Free ebook source for modern titles?

[terrypin]

(Just posted this in Software before remembering this specialised Forum.)

I made a couple of bookmarks many months ago but can't reach either of them now, so I think they must now be dead links. They were sources of free ebooks, and I recall had a good selection (not just the public domain stuff).

http://www.greylib.align.ru/libaction.htm
http://www.greylib.align.ru/libaction.htm

Anyone know of any other such sources for modern titles? I'm keen to get an ebook version of John Le Carrés 'Absolute Friends' by Friday night. I recently started reading the hardback copy I was given at Christmas, but am going on a short walking holiday, and won't finish the book in time. My rucksack has to hold everything. As I already have the book, reluctant to buy an electronic version!

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[Don't Panic!]

Author's websites are a good place to start. But you'll hardly ever find an Author with a big name publishing deal giving away their books. You have to catch them while they're still relativly unknown. Unless you like Sci-Fi and Fantasy then you can go to www.baen.com/library and load up on some recent titles. 0X

[caubeck]

I don't wish to express a personal opinion about the download of illegal copies of books, but you may be interested to know that the addresses you have written in your post function perfectly well (I just had a look).

[pivaska]

What's an rar file format? Will these books be in the language indicated by the website?

[terrypin]

caubeck Thanks. I too can reach them now. Must have been a temporary glitch. BTW, the correct URLs are:
http://www.greylib.align.ru/libaction.htm
http://www.greylib.align.ru/libfan.htm

I now see there are also other sections which I haven't explored. Any Russians around who can help with the navigation? ;)

But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my particular target book isn't available :|

pivaska: Not sure about the answer to that. Have yet to try one.


--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[terrypin]

At this page
http://www.neitherland.com/hyperballad/library/booklinks.shtml
I found some notes about the Russian site, including:
"The categories (and main menu links) are Sci-Fi Fantasy, Action, Mystery, Thrillers, childrens, & coming attractions."

Unfortunately, I seem to have uninstalled my copy of WinRAR. As time is running out before my holiday, guess I'll put 'Absolute Friends' aside for a while and buy a paperback ;)

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[JDTagish]

The books, once you extract them, are .doc files and are in english.

The different pages are broken down by genre, like sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, mystery, etc. You'll get the idea quickly enough by looking at the titles on the pages.

[ADBrown]

What's an rar file format? Will these books be in the language indicated by the website?

RAR is a compressed file format. You can uncompress it using WinRAR on the desktop, or PocketRAR on a PPC.

[uwaku]

At this page
http://www.neitherland.com/hyperballad/library/booklinks.shtml
I found some notes about the Russian site, including:
"The categories (and main menu links) are Sci-Fi Fantasy, Action, Mystery, Thrillers, childrens, & coming attractions."


Actually, "raznoye" doesn't mean "coming attractions", it means "various" or "miscellaneous", so that website is wrong. Makes sense, since the apparent "coming attractions" are already there for downloading.

Otherwise, good information! Lots of good books there, too. Spasibo!

[Paragon]

It'll cost you a wopping $5.65

http://www.ereader.com/product/detail/15731?book=Absolute_Friends

[terrypin]

It'll cost you a wopping $5.65

http://www.ereader.com/product/detail/15731?book=Absolute_Friends

And it's now just a week after the deadline I mentioned.

FWIW, I did as I said in my follow-up, and in occasional rests during the 3 day 50 mile walk I enjoyed (and haven't yet finished) the paperback substitute, Melvyn Bragg's 'A Place in England'. (Public Library.)

Guess I'll get back to 'Absolute Friends' sometime soon. ;)

BTW, even at that low price (plus VAT and UK delivery), and immediate download on 11th Aug, I'd have hesitated on principle. Hate paying for something twice.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK