Redbery Books

What is an eBook?

A conventional eBook 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 eBooks are downloaded to a computer or device.  A conventional eBook 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 most devices, e.g., the Nook, the Sony Reader, the iPhone and iPad and your laptop or desktop computer.

How are Google eBooks different from a conventional eBook?

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 (such as the iPhone™ or iPad™), and most dedicated e-book devices, such as the Sony Reader™ and the Nook™ (but not the Kindle™).

Can I read Google eBooks on my iPhone or iPad?

Google has made reading apps available for multi-function device 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 eBooks.  What are the benefits of eBooks?

eBooks give you the instant availability of a very large selection of titles; dedicated reading devices or cloud-based storage means portability and accessibility; eBooks are read on devices that are designed for readability – be it with the e-ink technology of one of the dedicated eBook 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 our on-line bookstore, you can explore and purchase eBooks anywhere, anytime.

Why are different eBooks priced differently?

Prices on about 80% of the eBook market are identical no matter where you buy the eBook.  That's right, the price at Redbery Books is identical to the price of the same eBook at Barnes & Noble, Google and Amazon!  Prices on less than 30% of the eBook market can vary depending on the publisher, the e-book provider, and differing sales agreements.  These eBooks from some 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.  However, publishers of about 80% of the eBook market 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.

Are all Google eBooks priced the same?

Mostly, YES!  As noted above, publishers of about 80% of the eBook market use the agency model and eBooks from those publishers are priced identically at Redbery Books, Google, Amazon and wherever else the eBook may be sold.  For the remaining publishers, Google has chosen to sell Google eBooks at the lowest price offered by any other retailer.  In many cases, this price is below their cost and certainly way below the cost to Redbery Books.  These retailers are using eBooks as a loss leader to attempt to establish market share.  While we can’t exactly match the price on eBooks from some publishers we can, and do, offer discounts from the list price.  Redbery currently offers a 30% discount off the list price of Google eBooks from non-agency publishers making these Google eBooks actually less expensive than the same Google eBooks from other independent booksellers.  And, again, for most of the eBook market, our price is identical to the price at any other retailer, including Amazon.

What are Google eBooks?

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

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

For every eBook 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!

eBooks 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 eBooks from Google, Palm/iPhone format, and Amazon/Kindle format on these multi-function devices.  (A quick factoid: According to the Boston Consulting Group, among eBook readers, 66% of consumers prefer a multi-function device vs. 24% who prefer a single use device.)

Why doesn’t Redbery Books sell reading devices?

We’re experts in books and content not consumer electronics.  But we can help guide you to the right source.  The iPad, iPhone, Android, and other smart mobile devices are the preferred multi-function reading devices that we recommend.

Why not the Kindle?

Kindle is a proprietary device made by Amazon.  The only eBooks 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 eBooks from Amazon in the future.  As your local, independent bookstore, we would love to help you find the reading selections you’ll enjoy most in any format – including eBooks.

How does Redbery Books benefit from Google eBooks?

Google eBooks may be purchased from Google or from Redbery Books; as well as many other independent booksellers.  Google is both a partner and a competitor to Redbery Books.  The only way that Redbery Books receives a benefit from a Google eBook is if the Google eBook is purchased from Redbery Books.  We appreciate your support of Redbery Books.

Does Redbery discount Google eBooks?

Google eBooks from agency model publishers are offered from Redbery at a price identical to the price offered from any other retailer.  For Google eBooks from non-agency model publishers, Redbery is currently offering a 30% discount from the list price set by the publisher making these Google eBooks less expensive at Redbery than at many independent booksellers.