Something that mimics the way an ipod or ipad has their books on shelves when you open them up. I have a book color which is rooted but i use a launcher application to customize my home screen. Id really like to find an app that held all of my books on an organized shelving system when i open it. I just don't know of one or know really how to search for something like that on th app market.
Several of the free e-book readers do shelves, and look like the iPhone reader app. I prefer Aldiko to the rest.
aldiko allows you to put shortcut to books on the home screen. theres your shelves
The Kobo App on the iPad has shelves, but it doesn't seem to want to work correctly on the rooted NC.
i 2nd the vote for Aldiko.
thank you
Thanks much guys, I will check out the aidiko app If they made one that read both nook books and kindle books with the shelf thing I'd die a happy person
The stock NC app has shelves.
So I'm sure there are similar threads out there dealing with general android devices, but I thought since I spent a good majority of my day yesterday looking through some ebook apps specifically for my nook, I'll post my findings.
First off, I'm going to talk about my top finds. Trust me, there are a lot out there and I didn't download them all, but I probably went through a good 15-20 apps. If you have an app that isn't listed that you like for whatever reason, post about it and I'll look into it! Make sure if you post an app below, that you give as much info as possible about it (and you've tried it on your nook)
App: Nook
Pros: Has a wide variety of books from major publishers, store sync's well with app, many options for viewing, allows you to import epub and pdf books.
Cons: Kinda basic, changing pages via the scroll bar doesn't work well, don't seem to be able to export books easily.
Bottom Line: Although it's a solid app, it doesn't have nearly as many books as the Kindle nor does it have as good a reading experience as other apps. With that said, it does offer some books that the Kindle store doesn't. I recommend this if you're loyal to B&N.
App: Kindle
Pros: Nice interface, huge store with major publishers (more than the Nook), good viewing options, allows import of epub and pdf books.
Cons: The app redirects to a webpage for the store, which doesn't work as flawlessly as other apps, Like the NOOK app, changing pages via the scroll bar doesn't work well. The mobi format isn't that common and doesn't add for easy exporting.
Bottom Line: The Kindle app offers more choice in books than any other app, but the reading experience still lacks somewhat. It has just as much options as the Nook, but being able to customize it more would have been nice. It is very similar to the Nook in terms of usage. If you are loyal to Amazon, it's great.
App: Overdrive
Pros: Free books rented from local library, also offers audiobooks.
Cons: Selection varies depending on your area, Library account needed, there is a wait on most books, the app itself sends you to a webpage.
Bottom Line: This is a good complimentary app IF they offer anything for you in your area. Out of the three area's I have tried, only one had support for it. Free is always nice!
App: Laputa (free version)
Pros: Free books from both major publishers and independent writers, many Public Domain books, support for Chinese books, allows for easy import/export (due to epub and pdf file types), Multiple sources from which to get books from, Virtual shelf interface.
Cons: Reading experience lacks, most books are bootleg (therefor illegal), small buttons make it almost impossible to touch, many links in the stores are broken, misspelled/missing text within downloaded books.
Bottom Line: If you don't mind getting books illegally, it has a lot of major series (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Sword of Truth series, Holmes, and many more). Most (if not all) of the downloaded books are in epub format so importing them into another reader is easy. Right now (apparently with the last app update), book covers is broken, so to utilize that feature in any reader, you have to manually download and add them. Not many reading options don't help the reader at all. Good way to get free books, but not to read them.
App: Aldiko
Pros: Best reading experience, many many options (from font size to margins), multiple library views, categories, and tags, Store works OK with a lot of public domain and creative common books, along with paid books, importing books is really easy, as is setting up cover art (if the book doesn't already come with it), Support for Catalogs and easy "Last Read" button, also support for Adobe DRM (which I have not tried out)
Cons: The paid section of the store doesn't offer as many books as Nook or Kindle, but still has a good amount, plain Home interface and store.
Bottom Line: Although the store lacks compared to a big company such as Amazon or B&N, you can find many books with this app. There is no reading experience as good as this one, with options to change text, brightness, orientation settings, day/night colors, margins, and even advanced formatting to override the books initial formatting to suit your style. The library offers both "bookshelf" view and "list" views, which can be sorted to your desire independently. List view also offers tabs to view by Author, tags, and Collections (some books come preset with tags, others don't. Either way you can add your own, and your own tag types) By far the best way to view epub and pdf books, I just wish they had support for mobi and other formats so that I could import my kindle and nook books that I have.
Each of these offer different reasons to use them, but if you can find your ebook in epub or pdf format, Aldiko gives you the best reading experience by far. The fact that it makes it so easy to import, download, and use ebooks is refreshing compared to the Kindle and Nook. Although I do not fully understand Adobe DRM, because Aldiko supports it, it seems to only enhance it. On a final note, I downloaded the first book from Harry Potter from Laputa and imported it into Aldiko and read the first 4 chapters. The file was OK, with some spacing, spelling, and formatting errors that I KNOW and official release of the Harry Potter book would NOT have.
I will be updating this with further information and maybe other apps when I can. Let me know what you think and if you have different experiences than me (or I got something wrong)
PLEASE NOTE: I'd like to say that I do not condone getting ebooks illegally, however one of the apps I talk about above (Laputa) does allow you to do so (at the cost of spelling errors, formatting errors, etc.). I also believe (not 100% sure, but it makes sense) that the law on ebooks would be similar to the law on video game ROM's, that is if I won the book I can technically download a free version of the ebook if I can find it, such as the case with the Harry Potter book I mention.
I don't know about your legal interpretation of that. It's a different platform/format. If I buy a movie on DVD, I'm not entitled to download and burn a blu-ray copy of that same movie.
I prefer Nook from Android Market combined with Calibre ebook manager on the PC. You can pretty much feed Calibre any ebook format and it will not only convert it to which ever device you wish to read it on but it will load it onto the device in the directory that the device expects to find ebooks. (unless you tell it otherwise) Killer ebook combo.
Hi,
I have been using FBReader for my eBook reader and find it works very well. It
handles epub and a variety of other formats. (but not PDF). It has a good 'night
mode' and the ability to dim the backlight in the app.
There is a third party called FBSync in the market that will use the web to sync
book mark progress in books and/or the books to Dropbox. Particularly useful when
changing ROMs too often on the Nook Color!
I use Repligo for pdf reading, the reflow works reasonably well.
I know you are looking mainly at eBook readers, but you haven't mentioned Calibre
an opensource PC/MAC ebook library management program:
http://calibre-ebook.com/
Calibre will also download and manage covers, reviews and do format conversions.
Calibre works well with an Android app 'Calibre library' (paid) and FBReader.
I like your writeup and plan to try some of the other apps you suggested.
Thanks,
Peter
I'll put another vote here for FBReader.
I used Aldiko since I first got an Android phone in 2009. It was awesome, the absolute best reader software on Android. And then they lost their damn minds.
It is now 10 times bigger. And has one third of the options it used to have. I still haven't figured out what they did to accomplish that. When that happened I went looking for another option.
I had already given up on the Nook reader software because I keep a lot of books on my phone (and now on my Nook). The Nook reader software just couldn't handle it and basically self destructs when I try to load up my library. Laputa sucks in so many ways it isn't even worth mentioning.
I had tried FBReader way way back and it just wasn't good enough, but to my surprise when I tried it again all of the original issues were gone. It is easy to use, easy to configure to your liking, and can handle my 500+ book portable library with ease.
A. Nonymous said:
I don't know about your legal interpretation of that. It's a different platform/format. If I buy a movie on DVD, I'm not entitled to download and burn a blu-ray copy of that same movie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I just looked this up and you're right. I guess because I was thinking about digital rights and not literature rights, I thought that way. I'll update my post to reflect this.
Atahachi said:
I prefer Nook from Android Market combined with Calibre ebook manager on the PC. You can pretty much feed Calibre any ebook format and it will not only convert it to which ever device you wish to read it on but it will load it onto the device in the directory that the device expects to find ebooks. (unless you tell it otherwise) Killer ebook combo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nook app, IMO, lacks both features and usability. I'll have to check out Calibre, sounds like something i was looking for, thanks!
pmilford said:
Hi,
I have been using FBReader for my eBook reader and find it works very well. It
handles epub and a variety of other formats. (but not PDF). It has a good 'night
mode' and the ability to dim the backlight in the app.
I saw FBReader but decided not to download it after reading all the negative reviews of it. However, after seeing what you guys have said, I'll check it out and probably post my thoughts on here maybe tomorrow.
JMMusic said:
I'll put another vote here for FBReader.
I used Aldiko since I first got an Android phone in 2009. It was awesome, the absolute best reader software on Android. And then they lost their damn minds.
It is now 10 times bigger. And has one third of the options it used to have. I still haven't figured out what they did to accomplish that. When that happened I went looking for another option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What more options could they have? It has more than any of the others I've seen.
JMMusic said:
Laputa sucks in so many ways it isn't even worth mentioning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I mentioned it was because of it's store. Also, the app used to work pretty well when it first came out, but basically has not been updated since then.
Thanks guys for your input, I'll check out FBReader!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the write up.
I'd like to note that Aldiko's PDF viewer is quite limited (no zooming or panning whatsoever) unless the device is running Android 2.2 (Froyo) and up, which spoils it for me running the stock ROM (Eclair). Not finding any free alternatives, I purchased ezPDFreader, the least expensive option, and am quite happy with it so far.
For compiled HTML files (chm), iReader is a good option. It's very customizable and handles zooming and re-flow pretty well... and it's free
I'm on stock ROM and using Moon+ reader, lovin' it so far.
that moon reader seems pretty good. nice tip.
I also read (and documented somewhere) that you can set up Calibre in a server mode to serve up your own library of books. It seems that Aldiko will interact with it remotely in this manner. I read about it and intend to do it when I have a chance but haven't tried yet so that's about the extent of my knowledge on it
The three best reviewed Ereader Apps are Aldiko, Moon+ and FBReader.
FBReader was one of the original apps, from something like 15 years ago.
Of course, all of these are designed to read DRM-free books, so the "store" references in your review are not really relevant.
pmilford said:
Hi,
I have been using FBReader for my eBook reader and find it works very well. It
handles epub and a variety of other formats. (but not PDF). It has a good 'night
mode' and the ability to dim the backlight in the app.
There is a third party called FBSync in the market that will use the web to sync
book mark progress in books and/or the books to Dropbox. Particularly useful when
changing ROMs too often on the Nook Color!
I use Repligo for pdf reading, the reflow works reasonably well.
I know you are looking mainly at eBook readers, but you haven't mentioned Calibre
an opensource PC/MAC ebook library management program:
http://calibre-ebook.com/
Calibre will also download and manage covers, reviews and do format conversions.
Calibre works well with an Android app 'Calibre library' (paid) and FBReader.
I like your writeup and plan to try some of the other apps you suggested.
Thanks,
Peter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally support. Been using the FBReader for ages now and with FBSync app there's absolutely no fuss now with different gadgets I read on.
Been using Aldiko here. Though it is a little big size wise, I like the feature set as well as visibility. Looks and performs really well, and allows you to import any other online catalogs you favor.
Combining that with Calibre, got a pretty nice pair.
Also, theres a portable test version of calibre incase you wanna throw it on a stick, or even your phone:
portableapps.com/node/20518
Cool Reader
Seems to work well on Rooted 1.1 - lots of options and very little bloat.
Another vote for Moon+ reader here! Been using it since day one and it's awesome.!
Sorry it's taking me so long to update my post guys, I'll be doing it soon, I promise! It's been a busy week on my end and I haven't had much nook time. Thanks for everyone who has replied!
Still waiting lol
Since this thread has popped up again, I would just put out there that Mantano has replaced both aldiko and any other PDF reader out there for me. The PDF reading experience is the most complete I've found to date, and with its new support for OPDS catalogs, should now be able to interact directly with calibre in server mode (although I haven't tested this yet... been too busy to read anything in the last month).
I've been using Kobo for epubs, it's pretty cool it gives you stats on your reading. It works great with the default dpi, unlike the nook app. Also, there's no need to move your files around in the sdcard since the app searches for all supported files in the card.
Another vote for Kobo! Lighter than Aldiko and with similar options.
Playing around with CM7 and I'm not all that keen on the Nook app, so I want to try and find a replacement. I use calibre on my PC and I also use the calibre library app, which will allow you to specify the download location.
The problem with Aldiko seems to be that you have to put the book on your NC first (doesn't matter where) and then import it. I'd like to have it so that when calibre puts it there, the reader sees it and we're good to go, but with Aldiko, I have to import after it's on the NC and then I have two copies of every book, unless I do some sort of cleanup.
Any suggestions on a cleaner way to use Aldiko or a different app, given what I'm using? I don't have to use the calibre library app either - if I can just set a download location that the reader will pick up without jumping through hoops.
ive never had a problem with aldiko duplicating books on import i was under the impression that it just indexed the location on the sd card
mooja said:
ive never had a problem with aldiko duplicating books on import i was under the impression that it just indexed the location on the sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Double check it. It duplicates for me by moving the book into it's library structure on the sdcard and leaving the old one where it is.
I think I'm liking FBreader right now. Surprised no one has any input on this...
I'm a fan of moon reader myself.
I use coolreader but I don't use Calibre so I can't help you there. I suspect your problem with Aldiko has to do with importing books into Aldiko rather than just opening them. I noticed that if I choose import after pointing the program at the book location on the sd card it makes a copy and puts it on my shelf thingie. if I don't import (and let it make the copy) I don't get the cover on my shelf.
Doesn't anyone here use the Nook for Android app? The most latest one look pretty slick, although it can get a bit laggy, especially if you're like me, who has like thousands of ebooks.
Aldiko is great but I have the same problem. I would love to use the "Send to device" function, in Calibre.
I image the problem lies in the setup, there must be a way to setup a custom device and tell it where the files should go.
les02jen17 said:
Doesn't anyone here use the Nook for Android app? The most latest one look pretty slick, although it can get a bit laggy, especially if you're like me, who has like thousands of ebooks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I'm old-school, but I use the Nook app for all my B&N books, which is mostly what I have. It's generally my go-to so far for the public domain books too, but I haven't read much lately outside of PDFs for work using ezPDF. The last update that added magazines etc made it much nicer and more stable for me.
I like the B&N Nook app okay, but the organization seems to be a tad lacking to me. You can only do 'recent', 'title' and 'author' and you can't do a simple list (just words) either.
Aldiko, for example, will do series. FBreader will do tags and you can set favorites. And so on.
At least the app has a decent night mode vs the grey that's on stock. But shelves might be nicer I think. And adding some of the other stuff as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111978
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=917926
I was on aldiko previously until they have issues with calibre opds format lately. I have moved to fbreader as opds works great but now I have another issue. Fbsync doesn't seem to work when trying to sync bookmarks. Whenever I click sync it will force close. It works on my attic though...
Sent from my MB860
khaytsus said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111978
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=917926
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot khatsyus! I missed those!
One thing I *really* like is the ability to use Aldiko and put a shortcut to a book right on the home screen.
Hm...My ideal reader:
Shortcuts to open books on home screen (like stock)
Recognize books in directory without need to "import" (everything but Aldiko, I think)
Autoscroll (moon+)
Recognize Tags (all but nook)
"Last reading" - FBReader opens right to the page of the last book you were reading which is essentially just like the stock "Last Reading" button from the status bar.
Organization/Collections (aldiko, moon+)
Ability to see and use TOC from details without opening book (nook)
Multiple bookmarks (can't figure out how to even add a bookmark in nook app, it just puts one wherever you left off automatically.
On a side note, does anyone else find that the nook app does't honor screen timeouts or anything? It just keeps the display powered up and running. Accidentally ran my nook down completely because of it.
Slightly off the main topic, but I found this article yesterday about how to use either Aldiko or Moonreader along with Calibe and Dropbox to access your entire ebook library anywhere. I currently have 646 ebooks on my laptop and don't have them all on my different devices, so as long as I have WiFi or 3G I can connect and add any books I want to my Nook or phone.
http://www.anamardoll.com/2011/03/ereader-library-in-cloud.html
I'm using Aldiko now (and the Nook app for any of my downloads from B&N, which is actually pretty few) and the only option it doesn't have that I want is the ability to synch the app between devices so if I'm reading on my Nook it will remember the page so I can continue from the same spot on my phone. Does Moonreader have an option like that?
I've been using coolreader for months and really like it. Free and I haven't found anything that I want to do frustrated.
I had been using the nook for android app, and it does work quite well. However I figure there are alternative readers out there and I would be doing myself a dis-service if I did not check a few of them out to see what else is available. So I installed moon reader and so far it is working nicely for me. I particularly like the night themes as they are very easy on my eyes.
reaper12 said:
I'm a fan of moon reader myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for moon reader
What kind of sharing options does Moon+ have? Is there any type of option that will post the page you're on or percentage complete like Goodreads does? (I can't get the Goodreads app to work on my rooted Nook)
Definitely souring on Aldiko. Have some books that it is chopping up on-screen (dropping words/sentences from end/beginning of pages). Pulled up the same pages in fbreader and no problems. I've never had that issue in the nook app. Gotta try moon reader now...
Moon reader +1
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
Not gonna say it's as good as the original but it's much better than it was. :thumbup::sly:
Sent from my Nook Tablet using xda premium
Sent from my Nook Tablet using xda premium
How's the app?
I've been using NT stock, rooted for a while, and I'm getting a bit tired of it. This close (pinches fingers together) to taking the plunge and going CM 7. How well does the Nook app work? I'm assuming it doesn't let you access magazines, but otherwise, I'll get all the books I bought through them, right? Does it function much differently from the stock reader?
I've only got one magazine subscription, the New Yorker, and their implementation leaves much to be desired. I'm about ready to switch to a digital subscription with them and just run Cyanogen.
Sorry for putting this here. It's impossible to search for threads on the Nook app, because everyone likes writing "nook" in their thread titles.
xiefeilaga said:
I've been using NT stock, rooted for a while, and I'm getting a bit tired of it. This close (pinches fingers together) to taking the plunge and going CM 7. How well does the Nook app work? I'm assuming it doesn't let you access magazines, but otherwise, I'll get all the books I bought through them, right? Does it function much differently from the stock reader?
I've only got one magazine subscription, the New Yorker, and their implementation leaves much to be desired. I'm about ready to switch to a digital subscription with them and just run Cyanogen.
Sorry for putting this here. It's impossible to search for threads on the Nook app, because everyone likes writing "nook" in their thread titles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nook app works pretty well on the Android side, and yes you can get all of your books and certain magazines. If you look at the Nook magazine subscription, it will tell you if it's available for the Nook app, PC reading, or just Nooks. I checked, and the New Yorker only works with the Nooks themselves. The reader is very similar to the "stock" reader, and I actually like the page turning animation better -- it looks much more like a real page turn.
I dual boot (native Nook and CM7 SD card) so I can still use the Nook native reader for my magazine content -- which, for those to which I subscribe, is Nook only, not Nook app.
Thanks. I might try out the dual-boot for a while. Actually, the only magazine I subscribe to is the New Yorker, and the implementation is pretty disappointing. If you back out of the app (each issue is actually its own app), it loses your place in the article, and it doesn't give you subscriber access to your archive. They have a digital subscription that gives you full access, so I might just try it that way. It's not a very visually compelling magazine to begin with.