Apps that help you read more

Faria: a reading companion for paper books

Faria is for people who want to read physical books every day. You set a reading time and a daily goal in minutes; at that time an alarm asks “Got your book?” and starts a session. While you read, you can ask out loud what a word means or what’s happening in the story, and Faria answers in a natural voice without spoiling anything past your page. Read a line aloud and it’s saved; your saved lines come back on your lock screen later.

• Daily goal, reading alarm, streaks, and streak saves that cover a missed day.
• Optional app blocking: the apps you pick stay closed until today’s reading is done.
• Add books by photographing a whole shelf, scanning a barcode or typing a title.
• Works with books in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

Best for: reading more paper books, and reading harder ones. iPhone only. Faria has no free tier: a 7-day free trial, then $79.99 a year or $12.99 a month in the US.

Bookly: a reading timer and stats

Bookly tracks your reading sessions with a timer and turns them into statistics, goals and reminders. It suits readers who are motivated by numbers and want a log of time and pages across every book, on iPhone and Android.

StoryGraph and Goodreads: track and discover books

StoryGraph and Goodreads keep a record of what you’ve read and want to read, with yearly reading challenges. StoryGraph is known for mood-based recommendations and detailed charts; Goodreads, owned by Amazon, for its huge catalogue of reviews and its social side. Neither helps during the reading itself, but a yearly challenge and a want-to-read list keep the next book in view.

Opal, one sec and Screen Time: keep the phone quiet

If the phone is what stops you reading, block it. Apple’s built-in Screen Time sets app limits and downtime for free. Opal and one sec add friction or full blocks to the apps you choose. Faria’s own blocking is tied to reading: apps unlock when today’s goal is met.

Libby, Kindle and audiobooks: read in more places

Libby lends ebooks and audiobooks free with a library card. Kindle and Apple Books put a book on every device you own, and audiobooks turn a commute into reading time. More formats mean more moments that can become reading.

Readwise: keep what you highlight

Readwise gathers highlights from Kindle, Apple Books and other sources and resurfaces them in a daily review, and it can capture highlights from paper books with your camera. It is for remembering what you read rather than for reading more, and pairs well with any of the apps above.

How to choose

• You read paper books and want a daily habit: Faria.
• You want numbers and a log of every session: Bookly.
• You want to track books and get recommendations: StoryGraph or Goodreads.
• Your phone is the problem: Screen Time, Opal or one sec, or Faria’s goal-based blocking.
• You want free books: Libby.

Many readers use two: one to track or find books, and one for the daily reading itself.