The Best Bookish Apps for Readers

Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Sparks Unlocked, the musical, a place where we read, crochet, knit, and gaze at the moon. Today, I wanted to chat about apps, specifically apps for readers and book lovers. If you are an avid reader or would like to be one, even if you are reading at your own pace and would like to supplement your reading experience, you can check out these apps.

1. Libby

If I could recommend anything pertaining to books, it would be the library. The library is where I discovered my love for reading and had my first bookish, magical experience. With so many technological advances, we can now borrow physical and digital copies of books. Libby connects you to your local library. With your library card, you can check out ebooks and audiobooks for free. You also have access to magazines. You may also have access to an app called Kanopy, which allows you to watch free movies and documentaries. Some libraries also offer a feature (depending on your library) that reduces wait times by keeping a list of books ready to borrow immediately. The book you’ve been waiting for may be available when you need it, no holds necessary. If you’ve been meaning to get back into reading, here is your sign. You can register for a library card at your local library and start borrowing and reading ebooks and audiobooks online.

2. Bookly

This year, this app has been one of my favorites to use. It’s a reading tracker to have with you on your bookish journey. Whenever I read, I can track how long my sessions are, study my reading habits, set reading goals for myself, and more. At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to read an hour every day. Now, ask me if I read an hour every day. Nope! Afterward, I decided to reduce my reading goal to 30 minutes. Still, no dice. I reduced it again to 15 minutes. I started reading again, and not only for 15 minutes. Some days, I would read for hours at a time. I realized I needed a low barrier to entry to read daily. This app also has calendars that show what book you read and what day. Looking at these calendars, I realized that when I have a highly rated read in my hands (I’m talking 4-6 stars), I read it in less than 72 hours. This may not always be the case, but it typically is for me. The tracker also lets me rate my books in half-star increments, which I appreciate. Some books need that kind of nuance. Lately, I’ve tried to stick to whole-star ratings, but it’s been hard! If you’re looking for an affordable reading tracker to learn more details about your reading habits, Bookly may be for you.

3. Libro.fm

Libro.fm has definitely been one of my favorite audiobook discoveries. You own the audiobooks you purchase outright and you can support the indie bookstore of your choice at the same time. To be honest, that is what sold me on using Libro.fm: supporting indie bookstores. There are also various ways to use the app. You can buy audiobooks a la carte. You can subscribe and get 1 or 2 free credits per month (depending on the subscription). Libro.fm usually has sales on books so that you can buy certain audiobooks at a reduced price. Also, the credits never expire. They are waiting for you whenever you are ready (a feature I am super grateful for). If you would like to start listening to audiobooks on Libro.fm, learn more here.

4. Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org offers a concept similar to Libro.fm. Buy ebooks from this website and support the indie bookstore of your choice. Many authors and book lovers use this site to share their favorite books and book lists. Bookshop.org is known to have fast shipping when you purchase books from this website. If you would like to support an indie author, you can check out my book, REQUITED, here.

*© Şüheda Yassıkaya from Pexels via canva.com*

5. Kobo

Kobo is one of my favorite apps for buying and reading ebooks. A huge incentive to use Kobo is that its e-readers connect to Overdrive. I can borrow books from my local library through Libby and read them on a Kobo e-reader. Kobo also has a points and reward system. If you join the Kobo VIP program, you can rack up points with each purchase. Then, you can purchase books with the points you earn. You can also rack up points and use them to renew your spot in the VIP program. The site also has daily book deals. Once, I purchased a popular classic for $1.99. Before buying books on my list, I check the daily deals, where I can get books for under $5. I don’t know about you, but we may have a girl math situation on our hands.

6. The Understory App

This is a new book-tracking app I am interested in. In using this app, you have the opportunity to grow virtual trees with each book you read and also grow trees in real life. The team behind the app partners with charities committed to planting more trees. I have been checking out the app and it’s really interactive. It’s a mashup between a game, a forum, and a tracking app with a good cause. You also have the opportunity to import your lists from other popular book tracking sites. To learn more about this app, click here.

There you have it. Reading is such a personal and magical experience for me. Any way I can enhance it a bit more, I will. I hope you find these apps useful to you on your own reading journey. Let me know in the comments below: are you using any of these apps? Which one would you like to try or check out?

Thank you all for being here. I’ll chat with you in the next blog. Good day or good night!

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Hi, I’m Kerri Olivia, an author, fiber artist, and founder of Sparks Unlocked Co. At Sparks Unlocked Co., we help fellow readers and crafters find beauty, comfort, and meaning in slow living through occasional crochet and knitting tutorials, digital third places for crafters and readers, book recommendations, and storytelling. Join these conversations with me on YouTube, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Looking for book recs? Read my book, REQUITED.

If you’re interested in crocheting, knitting, and reading more, you’re invited to the Knots & Chapters Book Club, a place where we crochet, knit, and talk about books every month. Join here.

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