10 of the Best Apps For Book-Lovers

POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia
POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia

As technology changes and evolves, so do our reading habits. While this age-old pastime used to mean trips to the library or bookstore, devices like smartphones and iPads have made reading a digital habit, one that's accessible to virtually anyone, anywhere.

Apps have especially influenced this new reading experience, thanks to capabilities that cater to the individual reader and put the entire experience in the palm of a hand.

We've put together our 10 favorite book and reading apps for iOS. The best part is they're all free — and guaranteed to be the new obsession of every bookworm out there.

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01
Goodreads
iTunes

Goodreads

The Goodreads app is geared at helping readers discover new books that interest them and offers reviews, recommendations, and more. One of the coolest features is the barcode scanner, letting users scan in books that they have found (likely in a bookstore or library) and add them to their "to-read" shelf. Better yet, Goodreads has a feature that'll help you better decide whether you'll like a book or not before you buy it.

02
Google Play Books
iTunes

Google Play Books

With Google Play Books, you can choose from than a million titles to start reading. You can also read books offline and the app offers a nighttime reading option. The app also offers unlimited storage of your books in the cloud.

03
Free Books
iTunes

Free Books

The subtitle, "23,469 Classics To Go," of Free Books pretty much says it all. From Carroll to Twain and everything in between, this is the place to go for any (and virtually any) classic book. Since both the app and the books are gratis, it's a perfect solution for those hoping to save a bit of cash.

04
Audiobooks From Audible
iTunes

Audiobooks From Audible

For those that love a good book but don't exactly have an abundance of reading time on their hands, Audiobooks from Audible offers a great solution. Whether you're driving, working around the house, or even at the office, Audible's audiobooks let you enjoy story time hands-free. Books can be purchased online through Audible/Amazon, and then downloaded to the app's cloud. The only downside is that there is a membership fee for Audible on top of the purchase price of the books — but the first 30 days are free, and you get one book credit per month of membership.

05
iBooks
iTunes

iBooks

Yes, iBooks is one of those pesky auto-installed apps that cannot be deleted off your iPhone — but that doesn't mean it can't be put to use! Perhaps the best thing about iBooks is the in-app bookstore, where you can buy and automatically download books and then read them, all within the app. They also offer a library of free books to download if you're looking for something that won't break the bank.

06
Epic!
iTunes

Epic!

Epic! is specifically designed for kids under 12, offering access to 10,000 kids books — including audiobooks. Though it does cost $5 per month to use, the first month is free and membership requires no ongoing commitment. Plus, the app supports up to four child profiles per account — meaning families with multiple kids can get each child involved.

07
Amazon Kindle
iTunes

Amazon Kindle

Though once upon a time the Kindle was solely a device, Amazon has expanded its popular product into what's essentially a sub-brand. The app is extremely user-friendly and offers a ton of unique and helpful in-app reading tools, like highlighting, customizable font size and style, dictionary definitions, and more. Plus, it seamlessly syncs across devices. The only major downside to this app is that you have to purchase books separately.

08
Wattpad
iTunes

Wattpad

There are over 20 million stories in Wattpad — need we say more? You can interact with other readers, work (or read) offline, and even connect with writers. The app includes a diverse and unique library, offering popular classics like Moby Dick and Romeo & Juliet, along with modern fanfiction.

09
Disney Storytime
iTunes

Disney Storytime

Who doesn't love a good Disney story? Whether you're looking for your kiddos or for yourself — hey, we don't judge — Disney Storytime is the perfect way to recapture our childhood favorites. From classics like The Lion King (side note: I can't believe something within my lifetime is now a "classic") to newer releases like Frozen, this app is seriously Belle-approved.

10
OverDrive
iTunes

OverDrive

OverDrive is essentially your e-library, offering eBooks, audiobooks, and even streaming video for users to "borrow" while using the app. Features include automated return (no late fees!), wish lists, holds, and more. The one big catch here is that OverDrive is only accessible to those with accounts at participating libraries, schools, or institutions.

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POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia