iBooks Alternatives: Transform Your eBook Reading Experience

By Claire Johnson

Guest Post Note: I have been known to poo-poo Apple. Sorry, (well... not really...) but I've always been a PC person. Android phone and tablets give me everything I need without making my head explode from frustration. I had an iPod once, but it just didn't play nice with the other tech kids in the sandpit. But after sitting in on a couple of sessions at the State Library of QLD on iPads for educators, I realised that though I may prefer to forgo Apple tech, there is a very vibrant community of educators and readers out there who want to know about the options available to them on the iPad. So the very lovely Claire Johnson offered to do up a short summary of alternatives to the sometimes limited iBooks App. Thanks Claire, and enjoy!

eBook users who own an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch were prompted by Apple to upgrade to the new iOS 7 last week, which offered several new features and a design overhaul for some of its long standing pre-installed apps. While Newsstand has seen its wooden shelves replaced with minimalist horizontal bars and a subtle transparent effect, the iBooks app remains exactly the same as iOS 6, seemingly escaping the Apple redesign. iBooks is also severely lacking in features compared to third-party applications available to purchase from the Apple Store. For eBook authors who want to get their literature read by as many people as possible, it is imperative that their work is available on a number of different digital platforms. Here we review several iBooks alternatives for those who want to use their iDevices as their primary eReader.  

iOS7 apps for eBook reading

With over 4 million book downloads, Stanza is one of the most popular eReader apps and supports a wide variety of file types including PDF, ePub and CBR in several languages. Open Publication Distribution System, an online catalog where users can source and download free reading content, can be used within the app, though there are no syncing features between different devices. With Stanza, the layout of the screen can be customised by changing the colour of the text or adopting one of several ‘themes’ which change the design of the background. By tapping left or right on the device screen, Stanza will turn the pages of the eBook and whole chapters can be jumped by swiping the page. In contrast, Kindle now allow users to purchase content from the Amazon store and read it through their app, which is worthwhile if your audience read content from several programs as the app utilises files imported via iTunes. The app also has support for Japanese vertical text and characters, useful for authors of manga, as well as options to change the font type and size and to control the contrast of the device from within the app. Text can be quoted and shared on Twitter or Facebook and a note feature allows readers to add and save comments next to particular highlighted text.

eBooks and audiobook apps

OverDrive Media Console can also be downloaded from the app store and gives users access to over 18,000 libraries worldwide, allowing them to import your ePub and PDF formats. Readers can also customise the screen into “multi-column” mode, making it easier to read eBooks on an iPad in landscape. OverDrive suggests similar titles readers might be interested in and its bookmarks features can mark several points within a single book. Users of the app can download MP3 audiobooks and with the use of video converting software on your PC or laptop, they can even convert YouTube videos into MP3 audio to listen to in OverDrive. This is particularly handy as YouTube offers hundreds of free audiobooks, ranging from the works of Mark Twain and William Shakespeare to contemporary literature. Uploading an audio version of your eBook onto YouTube can therefore prove to be a successful marketing tool. Audiobooks are a great educational resource for children and can provide a welcome distraction on long car journeys, providing entertainment for the whole family.

eBooks and educational resources

Kobo allows readers to share reading achievements and milestones via social media websites like Facebook. Friends who are reading the same book, perhaps for a school project or essay, can quote lines of text and discuss a particular verse or chapter. The app supports the ePub file format and can display the number of pages in each chapter, a helpful resource tool. Text can be resized, highlighted and changed in colour and readers can switch between left, right or justified text alignment. Users will need to register for an account on the Kobo website before they can browse the eBook library.

Additionally, Books has a database of over 20,000 free eBooks specialising in classic literature with a wide variety of choice. This is a paid app but there is a free ad-supported version available to download. Other features include the ability to read a book review before downloading it and “night mode”, which adjusts the colour and layout settings for ease of reading when dark. eBook Reader is an app which comes preloaded with several full books such as Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Zinio offers readers the chance to download hundreds of different magazines and online publications and even purchase a magazine subscription as a gift for a friend.


ABOUT CLAIRE

Claire Johnson gave up a career in advertising to become a mother, but also it was more of an excuse to get out of the industry and reconnect with her roots; her desire to learn about art and to write about it. When not working or looking after the kids (including the husband), she likes to go for long walks and read books (watch people) in cafés.