Reading guides
A calmer digital reading library: how to organise books for your e-reader
A simple way to organise books and documents for an e-reader: folders, file formats, DRM, free sources, backups and moving books onto IKAWE Moov.
By IKAWE · Published · Updated · 4 min read
Key takeaways
- Keep one tidy master folder on your computer, backed up somewhere else. Your reader shouldn't hold the only copy.
- EPUB is the best format for small screens. Moov reads DRM-free EPUB and TXT, and Moov Pro also reads PDFs with reflow.
- Books with DRM, such as most Kindle and Kobo store purchases and Libby loans, only open in their own apps and devices.
- Move a few books at a time, check they open properly, and keep the originals.
In this article
Keep a copy you can find
Create one folder on your computer for the books and documents you want to read. A simple structure is easy to keep up:
- Books/Author/Title.epub, for example Books/Austen, Jane/Persuasion.epub
- A separate Documents folder for articles, manuals and PDFs
- An Inbox folder for new downloads you haven't sorted yet
Give each file a recognisable name, and keep a backup separate from your reader or its memory card, such as a cloud drive or an external disk. Your device shouldn't be the only copy of a book that matters to you.
Let a library manager do the work
If you have more than a few dozen books, the free, open-source calibre e-book manager is worth installing. It imports books, fixes titles, authors and covers, converts DRM-free files between formats and can send books to an e-reader. CrossPoint, the firmware on Moov, can receive books wirelessly from calibre.
Check the format and DRM before transferring
A filename ending in .epub or .pdf doesn't tell you everything. What matters is the format, whether the file has DRM (copy protection), and whether your reader supports both.
| Format | What it is | On Moov |
|---|---|---|
| EPUB | The standard reflowable e-book format: text re-wraps to fit any screen and font size | Yes, Lite and Pro |
| TXT | Plain text, with no formatting | Yes, Lite and Pro |
| A fixed page layout, usually designed for A4 or letter paper | Moov Pro, with reflow | |
| MOBI, AZW3, KFX | Amazon's Kindle formats | No; convert DRM-free copies to EPUB with calibre |
| Any DRM-protected file | Store purchases and library loans locked to an account | No |
Most books from the Kindle and Kobo stores, and Libby library loans, are DRM-protected, so they only open in those companies' apps and readers. Use files you own or have permission to read, and look for DRM-free editions when you buy.
Where to find DRM-free books
- Project Gutenberg: tens of thousands of free public-domain classics
- Standard Ebooks: free public-domain books with careful typography and covers
- Publishers and stores that sell DRM-free EPUBs; many independent and technical publishers do
- Some Kindle books: since January 2026, Amazon has let publishers make titles available without DRM (Notebookcheck)
- Your own writing, notes and documents, saved as EPUB, TXT or PDF
Begin with a small selection
Choose a few titles you're ready to read rather than moving your entire archive at once. Open each transferred file, check that the text is legible and that page turns, the table of contents and footnotes work as expected. Keep the originals until you've checked the copies.
On a small screen, a short reading list also makes it quicker to pick up where you left off.
Moving books onto Moov
- USB-C: connect Moov to your computer with a USB-C cable and copy files across. The same port charges it.
- Wi-Fi: upload books from a browser on the same network, using CrossPoint's file transfer.
- calibre: send books wirelessly from your calibre library, or browse an OPDS catalogue from Moov.
- Companion app: share files to Moov from the IKAWE phone app.
- microSD: Moov stores books on a microSD card (16 GB included, up to 256 GB), which you can also load in a card reader.
A typical novel in EPUB takes 0.5–3 MB, so the included 16 GB card holds thousands of books.
Keep it tidy
- Move finished books to an archive folder on your computer, and off the reader.
- Keep series together in one folder, with the series number at the start of each filename.
- Back up after you add books, not just once.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best e-book format for an e-reader?
EPUB. Its text re-wraps to fit the screen and your chosen font size, which matters most on a small screen.
Can I put Kindle books on Moov?
Only DRM-free ones, converted to EPUB. DRM-protected Kindle purchases only open in Amazon's apps and Kindle devices.
Do I need calibre?
No. You can copy files over USB-C or Wi-Fi, or share them from the companion app. calibre helps if you have a large library to organise.
How many books fit on 16 GB?
Thousands. A typical novel in EPUB is 0.5–3 MB; illustrated books and PDFs are larger.
Sources
- calibre e-book manager
- Project Gutenberg
- Standard Ebooks
- Notebookcheck: Amazon Kindle e-books now partially DRM-free
- CrossPoint Reader on GitHub
- IKAWE Moov Lite and Moov Pro
Specifications and prices checked on October 12, 2026. Products change; check the maker’s page before buying.
