5 Cool Tools for Reading Online

October 7th, 2011

Google Reader

Do you return to certain websites on a regular basis? With Google Reader, you can read them all in one clutter-free place, making keeping up with your favorite blogs and news sites as easy as checking your email. Plus, you can easily share articles and save them for later -- all it takes is a Google account.

Instapaper

Instapaper is "a simple tool to save web pages for reading later." Just start an account, click and drag the bookmarklet to your browser's bookmarks bar, and click it whenever you want to save a web page (i.e. lengthy article or silly video) for later. The nice thing about Instapaper is its accessibility -- since it's web-based, you can access your saved articles from any computer.

[Free] web + mobile

Readability

Like Instapaper, Readability lets you save pages for later as well as "zap online clutter" from web pages to improve your reading experience. Imagine: no more annoying animated ads trying to distract you from the content at hand. The $5 monthly fee supports writers and publishers, helping them continue to produce great material.

[$5/mo.] web + mobile

Long Reads

Not sure what to read? With Long Reads, you'll never be without great reading material. The volunteer editors at Long Reads take the time to curate the best articles on the web, pulling from great periodicals like the New Yorker, the Atlantic Monthly and Sports Illustrated. Sink your teeth into some great essays, short stories and long-form journalism.

[Free] web