What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. This policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on our independent ebook catalogue.

Essential Cookies

Certain cookies are necessary for the catalogue to function. They enable core features such as secure browsing, session management, and remembering items in your reading list. These cookies do not require your consent and cannot be disabled through our controls. They are typically first-party session cookies that expire when you close your browser. Without these cookies, the catalogue would not operate reliably; for example, you would be unable to maintain a reading list or keep your preferences during a single visit.

Preference Cookies

Where enabled, preference cookies allow us to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, display settings, or language. These are persistent cookies that remain on your device for a limited period—typically a few months—so that your settings are retained across visits. You may withdraw consent for these cookies at any time by adjusting your browser settings or using the cookie consent tool. If you disable preference cookies, the catalogue will still function, but you may need to reapply your settings each time you visit.

Analytics Cookies

If analytics are enabled on the site, we may use first-party analytics cookies to collect anonymised information about how visitors interact with the catalogue. This data helps us understand which pages are most popular, how users navigate between sections, and what types of content are most engaging. No personally identifiable information is collected through these cookies; all data is aggregated and used solely for improving the site. You can opt out of analytics cookies by using the cookie consent tool provided on your first visit. Even if you opt out, the catalogue remains fully accessible.

Advertising Cookies

Where advertisements are displayed, we may use third-party advertising cookies from Google and other advertising partners. These cookies enable the delivery of relevant ads based on your browsing activity. Google advertising technologies, including Google AdSense, may use cookies to serve ads tailored to your interests. For example, if you have previously viewed books in the 'Diaries, Letters & Life Stories' category, you might see ads for related historical works. You can manage your preferences for advertising cookies through the cookie consent banner or via Google's ad settings page. Please note that disabling advertising cookies does not remove ads entirely, but they will be less relevant to you.

Third-Party Cookies

Some pages may embed content from external services, such as videos or social media feeds. These third parties may set their own cookies over which we have no control. For instance, a page discussing the 'Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho' might include a video from an external platform, which could place cookies on your device. We recommend reviewing the cookie policies of those services for further information. We do not intentionally embed third-party content that sets tracking cookies without a clear purpose, but we cannot guarantee the practices of external providers.

Session and Persistent Cookies

Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser. They are used for essential functions like maintaining your login state during a visit. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. The duration of persistent cookies varies depending on their purpose; for example, preference cookies may last a few months, while advertising cookies may have shorter lifespans—typically up to 90 days. You can view the expiry date of each cookie in your browser's developer tools.

Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (such as HTML5 localStorage) to store data on your device for similar purposes. Local storage can persist beyond browser sessions and is used for features like caching user preferences or storing reading progress. Unlike cookies, local storage is not automatically sent to the server with every request, which can improve performance. You can clear local storage through your browser settings, usually under privacy or storage options.

Your Choices

When you first visit the catalogue, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the footer. Most web browsers also provide controls to block or delete cookies. Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of the catalogue, such as the ability to maintain your reading list or log in. We encourage you to review your browser's help documentation for detailed instructions on managing cookies and local storage.

Withdrawal of Consent

If you have given consent for optional cookies, you may withdraw it at any time by updating your cookie preferences via the site's cookie settings tool or by configuring your browser to reject cookies. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. If you withdraw consent, any cookies already placed may remain on your device until they expire or are deleted manually, but they will no longer be used for the purposes for which you originally consented.

For any questions regarding our use of cookies, please contact our Senior Editor at [email protected].