EbeneZ
[Login to see the link] Care to be more explicit? How do you use calibre to answer my question (preferably in a batch since i have a few booksto parse)
I went into the details in my post above. I'll add more now, in a straightforward step-by-step. Let me know if this resolves your questions?
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Step-by-Step:
1) Install Calibre. Once complete, Run Calibre
2) Use any file-explorer/search tool to select a batch of books.
3) Drag that selection into Calibre & Drop. Alternatively: Calibre > Add Books > (supports recursive & batches)
4) Calibre will automatically begin processing/renaming/organizing the books in its own file-structure. Nothing is required (contrary to the past, you no longer need to use the ISBN plugin, etc).
5) If you prefer to use Calibre to manage your eBooks, or use its file/organization structure, you're done. Note: Using Calibre's new "virtual libraries" and tagging, along with file-serving, searching, etc -- it can be a good option for many people.
6) If you prefer to manage your own files, you must export your books, one of two ways.
(a) Right-click any book and choose to "Open Containing Folder". This will open the specific eBook folder; back-up the hierarchy of folders to get to the root of the calibre data folder and search all books from there. Cut (or Copy) and paste elsewhere;
(b) If you prefer the GUI, select all books (control-A or the standard shift/control clicks), Right-Click and choose "Save to Disk" and choose your preferred format.
7) Optional - If you've copied-out (or exported) your eBooks, you can now highlight all books and "Remove" them from calibre. Just be aware this deletes the files (which is the reason you'll copy they out, prior to doing this).
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Key point -- The 6A / 6B options will allow you to keep the books as you like, rather than using Calibre's system, which is organized by author and those of us who read non-fiction, aren't best served by this approach.
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Sidenote: While all of this sounds detailed/time-consuming, it's actually extremely simple. I've gone into extra detail as you requested and this might appear lengthy; however, the process does not require more than 20 seconds (apart from the eBook metadata lookup time).
Sidenote2: I prefer the linux/Windows-docker option that is far more robust and automated. If you prefer something more automated than calibre (or need OCR/etc), that's an option you might eventually consider.