Read2Go is a DAISY reader app for Bookshare that works on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. If you haven't heard of the site before, Bookshare is an initiative aiming to increase the opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to access a wide range of printed materials at the same time as everyone else. You can read more about the Bookshare mission on their website. With Read2Go, users and schools supporting students can search, download and read Bookshare books and periodicals and manage their books in a bookshelf.
Where to get it
More about the Bookshare service
Bookshare is a subscription based service. It's actually based in the United States but it's open to international members as well. For an individual membership, the cost is $75 in the first year (which includes a one off setup fee of $25) and $50 per year after that. At the time of writing, that works out at about £45 for the first year and £30 for each year after that. The Bookshare website has more details about signing up as a UK individual.
What books are available?
Bookshare has a wide variety of books available to UK users. By default, when you become a member, Bookshare will only show you books that you can download as a resident of the UK. Some of the publishers that books are available from include:
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Scholastic (children's titles)
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Harper Collins (fiction and nonfiction)
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Baen Books (science fiction and fantasy)
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O'Reilly Media (technical / computer)
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Orient BlackSwan Pvt. Ltd. (educational and fiction)
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Perseus (fiction and nonfiction)
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Seasons Publishing (children's titles)
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East West Publications (fiction and nonfiction)
User comment
We heard from Lynn Holdsworth, an iPhone 4 user who's a Bookshare subscriber and has been using Read2Go for a while.
I'm always looking for sources of accessible books that aren't easily or cheaply available elsewhere. A $75 signup fee and a $50 annual subscription, along with the Read2Go app, allows me to search for, download and read books on the go. A few weeks back while I was travelling to work, someone recommended a dog training book, and it gave me quite a buzz to be able to download and start reading it before I reached work.
Due to copyright issues, not all of the Bookshare books available in the US can be downloaded with a UK account, but there's still an awful lot to choose from.
Got a suggestion?
We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list? Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!