Reader book

Also be aware that Fnac (it’s here) and Amazon (it’s here) also offer a wide selection of free ebooks.

7 sites to download legally free digital books

Download thousands of ebooks for free compliance with the law. These platforms are all labeled Hadopi.

These digital books are to read on computer, reader, smartphone or tablet. Several formats are offered (PDF, Epub etc.)).

Access freely and find all kinds of books from literature, but also practical, scientific, historical, etc. digital books.

Selection of 7 reliable sites to download free ebooks

Project Gutenberg : site offering titles that have fallen into the public domain in French but also in other languages ​​it is here

Russian and Slavic Library : an offer of free digital books, fallen into the public domain, specialized in Russian literature and Slavic . It’s here

Heated : has hundreds of ebooks in all areas. It’s here

Free ebooks: offers books and journals to download without moderation it is here

Gallica: The BNF digital library makes it possible to find treasures dating back several centuries. Everything is free with a wide selection of books in EPUB format it is here

Atramenta: Offers books from the public domain and books written by authors who choose to share them for free, the opportunity to find nuggets it is here

The Digital Francophone Library : brings together heritage collections of eleven libraries. Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Canada, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Haiti for the discovery, study and learning of 300 million Francophones. It’s here

Free and legal manga in reading : You like manga and webtoons ? Discover our selection here

Also be aware that Fnac (it’s here) and Amazon (it’s here) also offer a wide selection of free ebooks.

Readers

Should we crack for a reader ?

Four main manufacturers today share the electronic edgy market. Amazon largely dominates with its Kindle readers. Kobo, Vivlio and Bookeen cling to offer an alternative to consumers. Prices vary from 80 to 400 €. Here is what you need to know to choose your model.

• 1. Kindle against all
• 2. Digital locks
• 3. The costs
• 4. Essential criteria

→ TEST THAT CHOOSE: Liseuse comparison

Kindle against all

Before choosing precisely a model of reader, you will have to make a decision: that of diving entirely in the universe of Amazon or to completely ignore it. With its Kindle, the American bookseller indeed offers efficient readers at very correct prices. But to compensate, he forces consumers to buy books in his own shop. Fnac is inspired by this model without going to the end, since it only sells Kobo readers, but the user can read ebooks bought elsewhere than on Fnac.com. Other manufacturers, such as Vivlio (1) or Bookeen, offer models capable of reading ebooks purchased in all online bookstores, except Amazon. A story of digital locks.

Digital locks

Paid ebooks are protected by digital locks (“DRM”, for Digital Rights Management)). Two major systems coexist. The first is specific to Amazon, which sells its files in owner format AZW. Only his Kindle readers understand it. The other booksellers all use the EPUB format, to which is grafted a lock developed by the editor Adobe, compatible with all the readers. This is why you will not be able to read on a Kindle a work purchased on Fnac.com, and vice versa. In fact, a reader is affiliated with a library: it is easier to download books from the store installed by default than to buy them on another platform and transfer them to the reader via a computer.

The costs

The reader market has never really taken off (because it does not create any new use, a reader is likely to interest only an audience already reader). Nevertheless, in about fifteen years, the readers have evolved a lot. Simple monochrome plastic screen a few years ago, readers are today tactile, their screen has grown for more comfort and most often incorporates light, they are connected, sometimes recharge wireless and go so far as to offer Additional functions such as note taking. Result, prices climb today up to € 400.

Essential criteria

Screen

The readers’ screen is based on electronic ink technology (E-Ink), which provides good reading comfort (the screen is not backlit). Most are tactile. The size of this screen varies little, the diagonal is generally 6 or 6.8 inches (15.2 or 17.2 cm). But its resolution varies from one model to another. The higher it is, the less the display is pixelated. A basic screen displays a resolution of approximately 600 x 800 pixels, a high definition screen rises around 1440 x 1080 pixels.

Unlike the color screens of smartphones and touch pads, electronic ink is hardly energy. The readers therefore all offer autonomy of several weeks.

The readers are increasingly incorporating a bright screen that allows you to read in the dark without disturbing your neighbor. Essential ! More and more models also allow you to adjust the lighting color temperature in order to adapt the light to the conditions of the room.

Most readers incorporate a touch screen; If you suffer from a loss of sensitivity at your fingertips, ensure the presence of physical pimples, which allow you to turn the pages and will facilitate navigation in the menus.

Storage

Manufacturers generally offer between 4 and 32 GB of storage. The system occupies a game, but there is enough space to store thousands of books. If you still think you feel cramped, opt for a model integrating a memory card port.

File formats

In addition to AZW at Amazon and EPUB DRM at Fnac, Vivlio and others, readers are able to read other file formats: PDF, TXT, HTML for text; JPG, GIF, PNG for images, especially. If you are a follower of comics, make sure that the reader is able to read the CBZ and the CBR. Note that comics is undoubtedly among the only works more pleasant to read on a touch pad than on a reader. These short and very visual readings adapt better to a color screen, even if it is backlit backlit. Dedicated applications are available in Google Playstore (Android tablets) and App Store (Apple iPad) stores).

Additional functions

Almost all of the readers include a Wi-Fi chip to connect directly to an online bookstore. But some also have a 4G connection, free for the user. Some readers are also water resistant.

Vocabulary question

The term “digital book” confusing. Sometimes he designates the reading support (the tablet, or “reader”, or “ebook”), sometimes it designates the work itself, which is also called “digital book”. Note that a digital book (the file) can also be read on a computer screen.

Glossary

Memory card

A memory card location increases storage capacity. Unfortunately, all electronic books do not have one.

The most widespread format is the SD card format (Digital Secure). You can also find micro SD formats.

Electronic ink

This is a display technique that seeks to get closer to the appearance of a printed sheet. This technique does not require energy to leave the displayed text, it only consumes when click to turn a page. Main application of this technology: electronic books. The absence of screen backlight also makes it possible to avoid eye fatigue when reading on the screen. On the other hand, it is not possible to read in the dark.

Internal memory

It is flash type. Flash memory is a rewritable semiconductor mass memory, making it possible to store data that does not disappear when turning off. Its high speed, life and low consumption make it very useful. In addition, this type of memory is very shock resistant.

Reflection

A screen tends to think about light. This reflection must be as low as possible so as not to be embarrassed by parasitic sources.

→ TEST THAT CHOOSE: Liseuse comparison

(1) Vivlio markets Pocketbook readers in France.

Section editor

Specialized technical editor

French digital book

The best ecosystem for reading and purchasing digital books !

The Vivlio team has thought of everything to make it easier for digital reading, with suitable supports to accompany you everywhere, Without losing comfort ::

• Electronic ink reader
  A range of readers to read hours without getting your eyes off. See the readers

• Digital library
  A My Vivlio digital library that synchronizes your purchases of ebooks and reading positions, accessible wherever you are !
• Mobile app
  A mobile application for tablets and smartphones to facilitate your readings.

Exclusive ebooks: Vivlio Studio

Discover the Vivlio studio collection and its 100% unpublished ebooks, Available exclusively at Vivlio and its partners !

Fiction (romances, thrillers, thrillers, historical, imaginary novels, etc.) and documentaries (portraits, surveys, testimonies, etc.), there is something for everyone !

Our supporters

Since October 2020, Vivlio has been labeled French Tech, in the Scale-Up category !

Vivlio is supported by the European Union of the European Regional Development Fund (Feder).

Our shop, tools and applications are designed and developed in France !

They talk about us

The little extra that is for us a great advantage: the books bought on the Vivlio reader support the independent French booksellers.

Huffpost
September 2019

Vivlio, better brand of reader. A bookseller’s DNA, intelligent alliances, good cam, absolutely nothing suspicious under the hood … And I have no hidden interest to say it, this is not the case for some �� Bravo

Aldus, the digital reading blog
June 2020

I created Vivlio in 2011 when I was looking for a digital book solution. David Dupré has become the Director General. Everyone took us for crazy. But, ten years later, we are the best French choice against the Amazon Kindle or the Kobo of Rakuten. We offer a quality solution, open. We pay our taxes in France, do not spy on our customers, do not sell their data.

Challenges – Interview with Guillaume Decitre
December 2020

Vivlio’s strength remains the many settings related to reading: virtual bookmark, highlighting, screenshot of a passage, annotation via a virtual keyboard, access to the “new littré” to know a definition or a translation via the ‘One of the ten dictionaries, without forgetting the possibility of opting for one of the languages ​​offered (among thirty).

Digital
June 2019