Apps You Should Have as a Reader!
This is a list of my top 15 apps that I think every reader should have or at least know about! With each app, I will shared what the app does, along with some of my favorites uses and features. Let’s get into it!
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Notion
Notion is an entirely customizable workspace where you can take notes, manage projects, collaborate with others, and so much more.
Web Clipper - Notion has a web clipper you can install on your browser. This make saving articles you want to read later, or really any webpage, incredibly easy!
My Library - I use Notion to store and track all the books I read. I also use a few other apps that are specifically made for this, which we will get to in a minute, but I love that with Notion I can build something that is exactly what I want!
Libby
Libby is an online borrowing app that works in partnership with local libraries. According to the Libby CEO, over 90% of public libraries in the United States use Libby.
Easy Borrowing - Libby makes reading so easy. If you have a library card, you simply add it to the app. Then, you have access to your library’s online catalog - including ebooks and audiobooks. Libby does use holds, so if a book is not available immediately, you can place a hold.
Syncs With Kindle - Libby syncs so seamlessly with Kindle, so if you have a Kindle e-reader, you should definitely look into Libby! When you borrow a book in the app, you will just click “Read with Kindle” to share it to your device.
If you want to see more of how to use Libby or other ways to get books for free or cheap, check out this video!
Hoopla
Hoopla, like Libby, is an online borrowing app that also works in conjunction with your library! However, Hoopla does not sync with Kindle.
No Holds - Something that Hoopla has over Libby is that there are no holds. You can borrow any book in their catalog whenever you want. However, there will be a limit to the number of books you can have “out” at a time, depending on what your library pays for.
Movies & TV Shows - Hoopla does not only have ebooks and audiobooks, but they also have movies and TV Shows! Some examples of movies on Hoopla include Oppenheimer, The Blind, and 13 Going on 30.
Goodreads
I like to describe Goodreads as social media for books! You can follow friends and see what books they save, what books they are reading, and the reviews they leave. But it also does so much more!
Organizing Books - Goodreads has three main shelves you can use to organize your online bookshelf - want to read, currently reading, or read. My system is to mostly use Goodreads as a way to store all the books I want to read.
Syncs with Kindle - Goodreads is an Amazon product, so it makes sense that Goodreads syncs very seamlessly with a Kindle. It will track when you start a finish a book, show it on your profile, and keep track of how many stars you click when you finish.
Searching Reviews - This feature is specifically available on the website, but I love being able to search reviews for keywords. For example, you could search for language, spice, or trigger warnings.
Discovering New Books & Authors - Goodreads has so many helpful tools for discovering new books to put on your TBR. One is simply their reviews. They also have different discover and browse features to help you find your next read!
Storygraph
Storygraph is essentially a competitor to Goodreads, another social media / book tracking app. Unlike Goodreads, Storygraph will not sync with a Kindle.
More Data - Storygraph includes more data about books than Goodreads. Not only does it have written reviews from readers, but it also generates data on things such as the book’s mood, pacing, and character development. It also includes content warnings which is so helpful!
Statistics - Storygraph gives you statistics for your reading in beautiful graphs and charts. It tracks things like genre, page count, and average rating.
Better Interface - Personally, I just think this app is prettier and less glitchy than the Goodreads app.
Audible
Audible is another app owned by Amazon that dominates the audiobook space. You can purchase and listen to audiobooks in this app.
Audio Features - Audible has tons of features that make listening easier and more enjoyable. I love adjusting the speed of the audio, as well as using the car mode option for a simplified and easier screen when driving. Audible also has a clipping feature to save moments, which is kind of like bookmarking a section!
Spotify
You likely know Spotify as a music listening app. However, they recently added audiobooks to their collection. This is an excellent way to try out audiobooks with a subscription you might already be paying for!
15 Hours Free - 15 hours of free audiobook listening each month is incredibly generous of Spotify. This is essentially like a free book each month!
Familiarity & Convenience - For many of us, Spotify is an app we are already familiar with and use on a day to day basis. The convenience of being able to switch quickly, in the same app, between your book and your music is very valuable!
Kindle / Kindle Unlimited
The Kindle app is perfect for reading on an iPhone or iPad. Also owned by Amazon and similar to Audible, this app gives you access to their entire online catalog of books for a fee each month. Their subscription is called Kindle Unlimited.
Syncs with Kindle - This is a given, but the Kindle app and subscription make reading on your Kindle e-reader so easy!
Reading & Downloading Books - I have been using Kindle Unlimited this year for lots of my reading, and I love the selection. There’s a great combination of indie authors and popular books.
On Your Phone - I love that the Kindle app makes reading on your phone so easy! They even have a widget which has helped me to replace the habit of scrolling on social media with scrolling through a book!
Apple Books
Apple Books is another reading app, similar to the Kindle app.
Reading on iPad - Something I love about the Apple Books app is reading on Apple products. Their clean interface makes it so simple, plus you can adjust text size and your screen brightness to your reading preferences.
Classics - Apple Books has an amazing collection of classics that are free to read.
Google Books
Google books is also another reading app like Apple Books and Kindle.
Google Books Online - Specifically what I like about Google Books is the features it offers when looking up a book online. Beyond the basics, it shows you where you can buy and borrow the book in your area. It also shows you other similar books and a list of common terms and phrases used. You can even search inside the book for any language, spice, or trigger warnings.
YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing platform.
Book Recommendations - I love to use YouTube to follow different creators who share about what they are reading and recommend! Some of my favorites are Destiny, Faith, Bethany, Ashlynn, Reagan, Haley, Sara, and Ali.
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social media app.
Explore Page - Your explore page is constantly changing based on whatever you feed the algorithm; however, if you are like me and you look at lots of book content, then your explore page will quickly become a great place to find new creators and books!
Book Recommendations - Some of my favorite people to follow are Bethany, Faith, Caroline, Reagan, Ashylnn, and Lindsey. I also love following my favorite authors on Instagram to find out about upcoming releases!
Netgalley
Netgalley is an online platform whose main function is to allow readers to request advanced reader copies of (ARCs) upcoming releases from authors. The author can approve your request, and then you would get to read the book early in exchange for a review!
Substack
Substack is an online newsletter writing platform - it is what I use to write this weekly post! I love subscribing to other writers and getting their content in my inbox every week. I also subscribe to some other newsletters not through Substack - if you are interested in a list of those, comment or respond, and I can share those as well!
Blinkist
Blinkist is an app that offers condensed non-fiction book summaries. It is kind of like a mix between a podcast and an audiobook! Another very similar app is called Headway, if you are looking for a different option.
Condensed Non-Fiction Reading - Blinkist has over 5,000 book summaries - shortened versions of non-fictions books that highlight all the key points and learning. They call them “Blinks”, and they are less than 15 minutes long.
And that’s the end of the list!
As always, thank you so much for reading! You can read all of my past writing here. And if you have someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to share! Talk to you next Monday!
Take care,
Caroline