Broaden your mind with Books

Apple’s revised ebook reader is better for organising your library

The latest version of Apple’s ebook and PDF reader brings with it a visual and navigational overhaul. Way back when Apple released iOS 7, it stripped out skeuomorphic effects from its apps, though some aspects of the analogue world remained – notably, the pageturning effect in iBooks.

iOS 12 reintroduces a small amount of that playful nod to physical media, adding a hardback spine effect to previously flat cover artwork. However, the big changes come in how you keep track of things you’re reading and what you’d like to read, and discover new books over time.

1 Reading Now

The top row of this tab shows your most recently read book at the top left. To the right (iPad) or just below (iPhone) are covers of other books you’ve started. Tap any of these to pick up where you left off.

3 Manage books

New downloads are added to Want To Read. For others, tap the ellipsis beneath one in your library and pick ‘Add to Want To Read’, or ‘Add to Collection’ if you prefer to separate fact and fiction, say.

2 Want To Read

Next down are books and PDFs you’ve marked for later reading: that you own, or of interest from Apple’s store. Tap the ellipsis under an item’s cover/in its summary for an option to add it here.

4 More to read

Below are For You suggestions based on your purchases and your ‘loved’ (and disliked) books, plus a traditional bestsellers list. Tap one to learn more, add it to Want To Read or a collection, or get a sample.