Ask the book
Ask a question without leaving the page. Readr answers in the margin and cites the passages it used so you can check the source in context.
Readr
Readr is a free, open-source ebook reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Ask questions, listen to books, and turn highlights into Markdown notes.
AI ebook reader with in-page questions and read-aloud
Readr is an ebook reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that lets you read, ask questions about the text, listen to the book, and turn highlights into writing. The site describes it as free and open source, with DRM-free EPUB, PDF, and Markdown support.
Its main idea is to keep reading and questioning in one place. Answers appear in the margin with citations back to the book, while the app can also bring outside knowledge when a question goes beyond the text. Notes and highlights can be gathered into a draft article and exported as Markdown.
Core features
Highlights to article
Collect highlights and notes, then use Compose article to turn them into a draft article built from your own reading notes. Export is available as Markdown.
Read aloud from your page
Listen from the page you are on, with sentence and chapter skipping, adjustable speed, a sleep timer, and lock-screen/headphone support.
Choose your own AI
Bring your own AI by signing in with OpenRouter, using ChatGPT on Mac, pasting Anthropic or OpenAI keys, or running a local Ollama model on Mac.
Reading layout and typography
Readr supports Paper, Sepia, and Dark themes, plus proper book typography and viewing modes such as scroll, single page, and two-page spread.
Local-first privacy model
Readr uses local device storage for keys, claims no telemetry, and does not require a Readr account or server-mediated flow.
Practical ways to use Readr
Reading and comprehension
Use Readr while studying a dense chapter, then ask what a term or passage means without switching to a browser. The answer stays tied to the relevant lines in the book.
Research notes to draft
Highlight passages that matter to you and add notes as you read. When you are done, turn that material into a draft article and export it as Markdown for further editing.
Audiobook-style reading
Listen to an ebook when your eyes are tired or you want hands-free reading. Readr resumes from the page and sentence position you left off, whether you return by listening or by reading.
Personal AI setup
Use local Ollama on Mac or bring your own AI key if you want the app to talk directly to the provider you chose instead of routing through a Readr account.
Reading comfort and layout
Choose scroll, single-page, or two-page spread layouts, plus Paper, Sepia, or Dark themes, to match the way you prefer to read on each device.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Questions can be asked directly in the margin without leaving the book.
- Answers are grounded in cited passages from the book.
- Highlights and notes can be turned into a draft article and exported as Markdown.
- Read-aloud runs on the device and the site says nothing from the book is sent to a server for reading back.
- The app is free and open source, with no account required.
Cons
- The site does not provide a pricing page beyond a 404, so pricing details are not confirmed there.
- The Mac build requires Apple silicon, which may limit some older Macs.
- Supported file handling is described only for DRM-free EPUBs, PDFs, and Markdown; broader library or cloud integration is not shown on the site.
FAQ
What platforms and file types does Readr support?
Readr is designed for reading DRM-free EPUBs, PDFs, and Markdown on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The source also notes that the Mac build needs Apple silicon.
Does Readr require an account or subscription?
No. The site says there is no Readr account, no telemetry, and no subscription. It is available as a free and open-source app.
How does asking questions in a book work?
You can ask questions directly on the page while reading. Readr returns answers in the margin and cites the passages the answer is grounded in; if needed, it can also use the model's broader knowledge.
Can Readr turn notes into something you can export?
Readr can compile your highlights and notes into a draft article that you can edit and export as Markdown.
Can Readr read books aloud offline?
The site says Readr can read aloud from the page you are on, supports sentence and chapter skipping, and includes a sleep timer. The voice runs on your device.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI ebook reader
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Supported files
- DRM-free EPUBs, PDFs, and Markdown
- Pricing
- Free and open source; no subscription mentioned
- AI options
- OpenRouter, ChatGPT on Mac, Anthropic key, OpenAI key, or local Ollama on Mac
- Source domain
- readr-ai.github.io
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