The inclusion of Apple’s ebook-reading software, iBooks, in OS X 10.9 Mavericks is big news for anyone who reads ebooks. Although iBooks seems relatively simple, it turns out to be more involved once you start loading in different types of books, organizing a large library, syncing among your devices, and more.
That’s why you should check out “Take Control of iBooks.” The US$10 ebook by Sharaon Zardetto explains the new Mavericks version of iBooks and looks at iBooks in iOS.
The book will teach you about:
° Ebook file formats: It turns out that how you read a book in iBooks is tied to — and changes with — the four ebook formats that iBooks supports: PDF, EPUB, fixed-layout EPUB, and Multi-Touch.
° Mavericks mysteries: Find out what iBooks on your Mac does with any ebooks that were previously in iTunes, and where your library is located.
° Synchronizing details: Learn how to keep copies of your ebooks on all your devices, as well as how to sync custom collection names and your position within any given book, as well as bookmarks, highlights, and notes.
° Book acquisition: Whether you purchase from Apple’s iBooks Store, buy from another source that sells ebooks in EPUB or PDF format (such as Take Control!), or make your own titles, you’ll find out how to add your ebooks to iBooks.
° Collection management: If you don’t have time to “shelve” your ebooks, don’t worry, because you can take advantage of iBooks’ built-in organization and search function. But, the persnickety arrangers among us will learn how to further organize their libraries.
° Controlling your reading environment: Just as you may read most happily in the real world in a comfortable chair with good lighting (and a bowl of grapes at hand), you can also optimize your onscreen setup. You’ll find tips for adjusting the font and type size, changing the page color, reading full-screen on the Mac, and even how to best “turn” the pages.
° Enjoying the “e” in ebook: All those electrons running around in your device can do more than display text on a screen. Sharon describes how to highlight passages, make in-book notes, insert virtual bookmarks, find a selection in the dictionary (or on the Web, and more.
° Exploring Multi-Touch: Understand what’s unique about Apple’s Multi-Touch format, and try the special features, such as Study Cards, available in those ebooks.
° Platform differences: Although the interface looks similar in iBooks between the Mac and iOS, there are huge conceptual differences (such as where PDFs open!) and many smaller interface quirks. Sharon tackles those problems head-on, helping you work with your books regardless of platform.
You can buy the 154-page “Take Control of iBooks” at http://tid.bl.it/tco-ibooks. Or you can save 20% and buy it in a bundle with “Take Control of Upgrading to Mavericks,” by Joe Kissell (normally $25 together, you pay $20).