Though reading from a screen may seem quite awkward for many book lovers, there is a huge range of mobile apps available to upgrade your reading experience, help you to organize your virtual bookshelf on your phone. As technology changes, our regular habits change too. Before this era, reading books used to mean trips to the library or bookstore. Now you can read books from devices like smartphones and iPads anytime, anywhere. Apps have influenced the reading experience, and you can read an entire book in the palm of your hand.
Here We’ve put together our 15 favourite book reading apps for the bookworms. They will be the best aid to read books online.
The Best Apps for Book Lovers
If you don’t have a book it doesn’t mean you cannot read. Your phone can help you in this regard. Nowadays, there are many apps available that will give you an experience unlike what reading a paperback offers. You can read the chapters of your favourite thriller series and comment on it. Here are some great choices for the best book reading apps both for iOS and Android.
- Goodreads: world’s largest community of readers
- Wattpad: best for writers to publish new user-generated stories
- Amazon Kindle: it has millions of books, magazines, newspapers, comics, and manga
- Audible: you can download and play audio books
- Scribd: you can read and listen to the best audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines
- Epic!: world’s leading online children’s subscription book service
- Blinkist: premium book app that has the key insights of books in 15 minutes
- Comixology: it has brought the comic book world into a new light
- Inkitt: perfect for reading books on iPhone and iPad,
- Poetry: it hs 300 poems from a collection of classic and renowned poets
- OverDrive: it gives access to popular and bestselling eBooks
- Marvin 3: fast, intelligent eBook reader for your iPad, iPhone
- Kobo: it has world’s best eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and children’s books
- Bookmate: it is an iOS app that offers users a “Netflix for books” experience
- Serial Reader: it delivers literature to your phone in daily snippets
Goodreads
Goodreads is one of the best free book reading apps and a social networking app for book lovers. You can discover new books, join communities, fellow writers, and read reviews of your favourite books. Once you start tracking your books, you’ll see recommendations that match your needs. This app may not have the best user experience, but the community features make this app less hassle for the readers. It has a huge number of users that makes this app one of the best book reading apps. You can also rate and review the books you have read.
Goodreads is the best book reading app for you if you are looking for a reading community. The app offers a rate and leaves a review for almost every book. If you cannot decide what book you should read next, you can check the ratings. It will help you decide. After scanning, Goodreads will add the book to your shelf. Overall, Goodreads is one of the most excellent apps for book readers.
Features:
- It can provide suggestions with user activity.
- The app has about 2.2 million books.
- You can resume the books you read.
- You can discuss any book with your friends and groups.
- You can add paper books to your digital “to read” with mobile barcode scan and save. them on your shelf.
- It gives you custom-made references based on your choices.
- You can browse to find more books.
- The app allows you to purchase or borrow books.
- You can converse with the books via messages, reviews, and groups.
Wattpad
Wattpad is one of the book reading apps that are both for readers and writers. Writers can connect with their readers and vice versa. However, the reader can follow their favourite writers and interact with them. The app focuses on storytelling. You can read up to 75 million different stories using one app! Wattpad has a community feature. This feature enables readers and writers to interact in similar niches. Thus you will always find something for yourself. The stories are cheaper and most of them are free. You can also go for a “Wattpad Premium” subscription to have an ad-free experience.
The app is the most-loved social storytelling platform. It also has a global community of 90 million readers and writers. The best part of the app is that it recruits new writers and allows them to build a fan base. If you’re tired of reading paperback books, Wattpad is a suitable option for you. Every genre takes you to a new community and encourages you to participate in writing contests. Thus Wattpad helps you to go from a reader to a writer as well.
Features:
- Allows you to browse popular genres and search for top trending titles.
- You can build your library.
- The app allows you to read offline.
- You can share comments and vote for your favorite.
- You can get alerts if new chapters or books are added.
- The app motivates you to go on a story-writing journey.
- Read stories in an overabundance of languages.
- It connects you with a community of story-lovers.
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle can be the best match for you if you have an Amazon Prime subscription. The app has many features- highlighting text, searching for meaning and translation of words, changing the font and size of the page. Amazon Kindle is one of the best book reading apps for iPhone according to Lifehack and Android Authority The Kindle app has the full array of customization options that you would love to have. The most impressive thing about the app is the ease of purchase as well as the size of the library. You can purchase the app from Amazon with a single click. If you have an Amazon membership, you can sign up for Kindle Unlimited and have access to a vast catalogue without any additional cost.
Amazon Kindle has more than 1.5 million books. You can read your favourite newspapers and magazines in high-resolution colour. Moreover, you can quickly scan through books to find a particular topic or character. The app is user-friendly and offers a ton of unique and helpful in-app reading tools. The app also syncs across devices. But you have to purchase books separately if you want to read them.
Features:
- The app has features like bookmarks.
- You can add your favorite ‘Want to Read’ list for easy reference.
- You can choose any theme between- dark and light.
- You can categorize or store them as collections.
- You can delete books and download them.
- You can search for downloaded books and books in the store.
- It also offers Wikipedia and Translate options.
Audible
Audible is one of the largest platforms for book lovers who can’t read or don’t like to read. It has a huge collection of audiobooks. The app offers subscription-based services so you can listen to some of the most amazing stories. You can access the app via Alexa and Echo devices. It is one of the best book reading apps for audiobook fans. The app has both IOS and Android versions available. If you prefer listening over reading, the app is best for you. The best part is, the audios are recorded by authors or top Hollywood celebrities.
The app gives you a 30-day free trial. Then the users have to pay a minimal fee for every other download. The app has become one of the most popular book reading apps. Reading a book for an hour can be very boring sometimes. In this case, an audiobook can help you. This app is great for multi-tasking. You can download books, track your progress, and get information about authors, and more.
Features:
- You can view audiobook details, rate your audiobooks with “Before you go”.
- Performs multitask for background downloading and listening.
- The app keeps track of your listening habits.
- You can change listening and reading with Whispersync for Voice.
- The app connects you to social media(Facebook & Twitter) to share the audiobook title.
- The app will provide information about writer events and more.
Scribd
Scribd is not just an app, it is an amazing community for book lovers. Here, you can share your talent and make friends who are interested in reading and storytelling. It is one of the best book reading apps for the iPhone. You can use Scribd for book, magazine, and audiobook junkies. The app is subscription-based and gives you access to millions of titles. You will get what you are looking for with a reasonable subscription fee. With this subscription fee, you will have access to half a million ebooks and 30,000 audiobooks in over 80 languages.
However, the app also gives 30 days free trial. During this time you can read and listen to as many books as you like. The app has a clean interface and ease of use. Most book apps are not very comprehensive, but Scribd is surely not one of those book apps. The app is often compared to Kindle and Audible book apps. Scribd is cheaper than Kindle.
Features:
- The vast library has books as well as magazines, documents, sheet music, and audiobooks.
- The app gives you personal recommendations according to your choices.
- You can read the reviews and choose accordingly.
- The app lets the user have access to user-contributed documents.
Epic!
Epic! is one of the best book reading apps for young readers. The app also has some similar features to other apps, but it is specially made for children. Epic provides books, Quizzes, and learning videos for kids. As it is made for children, the app has a vibrant and colourful user interface to attract kids. The monthly subscription cost of this app is $7.99 per month. However, there is also a free version of this app. This is one of the best textbook reading apps for teen book lovers.
Kids under 12 can easily use this app. The app offers access to 10,000 kids’ books. The first month is free and membership is $5 per month. Moreover, the app also supports up to four child profiles per account. So multiple kids can get one account. Epic! is one of the top digital libraries for younger readers. It has every feature that makes it one of the best apps for book lovers in this category. It can be a good choice for parents who want to get their children into reading!
Features:
- The app has some Award-Winning Content from Top Publishers.
- It recommends based on your child’s interests.
- The book collections are created by educators and parents.
- The app is growing day by day by adding new content.
- It has a built-in dictionary in it.
- The app also tests your kid’s knowledge with fun and engaging Quizzes.
- It can track your child’s progress.
Blinkist
If you are looking for books on self-improvement, entrepreneurship, self-help, Blinkist is going to be the right choice for you. It is one of the best book reading apps for people who have just started to read. You can find small 15 minute summaries of your favourite books if you don’t have enough time to read. These summaries will help you to understand the book. Moreover, the app also has an audiobook for you if you are in a hurry.
Blinkist can be an amazing app for you to increase your professional skills. The app has a vast collection of books with more than 3,000 bestsellers. Blinkist is packed with different ideas that can help to improve your life. The app has features like highlighting any book’s critical elements and themes. It can be the perfect companion for anyone who is running out of time. You can have access to test podcasts and shows.
Features:
- The app provides both listening and reading mode.
- You can search for a specific book in the search bar.
- Blinkist has 27 categories of books.
- The app has the popular books section.
- The app is minimalistic and helps you save time.
- You can save your entire library offline.
- The interface is simple and free of distractions.
Comixology
Comixology is one of the best book reading apps for all the comic book lovers out there. It provides its users with access to all the famous comic books. For example – Marvel, DC, Imagine, and other comic book publishers. It will give you digital access to have a look into the different libraries of your dreams. The app also comes with a Guided View option. This option will give you a more intuitive experience. It has over 100,000 graphic novels and manga. The app offers subscription-based services.
You can create your library to store and download as many graphics novels and manga as you want. It provides an amazing reading experience. Moreover, the app also provides a 15% discount on some of your favourite novels. It is a heavenly app for every comics lover. Comixology focuses on each panel that gives you a seamless reading experience.
Comixology app library syncs across all of your devices and you can get it on whatever device you are on. The app provides a 30-day free trial and the monthly subscription is $5.99. You can enjoy the app both from iOS and Android.
Features:
- Most of the new books are available in the app.
- It can sync contents in PCs and mobile devices.
- Gift cards, subscriptions, and bundles are available in the app.
- The app has many DRM-free titles.
- The app fits the width of your device.
- It has a two-page view.
Inkitt
Inkitt is one of the best book reading apps for amateur writers. Using this app, you will always get fresh updates on books. Moreover, you can customize the screen according to your choice. Inkitt allows numerous books for free. Moreover, you can keep the books in your offline digital library. It encourages the new authors to promote themselves. The great design and usability make this app one of the free online book reading apps. So, if you want to get access to all the pre-published novels, Inkitt is the right choice for you.
If you are a fan of reading new books, the app is one of the best book reading apps for free for you. Authors upload their unpublished manuscripts, and you can read and give feedback to the writer. This reading app has a collection of thousands of fiction, non-fiction, drama, sci-fi, thriller, action, adventure. You can download it for free from the collection. It also provides multiple fonts, dark modes to make reading more engaging.
Features:
- The app will provide you with custom-made references according to your tastes.
- This is a simple app and easy to use.
- You can get new genres.
- You can discover must-read bestsellers.
- The app gives you personal recommendations according to your choices.
Aldiko Book Reader
Aldiko Book Reader is one of the older book reading apps on the list. It is a great option for people who love reading. It supports EPUB, PDF, and Adobe DRM encrypted eBooks. The app has a clean antiquated interface. It provides customization options, phone and tablet support, and global text searches. The free version shows ads where the paid version doesn’t show ads. The most amazing feature of this app is its customizable reading interface. Moreover, you can highlight and leave notes as you read.
Features:
- One of the older book reading apps.
- Supports EPUB, PDF, Adobe DRM.
- It has a clean antiquated interface.
- It has customization options.
- The app comes with both free and paid versions.
- You can highlight and leave the notes.
OverDrive
If You are a fast reader and want to improve your reading habit, Overdrive may be the right choice for you. You don’t need to invest too much or your monthly costs won’t be so high. All you need to register and “check out” books digitally and read them right on your iPhone or iPad. This is one of the best book reading apps for the iPhone. The app has audiobooks as well. The whole process is easy and free. You can adjust the font size, colour, and spacing so the reading process becomes easy and engaging.
OverDrive is your favourite e-library. It offers eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming videos for users. The app has features like- automated return, wish lists, holds, and more. However, OverDrive is only accessible for those people who participate in libraries, schools, or institutions.
Features:
- The library is available 24/7.
- Titles are automatically returned.
- You can create wish lists, and return titles easily.
- The app can sync libraries, bookmarks, and recent positions.
- Each library builds its collection of titles.
- You can share any suggestions for books you would like to see them carry.
Marvin 3
Marvin is one of the best customizable book reading apps and comic book readers for your DRM-free files. You can adjust UI, light and dark adjustments, highlight sentences, and export e-books to Dropbox, iCloud, etc. The app is integrated with Goodreads which is a more famous reading app. Marvin 3 is a well-liked book app and has some amazing features. But the app is only available for iOS devices. You can enjoy both free and premium services using the app. You need to spend $4.99 per month to use premium services.
Features:
- The app is built with a brand new interface.
- The app supports all the latest iOS technologies.
- It has a comprehensive set of customization options.
- Multi-theme UI.
- External Bluetooth keyboard and remote control support.
- New library viewing modes and management tools.
- Fully customizable, independent multi-column modes.
Kobo
Kobo Books is one of the top book reading apps. It has a convenient feature called “Reading Life” that will share your reading desire to refer books with friends. Kobo Books has lots of designations. You can download them to read offline. You can create your library so that you can have them anywhere. The app is listed as a one-stop-shop for eBooks, with 6 million titles. Kobo is one of the best book reading apps that gives access to a wide array of genres.
Features:
- You can modify the way you want to read.
- It has a night mode that makes reading calmer on your eyes.
- Amazing UI/UX.
- It will recommend you eBooks and audiobooks according to your search history.
- You can read thousands of free eBook.
- You can start reading from one device and pick it up on another.
Bookmate
Bookmate is one of the best book reading apps with social network features. It will provide you to browse through your friends’ book racks and library. That’s how you will know what they are reading. You can have new friends and groups using this book reading app. The app supports both iOS and Android. You can subscribe to new releases, biographies, fantasy, and detective novels in English, Spanish and other languages. From classic, well-loved literature to creative curiosities, you can choose any book you want.
Features:
- It has social networking features.
- You will get to know what your friends are reading.
- You’ll get new friends and groups using this book app.
- The app supports both iOS, android both app.
- You can adjust the font color and brightness.
Serial Reader
Serial Reader is one of the best book reading apps for Android. It provides the same service as Blinkist. The library has 600 books. The download process is easy and hassle-free. Serial Reader categorizes books and they are divided into multiple sections so that readers can find them easily. The app is best for readers who do not have much time to read or who cannot read for long. It turns a classic book into 20-minutes read snippets. The app allows you to sync your reading and there are hundreds of classic e-books in Serial Reader.
Features:
- The book provides the same service as Blinkist.
- It has more than 600 books.
- It categorizes books under multiple sections.
- It turns the book into 20 minutes of reading snippets.
- It syncs your reading experience.
Conclusion:
There are many book-reading apps for book lovers but these are the best book reading apps among them. These 15 best book reading apps for book lovers can give you the best book reading experience. If you want to take the library with you at all times, read anytime and choose a favourite in one of the above apps. So check out the article to know about the best and latest book reading apps so you get the best reading experience!
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