A shorter summary is not always what you need from a textbook. Finding the unclear concept, returning to the right passage and testing your understanding can be more useful. Gemini Notebook’s new textbook catalogue makes it easier to bring sources into that workflow.
Which books were added?
On October 29, 2026, Google announced access to hundreds of textbooks at no charge from providers in the US and India, including OpenStax, Open Textbook Library and S Chand Publishing. This applies to eligible catalogue titles, rather than making every commercial book free.
Add a textbook to your notebook
Open Add sources in a notebook, choose Textbooks and browse the available catalogue. Add a book relevant to your course. You can narrow a question to selected materials by choosing individual sources in the source panel. Google’s help page notes possible mobile limitations, making the web a straightforward place to start with the catalogue.
Move from summaries to self-testing
Google describes answers grounded in the textbook, with inline citations and links back to the original source. The material can also become study guides, practice quizzes or flashcards.
For example, request a short explanation of a concept, write your own example and compare it with the cited passage. Then ask for a few questions targeting the distinction you still confuse. I would favour this sequence over immediately requesting a long summary: the resulting material addresses a specific gap while keeping the route back to the book visible.
Free catalogue titles versus Play Books purchases
Adding an eligible book you purchased in Play Books is a separate route. You need the same Google account, and the book must qualify for Expert Intelligence. Eligibility can be checked through the Tools badge or the relevant button in the book details. Language, formatting and publisher choices affect which titles qualify.
The help page currently supports text only for book sources. Account for that when studying topics that depend heavily on diagrams. Updating or deleting a source does not automatically change previously generated studio outputs, so review study materials again when their underlying source changes.
