Easily read ePub books on your Amazon Kindle
If you have a collection of books in the ePub format, maybe from another reader or online collection, there is a really easy way to convert these so that you can read ePub files on your Kindle. They will appear on your book menu and can be read just like any other Kindle ebook.
Yes, Amazon’s Kindle will read ePub’s, but not by default. They must be converted (see below). The Kindle definitely has the clearest screen and is currently the closest to actually reading a book. If you haven’t already got one, it’s worth getting a Kindle and converting the ePub book files.
How to read ePub books on your Kindle
Can the Kindle read ePubs? You betcha – but not by default, so the ePub file will have to be converted to a format that Kindle does recognize (you convert ePub to MOBI). There’s probably a few ways to do it, but here’s what I’ve found to be the most simple way.
To Start – Download ePub to Kindle converter
ePub to Kindle converter is an ebook converter software program, install it on your computer where you want to connect your Kindle. ePub to Kindle works with Windows. I ran it on Windows 7 without any problems. It will automatically recognize your Kindle, when you plug it in and will handle the necessary conversion when you add a ePub to your Kindle.
Installing converter is as simple as downloading it and running the setup program, accept the license, click install.
The last setup screen, shown below, offers you the option to run converter right away. Leave it checked and converter will start up.
There is no real need to configure anything further. Browse to the folder where the books are located and select the books you want, then convert them.
Now connect your Kindle device. Once it is recognized "to Kindle" will be enable on the top toolbar of "ePub To Kindle converter". Click to highlight the ePub books you wish to send to your Kindle and click this button.
You will see new window it will tell you the status of the jobs being performed. When this window is closed you can disconnect your Kindle.
You’re done!
It really is that easy and now you can read ePub books on your Kindle. These books will be backed up as the Kindle is backed up.
Don’t have a Kindle?
There are three Kindle models and the new 6 inch model is the most popular right now. There is a Kindle 3G 6 inch display with 3G capabilities to download books and articles wherever you are. There is a Kindle Wi-Fi 6 inch display with WIFI connectivity that will connect at your home or coffee shop or other location with a Wireless connection. And there is a Kindle DX 9.7 inch display with 3G capabilities.
We personally went with the Kindle Wi-Fi version since we couldn’t think of a good reason we’d need to download books while out.
What is the ePub format?
ePub is a free and open e-book standard. Here’s an interesting fact you may not know; ePub files are very much like web pages and can actually be edited with a web page editor. Here’s the full details from Wikipedia if you’re interested.
Why ePub?
If you don’t have an existing ePub book collection is there any reason to think about ePubs? There might be.
As a free open source format it will be used by many independent publishers that won’t be on the Amazon site. Google Books has quite a few available ePub books. Depending on where you source your books you may find cheaper or free books in the ePub format that you want to add to your collection. Also, if you happen to be using different eReaders throughout your home or business then ePub is a publishing standard.