Reading Options & Kindle
Project Gutenberg offers 75,000+ free ebooks. Here’s how you can read and enjoy them.
Read Online
This is the simplest way to read — no downloads, no apps, no format decisions. Every Project Gutenberg ebook has a “Read now!” button that opens the book right in your browser.
- Go to gutenberg.org
- Find a book you like
- Click “Read now!”
Works on any device with a web browser. Most browsers also offer a Reader Mode (Safari Reader, Firefox Reader View, etc.) for adjustable font size and a cleaner layout.
Kindle
Newer Kindles
Amazon’s Send-to-Kindle service is the easiest way.
- Download the EPUB3 file
- Go to your Amazon account’s Send-to-Kindle page.
- US → amazon.com/sendtokindle
- UK → amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle
- Germany → amazon.de/sendtokindle
- Elsewhere → amazon.[your country]/sendtokindle
- Upload and wait
Alternatives:
Email to Kindle
Every Kindle has its own email address. You can email files directly to it.
- On Amazon: open Menu → Manage Your Content and Devices → Devices tab → select your Kindle and find its email address
- On the same page: go to the Preferences tab → scroll down to "Approved Personal Document E-mail List" → add your own email address, so the Kindle can receive emails from you
- Email the EPUB3 file as an attachment to your Kindle's address
USB Transfer
Works with the Kindle/MOBI format. See the "Older Kindles" section below for the steps.
Older Kindles (pre-2013)
Pre-2013 Kindles should use USB transfer with the Kindle/MOBI format (not EPUB):
- On the book’s page, use the “Kindle” or “older Kindles” download option
- Connect your Kindle to your computer via USB
- Copy the file to the “documents” folder on your Kindle
Kobo, Nook etc.
Kobo
Kobo makes it easy: plug it into your computer, and it shows up as a USB drive you can drag books onto.
- Download the EPUB3 file
- Connect your Kobo to your computer via USB
- Tap “Connect” on your Kobo’s screen
- Drag the file into the Kobo drive that appears
Forma, Sage, Elipsa, Elipsa 2E, and Libra Colour also support Dropbox (no cable needed).
- On your Kobo, go to Settings > Dropbox and link your account
- Save the EPUB3 file to your Dropbox
- On your Kobo, tap the Dropbox icon to sync — the book will appear in your library
Nook
Nook works much the same way as Kobo — plug it in and it appears as a drive on your computer.
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your Nook via USB
- Tap “Connect” on your Nook’s screen
- Copy the file to the “My Files” folder on the Nook drive
Older Nooks (Simple Touch, original GlowLight): use the EPUB file instead.
Other E-readers
Using a PocketBook, Boox, or another e-reader? Just download the EPUB3 file — most modern e-readers support it.
Phone or Tablet
iPhone / iPad
Easiest: read online in your browser.
Use a Reading App:
- Install an EPUB reading app.
- Download the EPUB3 file.
- Open the file — tap your browser’s “Open in” prompt or download list, or find the file in the Files app.
- Pick a reading app — directly from the prompt, or via the Share button.
Free reading apps include Books (mac, iPhone, iPad), Kindle, Neat Reader, PocketBook, and Bluefire Reader.
Android
Easiest: read online in your browser.
Use a Reading App:
- Install an EPUB reading app.
- Download the EPUB3 file.
- Open the file — if there’s a download notification, tap it. Or find and tap it in your Files/Downloads app.
- Pick your reader app if Android asks.
Free reading apps include Kindle, ReadEra, and Moon+ Reader.
Google Play Books is often preinstalled but works differently.
Unlike most reading apps, Play Books won't open a local EPUB directly. Instead, upload the file to your Google Play Books library at play.google.com/books (or via the Upload option inside the Android app), then read it from your library.
Computer
Easiest: read online in your browser. To read offline, download the EPUB3 file and open it in a desktop reading app:
- Calibre (Windows/Mac/Linux) — The Swiss army knife of ebook software. Manages your library, converts between formats, and syncs to devices.
- Thorium Reader (Windows/Mac/Linux) — A clean, open-source EPUB3 reader.
- Apple Books (Mac) — Built into macOS. Clean and simple.
- Sumatra PDF (Windows) — Lightweight and fast. Handles EPUB despite the name.
These are just a few options — there are many other EPUB reading apps available, for example Koodo Reader, FBReader, and Adobe Digital Editions etc.
Plain Text
Every one of our ebooks is also available as a plain text (.txt) file which means you can display it on any device that can open and display such a text file. You won’t get formatting or images, but it’s the simplest and most robust option of all.
Need more help?
Everyone’s setup is a little different. If you’re unsure how to start reading or are running into trouble, a chat with an AI assistant can help if you describe your situation to it, e.g. Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini.
