The aim of LDS Kindle Books is two-fold:

The aim of LDS Kindle Books is two-fold:
  1. Provide free LDS books to Kindle owners

  2. Alert Kindle owners about new LDS books available in Kindle format.

The types of FREE publications include Gospel resources published by LDS.org in Kindle compatible formats, LDS General Conference talks, and LDS books which are free from copyright.

Linked books generally include publications from Deseret Book released for the Kindle or books by LDS authors produced by other publishers.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Deseret Bookshelf

Deseret Book recently released an iOS application, Deseret Bookshelf, which provides access to LDS ebooks on iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touch devices.

According to their promotional website:
The Bookshelf App itself is absolutely free. When you download the app, you’ll receive the scriptures, LDS study materials, and eight popular eBooks published by Deseret Book free of charge. At that point, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase additional titles through Deseret Book.
What about my Kindle?:
Kindle owners: Don’t despair! If you prefer Kindle, you will notice that we offer over 1200 of our books for the Kindle format via the Kindle store on Amazon.com.
It appears there are plans to release Deseret Bookshelf for Android, and if the rumors are true, you may be able to have it on the anticipated Kindle-tablet which would run off an Android platform.

However, I really wish they were able to deliver a Kindle e-ink/LCD hybrid as referenced (and shot down) in this article.

Finally, if you want the latest news on Deseret Bookshelf, check out their Facebook page or their site at DeseretBook.com

Update:
For those who own the Kindle Fire, be sure to check out instructions for installing Deseret Bookshelf [LDS Apps] from MormonLifehacker on your tablet.

Update 2:
The same process applies to the free Deseret Bookshelf app; however, you'll need to locate the .apk file.  This lifehacker post explains how to search for .apk files and also the risks associated with them.


Update 3:
Lifehacker suggests that appbrain.com is a good alternative to the Android Marketplace.  They have the most recent version of Deseret Bookshelf available for download.


Update 4:
On a related post, we have an update from our LDS Kindle readers:
"Go to androiddev.orkitra.com and search for deseret bookshelf. I was able to download and install it on my Kindle Fire easily from this site. Thanks for heading me in the right direction!"


Update 5: 
Desert Book has published an .apk here: http://deseretbook.com/misc/bookshelf/android.apk.  See full instructions here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/deseret-bookshelf/getting-deseret-bookshelf-on-a-kindle-fire/350273821686564 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please note that while you can install 3rd party apps on the kindle, there is not an installer for the bookshelf app for kindle. There is one in the aneroid market, but the aneroid market does not work on the kindle.

Jason said...

Thank you for mentioning this. I added an update to clarify that the process is explained on the Mormon Lifehacker article, but that an .apk file is required.

The Android marketplace is one way to get .apk files and has an added measure of security, but is unaccessible to Kindle Fire owners (without rooting). The .apk files are available on other sites as well and once they are found, they can be used to put the free Deseret Bookshelf app on the Kindle Fire.

Rob said...

couldn't get the appbrain market app to install on the Kindle Fire. couldn't locate the APK of Deseretbookshelf anywhere. Ideas?

Anonymous said...

Here is the best location on directions for installing on the Kindle Fire
http://www.facebook.com/notes/deseret-bookshelf/getting-deseret-bookshelf-on-a-kindle-fire/350273821686564

Anonymous said...

Can this app go on the KindleLight 3g. I would like to read books from Desert books

Jason said...

Unfortunately these apps only work with the Kindle Fire devices. Many Deseret Book publications are available through the Kindle store. These publications can be used anywhere you have a Kindle app (3g, Fire, iPad, iPhone, computer, etc.)

Anonymous said...

Why are ebooks so much more expensive via the amazon store for kindle, than from deseret book for bookshelf. Since it is the same book, digital format, couldn't it be priced the same? Hurts my eyes less to read on a kindle paperwhite, than on a backlit iPad. Thanks.

Jason said...

In the past I often found the prices to be the same between Deseret Bookshelf and Kindle books, but unfortunately the sale prices rarely show up on Kindle books. I find the physical books to almost always be less expensive on Amazon though.

However recently some books have been much more expensive. For example, The Guardian books 1 and 2 have a price difference of $5! That's crazy!

Jason said...

Oops... I read that wrong it's $8 for book 1 and $3.50 for book 2.