so you made a mistake of upgrading your iPad / iPhone to iOS 4.3.5 / 5.0.1 – You applied jailbreak via Cydia and now iBooks crash (& you didn’t backup your SHSH).

[update 12/29] how to fix iBooks 1.5 on untethered iOS 5.01 :
- redsn0w 9b10+ (if not latest patch with corona 1.3)
- install fresh iBooks 1.5 (i’ve updated on device)
- install iBooksFix2 from repo.inanelyi.com
- reboot

[update 11/1] how to fix iBooks on jailbroken iOS 5 (need to be jb literate)

you’re not alone, this is a well known issue. unfortunately because it affects iOS 5 beta as well. i have a feeling, our heros: comex & ih8sn0w – will wait until the final iOS5 to fix this issue (cat & mouse game jb community & apple play every year …). there isn’t seem to be a solution, i’ve tried to downgrade to earlier version of iBooks – they all crash (1.2 1.3) & 1.1 opens, but no books show & you can’t even complete a sample download.

well, thx to @raktim_rakzzz i have a solution for ya:

- use pwnage tool to cook up a custom ipsw firmware & jailbreak your iPhone / iPad
- instructions here (mac)
- instead of 4.3.4 (mentioned in the instructions above) use 4.3.5 bundle – get at pwnbundles.com

ps: if you have iPad 3g … like me, you’re out of luck – 4.3.5 upgrades to firmware 07.11.01 which doesn’t support this fix

[update]

last resort is to downgrade to 4.3.3 via iFaith (win only)

ps: or … use this free epub reader app – Bluefire … until final iOS 5 fix comes out (thx to sinful)

cydia apps to install … aren’t free:

here’s an ironic thing about jailbroken apps – most are free to try, but then they want you to pay them – $10 in most cases. but still … so, if you don’t mind stealing those apps, from those developers:

It will add a sinful repository – so in the search result on cydia – you will now see apps  with sinful logo listed as well – their versions of apps are cracked & free

• - SBsettings – instant preference panel – after install swipe top of the screen for instant on / off swithes (wifi, 3g, etc)

1. – backgrounder – allows multitasking – to be honest this is the only reason to jailbreak your iPad: listen to pandora, while browsing /  run skype in the background at all times (i found this to be buggy, so get in a habit of checking if skype is on in the background … twice a day)
2. - 3g unrestrictor - fulls apps into believing they are on a wifi and removes restrictions. e.g. allows skype to makes calls via 3g, download podcasts that are larger then 10gb, etc – also great on iPad, to get better quality video … if you get a decent connection on at&t …
3. - lockinfo – allows for weather, cal, etc to be displayed at lock screen, without having to go to the app – i find this great for quick weather & calendar check, without having to unlock the phone [buggy on iPad at this point]
4. myWi / PDA net - you don’t really need to jailbreak to enable tethering on your iPhone. but … if you would like to browse your wifi iPad … of your iPhone while out & about … those 2 apps will turn your iPhone into a mobile wifi spot – (this will eat your battery crazy, make sure to turn off after you’re done)
5. - gv mobile – “unofficial” google voice app – if you have an account – will only work on iPhone. will display your GV number as your caller ID

• Rotation Inhibitor – lock your screen orientation on an iPhone as you can on your iPad w/ the “mute” button (after install -> SBSettings and touch More -> Set Toggles. Turn on the Rotation toggle)
• Recent/CallLog Delete is a mod that allows you to delete individual calls from your call history. Once installed, it adds a Edit button to the top left of your Recent Calls page in your stock Phone application … something that should come with iPhone (it’s there under text messages …), but Steve doesn’t want his wife to be able to erase her calling history.
• watch flash on your iPad / iPhone – click on how to to install iMobileCinema – unfortunately this only works on about 30% of flash videos on the web

• xyflash – avi, flv player – great app if you watch movies on iPhone, without converting them. but if you’re home, i found Air Video for iPad to be much easier
• caller ID faker – spoof your number