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Case study · Publishing

SHELF Reader: reading and listening to books like on a streaming platform

For a bookstore chain we designed SHELF Reader, an app and website to discover, buy, read and listen to books in one place: a personalised home, scrollable book reels, one-tap purchase, a built-in reader and audiobooks.

Project
Product concept and prototype
Industry
Publishing · bookstores
Service
Product design, app and web
Formats
eBooks, audiobooks, print
Discovery
Book reels and personal picks
Bookstore
Print copy pickup in store
Platforms iOS Android Web
SHELF Reader — reel: QuoteSHELF Reader — reel: Book trailerSHELF Reader — reel: Listen to the openingSHELF Reader — reel: 3 reasons to read itSHELF Reader — reel: This or thatSHELF Reader — reel: Mood collection
QuoteBook trailerListen to the opening3 reasons to read itThis or thatMood collection

The reader journey

From first launch to the last chapter

Seven screens, one account: pick what you like, discover, buy, then read or listen without leaving the app.

1
SHELF Reader — Single sign-in + tastes
Single sign-in + tastesOne account for app, website and store. Three genres are enough.
2
SHELF Reader — Streaming-style home
Streaming-style homePicks for you, continue reading, from book to film.
3
SHELF Reader — Quick discovery
Quick discoveryBook reels to scroll through, like short videos.
4
SHELF Reader — One-tap purchase
One-tap purchaseeBook, audiobook or both, plus why it was recommended.
5
SHELF Reader — Built-in reader
Built-in readerNotes, highlights and quotes to share.
6
SHELF Reader — Search or request
Search or requestIf a title is missing, the reader requests it.
7
SHELF Reader — Audiobook
AudiobookPick up exactly where you left off, in text or audio.

Discover

Book reels: scroll, fall in love, read

The Discover section turns the catalogue into short vertical content to scroll, like social videos.

Six formats keep discovery fresh, and every reel takes you to read, listen to or save the book in one tap.

  • Six formats: quote, trailer, opening, 3 reasons, this or that, collections
  • “From book to film”: titles to read before you watch
  • Save, listen or start reading from any reel
SHELF Reader — Discover

Read and listen

The same book, in text or audio

The built-in reader and the audiobook share the same position: read on the tram, then keep listening at home from the exact spot.

In the text you can highlight, take notes and share a line as a card.

  • Position synced across text, audio and website
  • Highlights, notes and quote cards
  • Audiobook with chapters, speed and sleep timer
SHELF Reader — reader
SHELF Reader — audiobook

Purchase and store

From recommendation to purchase in one tap

Every book page explains why it was recommended and lets you buy it right away as an eBook, audiobook or both.

Readers who prefer print can reserve a copy and pick it up free in store, so the app brings customers into the shops too.

  • Buy and start reading instantly
  • Print copy with free in-store pickup
  • Missing title? Readers request it from the editors
SHELF Reader — book page

On the web too

The website, synced with the app

The same experience on desktop: home, reels and search, with library and reading position always in sync.

shelf.reader
SHELF Reader — website, home

Have a catalogue people should discover?

We design digital products for content businesses: app, website and a clickable prototype before a single line of code.

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