The best book apps for book lovers

Love reading? Be it audiobooks or traditional books, these are the best apps every book lover must have - from book lovers and reading nerds.

It's a better time than ever to be someone who loves to read. While those who don't know any better may claim that books are quickly becoming a thing of the past, the reality is that there is more reading material today across all genres available for book lovers to enjoy than ever before. 

To help you get started enjoying these apps for reading, let's take a look at some of the best book apps available for download today. While you've probably heard of some apps on this list already, there are sure to be a few that catch your eye, making this a great chance to discover something new and interesting!

1. Summary Z

There have been a lot of book apps come out in recent years designed to assist the modern, busy reader by providing detailed summaries of non-fiction books. Summary Z, however, is one of the best. Along with the app's well-written and informative summaries for a massive library of non-fiction titles, another benefit that sets Summary Z apart from the competition is the fact that you are able to both read and listen to the summaries. If you enjoy learning from non-fiction books but just don't have the time to read as much as you would like to, Summary Z may be a great solution for you.

2. Goodreads

A social media platform specifically for book lovers, Goodreads is an excellent app for anyone who wants to discover new reads and engage with a like-minded community of reading enthusiasts. On Goodreads, you will be able to follow your favorite authors, read book reviews from fellow book lovers, join groups and engage on forums, and much more. If you are looking for a social media site that is more aligned with your interests, be sure to check out what Goodreads has to offer.

3. Leio

One of the top iOS reading apps, Leio is only available for Apple devices, so if you are an Android user you can go ahead and skip to the next section. Leio is a reading tracking app that helps you track how much you read in several insightful ways. With Leio, you can track your progress across multiple books, track how might time you spend reading, gain insights into your reading habits, and find out how your reading evolves over time. If you are someone who enjoys metrics almost as much as reading, you'll find a lot to like about book apps such as Leio.

4. Audible

Another one of the book apps produced by Amazon, Audible is like Kindle for audiobooks. On Audible, you will find an incredibly impressive library of fiction audiobooks, non-fiction audiobooks, and podcasts. All of these titles are available for direct purchase, but you can also sign up for an Audible membership that provides you with credits each month that can be used to purchase any audiobook in the Audible library. Depending on how voracious of a reader you are, this might be the most cost-effective option.

5. Wattpadd

If you enjoy discovering work from obscure and unknown writers, or both, then Wattpad is the app for you. Wattpad is an app that allows any writer to submit their work to be read and enjoyed by Wattpad users. While reading books and stories on Wattpad can certainly be a little hit or miss, don't be surprised if you find a few hidden treasures every now and then. In fact, there have been several wildly successful authors who started out writing on Wattpad, including Anna Todd, Beth Reekles, and Abigail Gibbs, making Wattpad a great app for book lovers who enjoy being the first to discover the next big thing.

6. Apple Books

Apple Books is an e-book reading app and store. Apple Books provides a massive library of titles from both traditional and indie authors along with a variety of books. Best of all, this app comes pre-installed on all iOS devices. If you already use an iPad or iPhone as your primary reading device and enjoy the Apple ecosystem, then Apple Books is already there waiting for you to try out.

7. Google Play Books

We've covered a couple of iOS book apps already, so now it's time to offer something for those who enjoy Android reading apps. Google Play Books is equivalent to Apple Books for Android users. It offers a massive library of affordably-priced titles, an enjoyable and easy-to-use UI, and the type of quality you would expect from a Google product. One difference between Apple Books and Google Play Books is that Google Play Books does not come pre-installed on all Android devices, but the app is free to download on the Google Play Store.

8. Libby

Libby is an app that allows you to take your local library with you everywhere you go. Originally known as Overdrive, Libby used your phone's GPS to find your nearest local library. Once you enter in your library card for this library, you'll be able to download any book that the library offers to your mobile device. 

9. Serial Reader

Reading classic literature can be a daunting task, but the classics have earned their status for a reason and are often well worth the time and effort. With Serial Reader, you'll receive sections of classic literature each day broken down into bite-sized chunks that take about 20 minutes to read. If you notice that you have trouble finishing an entire or are simply looking for an innovative way to enjoy classic literature, you are sure to find a lot to like about Serial Reader.

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