CNET Editors' review
Calibre provides all the elements you need to organize and manage an e-book collection. With a simple set of tools and a helpful layout, this program is a nice choice for any electronic reading lover.
The program's interface is a snap to understand because of its professionally designed layout and easy-to-use command icons. Calibre lets you open a variety of e-book types and read them. You download your e-books from your desktop or hard drive directly into Calibre. The entire process is so simple that we never felt the need to consult the Help file. You can easily sort your titles by alphabetical order, cover image, or tags. We especially like being able to customize tags and covers, which is handy if the book doesn't come with any. While all these functions worked well, the program didn't feel like an essential utility until we tried out its special features, which elevate Calibre from a mere reader into an e-book manager. The conversion feature converts any e-book's file type with a few clicks, which we like because some handheld readers only accept specific file types. The uploading feature lets you send your e-books directly to one of those handheld readers or other portable device with equal ease. Calibre covered every base, from downloading and cataloging our electronic book collection to putting the words in the palm of our hand.
Calibre is freeware. It installs desktop icons without permission. We loved its simple operation and impressive results, and we recommend this program.
Publisher's Description
From Kovid Goyal:
Calibre is program to manage your e-book collection. It acts as an e-library and also allows for format conversion, news feeds to e-book conversion, as well as e-book reader sync features and an integrated e-book viewer. It features library management, format conversion (all major ebook formats), syncing to e-book reader devices, fetching news from the Web and converting it into ebook form, viewing many different e-book formats, and giving you access to your book collection over the internet using just a browser.
What's new in this version: Version 0.8.40 has added an option to allow using page counts stored in a custom column.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 154 votes
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Current version:
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"Are we using the same program?"
Version: Calibre 0.8.39
Pros
It's the only choice.
Cons
Genuinely bewildered by the raving reviews this software is getting. All I wanted was a simple file management system that worked with my Kindle so I could manage my library and collections without the headache of Amazon's site.
What I got was a vulgar looking, needlessly complex, hard to use memory hog that seems to chew up my ebooks and denies even the simplest operations. If it weren't for the fact that there seem to be no competitors out there (why not?) I would bin this nasty little program at the first opportunity. -
"Best Ebook manager for now"
Version: Calibre 0.8.37
Pros
- User friendly
- Able to convert to different formats
- Manage meta dataCons
- Cannot manage audio books
- PC ebook reader needs more user interface friendly -
"More useful"
Version: Calibre 0.8.35
Pros
with each edition this becomes more useful.
Installs on Linux, too!
Maintain a library accessible by all your devices.
highly configurable.
converts to epub for most devices, even from plain text, and you can add your own cover!Cons
Occasionally an update will break a feature for a specific device. Turn auto updates off, and read about each update to see if you would like it, since bug fixes might be issued as well
Summary
This is more useful than the "kobo desktop app" or any of those, and does NOT LIMIT you to shopping at Amazon or a single store, it also allows you to simply download free e-books from any site on the web and then add them to your collection without any tracking by Amazon, Google, Kobo, etc.
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"Works great"
Version: Calibre 0.8.35
Pros
Easy to add new books, and to convert to mobi format.
Cons
Have to go to Amazon to download covers..wish another way to find current covers automatically...also way to reverse authors name to last name first..instead of having to do it manually. Needs to be able to convert all formats & a zip that will open all books downloaded into Calibre.
Summary
Overall program is very useful...just needs a few tweaks.
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"Haven't used much."
Version: Calibre 0.8.35
Pros
It seems to be versitle
Cons
But it requires a little study--the pc kindle is easier
Summary
I will probably uninstall..
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"Best eBook App I've Found"
Version: Calibre 0.8.35
Pros
Exhaustive options available including conversion to and from nearly any eBook format.
Cons
Pretty complex to learn with somewhat awkward menu structure.
Summary
Totally satisfied with this eBook management application.
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"Ebook management essential program and it's still free!"
Version: Calibre 0.8.34
Pros
Has constant updates from the owner and his volunteers that are really added value not just fixing bugs. Program allows you to enter books by hand or by reading the file. Been using it now for 2 years and it just keeps getting better. Allows downloads of cover files, summaries & reviews from various venders like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. You can add tags, series, and much more to each book. You can search or sort by any field listed and can also add user defined fields. It allows you to list almost any ebook format including .amz (Kindle). I read all my books on my computer and have 7 different formats in use so this really helps me keep track of what I have and where to find it.
Cons
It took me a while to learn my way around the program but a lot of it was very intuitive. The help files are good but the user forums at MobileRead Forums are a great place to find answers. While the program is not supposed to be a reader it can read several file types but you still need a Kindle/Kindle software for .amz files, secure .mobi files and Adobe Right Managment software for secure .epub or secure .pdf files.
Summary
If you have 10 or more ebooks, you need this program.
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"Excellent, does what it says."
Version: Calibre 0.8.34
Pros
My wife got a load of eBooks from a friend and wanted to convert them to her Reader. She was impressed. I had the first book done in minutes. Easy to learn and use.
Cons
I haven't found any yet.
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"Works great & does everything I ever need it to do"
Version: Calibre 0.8.34
Pros
I love the abilities this program has. If an ebook doesn't have the cover picture, I can quickly google it and attach it to the book with this program so that it is much easier to find in my device's library. It also allows me to organize trilogies or series. Every book format I have come accross has been easily converted through Calibre. If I have a book alread in the proper format, I can transfer it directly to my device without needing to convert it. I prefer to edit each book with Calibre before I transfer just because Calibre organizes everything pefectly. This works great with my Wireless Kobo eReader. I am surprised that a free program works this well. Also, it doesn't spam me to make a purchase, and it doesn't have ads.
Cons
The interface was confusing at first, but that is to be expected with a program that has multiple functions. For Wireless Kobo eReaders, it works best to convert books on Calibre to ePub format instead of pdf. If transferring pdf files, you might need to adjust the font size before doing so.
Summary
• Works great
• Organizes well
• Converts almost all book formats to your preferred book format
• Easy to connect with your ebook device
• Free program
• Ad-free -
"Excellent. Very versatile and has worked every time."
Version: Calibre 0.8.34
Pros
Allows for easy and efficient organization of ebooks with conversions to virtually all formats.
Cons
Seems like there are a lot of updates, but that is also a good thing!
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