There are three ways to read ebooks from eBooks.com on your computer.
The easiest option is to read online in your browser using our Online Reader. You do not need to install anything.
If you prefer to download your ebooks and read them offline, we recommend using Thorium Reader, a free desktop reading app designed for modern ebooks.
We also continue to support Adobe Digital Editions, for customers who already use it or prefer to keep using it.
Think of it like music: you can either stream a song, or you can download it and play it in an app. Reading online is like streaming. Downloading gives you a copy of the ebook file on your computer.
Recommended option: Read online with our Online Reader
The simplest way to read your ebook is to use our Online Reader.
To read online:
- Log in to your eBooks.com account.
- Go to your library.
- Click the Read now button next to the title of the book.
Your ebook will open inside your web browser. You do not need to download any software or install a reading app.
Our Online Reader works in all major modern browsers and includes helpful reading features such as adjustable text size, layout settings, and accessibility-friendly controls.
For most customers, this is the quickest and easiest way to start reading.
Recommended download option: Use Thorium Reader
If you would like to download your ebook and read it offline on your computer, we recommend Thorium Reader.
Thorium Reader is a free desktop reading app for Windows, Mac and Linux. It is designed for EPUB ebooks and provides a clean, modern reading experience.
To read a downloaded ebook using Thorium Reader:
- Install Thorium Reader on your computer.
- Log in to your eBooks.com account.
- Go to your library.
- Click Download next to the title of the book.
- Open the downloaded file in Thorium Reader.
Once the book has been added to Thorium Reader, you can read it there without returning to eBooks.com each time.
Thorium Reader is the best choice if you want to keep your ebooks available on your computer and read them offline.
Still supported: Adobe Digital Editions
We continue to support Adobe Digital Editions, also known as ADE.
If you already use ADE and are happy with it, you can keep using it. However, for most customers who are setting up desktop reading for the first time, we recommend using our Online Reader or Thorium Reader instead.
To use Adobe Digital Editions:
1. Install Adobe Digital Editions
Install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
If you need help, please see our guide: Installing Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
2. Authorize Adobe Digital Editions
After installing ADE, you need to authorize it. This allows your downloaded ebooks to unlock correctly.
To authorize ADE:
- Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
- If a book is open, click Library to return to Library view.
- Click Help.
- Click Authorize Computer…
- In the eBook Vendor field, select Adobe ID.
- Enter your Adobe ID and password.
- Click Authorize.
If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click Create an Adobe ID and follow the instructions on Adobe’s website. Then return to ADE and enter your Adobe ID and password.
Please keep a note of your Adobe ID and password. You may need them later if you change computers or need to authorize a new device.
3. Download your ebook
Return to your eBooks.com account and click Download next to the book title.
Once ADE has been installed and authorized, you usually only need to do this setup once. Each time you buy a new ebook from eBooks.com, you can click Download and open the book in Adobe Digital Editions.
Which method should I choose?
For the quickest and easiest experience, choose Online Reader.
If you want to download your ebook and read offline, choose Thorium Reader.
If you already use Adobe Digital Editions and want to continue with it, you can do so.
If you need help at any stage, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
