Introducing the reading app for people who don't even like reading

A new App called Serial Reader could help revive the art of reading, in just 20 minute bite size sessions a day.

So how does it work?

indy100 spoke to its creator Michael Schmitt:

You subscribe to one or more available novels and stories and immediately receive your first issue from each. Then, each day at a time you pick, you receive a new issue from each of your subscriptions.

The app tracks how much you've read and presents your reading streak stats for today, this week and all time to keep you motivated to read every day.

Where did he get the idea from?

Michael took the idea from 19th century serial novels; the book would be released in instalments rather than all at once, and uses old books whose copyright has expired.

It struck me as the difference between binge-watching an entire TV season online in a weekend, and watching the same season over the course of months.

What impact is it having on reading habits?

The app takes into account busy lifestyles, which means that people can read these books during their commute to work, waiting for their dinner to heat or in a spare moment.

I've heard from parents who are using it to read to their children at night, teachers using it in school. And mostly just people thanking me for getting them back into reading.

I think sometimes especially larger classic works are pretty daunting, especially when you feel so busy already.

What does the future hold?

Future plans for the app involve adding more features, including a dictionary to look up difficult words, highlighting passages and adding notes.

Michael also wants to introduce a merit- feature like badges or trophies, as rewards for finishing the book.

The top priority is filling out the library of available works to make sure everyone can find something they've always wanted to read.

And Michael's top five books? (today, anyway)

1. Lord of the Lords, J.R.R. Tolkien

2. My Antonia, Willa Cather

3. The Idiot, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

4. Dune, Frank Herbert

5. Ancillary Justice, Ann Leckie

Happy reading.

Download the app here

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