How to give an e-book as a gift
There's something wonderful about gifting someone with a book you read and loved, knowing they'll dive in to the same world you explored through text on a page. These days, you're likely to find that friends are instead reading their books on an e-reader like the Nook, Kindle, or iPad, a transition that seemingly makes book-gifting a challenge. After all, you can't put a bow on an intangible file.Gifting someone with an e-book is a lot easier than it seems, but will vary depending on which e-reading device he or she owns. Once you find out what kind of e-reader your friend uses, follow the respective instructions for gifting that person with an e-book.NookFind the Nook Book on the Barnes and Noble Web site, and click "Buy as gift." You'll have to register for an account -- which is annoying -- and then you'll fill out a form before completing the purchase. During the purchase process, you can set a delivery date, so that the recipient receives your gift on his or her birthday (or other special occasion). When the e-book gift is received, your friend will have the option to redeem the book or trade it in for a gift card or Nook app.KindleHead to Amazon and find the Kindle version of the book you want to gift. Then click the "Give as Gift" button.You can choose to e-mail the e-book gift to the recipient with a future delivery date, or print out a voucher (which you can then place in a greeting card). iPad, iPhone, or iPod TouchWith an iOS device, e-book gift-giving is a little trickier. You can't gift books from the iBookstore in iTunes, so instead you'll have to purchase a gift card with a note that includes your suggested book title.The other option is to buy your friend a Nook or Kindle book and suggest he or she reads the book with one of those free iOS apps.Android phones and tablets Although Google Play does indeed sell e-books, there's currently no way to gift them. Instead, buy the recipient a gift card and attach a note that includes a suggested title. Alternatively, purchase an e-book for Kindle, Nook, or even Kobo, and suggest that your friend download one of the free accompanying apps. Related tips Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which should you buy? 10 most useful Nook tips and tricks Get free e-books for your Kindle or Nook
