portable devices such as tablet, laptop, or even a smartphone.
  • Affordability: eBooks are usually quite a bit cheaper than their physical counterparts due to the lack of production costs associated with digital products.
  • Easy to share: Many eBook platforms now offer ways to easily share and loan eBooks to family and friends.
  • Storage: eBooks take up no physical space, meaning you can store a vast library of books on your computer or device without taking up any shelf space.

Cons

  • Cost: Some eBooks can be quite expensive, depending on the content and the publisher
  • Accessibility: If the device you are reading the eBook on is lost or damaged, you may lose access to the book
  • Format: Not all readers support certain eBook formats
  • Inability to lend: Unlike physical books, it is not possible to lend an eBook to someone else

Best alternatives

  1. Audiobooks - Audio versions of books which are usually narrated by a voice actor.
  2. Print Books - Traditional, physical copies of books.
  3. eMagazines - Digital versions of magazines, often with added interactive content such as videos and animations.
  4. eNewspapers - Digital versions of newspapers, often with added interactive content such as videos and animations.
  5. eTextbooks - Digital versions of textbooks, often with added interactive content such as videos and animations.
  6. Podcasts - Audio recordings which discuss a variety of topics and are typically available for free.
  7. eComics - Digital versions of comics, often with added interactive content such as videos and animations.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • eReader - Device used to read and store digital books.
  • eBook software - Software that can be used to read, manage, and store digital books.
  • Tablet - A mobile device with a touchscreen display that can be used to read digital books.
  • Internet connection - A connection to the Internet for downloading digital books.
  • eBook reader app - An app that can be installed on a mobile device or computer to read digital books.
  • eBook store - An online store where digital books can be purchased.

Common questions

  1. What is an eBook? An eBook (or electronic book) is a digital file that can be read on a computer, tablet, smartphone, or dedicated eReader device.
  2. How do I buy an eBook? eBooks can be purchased online from book retailers, such as Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, and more.
  3. What formats are available for eBooks? The most popular eBook format is ePUB, but other formats, such as PDF, are also available.
  4. Are eBooks protected by copyright? Yes, eBooks are protected by copyright just like physical books are.
  5. Can I lend eBook to someone else? That depends on the retailer where you purchased the eBook. Some retailers may allow lending while others may not.
  6. Can I resell my eBook? Generally, no. Most retailers have terms that clearly state that you do not own the eBook and cannot resell it.
  7. Are there any special requirements for viewing an eBook? Yes, you will need an app or program to open and view an eBook, such as Adobe Digital Editions for ePUB files.

Trivia

An interesting fact about eBooks is that the first ever eBook was created in 1971 by Michael S. Hart. This digital version of the Declaration of Independence was the world’s first eBook and it was distributed over the internet for free. It was Hart’s mission to make all literature available to everyone, regardless of their location or financial means. His original pioneering work paved the way for the eBooks that are now available to readers all over the world. Source.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.