Unable to open purchased books in ibook

Question

I can only open ibooks on my ipad that are listed on my bookshelf .  However, if I select the library's Purchased Catagory and try to open one of the many books that I have purchased, they will not open.  I only get a description of the book.  All of the books in my purchased section show to have been downloaded and many of them were recently updated.  But, like I said, none of them will open when clicked on.  If they have to be listed on my bookshelf, how do I move them there?  I have had access to many of them before since my last IOS update, but am unable access them now.
iPad 4
IOS version 8.1.3
P.S. I don't use and never have used iCloud (and don't plan to.)
I don't know if that's part of the problem.
I hope not.

Answer 1

The Purchased tab is part of the store, tapping on them there will only show your their description page from the store. If a book is not currently only on your bookshelf then it should have a cloud icon against it in the Purchased tab, tapping on that should download it to the bookshelf so that you can open and read them.
Not using iCloud won't stop them showing in the Purchased tab for redownloading and/or viewing their descriptions. Your purchases are automatically kept in the cloud for you to be able to redownload them (though you should also be taking your own backup copy of them), that can't be changed - they will stop showing for redownloading if you move countries, or if the rights-holder removes them from your country's store, or depending upon the type of item and your country (e.g. audiobooks and tones are one-time only downloads so won't show for redownloading ; films, music, TV programmes can't be redownloaded in all countries).