I’m working on some very exciting things at the moment. So exciting that I can’t wait to share them with you. For example, my twitter wife sent me the most wonderful early Christmas present. I cannot wait to let all of you bask in its glory. In the meantime, I’m donning my librarian glasses and bun to get some work done and to spread the Good Word about reading.
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Here are some random apps that I love. No company has ever given me money for… well, anything really, but especially not to promote their iphone apps. I just like these. “I’m Carrie Anne, and I approve this message!”
These apps are perfect for anyone whose and avid reader, or just for someone who enjoys reading in general. I used to belong to the first category but now that I have a baby while working full time, I’m firmly in the latter.
1. Good Reads and Good Reads Companion: These apps are related to a website you may have heard about: Good Reads. I am on Good Reads (holla! I’m ex.libris) but it’s been a shamefully long time since I’ve logged in. Or participated. Er. I feel bad about that. I really like Good Reads and I was happy to find out there are two GR apps available, one official, one not (but GR is fine with that.) I downloaded both in the hopes that I’ll be more active on the site. Having both apps seems redundant but I know there are those out there who staunchly support the GR app and those who are in favor of the third party app. I got both to see the difference, which I, so far, haven’t noticed.
2. Dewey D: An app that keeps track of your “to read” list that also lets you browse selections on the NY Times bestsellers list plus lets you browse author info. Some people really like the bells and whistles on this app. I think it’s pretty nifty but personally I prefer…
3. Libraryby Big Button Designs: It’s just called “Library” and the graphic is a rainbow-hued stack of rectangle shapes. It has a simply and perfect design and it does only three things: 1. keeps track of what you want to read 2. keeps track of what you are reading 3. keeps track of what you have read. That’s all it is. But that’s all it needs to be.
4. Library by Double Tap App: A second creatively-named app called simply “Library,” this one features a teddy bear reading. It zeros in on your location and then points out the libraries in your area. If you find one you’d like to visit you can tap the “directions” button and it will show you the route there. This is a really great app if you’re travelling in an unfamiliar area and need to take the kids somewhere diverting for awhile.
5. Lend Me from Autus Mobile: Not strictly a reading app, but perfect for frequent lenders of books. It helps you keep track who is borrowing what. It integrates with your calendar to put reminders of when they should be returning your stuff. I feel like a jerk sometimes for being reluctant to lend stuff out, but keeping track of it makes me feel a bit more secure that I’ll get it back.
(P.S. Jake, I still have at least two of your books at my house. I just want you to know that they are safe & I haven’t forgotten. I think Anthony has some of Cay’s books, too.)
If I weren’t blogging from Haiti, I’d be loving the Library app (#4). Any chance it works globally or just in the US?
That’s a great question. It’s free so I’d suggest downloading it and giving it a try!
An avid reader’s dream come true.
I certainly hope it helps readers.
Ooh, excellent. These look useful!
Thanks, lady!
Oh how wonderful: images of real live books. Thanks for reminding me of the pleasures I once knew, climibing higher and higher with Heidi.
http://bit.ly/b5dU8k
Thank you! I sort of have a problem with buying books. No matter how many I own it never seems to be enough. :)
ive gravitated towards buying used books…probably because im a student again but who needs brand new ones?
http://dearexgirlfriend.com/
I am all about used ones. Many of my books have come from second hand stores and library sales. If I have to order them online I’ll look for used versions, too.
Okay, it’s not strickyl an app, but I think that LibraryThing.com definitely deserves to be listed here. It is without a doubt the best way to keep track of all your books. They even have a mobile version of the site so that you can access your listing anywhere. I’ve been a paid member for years, but you can use it for free if your library has less than 300 books.
For me, half the excitement of getting a new book is entering it into LibraryThing and seeing how many other people also have it.
I love LibraryThing and I use it for my personal library. Or, well, I used to use it. After awhile I got tired of adding my books manually and I lusted after a scanner. I have more than 300 books in my personal library so I’d need a paid account as well.
I also wanted to try out Apple’s Delicious Library, but I don’t have a mac.
I didn’t know about the mobile version of LibraryThing. Exciting! Maybe I’ll dust off my old account and use it again.
Delicious Library is by a company called Delicious Monster, not Apple. Its barcode scanning abilities are amazing. A competitor, less elegant but arguably more functional (except in scanning), is Bookpedia, by a company called Bruji.
A friend of mine was telling me that Delicious Library was only Mac-compatible. This is great news!
You can use a scanner with LibraryThing – in fact they will sell you a cheap one that works great. It’s definitely a pain entering all your books at once. But after you have all your current books, adding new books is easy because you don’t have to enter more than a few at a time.
I really thought long and hard about getting the scanner. I still sort of want one. But seeing as how that’s what I do at work all. day. long. every. day… No, I just couldn’t see tackling that job at home, too. Maybe over the summer when I have time off.
Nice, Gutenberg for the mobile phone I guess.
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
One such site is:
http://www.booktagger.com
Drag and Drop to manage your shelf.
Bookmarked!
Thank you. This looks rad.
Yay – a fellow BOOK lover. I cannot imagine trading books for electronic gizmos (that makes me sound ancient, I know.) Kindle and Nook have no place in my home.
Meanwhile, the Lend Me app is a good idea. I’ve got an informal “book club” going with two friend; books circulate among the three of us even though my friends have never met (I am the middlewoman.) As of now, lending information is kept on a flimsy piece of paper held to a metal closet door by a magnet.
-Jen
http://sasfiction.wordpress.com
http://littlecreekvet.wordpress.com
While I’m an unabashed bibliophile, I don’t mind ereaders at all. I don’t believe they must necessarily replace print and indeed, I don’t think that will ever happen. I think they have their uses just like audiobooks have theirs. They are simply another media, and if it gets more people reading, more power to them.
I, personally, however, love everything about the tactile experience of reading a book. (Except for the big ones which are impossible to read in bed.)
very cool. i must check out these apps/websites. need some new reads in my life. great read =]
http://enjoibeing.wordpress.com/
Kalyca! I mean, Madame Tartlet! I am so enjoying your blog. Is that a photo of your basement by the way? It looks so cozy! Not at all as I remember it…;)
Hi there! I think you must have me confused with someone else. I’ve never had a basement.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog, though!
While I can see a point in the “Good Reads” app, the rest strikes me as ludicrous. If you can’t keep track of what you want to read or what you are reading, then you might as well give up reading entirely.
Evil
Your well thought out argument has convinced me to stop reading! Huzzah!
Let me ask like this: What do you take away from books you can’t even remember you are reading?
I use these apps to keep track of books I want to read, not to keep track of books I am reading.
Could you please post the links for Library (1) and Dewey D?
Thnx!
Heh, I really should have done that in the first place. ;) I added them in the posts.
This sounds great! Thanks for posting..and congrats on FP!
Thank you so much!
Delighted to stumble upon your site via the wordpress main page as I was heading to update my class blog. Random, but lovely. Guessing I’ll be back to see some more of your posts as our interests seem to overlap (although my babies are now in grade school). I’ll be checking out some of these apps too!
Awesome! Nice to meet you!
Interesting to know there are so many book related apps out there.
On a side note, is the cat in the pic yours? Looks like a big, freindly pussy.
Yup, he was. He passed away about six months ago.
So many books!!!! I love reading books
Books are the best.
Oh books, why can’t I quit you?
To be honest I have no idea how many books I have. And I’ve lost quite a few tragically…especially since each one is specially selected and loved
I once tried counting just my cookbooks but stopped at 250.
Losing books makes my heart hurt. :/ I’m so sorry about that lost package.
i use the ‘books’ app for os x. it allows me to keep my library up to date and nicely organized… kind of like an intricate itunes without the instant gratification
http://legacy.audacious-software.com/products/books/
Nice!
I usually just go brain dead when people start talking about apps. But this sounds like it was made for me. Must check it out.
I’m glad it held your interest!
I love these apps!
Neato. I would add you on Good Reads but it seems to have been awhile since I was there,too. I can’t even remember my user name.
Also, Facebook has some nice little apps to use on the site.weRead is one and another I’ve been using lately is just Currently Reading. we Read keeps track of what you’ve read, reading,to read, whereas Currently Reading is a bit more ephemeral and just posts..uh…well…what you’re currently reading.
Thank you!
Thanks for the app breakdown. I just got the library app by Big Button Designs. Simple and perfect! I am a librarian and a student so keeping track of the “to read” list is always a major undertaking. This is a great little tool to help with that process. I love the photo at the end of this post as well! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I love making lists, and simple apps are often the most perfect.
thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it a good………. and once again thanks………..
It didn’t take much convincing to get me to try Library (Big Button) and Good Reads. With 2 babies at home, both under 2, I have very little time to read in peace, and I need peace to really get into the world. I’m hoping this will help me find that piece I need to solve this problem.
Thanks!
TWO under two?! I thought I had it rough with just ONE.
Wonderful post, I like your impressive blog, found you on FP.
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