READsquared Reviews

I just downloaded this so I could participate in my local libraries summer reading challenge, but I can’t even copy and paste my review. I read several books a month for my Bookstagram account, and I can’t just rewrite each one, especially when READsquared crashes if I switch to another. Please update this for a phone!

The interface is bad and you can only log 100 points a day (two books)

I really wanted to like READsquared! I’m using an Iphone 8 plus so maybe that was the issue? When trying to play the colored square game it said to “double tap the screen to start” and when I did that nothing happened/it wouldn’t start. So then I went to the crossword puzzle game and the buttons at the top overlap onto the letters. The functionality just isn’t the best unfortunately. I also found that when I would select the icons on the left hand side to go from games to the home section or maybe to the log that I would have to wait 5 or 10 seconds till it went to that screen. At first I thought it was frozen but it turns out it was just loading.

I really want READsquared to be successful and I fully support it!! Just hoping these things can get fixed!!

Our library uses READsquared for the summer reading program and it honestly so hard to use. The interface is not user friendly at all. I am unable to track how much we actually read - there is limited amount of points you can track a day but there is no guideline of how many minutes points are. I can’t log anything due to being “over the daily amount”. It makes no sense that I can only log 10 minutes a day when we are reading about an hour. It makes no sense to have a field to enter the title of the book and the choice pops up with the author name and then another field that requires you to enter the authors name. Overall a very poor app that I have no desire to use and will definitely not recommend. 👎🏼

In summary: This is not an app, it’s a website for computer shrunk onto a mobile screen. It’s outdated, clunky, and makes no sense. And crashes - even when I’ve done nothing, really, because it won’t let me.
• READsquared appears like a website, rather than designed to be an app for mobile. (Most buttons are very small, for example.)
• When you first create your account, there is no orientation, to show you around READsquared . Nor are there any explanations as you go to new sections for the first time.
• There’s an unexplained count up clock running.
• You can create an avatar.... but have no idea what it’s for or if it shows up anywhere else in READsquared .
• You can see your history of logging books read - but have no way to add a new book.
• READsquared crashed within 10min of downloading- all I have been doing is clicking around trying to figure out how it works.

I am confused and disappointed this is READsquared available for my library to use for their winter reading program - there have to be better apps out there for this.

I downloaded READsquared to track reading for my library’s summer program. I love the concept and really wanted to like READsquared but it’s basically just the website and there’s not really a benefit to having READsquared . If I’m recording minutes and need to go to the ebook to find the author’s name, READsquared won’t save my progress on the form so I have to type everything again. Overall it’s just a really clunky process that could be improved with a few changes. I’m deleting READsquared as I don’t need it taking up space on my phone when I can just leave a tab open in the browser with the website.

Impossible to log anything

READsquared keeps kicking me out. I’ve tried to register 4 times now. I’m over it! Forget it

I tried logging in 100 minutes but I couldn’t because I already logged in 0 points which doesn’t make sense so what I’m saying is the people who made READsquared are complete idiots that have a brain the size of a peanut and act like a 2 year old

Laggy

Does not work

Please have it remember all the past books I entered so I don’t have to retype them when I don’t read just one continuously. Please tell me what I badges are ahead and what I have to do to earn them so it doesn’t seem like I randomly get some random level badge every other time I enter reading. Or at least tell me what the badge stands for later (by clicking on the badge) so it has some meaning, but really, I would rather know what to work toward. What comes after adult level? How many levels of adult are there? I feel like I’m blindly accumulating meaningless trophies

There are 15 different icons on the tiny side panel and none stand out from the others. Either reduce this number, move it to the home page or at least make the icons look like what’s behind them. Don’t tell me I earned zero points when I took the time to write a book review. If I get no points then send a different message that tells me you got the submission but doesn’t make me feel left out or like I did it for nothing. If this is all about time spent reading, why is there no easy way to time my reading in READsquared ? Just a “start reading” and “stop” button would be good but better to be able to connect with kindle and estimate reading time off percentage read. I’m using READsquared only because I want to compete with my school and district in reading and I wish the link to the competition was on the home page.

READsquared is rough. We’re using it for the library program 1,000 books before kindergarten, but it takes longer to record the books in READsquared than it does to actually read some of the books to my 1 year old. Obviously a lot of those books are re-reads, but there is no way to select previous books and instead you have re-type all the info in to save it. So typing in the the 13 digit isbn on a tiny phone pad (while minding a baby) is your best option. The scanner option is trash, It only works on 1 out of every 5 books, and you have to retake the photo at least 6 times (to get the right angle?) before it maybe can read it. I don’t understand why reading a barcode is difficult? Every other app does it without a problem? Anyways I don’t want to completely trash READsquared because it is free and libraries use it but I would much rather pay a little to get an app that is better!!!

Terrible app. I can’t even log in to an account created on the computer a month ago! When I tried to make one on READsquared , I couldn’t go on with my computer! Also, you can’t see most of the things on a page. The logging system is average. Use is on the computer or else there is no point at all. Do not recommend!!

Gosh we are trying to use this for summer reading and it is slow on my computer and slow on my phone. I though maybe READsquared was the way to go but it also is difficult to use.
We have been able to track but it is not something my 9year old can do independently only because of the difficulty adding because of the lag. When a pop up comes on- to track or to let you know you leveled up I often have to reopen READsquared

READsquared is very convenient for mobile use for the summer reading program. Very good. The one problem I have with it is that, when you login, the library card number is labeled “username,” and the PIN is labeled “password.” A bit confusing compared to the login screen on the web browser.

READsquared would be better if it allowed barcode reading as a way to enter in book titles and authors. The ISBN is right in the barcode and would pull up the title and author. Added bonus, readers would have the actual title they read in hand to use the barcode. At minimum, allow readers to cut and paste in a title and author. I realize READsquared is free, but I have other free apps that do allow both features and it makes logging in my book titles effortless.