iBooks/epub query

[fred_mouse]

I get a lot of ePub format ebooks, from a range of sources, and I've reached the point where I can't use the 'Categories' option for sorting them in iBooks, because they aren't standardised in any way. For example, there is 'Fantasy', 'fantasy', 'Fantasy--fiction', and a number of other options with the word fantasy included somewhere in the category. So far, I haven't worked out how to hack this data, or any useful way of working with it.

Has anyone found anything useful to do with the categories option? Ways to change the meta-data into something consistent? Anything?

Comments

[kaberett]

Calibre! Lets you edit metadata etc. You might need to strip DRM; I can point you at a suitable plug-in if so.

[ephemera]

I was going to make the same suggestion. It's not a pretty program, but it is effective.

[fred_mouse]

Thank you! Will investigate. Not before the end of January though, so will make a new post if I get stuck and don't get any help via web search.

[fred_mouse]

Thank you.

[kaberett]

DeDRM.

The Calibre plug-ins I use for actually downloading an entire series off the AO3 in one convenient splat are detailed over here.

[fred_mouse]

Thank you! I actually only download pdfs from the AO3, as a half-arsed plan to keep my fic separate from things that I might actually show other people, but the DeDRM will be useful.

[arduinna]

Seconding Calibre, in spades. I did a bulk edit and took out all the categories that got imported on every book, and then went through and tagged each book with a consistent set. You can also use it to make author names consistent so everything sorts properly (like, pick which of JRR Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien, and J. R. R. Tolkien you prefer, and switch all your Tolkien books to that author name).

The bigger your library, the more useful Calibre is.

[fred_mouse]

Useful! Thank you. I'm going to put that on the list of things to investigate when I have a bit of time.