The Best Apps for Reading, Tracking, and Listening to Books

Reading has become an integral part of many people’s lives, and for avid readers, the ability to manage multiple titles simultaneously can enhance the experience. While some may find it chaotic, organizing books by format—such as physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks—can provide a seamless reading experience. This article explores some of the best apps available for reading, tracking, and listening to books.

Libro.fm

Audiobooks have gained popularity in recent years, often replacing podcasts as a go-to option for entertainment during activities like cleaning, walking, or driving. Initially, many readers rely on library audiobooks, but limited selections and long wait times can be frustrating. After exploring various options, I discovered Libro.fm”>Libro.fm, an audiobook platform that supports independent bookstores by sharing a portion of its profits—approximately half, according to a 2022 report interview”>here.

One of the standout features of Libro.fm is the ability to choose a local bookstore to support with each purchase. I was pleasantly surprised to find my favorite local bookstore, a quaint shop in New York’s Hudson Valley, available on the platform. Additionally, all audiobooks from Libro.fm are downloadable, allowing users to manage their files as they wish. Users can subscribe for $15 per month, which includes one audiobook credit and a 30% discount on all purchases. Alternatively, credit bundles and individual titles can be purchased at full price. The selection is extensive, with plenty of free books”>titles to choose from.

Bookshop.org App

Upon learning that Bookshop.org had launched ebooks and an app to read them on”>Bookshop.org now offers an app for purchasing digital books, I made it my primary source for ebooks. Similar to Libro.fm, Bookshop.org”>Bookshop.org allows users to support local booksellers with their purchases. Over the past five years, the platform has raised over $38 million for independent bookstores through physical book sales. The new app serves as a straightforward ereader, enabling users to browse the Bookshop.org catalog, save titles to their wishlist, and read purchased ebooks. While I hope to see features like comics and side-by-side page displays in the future, the app is a solid start for those focused on supporting small businesses.

Currently, the Bookshop.org ebook service does not sync with mainstream ereader devices, limiting users to reading on Android, iOS, or web browsers. However, the company is reportedly working on Kobo integration, which may be available by the end of the year.

Libby

Libby”>Libby, often referred to as the library app, is ideal for accessing older or less popular ebooks and audiobooks. It allows users to link multiple library cards, providing access to a vast selection of titles. Since borrowing books is free, Libby is an economical choice for readers. The app also connects with Kindle, enabling titles to be sent directly to the ereader, with some Kobo devices supporting OverDrive, the distributor behind Libby.

While browsing physical library stacks can be enjoyable, Libby’s tagging system offers a practical way to organize borrowed books and To Be Read (TBR) titles. Users can create dedicated TBR tags or categorize books by genre or mood. Additionally, Libby is a great resource for finding magazines.

Moon+ Reader (Android Only)

Moon+ Reader”>Moon+ Reader is an excellent app for users who have their own book files. It supports various file types, including ePUB, PDF, AZW3, and MOBI, and offers features like text highlighting, annotation, auto-scroll, and text-to-speech. The app is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust font styles, colors, backgrounds, margins, and line spacing for each document. Users can save their customizations as themes for future use. The design of Moon+ Reader resembles a vintage digital bookshelf, which many users find appealing. There are also options to view books in a standard grid format.

Moon+ Reader offers both free and paid versions, with the paid version Moon+ Reader Pro”>available for a one-time purchase of $10. This upgrade removes ads and unlocks additional customization options. In addition to importing personal files, Moon+ Reader provides access to a library of over 75,000 free books through Project Gutenberg”>Project Gutenberg.

The StoryGraph

To keep track of my extensive reading, I rely on The StoryGraph”>The StoryGraph. This data-driven app allows users to monitor their current reads, completed books, and an ever-growing list of titles they wish to read. Users can mark books as “did not finish” and log up to five in-progress titles, noting their progress for each entry.

The review system in The StoryGraph is detailed, allowing users to go beyond simple star ratings. Reviewers can indicate the book’s appeal to specific moods, rate the pacing, and answer questions about character development and likability. Additionally, users can add content warnings to their reviews.

One of the app’s standout features is its statistical analysis. The StoryGraph provides users with graphs that break down their reading habits, including preferred genres, moods, and pacing. Users can set personal challenges, such as yearly reading goals, and receive a Reading Wrap-up at the end of the year, detailing their average time to finish a book and comparing their stats to previous years.

While The StoryGraph includes a social component, it is discreetly placed within its own tab, allowing users to engage at their comfort level. Users can participate in readalongs, start buddy reads, and form book clubs, complete with customizable codes of conduct. The StoryGraph team actively considers user feedback, continuously enhancing the app’s features and user experience.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at this link.