For a more up-to-date look at eBook apps for iPhone and iPad, check out our Top 5 eBook Apps list and reviews.
The world of mobile entertainment on your iPhone and iPod touch doesn’t have to be limited to music, podcasts, and videos. Now, thanks to the App Store and a legion of developers, you can add ebooks to your mobile entertainment platform.
IPhone ebook applications come in all flavors and styles, as a stop by the Books section of the App Store will reveal. Some apps are simply one books or comic embedded in a reader. Others are reader programs that can have all kinds of purchased and free eBooks added to them.
This list features eight English-language iPhone eBook applications that are readers that you can add books to, not just books in and of themselves. As I review these apps and investigate them in more detail, I’ll updated this page with more content and links.
BookShelfLT
Price: Free
Formats Supported: Text, HTML, PalmDoc, fb2
Download at iTunes
Notes:Books are free, but are ad-supported; limited to 10 books at one time
eReader
Price: Free
Formats Supported: eReader
Download at iTunes
Notes: Works with eReader mobile store
Libris
Price: $2.99
Formats Supported: Plain text, PalmDoc, non-secure eReader files, non-secure MobiPocket files, Libris
Download at iTunes
Notes: Includes book cover art and illustrations, text size and color can be changed; can buy books from Fictionwise
Penguin Group USA
Price: Free
Formats Supported: NA
Download at iTunes
Notes: Not an eBook reader, but provides podcasts, interviews, essays, and more related to Penguin books and authors
Safari Books Online
Price: Free
Formats Supported: Safari Books
Download at iTunes
Notes: iPhone version of Safari Books service, which requires subscription to sync downloaded books to iPhone or iPod touch
ShortBook
Price: $4.99
Formats Supported: fb2
Download at iTunes
Notes: N/A
ShortBookLE
Price: Free
Formats Supported: fb2
Download at iTunes
Notes: A less full-featured version of ShortBook- removes Night mode, bookmarks, and other feaures
Stanza
Price: Free
Formats Supported: Text, PDF, Kindle
Download at iTunes
Notes: Library of 50,000 titles for sale from Fictionwise; 40,000 free downloads via Project Gutenberg; has companion desktop app
