Category: Book Site or App

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Readercoin

It’s almost like getting paid for reading!  Readercoin is an app for iPhone and Android which has thousands of e-books and audiobooks available for free.  Readercoin “pays” you 1 Readercoin for every 10 minutes you spend reading or listening.  Readercoins are then redeemable as rewards, such as Amazon vouchers, Kindles, and even real cash (via PayPal)!  It has ratings over 4 stars on both Google Play and the iStore, has a load of free classics, and is also a great way to discover lesser-known treasures!

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Inkitt

Inkitt is a reader-powered publishing app, and what that means for readers, is that you once you sign up you get free access to hundreds of pre-published books.  They have just about every genre – and fanfiction too!  You can access the books online, including on HTML, iOS, and Android.  You can offer feedback to the authors if you so wish.  How it works for the authors, is that if they get enough reader engagement, they get their book published.  Fun all round!

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Fiction Express

Let me introduce Fiction Express – it’s a great way to keep kids interested in reading!  Every half-term the first chapter of a new book is made available, the children get to vote on what happens next in the story! The following week, the most popular plot-line is published for the children to read.  There are also quizzes and activities, and the chance to talk to the author online!

You can sign up at https://www.fictionexpress.co.uk/ and there’s a free trial available.  There are 3 reading levels: ages 6+, 8+, and 10+.  Have fun!

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Richard and Judy Book Club.

Looking for book recommendations? Check out Richard and Judy Book Club – they recommend about at least 6 books per season and they all available in WHSmith UK stores, on the Kobo app, and on Amazon.  They select books across several genres, so there’s something for everybody.  You can sign up for their newsletter, or follow their blog on https://blog.whsmith.co.uk.  You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

On the blog, when you click on a book cover to find out more, you are taken to a new page, with Richard’s review of the book, followed by Judy’s review.  Neither review contains spoilers.  There are other great gems on the blog too – such as interviews with authors where they discuss things like deleted chapters and alternative endings!

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Dead Good

Are you a fan of killer crime and drama?  Look no further than DeadGood!  Signing up to DeadGood’s newsletter is a great way to keep informed of the best of the latest crime and thrillers out.  With all their bestsellers, and great-deal offers, there’s plenty to discover for crime and thriller fans!  I discovered DeadGood on Facebook, but in addition to their own site, you can also follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Smashbomb

Folks, if you’re looking for reviews on movies and box sets as well as books, look no further than Smashbomb.com!

Smashbomb is a social platform that lets you research and discover new things through recommendations from your friends, experts, and influencers.  It’s a great little site, despite still being in its early (beta) stage.  It has reviews on all the latest entertainment from books to games to tech to movies to TV series.

Anyone can join in, signing up is free.  You can say your piece on products already on there, search for reviews on things you’re interested in, receive recommendations, see what’s trending.  Item pages are well set out, with ratings out of 10 and scores displayed much like reviews on Amazon.  You can make your reviews as brief or as long as you want.

You can now follow Book Blog by Cari on Smashbomb, just hop along to their site smashbomb.com, sign up, and search for BookBlogbyCari.

Book App/Site of the Fortnight – Blind Date with a Book.

Do you want your next read to be a complete surprise?  Blind Date with a Book has got it covered!  You receive a completely wrapped-up book, tagged with intriguing clues alluding to the book inside.  It makes for a great gift!  The books are hand selected great reads and are chosen from all genres including classics, thrillers, mysteries, romances, science fiction, adventure, and literary fiction.  They pick books that readers may have missed by great authors or other great books that perhaps did not receive the publicity that they deserved. I’ve taken a peek at their range of genres and clues and it looks superb!

The books come in at slightly under the usual price of paperback, and postage is circa £3.  You simply pop to their website https://blinddatewithabook.com, and select a book based on the clues provided.

If you’re after a new surprise book every month you can subscribe to their exclusive book club – details on their website.