Google Play has been expanding its reach to all forms of media recently, and Play Books is one section that has noticeably improved and is now a genuine contender to the eReading competition. It’s a solid platform for buying and reading eBooks on Android and the Web.
It is too slow for normal tablet tasks, but great for reading. These readers are based on Boyue t-series readers, which could also work. Minor issue: As of 2016-04 there was a bug when using Play Books, but it is solvable by downgrading Play Books to 3.4.9 (Google Play Books 3.4.9 APK Download by Google Inc. - APKMirror). Google Play Newsstand wants to be your one-stop-shop for news. Amazon and Barnes & Noble both offer magazines to complement their books. Zinio approaches issues with a singular focus, and Issuu is around to hand out many of them for free.
Let’s take a look at Google’s stab at the fast-growing eBook market.
Getting Books
You can buy books from the Google Play Store either on the Web or on Android. You can also upload any ePubs or PDFs that you haveGet More Out of Google Play Books By Adding Your Favorite eBooksGet More Out of Google Play Books By Adding Your Favorite eBooksGoogle Play Books isn't just for eBooks purchased from Google; you can easily upload your own ePub or PDF eBooks that sync with Play Books.Read More, making it a great universal eReader as well.
To find books on the Web, visit play.google.com/books and click on Shop on the left. From here, you’ll get personal recommendations, but you can also scroll down for more specific sections like “Books on the big screen: Spider-Man, Divergent + more” or “Get your LOLs: Deals on funny book you’ll love.”
Buying books on Android is actually done through the Google Play Store, and the Play Books app will simply redirect you there. The interface is as simple as one would expect from a Google app, with a tabbed interface along the top, and a similar scrollable view to the Web version.
Play Books has actually been a lot better about having popular titles recently, and its collection, while not nearly as large as Amazon’s, will likely have most of the mainstream popular literature out there. Due to the way publishers control their prices, the prices for most eBooks are relatively consistent across online platforms.
Reading On Android
Having done most of my reading on my Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle app for Android, I wasn’t expecting much from Play Books. The Kindle app is perfect, I thought; I don’t need Play Books.
But I was wrong: Play Books is a delight to read on, from the refreshingly simple interface to the customizable and smooth reading experience.
The default Read Now screen shows what you were most recently reading, along with recommended books based on what you’ve been reading and what your friends have +1’d. Any eBooks you uploaded will be accessible under My Library by clicking “All books” and selecting “Uploads.”
Items that have been downloaded to your device will have a blue pin in the lower right, identical to the orange visual cues in Google Play Music for Android, the best music player on AndroidThe Best Music Player on Android: Google Play Music ReviewedThe Best Music Player on Android: Google Play Music ReviewedGoogle Play Music is a music streaming service, a local music player, and a podcast player all mashed into one. And it's great.Read More. Using these apps together is a visual treat.
The screen-turning animation in Play Books is delightful. Tapping on the screen or swiping will give a realistic animation of the page being scrunched up and flipped, as shown above. It’s surprisingly smooth and not tacky, really helping to immerse you.
Play Books has the reading experience in fullscreen mode, of course, but a tap on the center of the screen will show your progress along the bottom, the name of the book and author at the top, a search function, and options. Other eReader apps pop up a lot of clutter, but Play Books keeps it simple while still having more customizations available under Options.
You can change the theme from Day, Night, or Sepia; there are several typefaces to choose from; and you can change the text alignment, brightness, font size, and line height. One thing to note, though, is that the margins can’t be changed.
Another feature that is hidden in the settings is Read Aloud. Sure, it’s a clunky robotic voice, but the fluidity is enhanced by checking “High-quality voice” in the settings. This voice is a bit better, and is actually smooth to the point of being tolerable. Be careful, though, because Google warns that it requires a data connection to stream the voice data as you use it.
Reading On The Web
Any eBooks uploaded to Play Books or bought from the Play Store can also be accessed online and read in the browser, similar to Amazon’s Kindle Cloud Reader, which we have reviewedRead eBooks From Anywhere You Want With Kindle Cloud ReaderRead eBooks From Anywhere You Want With Kindle Cloud ReaderThe Cloud Reader lets you access your entire Kindle library and read any of those books, or any new books you may want to download, from the convenience of any computer or device in the...Read More. If you read online or in the app, your progress will sync just as you’d expect. Find all your books at play.google.com/books.
The Web experience falls short of the Android experience, though. You’re stuck with a white background with black text, and no page turning animation, although you can customize the font, font size, line spacing, and justification.
Keeping to its simple style, there’s the title and author in the top left, options in the top right, and a progress bar along the bottom.
Any books that you’ve purchased from the Play Store can be downloaded in ePub or PDF formats for offline viewing. For this, you’ll need a desktop eReading app like Adobe Digital Editions, which is a free download. Unfortunately, most of the books you download will be locked down under DRM (What is DRM?What Is DRM & Why Does It Exist If It's So Evil? [MakeUseOf Explains]What Is DRM & Why Does It Exist If It's So Evil? [MakeUseOf Explains]Digital Rights Management is the latest evolution of copy protection. It’s the biggest cause of user frustration today, but is it justified? Is DRM a necessary evil in this digital age, or is the model...Read More), depending on if the publisher decided to enable that feature or not.
However, you can’t download any books that you uploaded to Play Books, so you should still keep them backed up somewhere else (find out which cloud service is best for youWhich Is The Mobile Cloud Option For You? iCloud vs. SkyDrive vs. Google DriveWhich Is The Mobile Cloud Option For You? iCloud vs. SkyDrive vs. Google DriveIt seems the cloud is hard to escape these days - both in your daily tech life, and on websites such as ours. Only last week I wrote an article about cloud-based PowerPoint alternatives, the...Read More) if you want to preserve the original ePub or PDF to take to another reading service later.
Competitors
The Amazon Kindle app for Android is greatWhy Buy A Kindle When You Can Use The Kindle App For Android?Why Buy A Kindle When You Can Use The Kindle App For Android?There are many people who aren't keen to buy a Kindle or similar e-book reader simply because they already have a similar multi-purpose device like a tablet or smartphone. You might be one of these...Read More, but it only supports books purchased from Amazon that are locked down with Digital Rights Management — even if you can break the DRMHow To Break The DRM On Kindle eBooks So You Can Enjoy Them AnywhereHow To Break The DRM On Kindle eBooks So You Can Enjoy Them AnywhereWhen you pay Amazon some money for a Kindle eBook, you probably think it’s yours now. I mean, you paid some money, you got some content, and now you have it, just like any other...Read More.
If you own a .mobi file (Amazon’s proprietary eBook format), say because you created an eBook yourself or downloaded it from Smashwords, you can’t even read that .mobi file in the Kindle app if you have it saved on your Android device, as you can read ePub and PDFs in Play Books. You have to email the .mobi file to the Kindle email that Amazon created and assigned for your Kindle app (found under Kindle’s personal document settings), which will then forward the file to your Kindle app. It’s frustrating to say the least.
Still, if you can live with being trapped in the Amazon ecosystem, it’s a pleasurable reading experience. The app has a Fire OS-like interface while still adhering to Google’s modern design philosophy with the pullout menu on the left. Reading is heavily customizable and books can be read on nearly any device, from the Web to Desktop to Android to iOS.
There are other eBook apps for Android out there that support ePubDon't Like Amazon? Alternatives To The Kindle eBook Reader App For AndroidDon't Like Amazon? Alternatives To The Kindle eBook Reader App For AndroidAmazon has its own set of flaws that send readers looking for an alternative that’s just as good. Looking to get away from Amazon, the Kindle, and DRM? Here are some of the best ebook...Read More, including the wonderfully stylish FabrikWho Needs Kindle? Fabrik is a Stylish eReader App for Android That Supports Cloud SyncWho Needs Kindle? Fabrik is a Stylish eReader App for Android That Supports Cloud SyncLet's face it: When it comes to eBooks, there is pretty much just one big name that matters. One ecosystem; one line of apps; one source of books; one maker of devices. If this makes...Read More, but for comparison’s sake let’s just look at Aldiko, which is probably Play Books’ most popular competitor. We reviewed Aldiko a couple years backNeed An eBook Reader For Android? Try Aldiko Book Reader!Need An eBook Reader For Android? Try Aldiko Book Reader!As someone who has recently been getting sucked into reading more and more novels, I’ve been on the prowl for the best ebook readers on Android. So far, nothing has matched the sheer power and...Read More, but it’s received so many updates since then that it’s a completely different app with a modern interface and abundance of features.
Despite its new interface, Aldiko’s Android app still doesn’t feel as well put together as Play Books. It’s missing Play Books’ Read Aloud feature, the transition between screens is a boring sideways slide, and ePubs aren’t displayed as well. See below where Play Books is on the left and Aldiko is on the right.
Both apps are set to their default night settings, but only Play Books properly displays the chapter header’s page breaks. While all the font sizes and font types are customizable in both apps, these spacing issues will remain.
Regardless, it doesn’t make the books unreadable, and Aldiko can hold its own as a Play Books alternative for simple ePub or PDF reading. In combination with Calibre, a wonderful eBook management and conversion app, Aldiko could be your all-in-one eReading app for Android if you don’t want to go the Google route.
Keep in mind that the free version is ad-supported, and the premium version with some additional features is $2.99.
Conclusion
Play Books is a solid eReading app, but it still has room for growth.
Maybe in the future they could offer some sort of subscription service for Play Store purchases, like Oyster, the service often called the “Netflix of Books,” or Scribd, the all-you-can-read book subscription serviceScribd And HarperCollins Launch All-You-Can-Read Book Subscription Service For $8.99/mScribd And HarperCollins Launch All-You-Can-Read Book Subscription Service For $8.99/mScribd is getting into the digital book distribution market with the launch of a new subscription service, offering a significant amount of the HarperCollins catalogue to subscribers.Read More in partnership with HarperCollins.
You can download Play Books from the Play Store.
What do you think? Would you consider using Play Books for your eReading, or are you do you prefer a different app? Let us know in the comments!
I'd used Aldiko Premium for a long time, and it did just fine with a wide variety of ePub files. The Kindle (app and website) works great, except for the DRM issues which make me hesitate to rely on it.
I switched to FBReader and Google Drive Sync to manage my ePub collection about a year ago. Kept a folder of ePubs in Google's Drive, using the 3rd party Sync to keep my various devices in sync. FBReader will sync your reading information (i.e. book / page / bookmarks, etc) via Google Drive as well (just not the actual ePub files). Worked like a charm.
I'm currently trying to switch to Google Books (and have successfully uploaded 500+ ePubs). With the Android apps, it works wonderfully (actually it's a little feature-poor compared to FBReader). What doesn't work at all is the reading via website, which is the main feature I am looking for. It doesn't even sort by Title / Author... just a random list (apparently by the order uploaded). I have to manually search for the book I'm currently reading in the app (every time), and manually find the page I left off on in the app.
The app is fine, the website's worthless (so far, I'm still trying...).
We all need to stop buying epub books with DRM that don't allow us to download and read without interruption until they STOP LOCKING OUR PURCHASES!
HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
I have purchased a book today but sadly I got an error which read -
Google Play error - Couldn't display the book.
I clicked on Report too but no quick response. How Sad !!
My order number is - GPB.1182-4043-3137-19639 Order Date 27-Nov-15 16:13:39 IST
Get back to me asap
homie, i write articles for MakeUseOf. i don't work for Google. why would you think i can help you with your order lol. contact Google!
Play books is nice I like it but the problem I have is that I can't read the books i had already downloaded offline . any solutions for that?
The thing I did not get was
, how to read your books if your offline. Most of the time I'm away from a WiFi signa. So I don't buy books on google play because I can't figure out how to read them OFFLINE. THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE. PLEASE FIX. MAKE IT SIMPLE.Mark
There is a small pin button in he bottom right hand corner or each book when you are viewing the 'bookshelf'. If you click that, the book will be downloaded for offline reading.
I love very old books which I tried to download from libraries in different formats. The format I most wanted was either kindle (new books) and epub for all other reading. I have used Moon reader pro for years and don't want to change or add yet another reader to the mix. The free books were uploaded to libraries - with their consent. After downloading I found that none of the files displayed properly - after deleting the non-working files I went to Google play book and downloaded them again. The files display fine on play book and so I pressed the blue tick and downloaded them - my question is where are they where did they go? I'm old fashioned I would like to see and back up a file and not just rely on a blue tick - also I love my moon reader and I don't want another reader which feels like the first step to lack of freedom! Any help or pointers please - I'm talking free books only from 1800s and earlier. Reading this article feels like the closest I've come to an answer - well that and the follow on discussion.
UPDATE I still haven't been able to find where Google books download too - however, I did find something strange after downloading about 10 books - I went hunting for the hidden files. The Google Book app had expanded to 4.3GB! It was such a leap that I got a system running out of space warning. Having downloaded the same books from Library Archive Project I know these were small files to start off. Also why do you need a PDF exractor I understand DRM issue but this does feel like a very BIG lock! Why? Sorry to carry on but this has bugged me out! And an app that adds so much weight - is there something wrong with my Android? It's a Samsung Tab Pro 10.1 - any thoughts or help would be great fully received. Thanks
I have a Sony Xperia ZL cell phone, and I used to download .epub books on my computer and via mail send them to my cell phone and read them in Google Play Books android app. but for some reason now non of my books are loading on Play Books. Does anybody know what I can do to fix this or where i can go for help? I tried to search help on Google Play Books official web page, but its not helpful at all.
play store says that some books are free but when i add them into my library they want my debit card number i don't know how to do now i don't want yo give it....
if there is no solution of this problem without entering card number so please suggest me any other ebook reader which is good..I did some looking around and the reader I liked best is the moon+ reader pro. How though am I spoked to read the books I buy in it with the drm protection?
Psst.... Do a little google search on Calibre and DRM removal.
P.S. I do not condone illegal distribution of ebooks but I do feel justified in having the right to read the books I paid hard-earned cash for in whatever ebook reader I want to.
P.P.S. I love Moon+ Reader Pro too!
i thought that Alices Adventures was a brilliant book by Lewiol.I hope that you have liked this website and have READ a LOT of books on your android device. It is one brilliant way to read hundreds and thousands of books into one electronic device. Myself thought that it would be a waste of space when you can just bring a book in your hands or bag. So i looked into it and thought WWWWWOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!! this is just so amazing.Google play is FANTASTIC to use on your androidit is absolutely great.I hope that you agree on this fabulous thig!!!!*-*
I just started using Play Books yesterday after reading several 'eReader comparison' articles which ranked it first. I found this site while searching for an article on how to make 'Read aloud' work on PDFs I've uploaded. The menu item isn't there like it is on ePubs. Didn't find what I wanted here, but I was pleased to read about the 'High quality voice' setting. When I went to set it, however, the menu choice was not there. With a bit of investigation I figured it must be because I was using the Ivona TTS engine rather than Google's. Play Books' robot voice certainly wasn't the smooth female British-accented voice I'm used to with Ivona, so I switched to Google TTS, installed the voice and checked again. Now the 'High quality voice' option shows up in Play Books (for ePubs, not PDFs). Samsung TTS is another choice on my phone; haven't tested but I'm guessing the option wouldn't show for that, either. Something your readers might want to know.
Thank you Lye and Justin. Will most certainly check it out. You may be lifesavers for me ! Myself and my 2 daughters are absolutely nuts when it comes to reading. I remember a few years ago buying and reading 2 ( 500+ page) paperback novels every week, until they became prohibitively expensive.
After all said and done there is something I fail to understand the logic of. My daughter in the US uses Kindle for reading all the time. I wanted to check out the experience and ease / convenience so I tried getting a couple of 'FREE' books from Google on to my Nexus 7 tablet. Only way I could read those books was to be on line and simply could not download them to my tablet. So this so called 'FREE' versions are not really free ! Can't use them where I do not have internet connectivity, be it wifi or ISPs data connection through my phones hotspot function! My Nexus 7 is not 3G capable. How does it help Google or me ? In fact it simply turned me off completely.
pmshah: There is a blue pin on the Google book. Click/Check the pin, and it will start to download the book into your Nexus7, and you won't need Internet connectivity to read it until you uncheck the blue pin. After you uncheck the blue pin, the downloaded book will be removed from your device, and you will need internet connectivity to read the book again. Hope this explains, and you will find the addiction of ebook :).
Pocketbook wins hands down for me. The closest you'll come to ibooks.
You can customise a lot of stuff and it's free.
Tried Aldiko and Moonreader Pro, both of them not very user friendly.I'd say Moon+ Reader Pro is the best. Why not give that one a review page?
I also vote for Moon+Reader, and use the Pro version. Don't understand the remark about non-Amazon mobi files on a Kindle - I have never had a problem copying them to a Kindle and reading them - unless this is a newer 'feature' for the newest Kindles.
I think that Moon+ Reader is the best ebook reader on Android.
I have a strong preference for reading with Aldiko when possible, to the point that I will convert Amazon books in to .epub just so I can read with Aldiko.
Aldiko doesn't support a few oddball formats (e.g. .CBR), so I also make use of Moon+ Reader. I don't like its interface as well, but it's really the swiss army knife of E-reading utilities on Android.
I don't really like the Kindle app on any platform where I've tried it. Even on an Amazon tablet, I'd rather have something that will read books besides the ones I bought from Amazon.
Over the past few years, eBooks have gone from a novel idea to a broadly embraced alternative to print literature. Devices like the Nook and the Kindle have become commonplace — but they’re not the only option if you’re looking to see what eBooks have to offer.
More and more people are turning to their Windows computer as a device to read withWhat's the Best E-Reader App for Windows 10?What's the Best E-Reader App for Windows 10?Does reading ebooks on your computer sound mad? Newer, lighter Windows 10 devices make this a much better experience. Let's take a look at the top eReading apps from the Windows Store.Read More. It’s perhaps only natural; we use our computers to listen to music, and to watch films and television, not to mention the amount of online content we read using a PC — why not use them to take in a book.
Whereas once reading on a computer was something of a clunky experience, devices are becoming more compact and apps are being released that can offer just as pleasant an experience as on a dedicated device. You don’t even need paid software, like Adobe Acrobat Reader, to consume your PDF-based reading material.
Here are some of the best options for an app that turns your Windows computer into a digital reading room.
Kindle
Slickly designed, beautifully presented app catering to Amazon eBook customers.
The Kindle app for Windows is a crisply designed reader — but to get the most out of it, you’ll need to be an Amazon customer. If being able to easily open and read a range of different file formats is important to you, there are better options available, but it’s a very elegant way of dipping into your Kindle library from a Windows machineTake Your Books With You On Windows Phone With The Amazon Kindle AppTake Your Books With You On Windows Phone With The Amazon Kindle AppWhen I head out I’m already carrying my Windows Phone. What I don’t need is an extra device in order to access any books I might fancy reading. Fortunately, Amazon appreciates this and has released...Read More.
The interface is excellent; open the app and you’ll be presented with the books you have stored in the cloud or on your device. A simple click will put you right where you last left the book, with nothing to distract you other than unobtrusive icons to flip pages, make a bookmark or return to your library. A right click will give you the options shown in the screenshot above — the ‘Find in Book’ tool being particularly handy.
This app caters to the Kindle customer, and if that’s how you buy your eBooks, it’s a robust program that gives you easy access to your collection. If you read on more than one device, you’ll even find that your current page is synced no matter what platform you’re using. However, accessing books that aren’t bought via the Kindle store will require a workaround — for many, that’s a dealbreaker.
Nook
User-friendly reading app with plenty of options to import your own eBooks or buy new ones.
As the app accompaniment to one of the most popular models of eReader device, it’s no surprise that the Barnes and Noble tool for reading eBooks on your computer is extremely user-friendly. It’s very simple and straightforward — which, for this type of application, is no bad thing.
It’s obvious that the thought process behind this app was making something that anyone could use, no matter their familiarity with technology. That can sometimes lead to a situation where adept users find themselves needlessly constricted, but thankfully that’s not the case here. You can browse the Nook storeLeatherbound - eBook Price Comparisons for the Kindle, Nook & iBookstoreLeatherbound - eBook Price Comparisons for the Kindle, Nook & iBookstoreRead More directly from the app, and it’s well-categorized enough such that you’ll soon find what you’re looking for.
The Nook app beats its Kindle alternative by the slimmest of margins in terms of design and aesthetics, but the fact that you can import other formats of eBook and PDF so easily with the Nook app is potentially a big advantage for some users. Unless you own a Kindle device or you already have a large library with Amazon, the Nook app is a better choice than its Kindle rival.
Cover
A dedicated comic book reader with support for a wide range of specialized file types.
While the occasional reader of comics might be able to get by with their standard eBook reader, a tailor-made app is a must for anyone serious about their comic books5 Websites For The Comic Book Fan5 Websites For The Comic Book FanIf there was one thing the Web was made for, it was for comic book reading. Instant downloads, lots of fan information, and no waiting in line at the comic book store anymore.Read More. It’s a simple fact that comic books and graphic novels are read a different way to traditional text-based books — and as such they require a slightly different reading experience from an app.
Cover supplies just that, particularly if you’re reading on a device with touch capabilitiesReading eBooks on Your Tablet: Windows 8 vs. iPadReading eBooks on Your Tablet: Windows 8 vs. iPadI'm off on holiday today, and intend to do a bit of reading. This is all very well, especially when it comes to my handful of print books that I want to catch up with....Read More. Being able to zoom in on particular panels with a pinch, or swipe between pages is a very intuitive way of reading this type of content. Using a conventional computer is slightly less natural, but it’s a workable alternative.
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Also of great importance to an app that caters to comic books fans is the selection of file types it can handle. Cover accepts most major formats; CBZ/ZIP, CBR/RAR, 7Z/CB7, PDF and EPUB, as well as standard image formats like JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP. The app itself is free, but comes with a limited library space for your comics — this limit can be lifted via an in-app purchase.
Sumatra
A super-light, super-efficient PDF reader.
Sumatra is such a standout PDF readerThe 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The best PDF readers don't cost any money. Read our roundup of feature-rich PDF viewers that out perform even Adobe Reader.Read More that it deserves a place on anyone’s computer. However, the fact that it can also handle EPUB and MOBI format eBooks makes it a fine choice for a no-nonsense eBook reader.
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The real appeal with this program is how little it demands from your computer — PDF readers can sometimes be very bloated and run slowly as a result. That’s not the case here; your files will load quickly and you’ll be able to flick through them without any stuttering. There’s even the option to download a portable version so you can run it from a memory stick without installing.
Another great feature that Sumatra offers and most other eBook readers don’t is tabbed browsing. This might not serve much purpose if you’re reading a novel for pleasure, but it does make cross-referencing texts and documents a breeze. It’s particularly for anyone who has reason to read eBooks or PDF documents for academic or professional purposes.
One drawback is that to tinker with any advanced settings, you’ll have to make manual edits to a text file, which isn’t particularly user-friendly. Most will likely have no reason to tweak these options, but if you do then the interface can be quite off-putting. However, Sumatra PDF doesn’t set out to deliver the most beautiful interface around — it’s far more concerned with being a PDF and eBook reader that occupies as little of your computer’s resources as possibleHow To Really Speed Up Your Computer - Common Myths & What To Do InsteadHow To Really Speed Up Your Computer - Common Myths & What To Do InsteadSuffering from a slow computer? You might not know why and maybe you're trying to fix it in all the wrong ways. Let us help you with tips for a real speed boost.Read More.
Calibre
Library management software that doubles as a capable reading tool.
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If you own a dedicated eReader device like a Kindle or a Nook, you may well have already heard of Calibre. It’s a go-to library management toolHow To Manage Your Ebook Collection For The Amazon Kindle With CalibreHow To Manage Your Ebook Collection For The Amazon Kindle With CalibreThe biggest problem with an eReader like the Amazon's Kindle is that it requires unreasonable effort to move books between different devices. Before Kindle, I fell in love with Calibre. A bit on the heavy...Read More that makes it easy to keep your collection of eBooks organized and transfer them to your eReader. However, it’s also a capable tool for reading eBooks in its own right.
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While it might not have as attractive a reading interface as the likes of the Kindle and Nook apps, Calibre offers a very functional environment to read in. There’s a broad range of options for the sort of typeface and reading scheme you’ll use, and when you’re in full screen mode you’ll be free from any distractions.
However, this is a tool that’s at its best when its supplementing your use of a dedicated eReader. It’s not a great solution if your reading is going to take place exclusively on your computer — but if you’re using your Windows PC as well as another device, it’s a super way of consolidating a reader app with a way of keeping your library organized and transferring files to your eReader.
Do you have your own favourite eBook or PDF reader that we’ve missed? Let us know about it in the comments section below.
Image Credits: computer with books Via Shutterstock
Explore more about: Amazon Kindle, Calibre, Ebooks, eReader, PDF.
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The problem with programs like Nook is that you have to have online access to read your books.. I use an app called Kobo. You can buy books from there just like on book or kindle and you can read them and access them offline. This one should definitely be in the list.
Amazon Kindle = woefully slow to start up. this software is really bloated.
Some ebook readers also have a Library Management feature which can be quite cumbersome if you just want to open a book and read it.
Sumatra PDF seems to render well, is not bloated, starts fast, just does what its meant to (no 'library' feature though)
For quite a few years now, my personal favourite has been PDF-XChange Viewer.
I have been using the free portable version which is just as good as PDF-XChange Editor, its latest incarnation.I'm still on Windows 7 - and plan to stay on it for as long as I can - but PDF-XChange Viewer is also fully compatible with Vista, Windows 8 & 10.
To begin with, I switched to it because of the tabbed interface, the basic editing capabilities (it's pretty easy to create bookmarks when there are none!) and the fact that compared to any version of Acrobat Reader it's super fast and slick (eye candy should not be a factor for the power user but it does not hurt, either).
Someone at 'makeuseof' should really cover this superb free PDF reader, just to make more people aware of its existence and good value.
Anyhow, check out the article on Wikipedia here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF-XChange_Viewerand their website here
http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewerAlso available on PortableApps.com
http://portableapps.com/apps/office/pdf-xchange-portableChuck Fenton
In current scenario, Kindle is used by majority of Windows users.
I was looking for some time for a reading platform that allowed me to start reading on one device for a while and later continue reading on another device on the page I stopped on the first device. Just for clean reading pleasure, I don't need advanced features (that tend to clutter the reading experience).
I think Kindle would work but only for books bought from them (which is no option in a currency restricted contry like mine, Venezuela).
I had hopes for some time for Foxit reader, since I found out that it keeps where I left each PDF, but turned out that it keeps that in the local Windows registry along with the settings for every other software in the machine. Besides, it doesn't support other ebook formats.
Calibre looked promising but it doesn't support syncing of reading status out of the box: one must jump thru hoops using third party utilities that I could never get to work.Then I started using Sumatra while looking for a ebook reader light enough to use on one of my older machines (a Windows XP machine with a Pentium4 and only 1GB of RAM).
Then I discovered that Sumatra's portable mode keeps it's configuration on one file in the same directory, INCLUDING the recent file list and each book reading status. I copied this portable version on the same folder within Dropbox that I keep my reading and presto! Each book reading status is synced via this configuration file. I have my Dropbox folder installed in diferent folders on each machine, but I solve that on each machine startup by mapping it's particular folder to a virtual 'B:' drive (for 'Bookshelf'), so Sumatra always look for books on B:SomeGenreSomeAuthorSomeOtherFolderWhatever.pdf.
Now I am using Sumatra for most of my reading, on this old machine up to the 8GB i7 and in-betweens.
The only remaining thing is android phones and tablets...I read novels on my Kobo Mini. I use my iPad for magazines. I tried the magazine subscription on my PC but it's not portable, biggest drawback, even though they render beautifully on a large screen. I also read novels on my Playbook with the Kobo app, because it is backlit and the Kobo Mini is not. I use Calibre as my library management. I read short articles on my PC, but a novel or magazine, nope, I like to be comfortable when I read, move around and not be tethered to my PC.
CoolReader handles many formats with ease. Available for Android and Windows.
Not all windows devices are localized PCs (Desktops & Large Laptops) my friend. New windows tablets are cheap and of course portable (Dell Venue 8 Pro and now many coming out of China that give the full Windows 8.1 experience). This blog title aids those who have such devices.
For example many ebooks for medical school are in PDF format. We have no choice but to read these PDF to gain knowledge, but we also depend on the productivity from windows. Would not make sense to have a device for reading books and another for productivity with Med School already being expensive and also the constant movements to various locations.
Nicely said.
I can't imagine sitting at my desk reading a book on my monitor.
Sumatra also handles CBR and CBZ comic book formats.
Martview works excellent for me !
Maybe you should give text to speech apps for books one spot on this list. ReadAloud supports PDF, but I think my app Share to Speech (and its free Lite edition) has the most complete support both considering formats (.epub, fb2, .pdf) and features.