Ebooks on Windows 8: Three recommended reading apps

Ebooks under Windows 8 are easy to read: Microsoft offers a fully integrated PDF reader for the first time. However, the app is limited in terms of functionality. Whether on a PC or tablet, all e-book readers are advised to take a look at the Windows Store, where the "Book" and "Fiction Book Reader" apps catch the eye. A Win 8 reader quick check.

In the days of Windows 7 and Windows Vista, Microsoft proudly built on the XPS format for digital reading material. Now the "Reader" app is pre-installed as standard on both Windows 8 editions, on PCs and tablets. When you start the app, a list of recently used documents is displayed. After clicking on "Browse", any PDF or XPS files can be opened.

It quickly becomes clear that the app's strengths lie in its performance and ease of use. Electronic documents always open in full-screen mode, so you are not disturbed by other content or information.

The view of a document can be customized at any time. If you click the right mouse button to open the app bar, you can select the desired display format (two pages, one page, continuous). Documents can be rotated by 45 degrees by clicking on "More/Rotate".

A particularly practical feature of Reader is that you can permanently mark text passages and create notes. To do this, right-click on a marked passage in the text. Then select "Mark" or "Add note". If you click on a note, you can delete or edit it.

The Reader app naturally also offers a search function within the documents. To do this, select the "Search" function in the app bar. You can then enter the desired search term in the search field that appears. Use "Back" and "Next" to jump back and forth between the results.

The "Book" app allows you to organize and read your own e-books. The app even remembers the places where you stopped reading.

When you first start the app, you have the option of synchronizing your own electronic book collection with the SkyDrive cloud service. Under "My bookshelves", you can set up several virtual shelves, for example for different subject areas. The desired files can be stored on these shelves by clicking on the plus symbol.

The app now also supports EPUB and TXT files.

The disadvantage: In the free version, text passages are randomly colored black - not exactly nice. Unlocking the full version is worth it though.

Here's the book app in the Windwos Store

This app supports the FB2, EPUB (without DRM) and TXT file formats. The app is therefore perfect for reading e-books from Amazon or a public library, where these formats are usually available, or for all readers who also use common e-book readers (such as those listed on www.ebookreadertest.net).

The start page shows your own collection sorted by author, genre or category if you wish. You can add a book to the collection via the app bar with "Add a book".

With the Fiction Book Reader Lite app, you can easily navigate through your own e-books via the app bar. The table of contents shows in percentages how much you have already read. You can also create bookmarks and search through your e-books very easily.

In the Charm "Settings" you will find some setting options for font and color. Unfortunately, these can only be changed in the paid version. The current price is a reasonable 2.49 euros.

Both versions are available in the Windows Store: Fiction Book Reader Lite or Fiction Book Reader

(Photo: Screenshot from the Windows Store, windows-tweaks.info)