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THE OPEN BOOK: A DIY E-READER YOU SOLDER YOURSELF

An open-source e-paper reader with a motto — 'Please steal this book.' Real KiCad/Eagle board files, a written step-by-step build guide, and no tracking.

by Joey Castillo (Oddly Specific Objects)

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

ElectronicsOpen-hardware

Built withRaspberry Pi Pico / RP2040

difficulty
●●●○○
time
a weekend
license
CC-BY-SA-4.0
repo
repo STALE8,083 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
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COMPAREE VERDICT

We'd build this, and the current version is one of the friendliest real-hardware entries we've catalogued. Joey Castillo designed an e-paper reader that respects you: no accounts, no tracking, fully open board files. The current design on the main branch is built around a Raspberry Pi Pico and has 7 through-hole and 14 surface-mount parts, nearly all in large 1206 packages, and it runs on AAA batteries. You order two custom boards: the bare main board and a small castellated e-paper driver module that you have assembled as a PCBA job at JLCPCB or PCBWay. The creator's written guide on oddlyspecificobjects.com walks through parts, assembly and flashing. The earlier SAMD51 Feather version, which won Hackaday's Take Flight with Feather contest in 2020, is archived on the 'original' branch; it has 0.5 mm-pitch parts and the creator says it needs fairly advanced SMD skills. The firmware (libros) works but the creator calls it rough and under-documented.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —Two designs in one repo: 'main' = new Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) board; 'original' branch = the SAMD51 Feather that won the contest
  • —All the classic photos live on the 'original' branch
  • —Firmware is a separate repo (joeycastillo/libros) for the Pico version

Parts to buy

8 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • 4.2 inch GDEW042T2 grayscale e-paper display (400x300)Find
  • Main board fabbedFind
  • Castellated e-paper driver module ordered as a PCBA jobFind
  • Raspberry Pi PicoFind
  • GD25Q16C flash chipFind
  • MicroSD slotFind
  • AAA battery holderFind
  • Buttons and a few passivesFind

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Can I build this?

Printoptional case only — this is a PCB project, not a print project
Buythe 4.2 inch GDEW042T2 grayscale e-paper display (400x300), the main board fabbed from the repo files, the castellated e-paper driver module ordered as a PCBA job (JLCPCB or PCBWay files included), a Raspberry Pi Pico, a GD25Q16C flash chip, a MicroSD slot, an AAA battery holder, buttons and a few passives
Toolsfine-tip soldering iron, tweezers, flux
Skillsthrough-hole plus some easy SMD (mostly 1206 parts) for the Pico version; the creator's written guide covers every step. The archived SAMD51 version needs 0.5 mm-pitch soldering.
Timea weekend
Costband $$ — current prices: creator's parts list
Safetyhot iron only — low-voltage throughout

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

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Gallery

The assembled E-Book FeatherWingJoey Castillo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Open Book Feather (SAMD51) rev5Joey Castillo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
rev6 3D renderJoey Castillo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Schematic, page 1Joey Castillo (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the project page (the creator's own writeup)
  2. 2.Pick your branch ('original' = Feather winner, 'main' = Pico)
  3. 3.Order the two boards (Main board as a bare 1 mm PCB, e-paper driver as a PCBA job (JLCPCB or PCBWay files included).)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • The default branch is the newer Pico design — the contest-winning Feather and its photos are on the 'original' branch
  • Don't buy the tri-color e-paper panel — the README warns against it; you want the mono GDEW042T2 / IL0398
  • This is a solder-your-own project — there's no ready-made kit sold on a crowdfunding page

Is there a kit?

Not really. The old bare-PCB listing on Tindie is retired. The creator says he plans a limited number of kits on the Oddly Specific shop, US shipping only, but expects most people to order the boards from a fab house and the parts themselves. The fabrication files are in the repo.

Which board should I build?

Build the Raspberry Pi Pico version on the default branch: it is the one the creator maintains docs for and it is designed for easy hand assembly. The SAMD51 Feather version that won the 2020 contest is archived on the 'original' branch; it has LiPo charging but 0.5 mm-pitch parts and needs fairly advanced SMD soldering.

Does it run CircuitPython?

The archived SAMD51 version has an official CircuitPython board definition (openbook_m4). The current Pico version uses the creator's libros firmware instead.

What does it cost?

Band $$ — the parts list has current prices; the display is the biggest single line item.

Community builds

No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.

Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

Joey Castillo's motto for this e-reader is 'Please steal this book.' Would you spend an evening soldering your own reader to escape tracking and DRM, or is that battle already lost?

CompareeTEAM2mo ago

Navigation tip from our repo dive: the contest-winning SAMD51 Feather design — and all the classic photos — live on the 'original' branch, while the default branch is the newer Raspberry Pi Pico board. We'd also heed the README's warning against the tempting tri-color e-paper panel; you want the mono one. Has anyone built the Pico version yet — how does the libros firmware feel?

ZSWatch: Build Your Own Open-Source Smartwatch

●●●●○ · another wear-it open-hardware build, much harder SMD

You can build your own split-flap display that clacks like an old train station board

●●●○○ · if you want a satisfying display project instead

Joey Castillo (Oddly Specific Objects)

Designed an e-reader that respects the reader: open files, no tracking, 'Please steal this book.' The SAMD51 Feather version won Hackaday's Take Flight with Feather contest in 2020, and he later rebooted the design around the Raspberry Pi Pico for easier hand assembly.

GitHub Web

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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