
Drowning in ebook reader apps, searching for the mythical one thatactuallyworks? I was too, until I unearthed Readest. Free, open-source, and works oneverything– it’s not just good, it’s replaced my entire digital library arsenal. Consider me converted.
Cross-Platform and Syncs Between Devices
Tired of ebook readers that lock you into a single device? Readest shatters those chains. Imagine seamlessly switching between reading on your Windows laptop, your iPhone on the train, or even your Linux machine all without losing your place. Readest delivers this freedom across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and the web. But the real magic? Its flawless sync. Pick up exactly where you left off, no matter where life takes you.
The Kindle app? My digital bookworm heartadoresit… mostly. Whispering through the cloud, it keeps my Kindle library and reading progress perfectly in sync across all my gadgets. Pure magic!However, venture outside the Kindle ecosystem with other ebook formats, and prepare for a digital demolition derby. Managing non-Kindle books within the app is, shall we say, an exercise in frustration.
Readest is my digital bookshelf’s unsung hero. It delivers that seamless, cross-platform syncing magic I love in Kindle, but extends the same experience toallmy ebooks even the treasures I unearth from free ebook sites.
Free cloud storage lets you sync up to 500MB – perfect for taking your favorite books on the go. To maximize your free storage and avoid needing a premium upgrade, upload a few titles at a time. Think of it as curating your personal digital library, one captivating book at a time.
Ready to ditch the book cloud? First, summon Readest on your device. See that sneaky “hamburger” menu lurking at the top? Tap it! Now, banish those automatic cloud uploads by unchecking “Auto Upload Books to Cloud.” Next, let’s get you signed in. Head back to the menu, select “Sign in,” and conjure up your FREE account. Happy Reading!

Want your books to travel with you? Just tap that tiny cloud icon under any book, andpoof, it’s whisked away to your personal cloud library! Access it from any of your devices, anytime. My secret? I hoard all my books on my desktop, then launch a mass upload – a digital bookworm’s dream!
Be patient. It sometimes takes a few minutes for everything to sync.
The one snag? Kicking a book out of your cloud library isn’t as simple as a tap and delete. You’ll need to banish the book from the library of the device you originally uploaded it from, severing its ties across all your synced devices. Then, welcome it back with a fresh upload. Remember, auto-sync is the VIP pass – keep it active to ensure your library stays current.
Customize the Reading Environment
Tired of ebook readers that box you in? Readest breaks free. Dive into a truly personalized reading experience with deep customization. We’re talking granular control – tweak fonts, margins, and spacing. But here’s where it gets wild: unleash your inner CSS guru. Inject custom CSS for content and even reshape the reader’s UI. Okay, it might sound like rocket science, but for those who demand ultimate control, Readest delivers. It’s your book, your way.
Readest: Think Foliate, but fresher. If you’ve loved reading ebooks on Linux with Foliate, prepare to meet its vibrant, modern successor. Readest reimagines the beloved app from the ground up.
If you don’t want to create custom CSS, Readest provides five other sets of options, including:
- Font – size, type, weight, font family, etc.
- Book layout – spacing, margins, writing mode, etc.
- Theme – mode, colors, highlighting
- Behavior – scrolling, clicking, animation, etc.
- Language – default language and translation

Wide Variety of Built-In Reading Tools
Tired of reading apps that tease you with features, then lock them behind a paywall? Readest throws open the doors. Dive into any book and unleash a symphony of tools: highlight key passages, scribble insightful notes, bookmark crucial chapters, and hunt down specific phrases with ease. Students, rejoice! Readest transforms your digital reading into an interactive learning experience.
Hidden Gem Alert: Your eReader just got smarter! Did you know it can actuallyreadyour eBooks aloud? Forget strained eyes – just sit back and let the story unfold. Here’s the secret: Open your book, then hunt for the headphone icon nestled near the bottom of the screen, next to the progress bar. (No bar? A quick mouse hover or screen tap should conjure it up!) Sadly, PDFs are currently excluded from this audiobook magic, but fingers crossed for a future update.

Tap the headphones again to silence the AI reader. Heads up, free users: your access is time-limited, though the app keeps the exact number of hours a delightful secret.
And that’s not all! Unlock a universe of possibilities: instantly define any word or phrase, illuminate key passages with highlights, dive into Wikipedia, master pronunciation with AI, translate on the fly, or capture brilliant excerpts in your personal notebook.

If you’re translating text, free users get up to 10,000 characters per day. You’ll have to upgrade to get more.
Compare Two Books at Once
Imagine juggling two literary worlds at once. That’s the power of Readest’s parallel reading. Sounds quirky, right? But for language learners, it’s a secret weapon. I’ve also discovered it’s a game-changer for focused research and deep study sessions.
Ready to dive into a double dose of reading? First, crack open your book. Spot that little book icon in the top left corner? Tap it to unveil the table of contents. Next, summon the hamburger menu (those three little lines!) and choose “Parallel Read.” A new world awaits! Simply pick another book from the list, andbama second pane appears, letting you explore two stories at once.
Unlock linguistic secrets! Arm yourself with the target language book and its native tongue twin, or, for a digital shortcut, unleash the translator tool – revealing hidden passages without Parallel Text’s helping hand.

Compatible Formats and Premium Options
Readest devours a wide range of formats: EPUB, MOBI, KF8 (AZW3), FB2, CBZ, and TXT. While we’re teaching it to truly master PDFs, some features are still under construction for that format.
Still on the fence about upgrading? For casual readers, the free version might suffice. But if you’re a bookworm with a sprawling digital library, hungry for AI-powered insights, instant translations, and a sneak peek at upcoming features, the premium version is calling your name. Starting at just $5 a month, it’s a small price to pay for unlocking the full potential of your reading life and carrying your entire ebook collection in the cloud. Consider it your all-access pass to a richer, more connected reading experience.
Readest isn’t perfect; you might hit a snag with occasional slow loading. But hold on – it’s a treasure trove of free features! Plus, the developer’s a tireless tinkerer, constantly refining and upgrading the experience. Think of it as a diamond in the rough, always getting shinier.
If you’re looking for more ebook reader apps, try these options.
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