How to Read E-Books Without an E-Reader Device

To open and read an e-book, you don’t need to own an e-reader device like a Kindle or a Nook. Just download the free software that lets you use your computer or smartphone to enjoy e-books. The programs are quick to download and install, and they’re easy and fun to use.

KINDLE READING APPS

To open a Kindle (.mobi) file, download a free Kindle Reading App. Choose from the list shown here for the iPhone, Windows PC, Mac, BlackBerry, iPad, or Android phone.

EPUB READER

To open and read a NOOK or Sony Reader (.epub) e-book on your computer, download Adobe Digital Editions.

NOOK APPS

Barnes & Noble also has free NOOK apps for various devices: iPad, iPhone, Android, PC, and Mac.

TRY IT—YOU'LL LIKE IT

Installing and using these free applications is a great way to experience the rapidly expanding world of e-books. Try them all, and decide which suits you best before you go out and buy a NOOK or a Kindle. Or save your money and just use the free e-book apps on your laptop or smartphone.

E-books are so much cheaper than printed books, I'm still amazed by the number of people who are resisting the change-over. If everybody who uses a computer would install an e-reader app, then buy a few 99-cent e-books, they'd see why some of us longtime readers have rapidly come to prefer e-books over print books.

TO BUY WATERSPELL E-BOOKS:

For a limited time, the first two books of the WATERSPELL trilogy are only $2.99 each. To get the introductory pricing (in any format for any e-reader device or app):

WATERSPELL Book 1: The Warlock

WATERSPELL Book 2: The Wysard