Determine which e-book format is compatible with your e-book reader. Digital books are available in several formats, including Adobe PDF, Adobe ePub, Microsoft Reader, MobiPocket, eReader, Palm eBooks, HTML, plain text and Microsoft Word.
Navigate your Web browser to the website of an e-book retailer that offers the digital format you would like to use, or to a website that offers free e-book downloads. Locate the digital edition of the book you would like to read. Most booksellers provide a link to the digital version on the Web page that displays the physical book.
Install on your computer or hand-held device any software necessary for you to read the digital book in the format of your choice. Follow installation instructions and create a user ID and password if requested. Formats such as plain text and HTML do not require any additional software to read the book directly on your computer screen.
Click the "Purchase" or "Download" button next to the digital book you want to download from the retailer's website. If you are not downloading a free digital book, the retailer will require you to input credit card payment information to complete the purchase of your digital book before downloading can begin.
Connect your hand-held digital book reader to your computer via the USB cord or cradle. Follow the software's prompts to synchronize files. If the program does not automatically display the digital book in the library, locate the digital book file in your My Documents sub-folder and drag-and-drop it into the program. You may be required to register or authorize your device before transferring files.