Question

I'm new here. Is it considered bad form to request sources for a certain novel in .pdf, .txt., or whatever electronic format? I'm going broke and can't afford the actual paper book because I don't seem to be receiving any money for doing my job anymore.

If an Army recruiter approaches you, punch him in the face. Anything he ropes you into is a million times worse.

Yes. Use gutenberg for old stuff and p2p (emule) for everything else.