How To Read An Ebook

Since I've been reading ebooks for a few years, I'm always surprised to discover there are people who don't know how to take advantage of the low-priced ebooks they hear about.

This post is for those of you who know about ebooks, but who don't know how to read them without buying an expensive ebook reader.

Basically, there are 2 ways to read ebooks: with a dedicated ebook reader device or with an ebook reader software application loaded on some device of your choice.

The price of dedicated ebook readers keeps falling. New ones cost much less than they used to, and there are refurbished models offered at rock bottom prices.

Read With Dedicated Ebook Device

Although Kindle is considered the device that really put ebooks on the map, so to speak, there are many dedicated ebook reading devices in the market. They are available from their respective websites but also from retail stores like Office Depot, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc.

Some of these devices (each device has several different types) are Kindle by Amazon, Nook by Barnes & Noble, Kobo Reader by KoboBooks, Sony Reader by Sony, iPad by Apple, and so many more.

Most of the comparison charts offered on websites of the many different devices are out of date. I found Top Ten Reviews is current, but, as the title suggests, it's limited to the top ten ereaders.

Wikipedia Comparison is comprehensive, and it shows that it was updated August 16, 2012. This chart lists just about every device there is.

Kim Komando Compares Ereaders is good, but that chart is from last year.

Read With Ebook Reader Software Application On Device Of Your Choice

For every dedicated ebook reader device, there is a corresponding software application that can be downloaded to multiple devices like all major smart phones, computers, tablets, iPods, or The Cloud, etc. that enable you to read an ebook without buying a special device.

Here are some of the devices you can use to read ebooks: Mac or PC computers, Android phones or tablets, iPhones, iPod Touch, iPad, Blackberry, Windows Phone, or The Cloud.

You can download any or all of these software applications based on where you want to buy ebooks. For example, if you want to buy exclusively from Amazon, download the Kindle Reading Apps for the device of your choice.

If you want to buy from Nook, either exclusively or maybe sometimes, then download the Nook Reading Apps for the device of your choice.

The same is true if you want to buy from Kobo Books, download the Kobo Reading Apps.

I have a Kindle, but I also have the Kindle App on my laptop and iPhone, the Nook app on my Desktop PC, and the Kobo Books App too. I have my books on all the major ebook seller sites so I like to see how each book displays on the respective ebook apps plus I like to support the different ebook sellers with purchases.

Check out the websites of the various ebook retailers. Select the one or ones from which you want to buy. Download the reading app for the device you want to use -- your smart phone, computer, tablet, or whatever. Set up an account from where you want to buy, and you're set to take advantage of low-cost or free ebooks.

Takeaway Truth

Reading ebooks is easy. Start building your ebook library today.