Going out to parties isn’t as fun for me as doing quiet things like reading books and playing board games with my family after dinner. It’s also been great to find great books and reference apps that have made reading even better for me. As someone who loves to read, I can say that a simple bookmark can make a big difference in someone’s life. When you know that reading helps you grow mentally and emotionally and boosts your confidence in many areas of your life, it’s easy to become hooked on the habit.
Books are considered our best friends. This is because friends are an integral part of life and enrich our minds with the deepest knowledge, sometimes guiding us and teaching many things. Likewise, books always have our backs and if we read it carefully, the knowledge embedded in a book can be as important to us as a best friend is in our lives.
There are several books and reference apps where you can explore numerous books of different genres, meet and get inspiration from like-minded book lovers, and even share book recommendations with others. Below we mentioned the best Books and Reference Apps.
What are books and reference apps?
Books and reference apps are digital tools that give you quick and easy access to a wide range of knowledge, information, and resources. Books are collections of written content, including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and more. Traditionally, books were printed on paper, but now they are often available as e-books. They go into more detail about certain topics, stories, or ideas. On the other hand, reference apps are special kinds of software that help people find information quickly and accurately.
These apps cover a wide range of topics, such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias, language translation, academic research, and different guides. Both books and reference apps are important for education, research, and personal growth in the digital age because they make it easier to get information and access knowledge.
Why are they important?
Here are some examples of things that can be important in different situations, along with short explanations of why they are important:
Education is important because it gives people the knowledge and skills they need to grow as people and advance in their careers. It also helps people become more informed and involved citizens.
Healthcare: Healthcare is important because it helps people stay healthy, get better when they’re sick, and live a better life overall. Access to medical care is also important for solving public health problems.
Conservation of the environment: Conservation of the environment is important for the long-term health of the planet and its ecosystems. Protecting the environment helps keep the air, water, and wildlife healthy and keeps the effects of climate change from getting worse.
Human Rights: Human rights are important because they protect people’s basic worth and freedoms. Protecting human rights is a key part of making societies that are fair and just.
Technology: Technology is important because it leads to new ideas, makes things more efficient, and makes it easier to communicate and connect with other people. It is a big part of what makes the modern world what it is.
Best Books and Reference Apps Comparison Table
In the table below, you can see a quick comparison of the best Books and Reference apps. It shows users the most important features, ratings, and prices so that they can choose the best app for their reading and reference needs.
| Platform | Reading | Audiobooks | User-Generated Content | Subscription Required | Library Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wattpad | Yes | No | Yes | No | Large |
| Audible | No | Yes | No | Yes | Extensive |
| ReadEra | Yes | No | No | No | Limited |
| Amazon Kindle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Extensive |
| Pratilipi | Yes | No | Yes | No | Large |
| Lithium | Yes | No | No | No | Limited |
| Google Play Books & Audiobooks | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Extensive |
| Kuku FM | No | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
| Goodreads | Yes | No | Yes | No | N/A |
| Inkitt | Yes | No | Yes | No | Limited |
Wattpad
Features
- A platform for reading and writing stories.
- Offers a vast library of user-generated content.
- Allows users to interact with authors and other readers.
The best place to work on both reading and writing is Wattpad. If you are a reader, you don’t need to spend hours at the library looking for the right book in your niche, Wattpad can help you! It has different genres such as: fanfiction, romance, rom-com, paranormal, werewolf, and anything else you want! Enjoy reading millions of exciting and real stories for free, and if you want to read later in your spare time, you can save and read anytime, anywhere in offline mode.
You are wrong if you think Wattpad is only for reading and not for writing! Wattpad is for all beginning writers who want their work to be published and recognized by other readers and writers. It helps you improve your writing skills and encourages you to write with other writers in the app. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- Large library of user-generated stories.
- Free to use.
- Social platform for writers and readers to interact.
Cons
- Quality of content varies.
- Limited availability of professionally published books.
Audible
Features
- Provides a large collection of audiobooks.
- Allows users to listen to books on the go.
- Includes exclusive content and original productions.
Do you also read books, but do you enjoy listening to stories? What are you waiting for, download audiobooks now! This app offers its users audiobooks of different stories and genres. From fantasy to true crime, plug in your headphones and immerse yourself in the stories. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
In addition to the audiobooks, there are some amazing podcasts by famous speakers that will make you want to listen to them. You will never get bored with this app because it will captivate you like never before! Audiobooks can also be your child’s bedtime storytime companion, because it contains several children’s stories and also an audiobook! It is always a pleasure to listen to the author read his or her best works, so don’t miss the audiobooks!
Pros
- Extensive collection of audiobooks.
- High-quality narrations.
- Exclusive content and membership benefits.
Cons
- Requires a subscription fee.
- Limited selection for non-English languages.
ReadEra
Features
- A versatile ebook reader app.
- Supports various ebook formats.
- Offers customization options for reading experience.
This is an excellent app for all the bibliophiles out there! You can read different e-books by different authors in PDF format, download them to your phone, and it’s even free! Isn’t that a great offer? Some quotes catch your interest as soon as you read them and to solve this problem, how can you highlight your favorite quote in an e-book?
Don’t worry; ReadEra has a fantastic “Quote” feature that allows readers to quote or highlight their favorite excerpts and lines from the book. Highlighted offerings are stored in the “Offerings” section of the app. As for general settings, from font size to font weight, everything is under your control and you can change it to your liking. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- Free and ad-free eReader app.
- Supports multiple eBook formats.
- Customizable reading experience.
Cons
- Limited social or community features.
- May lack some advanced features compared to other eReaders.
Amazon Kindle
Features
- Extensive library of ebooks, including bestsellers.
- Syncs reading progress across devices.
- Features adjustable font sizes and layouts.
Subscribe to Amazon Kindle to have a library in your pocket. You can read thousands of books of different types, from textbooks to series, all in one app! You can explore all genres of e-books by your favorite Indian and international authors. E-books are available in both English and Hindi, depending on your preference. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
How about gifting “e-books” to your book-loving friends for their birthdays? With Kindle you can! A distinctive feature of this application is the ability to gift e-books to other book lovers. If you like to read comic books, don’t worry, Kindle also offers comic book e-books! Most book apps do not contain comics, but this app has it all. This app has the right features to provide insights into reading, books and authors. A perfect mix of the literary world.
Pros
- Vast eBook library.
- Cross-device syncing.
- Built-in dictionary and highlighting features.
Cons
- Proprietary format (AZW) can be limiting.
- Some eBooks may be expensive.
Pratilipi
Features
- A platform for reading and writing in Indian languages.
- Offers a diverse range of regional literature.
- Supports multiple languages.
From history to horror, you can connect to more than 20 genres. If you do not want to read the whole book, you can read the synopsis/summary of the story. In addition, books can be downloaded and read offline. Thus, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
There are numerous authors with whom readers and authors can chat, gain knowledge and seek inspiration. Isn’t this a great way to consult your idol without any hassle? It really is. For all aspiring readers and writers, Pratilipi is the right place to develop and grow your interest in the literary field. So, download Pratilipi now and explore the world of stories!
Pros
- Large collection of Indian language content.
- Offers stories, poems, and more.
- Supports multiple regional languages.
Cons
- Content quality may vary.
- Limited selection of international content.
Lithium
Features
- A clean and customizable ebook reader.
- Allows users to organize and categorize their ebook library.
- Includes night mode and other reading options.
Read your favorite books or novels on your phones with the help of Lithium: EPUB Reader. It has a wide range of interesting books to offer its readers and to grow their interest in reading. You can understand the importance of highlighting excerpts, lines, and quotes from the book you are reading, but how can you do this in e-books? In Lithium, lines can be highlighted and noted for future reference.
Book settings can be changed by users, such as alignment and text size. If you are a night reader, you can turn on the night mode theme or, if you don’t want the theme to be dim, you can also switch to the bright mode theme. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Supports various eBook formats.
- Customizable reading settings.
Cons
- Limited social or community features.
- Less well-known compared to some other eReaders.
Google playbooks and audiobooks
Features
- Offers a wide selection of ebooks and audiobooks.
- Supports cloud syncing for cross-device access.
- Includes features like text-to-speech and translation.
A must-have app for all readers! It includes all your favorite books by established authors and you can read them on any device. It provides personalized recommendations to help new readers and allows you to immerse yourself in many books. The main feature that many book apps lack and that this app offers is the ability to pick up where you left off last time. Isn’t that amazing? You can create your own library shelves by organizing different genres of books, such as self-help, religion, romance, and thrill in each shelf.
You can bookmark and annotate your favorite quotes, which will be synchronized to Google Drive for future reference. Application settings are flexible, such as font size, style and light/dark mode. Reading progress can be monitored: the number of pages remaining and the percentage of books read are displayed on the screen. Still, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- Access to a wide range of books and audiobooks.
- Cross-device syncing with Google account.
- Integration with Google ecosystem.
Cons
- Some books may not be available in all regions.
- Limited audiobook features compared to Audible.
Kuku FM
Features
- Specializes in Indian audiobooks and audio content.
- Provides a variety of audio genres, including stories and podcasts.
- Offers offline listening.
You can choose any audiobook from a collection of more than 1,000 stories, from autobiographies and self-help books to thrillers and murder mysteries. Gone are the days when it took a long time to finish a book. Kuku FM offers audiobook summaries to help you complete a book in one day and all the relevant details about the book. So you can get to know the book in less time!
Kuku FM is an app for every generation, and when we say it, we mean it! Plug in your headphones and listen to spiritual audiobooks such as Ramayana and Mahabharat. In the morning, listen to the relaxing Hanuman Chalisa and all kinds of religious songs to relax your soul. Besides listening to audiobooks, you can learn and grow by listening to some of the most challenging professional courses, competitive exams and state exams. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- Focus on Indian audiobooks and audio content.
- Large selection of regional languages.
- Variety of genres available.
Cons
- Limited international content.
- May require a subscription for full access.
Goodreads
Features
- A social platform for book lovers.
- Allows users to track their reading progress and discover new books.
- Offers book recommendations and reviews.
This app is the largest book reading and recommendation site in the world. You can search, rate and review books you like or dislike and comment on your opinions. Discover more books in different genres, share them with your friends and see what books they are reading by following your friends. Thus, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
You can scan the cover of your favorite book to learn more about the book, the author, reviews, and save it to your bookshelf list. The app automatically recommends books you like based on your search history and reading habits. The best thing about Goodreads is that it helps you keep track of the books you have read so far and the ones you want to read.
Pros
- Extensive book recommendations and reviews.
- Social platform for book lovers.
- Personalized book tracking and reading goals.
Cons
- Limited eBook reading features.
- Owned by Amazon, which may affect some users’ privacy concerns.
Inkitt
Features
- Features a library of novels and stories.
- Allows users to read and provide feedback to emerging authors.
- Offers a personalized reading experience based on user preferences.
Discover a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books with this app. Rom-com, Crime, Thrill, Sci-Fi, Spiritual and many other types of books! It also serves as a platform for aspiring writers to publish their works for users to read. It helps new writers gain recognition, esteem and appreciation, as this platform has over 2 million readers and writers. Isn’t this a great way to get your work known?
The general settings of the application are under the control of the reader, and the background and font can be customized by the reader according to his or her preferences. There are three types of themes: white (light mode), black (dark mode) and eggshell. Readers can also read books in offline mode by downloading them. Overall, this is one of the best Books and Reference Apps you can download now.
Pros
- Platform for discovering new authors and books.
- Offers serialized reading.
- Community and writing opportunities.
Cons
- Quality of content may vary.
- Limited selection compared to larger platforms.
How to choose the best books and reference apps for you?
Depending on your needs and preferences, picking the best books and reference apps for yourself can be a very personal and unique process. Here are some things you can do to help you make good decisions:
Figure out your goals: Find out what you want to accomplish by reading or using reference materials. Are you looking for content that will teach you something, make you laugh, help you improve yourself, or help you get ahead at work?
Know what you’re interested in: Think about your likes and dislikes. What kinds of things or styles do you like the most? Knowing what you’re interested in will help you find books and apps that match your tastes.
Think about how you learn: Think about how you best learn. Do you like to learn best by reading, listening to audio, watching videos, or by doing things yourself? Choose materials that fit the way you learn best.
Make a plan: Figure out how much you can spend on books and apps. Think about both one-time purchases and recurring payments. Be aware of any subscription costs that come up again and again.
Check if it works: Make sure the books and apps you choose will work on your devices, such as a Kindle, iPad, Android, iOS, PC, or Mac.
Look for Sources You Can Trust: If you want a reference app, choose one made by a reputable source, such as an educational institution, a well-known publisher, or a developer with good reviews.
FAQs
On the app, you can find a number of free ebooks and audiobooks. Google Play Books is also a place where you can buy and download books. So, it’s easy to say that everyone can use the app. Google Play Books can also be used as a reader, so you can take a lot of books with you wherever you go.
If you want something like Apple Books on Android, you might have considered FBreader, Project Gutenberg, or Wattpad. However, Speechify is the best app. It gives you access to a lot of features that you can use to improve the way you read.
