About This Event

Reading is very different than it used to be. The act is the same, but the medium has changed (for some, at least). Instead of paging through hardcovers and paperbacks, most of us turn to our phones, tablets, and e-reading devices. The bad news (at least for print purists) is that this format lacks a certain je ne sais quoi. The upside? Thanks to these user-friendly reading apps, literature is always at our fingertips. Our favorite beach reads, true crime page-turners, dystopian novels, YA, scary stories, and cozy Christmas tales can be accessed with the push of a button. But how do you know which reading app is the best? Check out our picks here. Bonus: Many are free.

Apple Books

Books is Apple’s one-stop shop for all things literature. You can browse the shelves of their online “book store,” keep track of what you’ve read—and what you want to read—listen to your favorite audiobooks, and even join Oprah’s Book Club (which we obviously recommend).

Amazon Kindle

Kindle may be the most common and well-known e-reading program, and for good reason. The app offers a wide selection of books, magazines, and newspapers—more than one million to be exact. The interface is clean and easy-to-use. Plus, you don’t have to own a Kindle to access its content. The app is available on Android and iOS devices.

GOOGLE

Formerly Google eBooks, this app doesn’t just give you access to millions of titles, it also lets you make layout changes, i.e. you can tweak each piece's typeface, font size, and line spacing. It allows you to highlight text and access a built-in dictionary, and Google Play Books has a special mode for reading manga and comics, which brings your favorite animated stories to life.

LIBBY BY OVERDRIVE

Like Overdrive, Libby lets you peruse the "shelves" of your local library from home. However, since Libby is a newer app, it does not have all the bells and whistles of Overdrive—though its faster and (arguably) more attractive.

COMIXOLOGY

If you’re looking for a solid way to read graphic novels, mangas, and comics online, look no further than ComiXology. With a clean interface and immersive reading experience, this cloud-based service gives you access to more than 100,000 titles.

NOOK

Want to access the world's largest bookstore on your phone? Check out NOOK. This app, owned and developed by Barnes & Noble, gives you the opportunity to buy, download, and read millions of books instantly.

KOBO

While Rakuten's Kobo has a strong international presence, the app is relatively unheard of in the United States. But don't let its obscurity fool you: Kobo has a huge library (more than 5 million titles!) and it allows you to import your own content.

SCRIBD

If you love to read, you may want to consider Scribd. This subscription service gives you access to millions of book and audiobooks—all for $8.99 a month.

ALDIKO

Aldiko is—first and foremost—an e-reader, but what makes it stand out is its competitive shopping platform. This app doesn’t have its own bookstore. Instead, you browse several options to get the best price. Aldiko also lets you read any EPUD, PDF, or Adobe DRM file.

SERIAL BOX

While Serial Box isn't a reading app—at least not technically—the audiobook program features thousands of science fiction, fantasy, drama, thriller, and mystery stories from award-winning creators. Plus, each "episode" is broken into 20 to 60 minute parts, making it easy to get your literary fix on-the-go.

EPIC!

If the little bookworm in your life enjoys reading apps, look no further than Epic! With a colorful, inviting, and easy-to-use interface, multiple profiles, several languages, 35,000 titles, learning videos, and quizzes, and a “read-to-me” mode, Epic! is handy for any emerging reader.

AIREADER

Even though AIReader is a relative newcomer to the e-book scene, it is already making a name for itself thanks to its solid and highly customizable design. Plus, AIReader supports older Android devices, which most applications do not.