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Enhance your summer reading experience with high-speed internet

Lisa Iscrupe,Hannah WhatleyAllconnect

Published 2:58 pm ET Jul 3

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Summer reading often brings to mind relaxing with a novel by the beach or pool, but for many school-age children, it can feel like just another task on their summer to-do list. Whether you love diving into your to-be-read pile or find it a chore, transitioning to digital reading can make the experience more enjoyable. You can use numerous online tools to access a wider selection of books than your local library or bookstore can offer, all from the comfort of your home.

The best summer reading resources

We’ve put together a list of the best summer reading resources — all you need to obtain them is reliable home Wi-Fi. Read on to learn more about these materials and tools and the internet speed you need for each. 

• Explore online library resources.
• Connect with a virtual book club.
• Attend author events online.
• Make reading easier with accessible apps.

Explore online library resources

Visiting a physical library, browsing the shelves and receiving personalized recommendations from local librarians is an excellent way to spark a lifelong passion for reading. However, not everyone has access to a nearby library or the time to visit one. 

Fortunately, with high-speed internet service from providers like Xfinity, AT&T, Frontier and Hughesnet, even the most rural areas can connect to online library services. 

Virtually check out library ebooks using Libby, a free app that works with local libraries so you can borrow and explore ebooks and audiobooks on your cell phone, tablet or other digital devices. If you don’t have a library card, Libby will help you locate a nearby library and direct you to their website. Many libraries now let you register for a card online without needing an in-person visit. 

Recommended internet speed: 10 Mbps

Reading basic ebooks requires around 5 Mbps of download speed. However, many reading apps also offer audiobooks and multimedia content with interactive graphics. A speed of at least 10 Mbps will ensure that you can seamlessly access these additional features and enjoy faster downloads for offline reading, making your experience faster and more convenient. Internet providers such as T-Mobile 5G, Rise Broadband or satellite internet from Starlink offer service that can easily support these functions. 

Connect with a virtual book club

A book club is a place to gather with a small group of people who share similar reading interests. In a typical book club, members discuss a book they have all read while highlighting plot points and exploring themes in the story. 

You can find an in-person or virtual book club through your local library, bookstore or sites like Bookclubs or OnlineBookClub.org. Book clubs function well in a virtual setting since members can connect using free video meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Discussion forums on sites like Goodreads and The StoryGraph allow you to share your thoughts and observations on nearly any novel without the need for scheduled meeting times. Additionally, these sites often feature extra perks for users like giveaways of popular books.

Recommended internet speed: 25 Mbps

Zoom requires 4 Mbps for high-definition (HD) video in group meetings, and other video conferencing tools have similar speed requirements. These minimum speeds are based on a single computer using the Internet on a hard-wired, or Ethernet, connection. Therefore, we recommend having more than the minimum speed to accommodate a Wi-Fi signal and other connected devices running in your home. 

Attend author events online 

Attending book signings and author talks can be challenging if you don’t live near a major city. Fortunately, online author events provide a convenient alternative. While you miss the face-to-face interaction of meeting an author in person, you gain the benefit of accessing webinars beyond your geographic limitations. Other ways to connect with authors online include reading their blogs, visiting their official websites or following their social media pages.

Use these book-related sites to search for virtual events:

• https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/ — Search by ZIP code or author to find nearby events. 
• https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/ — Enter “virtual” in the search bar to find remote-friendly events. 
• https://www.storyvoice.live/ — Listen to books by popular children’s authors. For kindergarten through Grade 5.

Recommended internet speed: 5–25 Mbps

Searching for and attending author events online can require different internet speeds. Browsing the web for author sites and events requires minimal download speed, but watching videos or participating in interactive live events requires a faster connection. Spectrum, Kinetic by Windstream and Cox are all fast internet service providers that can support high-bandwidth activities.

Make reading easier with accessible apps

Reading apps can enhance your summer reading experience. There are apps to track your reading progress, review books you have read, listen to audiobooks, read user-contributed stories or write your own, check out free ebooks from your library, and even read comic books. There are apps dedicated to specific genres and ages (preschool, grade level, etc.).

These apps can enrich your summer reading experience with a wide range of features and functions:

• Track your reading progress and review books. (Goodreads, Bookly)
• Listen to audiobooks. (Audible, Chirp Audiobooks)
• Read user-contributed stories. (Wattpad, Inkitt)
• Check out free library ebooks. (Libby, hoopla Digital)
• Read new books on a subscription plan (Kindle, Scribd)
• Find books for kids (epic!, Booka)

Many reading apps cater to specific genres, such as comics, suspense or classic literature, and are tailored to different age groups. Find and download ones that make your summer reading more engaging and enjoyable.

Recommended internet speed: 5–25 Mbps

Most reading apps don’t require high-speed internet for reading or listening to books. However, apps with video and interactive content perform better with faster download speeds. If you need to upload your own content, a higher upload speed is beneficial. Fiber internet, offered by providers like Optimum and Quantum Fiber, offers the fastest upload speeds, matching its download speeds, while other internet connections provide upload speeds between 3–30 Mbps, sufficient for uploading text-based content to apps.

How to find the best internet service for summer reading 

To set up home Wi-Fi for summer reading success, account for the number of connected devices and other online activities in your household. Here are some tips to help you choose the best internet provider:

• Decide what internet speed you need. You may need a faster internet connection than the speeds recommended in this article if you have multiple people online at the same time or high-bandwidth activities like gaming and streaming taking place simultaneously. 
• Choose a connection type. Certain types of internet connections, such as cable internet, work best for ultra-connected households, while 5G internet is a good fit for lighter Wi-Fi use.
• Find providers near you. Searching for internet providers at your location is key to finding a home internet solution. Research your options and read provider reviews to make the best choice. 

Get low-cost internet for summer reading 

If the monthly cost of internet is an obstacle, there are a few tips to save money on internet so your family can enjoy the benefits of online reading this summer.

• Search for cheap internet and internet deals near you.
• Qualify for free or reduced-price internet.
• Use free Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Switch internet providers to a more affordable option, such as prepaid or no-contract plans. 

Final thoughts on using the internet for reading 

Make the most of your home internet this summer by enhancing your reading experience for yourself and your family. Online resources such as e-books and audiobooks grant you access to vast libraries, while apps and virtual book clubs enable you to track your progress, review books and engage with other readers online. From attending online author talks to discussing the latest reads, the digital world offers numerous opportunities to make your summer reading convenient and fun.

Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.