Build the bookshelf you've always wanted — then actually read the books on it.
SlowRead turns reading into a slow, intentional ritual: a gorgeous 2.5D bookshelf you'll be proud to show off, focus sessions that really block the apps stealing your attention, and a reading streak that keeps you coming back.
— A BOOKSHELF WORTH SHOWING OFF —
Every book you add becomes a beautiful spine or cover on a warm, hand-illustrated shelf. Photograph a real book spine to bring its exact look into your library, rearrange your books by dragging them around, and decorate your shelves with plants, candles, clocks and more. Switch between a cozy Cottagecore light theme and a moody Dark Academia dark theme. It's a bookshelf that finally feels like yours — made for booktok and romantasy lovers.
— FOCUS SESSIONS THAT ACTUALLY BLOCK DISTRACTIONS —
This is what makes SlowRead different. Start a timed reading session and SlowRead really blocks your distracting apps — not a gentle reminder, an actual block powered by Screen Time. Close Instagram, open your book, and stay there. Your session keeps going even if you leave the app or your phone restarts, so there's no cheating your way back to the feed.
— BUILD A READING STREAK YOU'RE PROUD OF —
Set a simple daily reading goal in minutes and watch your streak grow on a beautiful calendar and heatmap. A fresh literary quote greets you each day. Small, gentle nudges — never guilt.
— TRACK EVERY BOOK, EFFORTLESSLY —
Organize your TBR, currently reading and finished books. Create custom libraries for any collection — series, moods, seasons — and tag books however you think. Add private notes, log rereads, and track your start and finish dates. Everything stays neat, searchable and yours.
— ADD BOOKS IN SECONDS —
Search millions of titles across multiple book databases, scan a barcode, or snap a photo of a spine. Covers are fetched automatically so your shelf looks stunning from the very first book.
— BRING YOUR LIBRARY WITH YOU —
Coming from Goodreads? Import your entire library from a CSV export in a few taps, and SlowRead backfills the missing covers for you.
— PRIVATE BY DESIGN —
SlowRead is local-first. Your library lives on your device, not on our servers. No feed, no ads, no noise — just you and your books.
Start your first slow reading session today. Your shelf, and your attention span, will thank you.
All features described above require a subscription. A free trial is included, so you can try everything before paying.
TERMS: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
I never write reviews or even buy subscriptions, I tend to just do free trials and call it a day. But this app has everything and such cool features it beyond me! This type of thing helps me actually get back into reading. I understand its a small app that is made from a smaller organisation so therefore theres a subscription. However it is a lot for the average person to pay and I wish there was perhaps a compromise of some sort.
Developer Response
This made my day, thank you for taking the time, especially if you never write reviews. On the price, that is fair and I would rather answer it straight than dodge it. There is a compromise already, it is just not obvious enough: besides the monthly plan there is a yearly one that works out much cheaper per month, and a one-time lifetime purchase, which is the option most readers who feel the way you do end up taking. You pay once and it is yours, no subscription at all. Prices are also set per country rather than converted from dollars, so what you see should be adjusted to where you are. And to be clear about what your money pays for: it is a small team, there are no ads, nothing is sold about you or your reading, and the work goes back into the app. Everything you liked got built that way. If the lifetime option is still out of reach, write to me and we will sort something out. That offer is genuine. Thanks again for the words about getting back into reading. That is the actual point of the whole thing.
Incredible
JessiicaaaAimee
SlowRead is quickly shaping up to be my favourite book tracking app. Having your own library is brilliant, the design ideas are so good and anything they haven’t thought of they actually listen to feedback and provide the updates users are looking for. Congrats to the team on a continued job well done.
Developer Response
Thank you so much for all the support! We work on improving the app all day and we’re putting so much love into it. Users like you make it possible for us to live this dream. Thank you ❤️
Gets information so wrong
katiebdsbsb
It’s a good app in theory but when you try to add readings it gets it all wrong and puts the wrong page number in and the wrong amount of pages read and even if you try to change it and save it it still proceeds to say the same thing
Developer Response
Thank you for this, you're describing a real problem and we want to fix it. We've been reworking exactly this area (reading logs and page math), and an update is on its way to the App Store right now. If it still misbehaves after updating, please email us at hello@slowreadapp.com with the book and the numbers you entered, we'll get it sorted and would love to win back your stars.
Stuck behind a paywall
Tigsy123
This would be such a cute app if they had a “premium subscription” rather than making it a subscription only app so that there would be a free version of it. I saw this advertised and was so excited then i downloaded it and realised I can’t use it without paying almost £7 every week, that’s just about £30 a month or £114.
Developer Response
Thanks for the kind words about the app. Just so it's clear: the weekly plan isn't the only option. SlowRead has an annual plan and a lifetime option — a single payment, no subscription at all — both of which work out far cheaper than paying weekly. The weekly is there for people who prefer a low upfront commitment, but nobody has to choose it. Open the app, tap through to the plans and you'll see all three.
Sagas. Novellas and prequels get their number, 1.5 or 0.5, like on Goodreads. Edit the numbers of any saga with − and +, and restore the official order whenever you want.
Audiobooks. Set your exact speed for each book and each session. Your position moves at that speed and the book page tells you how much is left.
Format. Say how you have each book: its binding if it is print, or where you read or listen to it, from Kindle to Audible.
Stats. A daily view with its own card to share, a bigger calendar, and the longest and shortest book of the month.
Your profile. Five new modules: genres and tropes, best and worst, reading time, streak and set aside. They all start hidden.
Widget. The widget's bookcase shows your decorations and the new themes.
Also: tap anywhere on a saga to open it, create one from the + at the top, and a deleted book no longer closes the app.
Version 1.0.14
The developer, Adrian Martinez Moreno, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
Identifiers
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Purchases
Contact Info
User Content
Identifiers
Usage Data
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Privacy practices may vary based, for example, on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Provider
Adrian Martinez Moreno
Size
88.3 MB
Category
Books
Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 17.6 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 14.6 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.