Kaplan Publishing is offering over 130 free ebooks from January 4th – 17th from Barnes and Noble, the iBookstore, and through the Sony eBook Store.

You can use Sony’s free desktop software to download the free titles to read on any Adobe DRM supported ereader, not just Sony Readers.

Filed under: Free eBooks, Nook, Sony | Tags: free epub ebooks, nookbooks | 8 Comments »

To download these free ebooks, you’ll need to create an account with Kobo. All you need is an email address, no personal info. Kobo’s ebooks are not limited to the Kobo eReader and free Kobo apps; you can download the ebooks and transfer them to any Adobe DRM supported ereader using Adobe Digital Editions. Note that some of these free ebooks below may only be free for a limited time.

Filed under: Free eBooks, Kobo | Tags: free epub ebooks | 2 Comments »

Here’s a list of free ebooks from Amazon and Sony. Amazon’s free ebooks can be read on a Kindle or Kindle app, and Sony’s can be read on any Adobe ePub supporting device or software—the ebooks just have to be downloaded using Sony’s free desktop software. Most of these free ebooks will expire soon. Keep updated on the latest free ebooks by subscribing to this site’s RSS Feed.

Filed under: Amazon Kindle, Sony | Tags: free epub ebooks, free kindle ebooks | No Comments »

Below are the top ten most favorite public domain ebooks of all time at Feedbooks. Feedbooks is a good site for free well-formatted ebooks that are available in EPUB, MOBI (for Kindle), and PDF formats.

Filed under: Free eBooks | Tags: free epub ebooks, free kindle ebooks | 1 Comment »

Borders just gave everyone a huge incentive to download one of the new Borders apps for PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and Android.

They are giving away 5 free top-selling ebooks that you can’t get free anywhere else. All you have to do is download a free app, sign up an account with an email address and password (you don’t even have to give your home address or credit card), then follow the links below and click “add to library” over on the Borders website.

Then sync whichever app you chose and the ebook will show up in your library. To download the ePub ebook to your computer, you’ll need to go to your Borders account page and then download it from there. This requires Adobe Digital Editions, of course, since the ebooks have DRM.

This offer runs from July 9th through Wednesday, July 14th. So get these free ebooks today!

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son: A Novel by Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson

4 stars, 148 reviews

From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the story, you know only half the truth. Get ready for the mystery, the myth, the terror, and the magic of… Dean Koontz’s Prodigal Son Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death.

He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itselfand that just may be where this case ends up.

For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are moreand lessthan human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniacbut his deranged maker. From the Paperback edition.

One Shot: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child

4 stars, 153 reviews

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, from the world he lives inno phone, no address, no commitmentsexmilitary investigator Jack Reacher is coming.

In Lee Child’s astonishing new thriller, Reacher’s arrival will change everythingabout a case that isn’t what it seems, about lives tangled in baffling ways, about a killer who missed one shotand by doing so give Jack Reacher one shot at the truth…. The gunman worked from a parking structure just thirty yards awaypoint-blank range for a trained military sniper like James Barr. His victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But why does Barr want Reacher at his side? There are good reasons why Reacher is the last person Barr would want to see. But when Reacher hears Barr’s own words, he understands.

And a slam-dunk case explodes. Soon Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best. Moving in the shadows, picking his spots, Reacher gets closer and closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. And for Reacher, the only way to take him down is to know his ruthlessness and respect his cunningand then match him shot for shot…. From the Hardcover edition.

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

4.5 stars, 168 reviews

He holds the secret that can end the world. The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty. The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protectsthe Book of Abraham the Mage.

It’s the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That’s exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it. Sometimes legends are true. And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time. From the Hardcover edition.

Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child

4.5 stars, 73 reviews

Julia Child has given us answers to these and other questions in the ten masterful volumes she has published over the past 40 years. But which book do you go to for which solution? Now, in this little volume, you can find the answers immediately.

Information is arranged according to subject matter, with ample cross-referencing. How are you going to cook that small rib steak you brought home? You’ll be guided to the quick saute as the best and fastest way. And once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can apply the technique to chop, chicken, or fish, following Julia’s careful guidelines.

And here is equally essential information about soups, vegetables, and eggs, and for baking breads and tarts. It’s all waiting for you in this delicious, priceless, comforting compendium of Julia’s kitchen wisdom.

Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets To Naturally Balancing Your Hormones For A Hot And Healthy Body! by Jillian Michaels

4 stars, 269 reviews

Does it feel as if you’re fighting your body to lose even one pound – or just to maintain your current weight? Respected health and wellness expert and bestselling author Jillian Michaels has been there, too. So she consulted top experts in the field of metabolism and discovered that she’d inadvertently been abusing her endocrine system for years. After “fixing” her own metabolism, she decided to share what she learned by devising this simple, 3-phase plan that engages all the weight-loss hormones (including the friendly HGH, testosterone, DHEA; and the not-so-friendly: insulin, cortisol, and excess estrogen).

In Master Your Metabolism, discover how to: * REMOVE “anti-nutrients” from your diet * RESTORE foods that speak directly to fat-burning genes * REBALANCE energy and your hormones for effortless weight loss Michaels offers a wealth of information throughout, including: shopping lists and online shopping resources, hormone-trigger food charts, how to eat “power nutrient” foods on a budget, smart strategies for eating out, quick and easy recipes, as well as mini-programs for addressing PMS, andropause, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, and menopause.

Filed under: Free eBooks | Tags: borders, free, free epub ebooks | 2 Comments »

Some free ebooks for the ladies . . .

Most of the free ebooks listed below are available in EPUB, PDF, Microsoft LIT, and MobiPocket formats from eHarlequin.com.

eHarlequin also offers other promotions for free ebooks, like the banner to the left suggests (they have offers for other categories too).

Winter’s Passage by Julie Kagawa

Young Adult

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl…until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck—Meghan’s best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon—who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash’s detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter—a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat….

The Wicked House of Rohan by Anne Stuart

Historical Fiction

Venice, 1740.

Desperate, starving, Kathleen Strong makes her way to a job interview that promises a chance at proper employment…and maybe a bite to eat. Accused of “gross immorality,” she’s adrift after being dismissed from her governess position, despite being entirely innocent.

That innocence is precisely what a mysterious group of debauched aristocrats finds so alluring about Miss Strong. When they propose a scandalous offer that she can’t refuse…she can’t refuse. But if the darkly gallant Alistair Rohan, a gentleman involved in all manner of wicked deeds himself, has anything to say about it, Kathleen can escape her disrepute in another way.

Of course, the escape route looks very similar to the group’s illicit proposition itself…

Stolen by the Sheikh by Kate Walker

Passion

Lucy Mannion has traveled with her uncle to the desert kingdom of Dahman to negotiate some vital oil leases. But she awakens to find herself in a different place than she was the evening before — and the prisoner of the arrogant Sheikh Hakim Bin Taimur Al Fulani.

Sheltering Hearts by Robyn Carr

Relationship Novel

New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoë Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.

By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.

This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women’s efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons’ story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.

To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.

The Rancher and the Rose by Carolyn Zane

Passion

He wanted a stay-at-home wife; she wanted a high-powered career. What happens when these ex-lovers meet up again?

Night Magic by Mia Zachary

Passion

Lauryn Meade is far too practical to believe in magic — until a gorgeous genie offers to take her to the heights of sensual pleasure!

Cherokee Christmas by Sheri WhiteFeather

Passion

Traci Calhoun, the bright-spirited daughter of a pastor, believes in extending goodwill. But when her son, Parker, convinces her to visit the elusive Daniel Crow, she finds herself falling in love with a moody stranger-a man who needs to face his past and embrace the heritage he left behind.

Bedfellows by Kristi Gold

Passion

Lainey Sims Kilgore has returned to her hometown to recover from a painful divorce. To take her mind off the past, she throws herself into opening her own lingerie and swimwear boutique, as well as managing her mother’s mayoral campaign. When she learns her high school crush, Dr. Grant Morgan, is managing the opposing campaign of her mother’s lifelong enemy, Cleatus Ringo, she convinces him to help her uncover the secret behind her mother’s bitter rivalry with Ringo.

Filed under: Free eBooks | Tags: eharlequin, free epub ebooks | 1 Comment »

Libraries are a great resource for downloading free ebooks and audiobooks to enjoy on an ebook reader or other device.

Digital media that’s checked-out from the library automatically expires after 7-21 days, depending on the particular library, so there’s no late charges or hassle to return. The ebooks come in Adobe ePUB and PDF formats, and sometimes Mobipocket, so just about every dedicated reading device is supported except the Kindle.

Update: Kindle devices and Kindle apps now support library ebooks too. Click here for the Kindle library ebooks tutorial.

Step #1: Library Card

Getting free ebooks from libraries is a simple process that takes just a few minutes to set up. The first step is to search the Overdrive database to see the list of libraries in your state or country. Make sure to select “Library Search”, as Overdrive offers other services too.

If you already have a library card, check to see if that library is on the list. If it is, you can sign in and start downloading ebooks as soon as you complete step 2 below.

If you don’t have a library card or if your library isn’t listed, choose your local library or one of the larger libraries nearby. Check their media selection and see if it’s worth the time. If it is, all you have to do in most cases is fill out a quick application online to get a library card number that you can use to start downloading ebooks, audiobooks, and videos right away.

If your local libraries don’t have a program or a decent selection, you can sometimes get a library card from one of the bigger libraries in your state by visiting them in person or filling out an application online. Each library has different rules, so it takes some checking.

If there aren’t any options where you live, there a few libraries that offer cards to out-of-state residents for an annual fee.

Libraries that offer library cards for non-residents

The Brooklyn Public Library has a wide selection of ebooks, however library cards for non-residents will set you back $50 a year.

The Free Library of Philadelphia is another option. They offer library cards to non-residents for $35 a year.

The Fairfax County Library in Virginia offers a library card to non-residents for $27 a year.

The Houston Public Library in Texas offers a library card to non-residents for $20 for six months or $40 a year.

Another option is the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina. They offer library cards to non-residents for $45 per year, $35 for adults 62 years and older.

The Monroe County Library in New York offers cards to non-residents for $45 per year.

More libraries with non-resident cards can be found here »

The libraries above all have a decent selection of titles to choose from, but make sure they have what you’re looking for and double-check to see how long the wait is before shelling out any dough.

Step #2: Software

For most who own an ebook reader, this step has already been taken care of. The ebooks from libraries come in two DRM flavors that require specific software to work. The most common ebook formats that libraries carry is Adobe ePUB and PDF. These requires the use of Adobe Digital Editions to read the ebook on your PC, Mac, or to transfer it to your Adobe-supported ebook reader.

Note that Kindles don’t require the use of ADE; Amazon sends the ebook over WiFi instead or you can sideload it with the USB cable after downloading it.

After installing ADE, make sure to authorize it when prompted or click the library tab in the main view and select “authorize computer”.

Some libraries also offer Mobipocket ebooks in PRC format that requires the use of Mobipocket Reader software.

And for audiobooks, Overdrive has there own Media Console software and apps for PC, Mac, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and Windows Mobile.

There is also an OverDrive app for Android and iOS that allows for downloading ebooks directly from the library without having to mess with other software or sideloading.

Step #3: Enjoy

That’s it. Your done. Once you have a library card and the appropriate software installed, it’s time to start browsing for and downloading the ebooks and other free digital media that you want. The downloads go to their respective software applications and from there you can easily transfer them to your device like normal.

So where to begin?

Here’s a list of the most downloaded ebooks and audiobooks from libraries powered by Overdrive.

Filed under: Free eBooks, How To | Tags: free epub ebooks, library ebooks, overdrive | 23 Comments »

Amazon added the following free short stories for pre-order and will be available on June 8th, but I did some checking and found that they are already on Tor.com in multiple formats, PDF, ePub, Mobi, HTML, and MP3. Click on the ebooks’ title to go to Tor.com, or click the images to get them from Amazon.

First Flight: A Tor.Com Original by Mary Robinette Kowal

Eleanor Louise Jackson stood inside the plain steel box of the time machine. It was about the size of an outhouse, but without a bench or windows. She clutched her cane with one hand and her handbag with the other. It felt like the scan was taking far too long, but she was fairly certain that was her nerves talking. Read more »

Overtime: A Tor.Com Original by Charles Stross

All bureaucracies obey certain iron laws, and one of the oldest is this: get your seasonal leave booked early, lest you be trampled in the rush.

I broke the rule this year, and now I’m paying the price. It’s not my fault I failed to book my Christmas leave in time—I was in hospital and heavily sedated. Read more »

Eros, Philia, Agape: A Tor.Com Original by Rachel Swirsky

Lucian packed his possessions before he left. He packed his antique silver serving spoons with the filigreed handles; the tea roses he’d nurtured in the garden window; his jade and garnet rings. He packed the hunk of gypsum-veined jasper that he’d found while strolling on the beach on the first night he’d come to Adriana… Read more »

A Memory of Wind: A Tor.Com Original by Rachel Swirsky

After Helen and her lover Paris fled to Troy, her husband King Menelaus called his allies to war. Under the leadership of King Agamemnon, the allies met in the harbor at Aulis. They prepared to sail for Troy, but they could not depart, for there was no wind. Read more »

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