Digital Tools to Improve Your Reading Life
By Saron Hatsey
Stuck in a reading slump? That tends to be the issue with many. With the weather getting colder, many, including myself, are beginning to turn to indoor activities to fill their time. Yet, I’ve realized that the busyness of life and the changing seasons often take over the time I once dedicated to reading. Fortunately, there are many digital tools that can help reignite interest and overall ease your reading life. Here are 5 resources I’ve found particularly helpful.
1. Open Library
Since the shutdown of Z-library a couple of years ago, I’ve found it difficult to find books to read online. Thankfully, free online libraries still exist! Run under Internet Archive, Open Library provides hundreds of free books you can read online. All you have to do is create an Internet Archive email account and log in with it. The genres they provide are extensive, ranging from romance to thrillers to even textbooks, making it a great option for almost everyone in search of a new digital library.
2. The Palace App
Another amazing option for those looking for a digital library, the Palace app is a great place to find your next read. Partnered with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and your own local library, the Palace app provides thousands of titles that expand through hundreds of genres. The app also has a section called the Banned Books Club, where they provide access to banned books in your area that you may not have physical access to. To access this app, sign up with your local library card.
3. Epic!
As the market for childrens online media and television explodes, it’s more important than ever to intentionally incorporate reading into childrens’ daily life. One great way to find quality material is through the app Epic. With access to over 40,000 children's novels spanning hundreds of genres, Epic provides a well curated, safe environment for young readers. Even better- it's completely free! Kids can log in with a school provided email or passcode, or parents can set up their kids account through their own emails.
4. Goodreads
One of the most popular digital reading materials out there, Goodreads offers some of the most extensive book tracking materials and an incredibly detailed roster of novels for your every need. You can also share what you're reading with friends and discover new novels from their tastes. One of their most unique features is their “ask the author” section, where authors answer questions from readers. Signing up is completely free and only requires an email. You can also connect your Amazon account to rate and get recommendations for novels read on a kindle!
5. Social Media (Tiktok/Instagram)
Both Instagram and Tiktok remain some of the top platforms to get new book recommendations. One of the main benefits of these apps is the diverse landscapes they provide compared to traditional promotion methods. For example, one of my go-to book influencers, @kimmybookss on instagram, often highlights romance novels with black leads. Whatever you’re interested in, it's almost guaranteed that you'll find an influencer with your tastes.
