Windows 8 desktop ebook reader

[valiha]

I need help with finding a good epub reader for my Windows 8. I have Adobe Digital Editions installed, but I hate the way text is displayed - the font is horrible, I have no words so I'm adding a screencap. Is there a good standalone desktop program I can use to read my fic on my laptop? I mostly use my tablet, but sometimes I find I need to take a break from the work I'm doing and want to read a fic. Help!

http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/valiha/12928810/98410/98410_original.png

Comments

[dharma_slut]

Calibre!

http://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows

[valiha]

Oh God. I have such a love/hate relationship with calibre - right now I'm in the "can't stand the sight of it" phase. But you0re right - there is a stand alone reader inside calibre, right? I want to see what else is out there before I turn to calibre, but thank you in any case.

[elf]

I use EPUBReader in Firefox. (And sometimes Sigil. But that doesn't count; Sigil's display for reading is awful.)

[valiha]

I'll definitely keep that in mind if I don't find a stand-alone program. Thanks! And yes, Sigil is great if you want to edit an epub, but not so much for reading.

[amalthia]

I user the Sony Reader software to read epub on my computer.

[valiha]

I'd forgotten there was a Sony reader for PC. Does it read only epub or other formats as well?

ETA I just installed Sony Reader, and just wanted to check: when it says to import files or folder, does it make a copy of the files or just link to them in its library?

[amalthia]

You know I'm not sure how that feature works. I normally navigate to the story on my computer and double click the ebook to open it. I haven't actually used the import feature. I am curious now as to what would happen?

[valiha]

When I clicked on import folder, it asked me to navigate to the folder I wanted to add. I checked the installation folder and it doesn't seem to copy any files there, so that's a plus. There is a button which allows you to copy selected files to the Reader, but I'm not sure whether that means copy to the Reader on the desktop, or copy to the reader device. I suspect the latter.

I don't see any way to customize it other than choosing single or double column and font size, so that's a minus.

It also bothers me that there is an option to subscribe to periodicals but I can't do that because of my location, which always ticks me off. :-(

[amalthia]

Geographic restrictions never fail to annoy me as well. I live in Alaska and there are many stores that refuse to ship to Alaska. :( Right now Sony won't even sell the PRS-T3 to United States customers.

[amalthia]

P.S. Thanks for letting me know what happens when you clicked on import folder.

[valiha]

No problem; I always find your posts helpful, whether here or over at MobileRead. It's only fair to try and reciprocate. :)

[amalthia]

I follow the fanfiction downloader plugin thread at the Mobile Read forums all the time! :) It's pretty much the first place I go when I have a ebook related question that is rather technical in nature.

[doeeyedbecky]

Seems like the sizing is off... have you tried increasing the page size to 125% or 150%?

[valiha]

I can only increase the size temporarily, for that particular book. As soon as I open another book, the size reverts to medium, and the display is no longer two columns but one. I have a widescreen laptop, and it's not very pleasant reading large texts size in one column. :-(

[doeeyedbecky]

Well, I see how that would be an issue.

Amazon's Send to Kindle program will convert EPUB books to their proprietary format for viewing/reading in one of their varying apps (Kindle for Android, Kindle for PC, Cloud reader, etc).

Google Books has an option to upload EPUB books to their servers and read them in a browser window.

Not sure if either of these are options you want to look at. I personally use the Kindle family of software... I have used Kindle Cloud Reader, but mainly I use Kindle for Android. I like the software (even it it WON'T update, but that's a Play Store issue) and the Send to Kindle program does work, as I've done this with a few ARC books I've received directly from the author.

[valiha]

Yes, it's quite annoying. :-/ I've installed FBReader recommended by alyknight below, and it seems to be what I need - it's simple to use, can be tweaked in great detail (change fonts, background colors, margins etc), and though it lacks a two column layout, I can resize it to just the half the size of my monitor. It also has library organization capabilities, with sorting by author, title, tag, and I can assign the tag to the fic in the program itself. I haven't yet tried whether it can read tags already added in calibre, so that's the next thing to test.

I was really looking for something that I can install on my laptop and that I can use for saved fics. How does Nook handle fanfiction? I mostly save it from AO3, or via FLAG, and read it on my tablet (Moon Reader is my preferred app for fic, and Kindle for books bought from Amazon), but sometimes I want to read a fic on my laptop too.

[doeeyedbecky]

I honestly have NO clue about NOOK. LOL

[valiha]

That's fine LOL; I think FBReader will become my default on the laptop. Thank you for the suggestions though!

[butterflydreaming]

I use Nook for fanfic off A03. It works well.

[doeeyedbecky]

There is also NOOK for Windows 8...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook-for-windows-8/379003757

From my understanding, NOOK allows EPUB books.

[syderia]

I second both Calibre and EPUBReader.

[valiha]

I'll definitely try EPUBReader, but calibre gets on my nerves at this time. :-/

[alyknight]

Other alternatives : FBReader which is quite old or if you actually don't want to install anything new, portable version of Sumatra Reader,

[valiha]

HI, I installed FBReader at the same time as the Sony Reader, and even though the SR has a more slick interface, I like FBR functionality more. I think this will be the one I keep.

[grackle]

I use FBreader, it's available for most platforms.

[valiha]

Installed it, and so far it's a favorite. Easily customizable and pleasant to use, so I might have a winner. :-)

[grackle]

Yay! It opens mobi files too, generally, although it might not be listed that way. You can always try and see.

[kate_nepveu]

It seems like you're set, but for anyone finding this later with the same question, Cool Reader also has a desktop version.

[valiha]

Yes, I'm set now, thank you! I remember trying CoolReader out a long time ago but I found it strange on the desktop, even though I regularly use it on my Android for html and txt files. I find it renders them best of all other apps, and I just don't have the time to convert my fics saved in 2005!