These days, with screens practically glued to our hands, taking out a peaceful moment to read a book feels harder than ever.
The problem is, all those pings from notifications, and pop-up ads keep forcing us out of the story, making it tough to just relax and read.
In this blog, we walk you through 4 awesome apps that ignore the chaos, so you can finally get lost in your reading again.
● Kindle
Kindle’s your go-to for reading all the e-books without all the annoying distractions, perfect for chilling with a good story in your student housing in Tallahassee.
Price: Free to download, but books cost extra (or buy Kindle Unlimited for $11.99/month).
Compatibility:
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
- Web
Key Features:
- Adjust the font size and style to make it just right for your eyes.
- Built-in dictionary and X-Ray to look up words.
- No ads popping up while you’re trying to read, a complete focus mode.
- Whispersync keeps your spot, so you’re never lost switching from phone to laptop.
- Dark mode and brightness tweaks for late-night study sessions.
Offline Capability: Yes, works fine offline once you’ve got your books downloaded.
Unique Selling Point:
- Syncs your highlights and notes across devices, so your study material is always nearby.
- Connect you up with Amazon’s huge book library, millions of textbooks and novels right there.
- X-Ray scans into the story details, great for breaking down any interesting concept.
● Google Play Books
Google Play Books connects you up with millions of e-books and audiobooks, keeping things simple and distraction-free for late-night study in your off-campus housing.
Price: Free to download, books and audiobooks cost extra (no subscription needed).
Compatibility:
- iOS
- Android
- Web
Key Features:
- Customize your font size and style to match your reading mood.
- Bubble Zoom makes comics pop by zooming in on panels.
- No ads cluttering up your screen, just you and the book.
- Syncs notes to Google Drive for easy group projects or study sessions.
- Text-to-speech lets you listen when your eyes need a break.
Offline Capability: Yes, once you download your books.
Unique Selling Point:
- Massive library with comics, textbooks, and audiobooks all in one spot.
- Notes sync to Google Drive, perfect for sharing with classmates.
- Bubble Zoom gives comic fans an interactive feature.
● ReadEra
ReadEra’s a free, no-nonsense app that lets you read all kinds of e-books and docs without ads bugging you.
Price: Free, with an optional Premium upgrade for $9.99 (one-time fee).
Compatibility:
- Android
- iOS
Key Features:
- Supports a ton of formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and even Word docs, pretty much anything you’ve got.
- Customize your font, size, and spacing to make those long study sessions easier on the eyes.
- No ads popping up, so you can focus on that chapter instead of random ads.
- Split-screen mode lets you read two things at once—like a textbook and notes side by side.
- Text-to-speech option for when you’re too tired to stare at the screen but still need to read.
Offline Capability: Yes, works offline once your files are downloaded.
Unique Selling Point:
- Handles every file type you throw at it, from PDFs to comics, without needing extra apps.
- Keep your place and bookmarks even if you move or delete files.
- Free and ad-free forever, unless you want the premium perks like cloud sync.
● Sumatra PDF Reader
Sumatra PDF Reader is a lightweight, free app that lets you breeze through PDFs and e-books without any clutter.
Price: Free, no strings attached.
Compatibility:
- Windows
Key Features:
- Opens a bunch of formats like PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and even comics (CBZ/CBR).
- Minimalistic design with no ads, so you’re not distracted while reading for that test.
- Keyboard shortcuts make flipping pages a breeze during study marathons.
- The portable version runs off a USB—no install needed for library computers.
Offline Capability: Yes, works offline once your files are downloaded.
Unique Selling Point:
- Crazy fast and light, won’t slow down your ancient university computers even with huge files.
- Supports tons of formats, so you’re covered from PDFs to e-books.
- Open-source software, meaning it’s all about reading, not selling you stuff.
Conclusion
4 apps to help you avoid distractions and actually enjoy your reading. Pick one that fits your reading style, and you’ll be going through pages without the usual notification chaos.
Happy reading, students!
How can amber help you?
amber helps you secure student accommodation of your choice on your study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), amber is your one-stop shop for all your accommodation needs. Download the amber app from the Google Play Store or App Store to book an affordable home for your adventure.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
