Sometimes all you need is a good book. But then again, having said that, these days there are some rather nifty ways to elevate the reading experience. You don’t even need to gather a lot of thing around you. Along with that cup of tea or coffee, turns out all you need are some clever tools on your phone. Now, of course, most of us already know about the likes of Good Reads, Scribd, Kindle, Wattpad, and such but there are more.
Whether you feel the urge to discuss the book that you reading at the moment or would like to access libraries around the world, it’s all a possibility. The Week brings you some of the best apps that are bound to delight the bookworm in you.
Books & Writing Amino
We have all wanted to be part of a stimulating book club at one point. Who doesn’t like discussing the plots and theories of the latest page-turner that they have come across? Perhaps you have opinions about the characters of the book, maybe you weren’t satisfied with its ending or maybe the book question has left you with a lot of thoughts, then you might want to visit the network of readers and writers present on the app Books & Writing Animo.
This app prides itself for providing a great platform for those who like combining literature with socializing. Here you are bound to come across many book enthusiasts. You can start discussions, ask questions, share your knowledge, and even create a profile for your favorite books. It’s like having a book club at your disposal.
Apps you didn’t think you needed
Bookcrawler
One of the drawbacks of being an avid reader is keeping track of all that you have read and are reading. You may have a bookshelf packed with literature and also a hard drive or e-book reader with a good number of books waiting to be read as well. So between the long ‘to read’ list and the ‘have read’ list, it’s no wonder you are struggling to keep tabs. But this app promises to come to your rescue.
Bookcrawler helps avid readers organize and keep track. You can log as well as categorize all that you have read. This applies for physical books as well. You can easily scan the barcode or register the name. For a nominal fee, it certainly proves to be a really handy tool for all book collectors out there. Since it helps create your own personal database, at times of need you can even search for your books or create a backup.
Overdrive
This app helps you make the most of the benefits bought on by digital learning technology. And that too for free. Overdrive has earned its popularity by providing access to more than 30,000 public libraries around the world. One can only imagine,the number of books that will be at your disposal – probably more than you can hope to finish reading in a lifetime. It’s a dream come true for any bookworm.
Via Overdrive, you can borrow e-books, audiobooks, as well as videos from their registered public libraries from around the world. Users can create holds, wish lists and return the materials that they have borrowed from the convenience of their bedroom – without the hassle of paperwork or travel. The app is available on iOS, Android, Kindle, and Nook.
Audible
Now in case you are one of those who are at the mercy of their hectic schedule and if you love books but don’t quite have the time to sit and leisurely go through its pages, there is one answer: Audible. This app is known as one of the best audio book membership services because it has a massive collection of more than 180,000 titles. By downloading Audible, you can listen to the book that you have been dying to read while commuting, lunch breaks, gym, and basically anytime you feel like it.
Though the app is free, if you want you can also purchase some additional features. You also don’t have to worry about the quality of its audio production. So far the reviews are all positive on that matter. It has also earned quite the reputation for its exclusive content. Further, it can also help you track your reading habits and sync it with Facebook and Twitter to share with friends. All in all, it is a convenient way to keep up with your literary interests.
QuizUp
QuizUp is widely popular as a social trivia game and it covers a variety of topics. But book nerds have also had their say and they all agree it’s a fun game to play (read show off your knowledge on literature).
The rules are simple. Players can choose to be randomly matched up with strangers for a game of quiz or, if they wish to keep it within their circle, challenge their friends by inviting them from their contacts, Facebook or Twitter. Then you pick the topic that interests you. There is always plenty to choose from and it seems members of the app constantly keep adding more categories. The questions range from the classics to contemporary and even erotic novels like the Fifty Shades of Grey series.
