10 Must-Have Apps for Book Lovers

Just because you don’t have a book on doesn’t mean you have to stop reading. All you need is your phone. Even if you’ve left your Kindle behind, you can pick right up where you left off with the Kindle app. And there’s a whole new world of apps that give you an experience unlike what reading a paperback offers.

You can read chapters of a new fan-favorite thriller series and comment on it, all in the same app. Or try social networking apps dedicated to bookworms and use smart apps to find your next read. Here are some great choices for both iOS and Android.

1. Wattpad

If you’re tired of reading paperback books, you should check out Wattpad. It’s a new platform for the digital age where writers can directly connect with their readers. Wattpad brings a community element to reading. You can interact with other readers by commenting on a certain section, a sentence, or a phrase inside a book.

Every genre takes the user to a new community to explore or receive inspiration. The app encourages you to participate in writing contests, increasing your fan base, or be a part of the app’s selected stories. Wattpad will help you go from a reader to a writer as well. Using the Wattpad community, you can build an audience for yourself.

Download: Wattpad for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

2. OverDrive

OverDrive lets you carry your local library in your pocket. Why buy a book from Amazon when you can borrow a digital copy of it from your local library?

OverDrive has managed to shift offline libraries into the online world. The catalog differs based on your location or the content your library offers.

And it’s not just ebooks; you can listen to audiobooks as well. All of this is available with your local library card. If you like, it’s also possible to use the app as an alternative to Netflix and Amazon Prime to watch movies, videos, or TV shows if the library provides them.

Download: OverDrive for iOS | Android (Free)

3. Goodreads

Goodreads is a social networking app for book lovers. It’s the premier place to discover new books, join communities, follow writers, and read reviews. Once you start tracking your books with Goodreads, you’ll see recommendations that are surprisingly on-point.

Granted, the Goodreads app doesn’t have the best user experience, but the sheer community features make up for any hassle. Goodreads is now owned by Amazon, which comes with its own set of benefits. You can log in with your Amazon account, and your Goodreads reading list will show up on your Kindle. Plus, your Kindle highlights are available right on your Goodreads account.

Download: Goodreads for iOS | Android (Free)

4. Inkitt

Inkitt is an app specifically designed for reading fiction, and consists largely of indie writers. It covers only a few fiction genres like romance, fantasy, sci-fi, and similar. The app is beautiful to look at and a joy to use.

Unlike Goodreads, the app is purely for reading and does not run a social network. The company behind the app is a publishing house that helps a writer publish their novel.

The reading experience is well thought-out as well. It monitors your monthly and weekly reading stats, shows a history of the books you have read, and can create a list of the ones you want to read.

Download: Inkitt for iOS | Android (Free)

5. Marvin 3

Marvin 3 is the best third-party EPUB reader for iOS. If you’re not satisfied with the basic features in Apple Books or Kindle, take a look at Marvin 3. The app lets you customize the entire reading interface.

Marvin will open any book format you throw at it, from an EPUB file to a CBX comic. The app has so many features that it makes reading pleasurable. These include Goodreads integration, speed reading, and external font support. Further, it’s easy to highlight sentences, take detailed notes, and add journal entries.

Download: Marvin 3 for iOS (Free, premium version available)

6. Leio

Leio is the best reading tracker for iPhone. It’s the easiest way to pen down everything related to your book reading stats.

In one place, you can keep track of multiple books you’re reading. Just like Goodreads, you can update the progress as you go along. The app has a time tracking feature as well, so you can see exactly how long it took you to finish a book.

Once you’ve added the data, Leio helps you analyze your reading patterns too. You can use the Goals feature to plan your reading marathons, improve your reading time, and unlock achievements.

Leio has a modern interface that’s easy to use. If you find the Goodreads app too cumbersome and don’t care about the community aspect, Leio is a great alternative book tracker.

Download: Leio for iOS (Free, premium version available)

7. Serial Reader

Serial Reader makes reading simpler. It’s a perfect app for both newbies and avid readers alike. The app gives you classic literature to read every day in 20-minute bite-sized pieces.

If you find it difficult to focus on reading a book for a long time, use this app to form a daily reading habit. Since reading 19th-century works can be daunting, this app breaks it down just into the right amount of words per day.

Download: Serial Reader for iOS | Android (Free, premium version available)

8. Litsy

Litsy is yet another social media literature app, but with a visual twist. It’s Instagram for books. Litsy is a user-friendly app where you can post photos of your book moments and also become an influencer.

It lets you share your favorite books with friends and family and post reviews on books you’ve read. Take part in discussions or find the relevant topics using specific hashtags.

Download: Litsy for iOS | Android (Free)

9. Reco

Reco believes that finding new books to read is easier when they’re recommended by people you trust. It has a simple design and an uncomplicated communication model.

It lets you explore all recommendations and content. The app has a refreshing approach towards the reader and reading—it removes the stress, thus making it easier to select a book to pick up. The clean feed shows one book per screen, with a description by the relevant connection of the user and why they recommended it.

Download: Reco (Free)

10. Blinkist

Blinkist is an app for professionals who want to learn but don’t have time to read. The app provides key points along with the entire gist of a book in 15 minutes. Each summary of the book is called a blink, and you can either read or listen to it.

Download: Blinkist for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

The Best Books of 2018

As a bookworm, you’re always on the lookout for new and interesting books to read. Check out our list of the best books to read in 2018 for some contemporary recommendations.

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