Sources for E-books :)

[Ada Lovelace]

There was recently a wonderful thread about resources for free e-books that a friend and I happily contributed to, but unfortunately it's in an age-restricted section of the site. I thought I'd bring the discussion to a section that is open to everyone. Please share your sources for legal, free e-books that you can borrow (like from a digital library) or keep.

Original thread:
http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=67219757

My original post:

I love Project Gutenberg! It's a fabulous resource. Free Books is fantastic as well, and if you had an iPad or iPhone I definitely recommend that you check it out. It might be available for other devices. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free...364612911?mt=8

It's very simple and user-friendly. If you have a Dropbox account you can link it to the app to download it, and you can also have it emailed to your computer. There's a 5 second ad on the screen in between selecting a book and having it appear on your bookshelf within the app itself. You can have as many books as you wish. I'll take a screenshot of my current top few shelves to show you what it looks like. You can bookmark pages, highlight passages, have words defined, and customize preferences. It does not have modern books, but it's great for classics. I don't believe there is a limit for how many books you can download.

Many libraries now have digital branches that allow you to borrow ebooks like you would an actual one on paper. I live in LA so I have accounts with LAPL, SMPL, and BHPL and recommend checking them out to anyone who also has access. You can download to your computer or to a device. They require that you install a free software app like OverDrive. Oftentimes the more popular books will have a waitlist, but you just add your email address to it and they'll let you know when it's your turn. When the lending period is over the book returns itself so you don't have to worry about late fees. There's also a national library, but I haven't really checked it out.

Wattpad is another good app. It's like Facebook and a book club built within the pages. I mainly use it when I'm in the mood for teen fiction, haha, but it has classics and other genres as well. It's fun because there are little conversation bubbles on the side of the page that you can click on to read the comments other people write. It's not so distracting that you can't just focus on the book, but it's a feature that is enjoyable as well as insightful. I like the interactive, communal experience. People will notice things you might not have, or be able to give some knowledge that is useful. You can also connect to other people there and read reviews. As an example, I'm reading P&P to wind down before bed and these are comments to one passage:

Scribd is sort of like the Netflix of books. It's a paid subscription service for $8.99 a month. My Nana loves it.

 

[Saricharity]

Oh clever you

I enjoy using Bookbub for free and low cost e-books.
There are a variety of genres available and my Kindle is too full to keep up. Haha
Looking forward to having some time to read them at the beach this summer.

https://www.bookbub.com/ebook-deals/recommended

 

[muddleglum]

There was recently a wonderful thread about resources for free e-books that a friend and I happily contributed to, but unfortunately it's in an age-restricted section of the site. I thought I'd bring the discussion to a section that is open to everyone. Please share your sources for legal, free e-books that you can borrow (like from a digital library) or keep.

Used to be on Wattpad, but too many teen-aged girls were on it. I didn't want to be considered a "creep" so I crept out. Several of my stories were on it. I miss it, but...

The one site you would really love if you like old books is archive.org Just be careful not to get lost. It is huge. Do a search for "Lightfoot" or "Westcott" as an author if you like old Anglican books on Scripture. It also points to other places like Gutenberg. Google books are represented, too.

Speaking of Anglican authors, you know that Gutenberg has one of C.S.Lewis' early works? And speaking of that, did you know that Australia has its own Gutenberg? However, you have to be careful about the copyrights. http://gutenberg.net.au/

Smithsonian institute has a lot, but I haven't been there for a while. Some other libraries in other countries, too. Notably the British library in England. You'll have to look that up, to.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Thanks for your fantastic recommendations, Muddleglum!

I used to love going to the Smithsonian and the British Library during the years we lived in DC and London, so there's a nostalgic factor for anything from them. I'll definitely check out their sites!

Oh, and yeah Wattpad is the most popular with teenage girls. I'm a teenage girl, so I sort of fit in there well, haha. Anyone can participate, though. I'll probably pop on there more this summer because it will be the first time in years I can just read whatever I want for frivolous joy. I'm used to having so much required summer reading for school.

 

[muddleglum]

Thanks for your fantastic recommendations, Muddleglum!

I used to love going to the Smithsonian and the British Library during the years we lived in DC and London, so there's a nostalgic factor for anything from them. I'll definitely check out their sites!

Oh, and yeah Wattpad is the most popular with teenage girls. I'm a teenage girl, so I sort of fit in there well, haha. Anyone can participate, though. I'll probably pop on there more this summer because it will be the first time in years I can just read whatever I want for frivolous joy. I'm used to having so much required summer reading for school.

Yikes! I meant the library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/
I go to too many places to do research and then lose my book marks for different reasons.
There are a lot of good places.
Wattpad was good for me. I'm non-hearing and like to write, but I have very little understanding of social groups. Like zero for teen-aged girls. I learned that even the younger teen-aged girls were far beyond me and that I'll never figure out conversations. My understanding of modern humanity remains in the dusty tomes of public domain fiction and scholarly sociology journals. :-D

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Yikes! I meant the library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/
I go to too many places to do research and then lose my book marks for different reasons.
There are a lot of good places.
Wattpad was good for me. I'm non-hearing and like to write, but I have very little understanding of social groups. Like zero for teen-aged girls. I learned that even the younger teen-aged girls were far beyond me and that I'll never figure out conversations. My understanding of modern humanity remains in the dusty tomes of public domain fiction and scholarly sociology journals. :-D

Haha, that reminds me of a quip my dad made to another dad a few years ago after driving a carful of 13-14 year old girls to a dance competition. He said it was a relief to be able to converse in English again after two hours of "teenagese." He has to use Urban Dictionary to figure out what we're saying sometimes. At least we're no longer using the word "sick" to describe things we think are exceptionally cool.

Thanks for the clarification and new link!

 

[keith99]

Haha, that reminds me of a quip my dad made to another dad a few years ago after driving a carful of 13-14 year old girls to a dance competition. He said it was a relief to be able to converse in English again after two hours of "teenagese." He has to use Urban Dictionary to figure out what we're saying sometimes. At least we're no longer using the word "sick" to describe things we think are exceptionally cool.

Thanks for the clarification and new link!

Now I futilely trying to remember what the word for cool was before cool became the word in my youth.

Searching "teenageese" on Google was a bit disturbing. Half the first page was sex sites. The only one at all useful was a quiz that had the whole of 3 questions with answers in somewhat normal English and teenspeak. The really sad part was for one the 'somewhat English' options were so lame I selected the teenspeak answer. Oh and one started with the acronym for Oh My Diety. I mean gag me with a spoon, that is so old I've forgotten when I learned it.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Now I futilely trying to remember what the word for cool was before cool became the word in my youth.

Searching "teenageese" on Google was a bit disturbing. Half the first page was sex sites. The only one at all useful was a quiz that had the whole of 3 questions with answers in somewhat normal English and teenspeak. The really sad part was for one the 'somewhat English' options were so lame I selected the teenspeak answer. Oh and one started with the acronym for Oh My Diety. I mean gag me with a spoon, that is so old I've forgotten when I learned it.

. I've never Googled teenagese. My dad just made the word up off-the-cuff when talking with the the other dad after emerging from the long road trip with a carful of me and my dance friends. I promise it's not a word he would have picked up from online. He would never go to any of those sites. I hadn't known they existed until now. I wish you hadn't told me that, ha. Don't throw dirt on my innocent memories. I liked the sweetness of the word when I thought it was only my dad's. It wasn't just the words and phrases we were using but the topics we were discussing on the trip that made it "teenagese." We had happily passionate debates about Hunger Games vs. Twilight. vs. HP, book vs. movie, and Team Gale vs Team Peeta, Team Edward vs Team Jacob, Team Harry vs. Team Ron. My dad didn't have much to contribute, so he just cheerfully listened.

 

[keith99]

. I've never Googled teenagese. My dad just made the word up off-the-cuff when talking with the the other dad after emerging from the long road trip with a carful of me and my dance friends. I promise it's not a word he would have picked up from online. He would never go to any of those sites. I hadn't known they existed until now. I wish you hadn't told me that, ha. Don't throw dirt on my innocent memories. I liked the sweetness of the word when I thought it was only my dad's. It wasn't just the words and phrases we were using but the topics we were discussing on the trip that made it "teenagese." We had happily passionate debates about Hunger Games vs. Twilight. vs. HP, book vs. movie, and Team Gale vs Team Peeta, Team Edward vs Team Jacob, Team Harry vs. Team Ron. My dad didn't have much to contribute, so he just cheerfully listened.

Actually it probably is still your dad's word. If it was an online word I probably would have gotten useful hits!

For what it is worth, the thing that disturbed me is that the word truly is innocent. I have no problem with sex sites existing or being easy to find. I don't like it when I put in a totally innocent word and get them.

I'm also glad for the explanation. I was expecting your dad could follow a teenage conversation and fill in for the slang. But seeing that the content was specialized I now understand. After the book titles the only part I got was Team Harry vs. Team Ron. My boss, the 6 foot 6 defensive tackle is a Harry Potter fan as was one of my nieces.

 

[Saricharity]

Teenagese haha. I love this word.
I actually don't think I even speak it haha
I have to laugh because my parents can't even figure out text language. My sister saw a funny text on Instagram about a mom thinking [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] meant "why that's fantastic!" She showed it to my mom who said she thought the same thing! Good grief. Haha. I hope my mom never texted any ladies at church.

 

[Saricharity]

Oh haha even this forum thought I was cursing ....oh Mann

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Actually it probably is still your dad's word. If it was an online word I probably would have gotten useful hits!

For what it is worth, the thing that disturbed me is that the word truly is innocent. I have no problem with sex sites existing or being easy to find. I don't like it when I put in a totally innocent word and get them.

I'm also glad for the explanation. I was expecting your dad could follow a teenage conversation and fill in for the slang. But seeing that the content was specialized I now understand. After the book titles the only part I got was Team Harry vs. Team Ron. My boss, the 6 foot 6 defensive tackle is a Harry Potter fan as was one of my nieces.

Yeppers, my dad is adept at translating teenagese most of the time, but was amused to be so lost in that conversation. As Jennae can testify, he's surprisingly hip and youthful for someone his age. My friends love him. He has read all the Harry Potter books with me - it used to be our nightly tradition - but hasn't read the Hunger Games or Twilight series, so he is unable to contribute to a teenage girl debate about which boy character is a better love interest.

The majority of people I like in this world are fans of Harry Potter, regardless of their age or gender. Good for your boss and niece.

 

[muddleglum]

The majority of people I like in this world are fans of Harry Potter

You would probably hate me...
I've been tempted to write a book about a medical researcher in the (probably near) future that discovered unusual genes in a placenta and, after study, did some genetic therapy on himself, and then became a geek sorcerer. A lot of Hogwarts' studies were forced to change in the aftermath--most of it was regulated to the trash as new technology came online.

 

[Ada Lovelace]

You would probably hate me...
I've been tempted to write a book about a medical researcher in the (probably near) future that discovered unusual genes in a placenta and, after study, did some genetic therapy on himself, and then became a geek sorcerer. A lot of Hogwarts' studies were forced to change in the aftermath--most of it was regulated to the trash as new technology came online.

No, I wouldn't hate you at all! I'd be totally down for reading that book if you wrote it! I used to love fan fiction but abandoned it because most wasn't really that creative or engaging. Do it!

 

[keith99]

Yeppers, my dad is adept at translating teenagese most of the time, but was amused to be so lost in that conversation. As Jennae can testify, he's surprisingly hip and youthful for someone his age. My friends love him. He has read all the Harry Potter books with me - it used to be our nightly tradition - but hasn't read the Hunger Games or Twilight series, so he is unable to contribute to a teenage girl debate about which boy character is a better love interest.

The majority of people I like in this world are fans of Harry Potter, regardless of their age or gender. Good for your boss and niece.

I don't quite fit as a fan of Harry Potter. Strident defender fits a bit better. My nasty side can come out when the series is attacked on sites like this one.

Is The Hunger Games worth a read?

I've heard Twilight described as a Mary Sue with sparkly Vampires. Not an encouraging review.

http://www.springhole.net/writing/whatisamarysue.htm

 

[Ada Lovelace]

I don't quite fit as a fan of Harry Potter. Strident defender fits a bit better. My nasty side can come out when the series is attacked on sites like this one.

Is The Hunger Games worth a read?

I've heard Twilight described as a Mary Sue with sparkly Vampires. Not an encouraging review.

http://www.springhole.net/writing/whatisamarysue.htm

I've LOVED the Hunger Games. Love the book series, love the movies, love the soundtracks, loved the Hunger Game themed dance we performed in 2013. But part of the love for it is that it's a communal experience for my generation, as were the Twilight, Divergent, and Harry Potter series. I don't know if it's a worthwhile read for you. If you do read it, don't send me your review. I'm just not interested in a contrarian or critical perspective, haha.

Of course Bella Swan is a Mary Sue, and there's a lot of glittery magical scenes and sparkly love affairs. It's a vampire-themed fantasy romance novel about an average teenage girl who falls in love with a perennially young 104-year-old vampire, and also has a boy who can shape shift into a werewolf chasing after her for her affection. It's escapism. It spent hundreds of weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List for Children's Series, but has probably always been panned by critics reviewing it for adults. If my eyes were reading it freshly now it wouldn't have the appeal that it did for me when I first opened Twilight at age eight. I took that book into my heart. I used the miniature lamp from my dollhouse as a makeshift flashlight to read it past bedtime. My friends and I all went to the release parties of the other books in the series. We had Twilight themed parties. We poured through Seventeen magazine's guide to decorating your room like Bella's, and friends and I painted my room turquoise. I still have the bedding that is a replica of hers in the Twilight movie, and still adore my mom for the great lengths she took to find it for me when it was sold out everywhere. When I went to China for the first time in 2009, Twilight was the pop culture unifier that immediately bonded me with other girls. I just ordered more of the Twilight themed candles from Candles by Victoria to send to a friend there for her birthday. Now a lot of teens re-read the books on Wattpad in part for nostalgia and to playfully mock it and our former selves for being "Twitards." It's just silly fun. Fifty Shades of Grey began as Twilight fan fiction, and there are probably older teens and women in their 20s and 30s on Wattpad comparing, contrasting, and snarking about it.

 

[Saricharity]

Yeppers, my dad is adept at translating teenagese most of the time, but was amused to be so lost in that conversation. As Jennae can testify, he's surprisingly hip and youthful for someone his age. My friends love him. He has read all the Harry Potter books with me - it used to be our nightly tradition - but hasn't read the Hunger Games or Twilight series, so he is unable to contribute to a teenage girl debate about which boy character is a better love interest.

The majority of people I like in this world are fans of Harry Potter, regardless of their age or gender. Good for your boss and niece.

Yes yes....Artemis's dad is too hot to be a dad. Haha

 

[Ada Lovelace]

Yes yes....Artemis's dad is too hot to be a dad. Haha

I remember when you shocked your Nana's socks off by telling her that about my dad. Haha. He's like a decade older than your dad!!!! I do love him all the more for being able to keep in step with us.

I also give him props because he can recommend books he knows I'll LOVE, like this gem from a local author. I'm actually reading a book on paper...........and kinda sorta maybe liking it. It's a novelty, haha. Random thought that just popped in my head!!! If there's not already a literary-themed tea company there needs to be one called Novel Tea.

http://www.booksoup.com/book/9780991124107

 

[Ada Lovelace]

A friend Tweeted out this link to more sources for e-books:

http://mashable.com/2014/07/19/free-ebooks/

 

[Butterfly99]

I don't quite fit as a fan of Harry Potter. Strident defender fits a bit better. My nasty side can come out when the series is attacked on sites like this one.

Is The Hunger Games worth a read?

I've heard Twilight described as a Mary Sue with sparkly Vampires. Not an encouraging review.

http://www.springhole.net/writing/whatisamarysue.htm

I liked Hunger Games & Twilight. Not as much as The Giver but yeah I liked. Lol sparkly vampires.