Electric Pocket’s BookLover for iPhone Review

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I know I’ve said it here before, but I’ll say it again: I like lists.  I’m a sucker for any promising program that allows me to make more lists, and while I like programs that allow me to create lists for a wide range of needs (Things or ListPro, for example), specialized list programs are great, too, because they can incorporate features that true enthusiasts want but are specific to the list topic.  BookLover from Electric Pocket – makers of BugMe! – is just such a specialized list.

BookLover, as may not surprise you given the title, is a program that allows the user to make lists of books. The basic interface of BookLover graphically categorizes your book list into groupings of books you are reading now, books that you have yet to read (or want to read), and books that you have already finished.  The main screen is formatted like a wooden bookshelf, reminiscent of Apple’s iBook app.

Considering that your list is presented via book covers, you’re probably wondering just how those cover graphics get into your book list.   First, select the “+” button in the upper right corner of the screen and begin filling in the title and author fields, then choose the category (reading, to read, read) from the menu at the top.

After entering the title and author, you can either select a generic cover design from the icons below the author’s name, or select the icon on the right to have BookLover search for the cover of the book you entered, much like music software searches for album covers.  If BookLover finds the cover of your book in the database, it automatically inserts it.

After you’ve entered a book into BookLover, you can move it from one shelf (category) to another by tapping and holding the book, then dragging it to the desired location.

Tapping on a book cover shows a new screen with a synopsis of the book.  This synopsis can be edited and the user can add his or her own notes about book by tapping the “A” icon in the middle of the row of buttons on the bottom of the screen.

Tapping on the “page” icon at the top of the synopsis allows the user to enter their current page number, thus creating a virtual bookmark.  It’s a nice little feature if you’re reading a dead tree book and don’t have – or lost – your physical bookmark.  It’s not a feature you’re likely to use as often if you’re reading an ebook, unless you’re reading the book on multiple devices and aren’t using Kindle software with Whispersync.

Tapping on the light bulb icon on the bottom right will generate a suggested reading list of books similar to the one you are viewing.  The suggestions are provided through Goodreads.com.

The paper airplane icon will allow you to email your book suggestion to friends or family or post it on Facebook.  (Because, after all, doesn’t everything go on Facebook these days?)

BookLover is a simple, nicely designed, and aesthetically pleasing little app for people who like to keep track of the books they are reading or want to record book suggestions they receive from friends or family.  You can find it here in the iTunes App Store.

What I Like: Nice design, easy to use, organizing by covers is a unique feature.

What Needs Improvement: It’s hard to find something that needs improvement, but if anything, it would be nice to see the notes section be separate from the book summary.

MSRP: $0.99 in the iTunes App Store

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