The following apps have been chosen because I like and use them! I’m not getting paid to put them on here or if you download/use them. They are in an arbitrary order and have been selected based on different criteria to support a wide range of different readers! Enjoy! -Lulie

1) Best App for Tracking and Sharing

Goodreads

There are a lot of good social media book apps out there, but I love the connectedness and simplicity of Goodreads. I can easily track what books I’m reading (and which I didn’t finish).

Cool things about the Goodreads app:

1. You can scan a picture of a book and it will bring it up in the extensive library
2. You can sync it with your Amazon account and access all your Kindle books (including your notes and highlights!)
3. As an author, I can friend you, follow what you are reading, and contact you directly!

2) Best for Free Books

Libby

There are a lot of ‘free’ book apps out there, but the library-based Libby is my favorite. Simply log into the free app with your library card information and you’ll be able to download eBooks and audiobooks just like you were at the library building.

Cool things about the Libby app:

1. Totally guilt free feelings if you hate a book and DNF
2. Spanish titles and read-a-longs are available for those learning a new language
3. Magazines! Who doesn’t love a good magazine?

3) Best All-Around

Amazon Kindle and Audible

This is a no brainer, especially if you own a kindle. The Amazon Kindle app (and the Audible app- I’m pairing them together because they work in unison) is the easiest way to download and read/listen to books on the go. I particularly love it when it comes to vacation, and I want to bring five books and a magazine but don’t have any room!

Cool things about the Amazon Kindle app:

1. Some titles come with audible options (without having to purchase an audible version separately) allowing you to follow along in the book while also listening to it.
2. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you get access to thousands of books for ‘free’. Obviously, you are paying a monthly subscription fee, but it’s worth it if you read a lot.
3. Multiple people can use the same app. I have one account that both my husband and I use. If you start reading a book on your phone and then continue on your Kindle device later on, you will be prompted to move to the furthest spot read (or stay where you were last).

4) Best for Hard-to-Find Genres

Scribd

If you are in the market for academic papers and textbooks, Scribd is a good option for you. This ‘digital document library’ has thousands of articles, textbooks, and documents (like workbooks) across a wide variety of genres.

Cool things about Scribd:

1. With a monthly subscription, you get access to Scribd and to its sister app: Everand. Everand has lots of different types of books (think ebooks and audiobooks) but it also has things like sheet music.
2. Scribd has tons of documents to help you learn whatever you want to learn. Need a placement test for ESOL? No problem. There’s a document for that!
3. There is content in 20 different languages, so you can learn in whatever language you know best.

5) Best for Busy People

Blinkist

This is for all my busy people out there! Blinkist is an app that gives you book summaries of all the best fiction and non-fiction books. Do you need to know what happens in a Court of Thorns and Roses before dinner time? Maybe you want to learn a new leadership skill every day. This is what Blinkist does best!

Cool things about Blinkist:

1. It’s not just non-fiction books. Blinkist even has fantasy romance books.
2. Blinkist offers Business plans so you can inspire your whole team.
3. There is a social aspect where you can create book clubs and partner up with others.

There are so many good apps out there, it’s hard to pick my favorites, but these are solid contenders. Many other apps will help you track reading speed, pages read, and other statistics or even choose your next book. It just depends on what you are into!