An intro to eBooks at From My Shelf:

What is an eBook? 

A conventional e-book is a digital copy of a printed book — or original content in digital form — that can be read on a variety of different devices. Conventional e-books are downloaded to a computer or device. A conventional e-book cannot be shared.

What are Google eBooks?

Google eBooks are part of an open platform that allows someone to explore, buy, and read books on any device.

How are Google eBooks different from a conventional e-book?

Google eBooks are stored on a Google server and you access the book from that server, or “cloud.” Google eBooks can be viewed in any Web browser, through Google reading apps for multi-function devices, and most dedicated e-book devices, such as the Sony Reader and the Nook (but not the older versions of the Kindle).

Can I read a Google eBooks on my iPhone?

Google has made reading apps available for multi-function devices such as the iPad, iPhone, Android, and other smart phones. If you have Gmail, or any Google account, you’re ready to access Google eBooks.

I love print books, but am curious about e-books. What are the benefits of e-books?

E-books give you the instant availability of a very large selection of titles; dedicated reading devices or cloudbased storage means portability and accessibility; e-books are read on devices that are designed for readability — be it with the e-ink technology of one of the dedicated e-book devices or the LED screen of the iPad — and they allow for changing font size. You can store, carry, and access dozens of books at all times, and since you are buying them from our online bookstore, you can explore and purchase e-books anywhere, anytime.

Why are different e-books priced differently?

Prices can vary depending on the publisher, the e-book provider, and differing sales agreements. E-books from most publishers are sold in exactly the same way as printed books: the publisher sets a list price and sells the book to a bookseller, and the bookseller sets the list price to the customer. A few publishers operate according to an "agency model." In this case, the publisher sets the price to the consumer and ALL retailers (indies, chains, Amazon) agree to sell that e-book at that price to the consumer.

Why can’t I find a certain e-book for my device while my friend can find it for her device?

For every e-book market, from Kindle to Google eBooks, the provider (Amazon or Google, for example) negotiates separate, individual digital rights agreements with the publishers. That explains why title lists may vary between providers and formats.

There are so many ways to read e-books. Help!

E-books can be read on dedicated, single-function readers, such as the Nook, the Kindle, and the Sony Reader, or on multi-function devices, such as the iPad, iPhone, Android, and other mobile devices and smart phones. You can read e-books from Google, Palm/iPhone format, and Amazon/Kindle format on these multi-function devices.

(A quick factoid: According to the Boston Consulting Group, 66% of consumers prefer a multi-function device vs. 24% who prefer a single use device.)

Why doesn’t this store sell reading devices?

We're experts in books and content not consumer electronics. But we can help guide you to the right source, and we can help you with many of the steps to get yourself set up and familiarized with a product you buy. The iPad, iPhone, Android, and other smart mobile devices are the preferred multi-function reading devices that we recommend. For single function e-reader devices, we recommend either the Sony ereader or the Nook from B&N. Remember, too, that you can read your ebooks on any computer -- if you travel with a notepad or laptop of any kind, you can read your Google eBooks on that, as well!

Why not the Kindle?

Kindle is a proprietary device made by Amazon. The only e-books that can be read on a Kindle are Kindle format books. Only Amazon sells Kindle format books, and you will be restricted to buying all your e-books from Amazon in the future.

If you buy a Kindle, you are locked in to buying all your ebooks from Amazon. If you buy any other device, you can choose to buy your ebooks from a wide variety of sources, including your independent bookstore, big chains, and your library.

**Current update, as of Dec. 2011: since the new Kindle Fire is based on Google's Android operating system, and since Bluefire worked with IndieCommerce to design the IndieBound Reader app for Android devices, Kindle Fire owners should be able to run the IndieBound Reader app using "sideloading" ... contact us for more information, or see our links about how to "sideload" the IndieBound Reader for your Kindle Fire.

As your local, independent bookstore, we would love to help you find the reading selections you'll enjoy most in any format — including e-books!