sebsync is a simple script to synchronize the Standard Ebooks catalog with your local EPUB collection.
The script reads the Standard Ebooks OPDS feed and reconciles the ebooks in their catalog against the EPUBs in your local filesystem, downloading new ones or updating existing ones as necessary.
If a new ebook is detected in the catalog, then it will be downloaded into your downloads directory. If an updated version of a book is detected in the catalog that is already in your local filesystem, then the updated version will be downloaded and stored in the existing local file.
The script also detects extraneous local ebooks (local ebooks not found in the Standard Ebooks catalog). This can can occur when Standard Ebooks changes the identifier of a previously published ebook. It's a rare occurrence, and it's generally safe to delete such files.
This script uses Standard Ebooks' OPDS feed to access metadata on all books their catalog. In order to do so, you need to be a member of the Standard Ebooks Patrons Circle (or have previously produced an ebook for Standard Ebooks). If you're not already a Standard Ebooks patron, please consider becoming one. It's a tremendously valuable project, deserving of your support.
pipx install sebsync
sebsync --email addr@example.com --books /home/user/MyBooks --downloads /home/user/MyBooks/Downloads
Q1. Why use a separate downloads directory for new ebooks?
A1. This is a feature for those who want to easily recognize new ebooks, and to manually
rename and/or categorize them within their library. If this feature is not useful for you,
simply set --downloads to be the same directory as --books.
Q2. What is pipx?
A2. pipx is a utility that allows Python packages like sebsync to be installed in an isolated environment. This makes it really easy to install and run such scripts without interfering with other Python package installations.
Q3. Does this script support Kindle books?
A3. Not presently. A cursory analysis of the Standard Ebooks AZW3 structure suggests that there currently isn't a reliable method to reconcile Kindle ebooks with the OPDS feed catalog. If this feature is important to you, please let us know by voting for this issue in GitHub.