How to pace yourself through laborious books.

Posted by: Josh Walsh in Reviews.

I read books for two reasons: for entertainment or to learn something new. Occasionally, I’m fortunate to get both from a single book.

ReadMore, the new iPhone application from Navel-Labs helps you get through those books you need to read, but your mind refuses to concentrate on.

The premise is simple. Track your reading and gauge your progress. The application estimates the number of sessions it will take you to finish reading and about how much time that will take.

When my friend Jonathan first asked me to beta test it, I was skeptical. I understood the purpose. In fact, it was an application that I needed. But, I didn’t want to fiddle with my phone each time I sat down to read. To be useful to me, I told him, it would have to be unobtrusive. He delivered big time.

The application is gorgeous, thanks to the design skills of Brad Colbow. I can start reading in 2 clicks, and stop reading with a single click.

My favorite feature is the pause button. (ok, I’m biased since I championed the feature) While you’re reading, distractions happen. Perhaps your spouse needs help with the groceries, the phone rings, or maybe the kid just threw up. Just hit “pause,” deal with the recycled chicken parm seeping into your new white carpet, and “resume reading” when you are ready.

The app is $1.99 in the iTunes App Store. I can’t recommend it enough.

Do you like this app? Check out Jonathan’s Pomodoro Timer as well.