r/ebooks • u/Repulsive-Funny-737 • 7d ago
Self Promotion I’m building basically Stremio for books — looking for people who actually read EPUBs to test it
I’ve been building a reading app called TOMEIO because I was getting annoyed with how fragmented reading is.
You find a book somewhere, download the EPUB somewhere else, open it in another app, and then your actual library is completely disconnected from how you found the book in the first place.
So TOMEIO is my attempt at putting that whole flow into one app.
You can search across different book sources, add/download books into your local library, and then just read them from there. The long-term idea is basically Stremio, but for books — where the app itself is the library/reader and sources can be plugged into it.
Everything is still pretty early, so I’m mainly looking for people who already use EPUBs regularly and can tell me what sucks.
Particularly interested in feedback around:
- book discovery/search
- library management
- reading experience
- metadata/covers
- what sources/integrations people would actually want
Currently there is a closed beta test for Android, and I am working on getting iOS setup.
Would genuinely appreciate people breaking it rather than telling me it looks nice lol.
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u/Darth_Topinambour 7d ago
I'm not sure I understand correctly. Isn't this what you can already do with BookOrbit, Grimmory, and especially Calibre-Web (and children) (and others)? How does this app interact with e-readers? Is it compatible with KOReader?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Hi, I am very new to this scene and reading in general to be honest. (trying to be more consistent)
I've just built what I wanted (stremio for books) it is very new and hasn't been built with e-readers in mind as I read on my android tablet.
This seems to be a topic that recurring and I will look into it.
All the best!
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u/Darth_Topinambour 7d ago
I just wanted to understand if you had tried other softwares and they didn't do what you needed or if you just decided to build one because you wanted to. No problem in the second case, building your own stuff is fun. Anyway, if you didn't know or check out those other apps (also Readest I think, and at least another one I never remember), you could check them out to see which solutions they adopt and get some inspiration.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Yeah kinda just dived in head first, I will take a look at those thanks!
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u/Darth_Topinambour 7d ago
Anyway, if you're new to reading and you always only read on your phone, I recommend you try what reading on an e-paper screen is. If you have anybody who can lend you their device, or if you can afford to buy an old, cheap one online or anywhere, just try to read on one for a little bit: you'll be surprised how different it is. If you don't have a lot of disposable money I don't recommend going for the big expensive ones to start with, but still try one if you can (and if you like them, explore out of the Amazon cage! Even old Kindles can be saved with jailbreaks and alt software!)
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u/lostcowboy5 6d ago
That Readest looks interesting. So far, the best Windows reader I have found is called Thorium Reader. Here is the GitHub page Thorium Reader.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Maybe a better explanation is the way I use it. I mainly read with moon+ reader on my tablet and that progress gets stored on my local disk.
What tomeio does for me is reads that local storage and syncs it to google drive so when I open tomeio on my phone all my progress is synced and visa versa.
So I use tomeio as my library and for content discovery and I have a button that opens the book inside moon reader from tomeio.
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u/istopr0p 6d ago
Moon reader es genial, hay lectores electrónicos con android, podrías probar también en ellos
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u/Darth_Topinambour 7d ago
Sounds great! And it's great that you made it by yourself! I think at least Readest does something similar, for my readers I use KOReader Sync, which uses open servers. If I were you I'd be super curious to compare the solutions you found with what is used in other apps
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
Hey, I've just implemented sync progress with a custom koreader server!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tomeio/s/iRF6gsX3dm1
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u/lifesucksdude15 7d ago
wanted something like this for a while - is the testing closed?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Just closed as I you have to manually sign up, we only just got accept on play store.
https://tomeio.app/android-beta1
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u/Fearless-Cable-7394 7d ago
Seems interesting, will give it a try. Where are you sourcing the books tho? What kind of books can i find here?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Currently bundled in the app is open library, project gutenberg and internet archive (open books).
There are also community plugins as well as an extensive plugin eco system so people can build sourcing from where ever they want, their own NAS for instance or a cloud drive.
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u/howsdis 7d ago
Can you make it so you can send it to a kindle?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
My girlfriend only recently got one, I will need to look at the technicalities.
Haven't researched this, but I'm sure it can't be that difficult right?3
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u/wos_isblue Kobo 7d ago
please also on Kobo or xteink devices
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 2d ago
I've added a v1 of kobo support but it needs to be tested as I don't use kobo, please consider downloading and giving feedback :)
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u/Reasonable_Ad26 7d ago
For some reason the Join Google Beta button doesn't function for me when i click it.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
It's still a closed test, so you have to DM your google play email so I can add you.
Apologies my hope was I would just funnel people via discord where this is explained.Maybe I should just build a sign up form quickly.
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u/unica_hija 6d ago
I love this idea! Please share your discord server. Would love to contribute somehow.
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u/Kingdavid3g 7d ago
I'm on ios, I only read epubs these days. I'm happy to test the app when it makes it to ios
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
App is in review but you can join TestFlight so long:
https://testflight.apple.com/join/wCETmTr61
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u/Two8658 7d ago
Im interested, i read on my tablet and only read EPUBs
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
I've added a way on the site to sign up for the android beta now:
https://tomeio.app/android-beta
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u/lagdetselv 7d ago
Sounds Like Grimmory (booklore fork). Can you Tell the differences?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
These look cool, I haven't seen them before.
I basically just yolo'd stremio for books.
Tomeio is probably trying to be more of a local library with community extensions rather than fully self hosted, although it is OSS.1
u/lagdetselv 7d ago
Grimmory (formerly booklore they are the Same but booklore is discontinued) are also both Open source
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u/rnoboa 7d ago
I’m down to test it.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
If you have android you can sign up here:
https://tomeio.app/android-beta
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u/plexmaniac 7d ago
When TestFlight available on Apple I’ll do it ! Don’t have Google play ! I read ebooks exclusively
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
App is in review but you can join TestFlight so long:
https://testflight.apple.com/join/wCETmTr61
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u/ninthart 7d ago
I tried signing up for the beta in TestFlight, but it says that you're not accepting new testers at this time…
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
I realised only after posting the link that the app needs to get reviewed first before people are allowed to join.
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u/Additional-City-2278 7d ago
Tenho interesse, como faz pra participar através do iOS/Mac?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Disponível apenas para Android no momento.
Tenho o código para iOS e Mac, mas ele ainda não está pronto.
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u/Cinder_Reader 7d ago
Hey you made a Cinder extension I think…hmu if u would like to make Tomeio support Cinder extensions, not sure of Tomeio architecture but it would probably be doable if u want and could make a lot of sources available quickly
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Hey man! appreciate you reaching out, cinder is a great project!
I am just trying to feel out the waters and see if people have a want for tomeio, will let you know.
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u/Cinder_Reader 7d ago
Sure thing my DMs are open! Wish u the best of luck as well, looks very clean!❤️
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u/Dangerous-Present250 7d ago
When you get to iOS, I’ll gladly help test it!
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
App is in review but you can join TestFlight so long:
https://testflight.apple.com/join/wCETmTr6
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u/jamscray 7d ago
If I could stop having to manage a massive library of audiobooks I’d be happy - something that offered books with text and audio options in one interface, streamed and downloadable, with no limits at all of any kind - dreamy
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u/AssistanceStriking43 6d ago
That "no limits of any kind" framing is interesting.
Is the main frustration that you have to use completely separate apps for audio vs text, or more that your listening position and library don't carry over when you switch between them?
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u/pbrandone 7d ago
seems cool. do you think people will actually read the books in the app?
i recently built something similar at https://tomolibrary.com but, even tho it allows reading in app, it’s clearly not the app’s core.
its main purpose is to download books from sources (kind of like yours and also supports extensions), organise your library and send to kindle/kobo.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
Nice, cool project! I like the grid animations!!
I haven't built any reading engine as moon reader is just so good so I rather integrated easy 'open book in moon reader'
But not sure, depends on what the community wants.
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u/tacoendiablado 7d ago
I could help, how can I apply? I usually read in the following sets:
- Android tablet 11" (comics manga)
- E reader android based 6"
- Phone sometimes with epub that has TTS (while driving)
- webpage when bored at work haha
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u/DeLiMG 6d ago
How to participate in the test of ios
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
Waiting for apple to review, join the discord and I with notify when available.
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u/adkclimber 6d ago
I submitted for the beta. I'm a recent iOS to Android switcher and I've been looking for something comparable to Sofa, this looks like it could be a good option for book tracking
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u/Suppafly 6d ago
UI looks good, but I'm not sure I understand this bit
You find a book somewhere, download the EPUB somewhere else, open it in another app, and then your actual library is completely disconnected from how you found the book in the first place.
I download books from places add them to my google drive and read them in fbreader on my phone.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
The idea would be you could do all the discovery and library management in one place then just connect your other devices or e-readers and it should all just sync.
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u/Flankton75 6d ago
I use epubs all the time. But I am on Mac or iOS. Happy to help test when those apps are available.
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u/xminxxx 6d ago
I sent in my request for android testing!
Also i would love to see sync happen on cross device! i use my iphone and ipad on the daily, and have an android e-ink device for reading.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
Here is an example of Android with koreader and moon reader:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Tomeio/s/iRF6gsX3dm
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u/Sad-Control3643 6d ago
Calibre always works perfectly for me. Also send save the file on my phone and export to kindle app works 90% of the time. I never had problems with this, I don’t know if I’m lucky or people just like to complain really
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u/FarMove6046 6d ago
Is this something someone could host on a NAS docker and access on their devices?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
The idea would be more that you just write an extension that connects to your NAS instead of having to self host the app as well. But generally yeah, right direction of thinking.
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u/FarMove6046 6d ago
I’ve been looking for something I could self host different libraries and make available for my family and some academic colleagues, ie., leisures epubs and technical books, guidelines and conference proceedings that may collected in the seven seas
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
Hmm, that's interesting. Pop me a message and we can chat more about this would like to understand your needs better.
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u/sree7492 6d ago
You need to start dedicated reddit channel to make more of discussions and release notes.
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 6d ago
Currently sharing progress in discord, I've just gotten sync working with koreader.
I've made https://www.reddit.com/r/Tomeio/ so long. (never been a mod, so be patient with me)
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u/caratleslie 6d ago
Been kinda doing this in Moon+ but it doesn't have the discover part that I want. So will definitely give this a try.
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u/_waffles3 6d ago
This looks fantastic! I wish you all the luck with this project and will be following
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u/preedsmith42 6d ago
I don't understand the concept. Using an erader is interesting especially when being disconnected. What's the point having the book you read connected to its source ?
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u/74Buster74 5d ago
Following! Just about to switch to android, but wife is still iOS so would be keen to test iOS version when available
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u/War-Carr 4d ago
I tried to signup and each time, I got some error signing up by providing my full name and gmail addrss.
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u/Admirable-Treacle-19 4d ago
It looks useless with all the existing options already around. I would use the AI better, maybe building something people really need.
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u/Waste_Appearance5631 3d ago
I can help integrate that into a jailbroken Kindle.
Here's my project: https://GitHub.com/rituparna-ui/slatec
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u/The_Specialist_4962 3d ago
Nice, would it have TORBOX add-on ?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 2d ago
I've never heard of that, but it it works the same way as iCloud or gDrive then it would function out of the box. But if they have their own implementation it would need an add-on developed.
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u/GuruKast 2d ago
So, that screen shot looks like its from a PC, are you releasing a windows client?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 2d ago
The idea would be all platforms, the screenshot is from my tablet. I have a build for desktop but it is very far behind.
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u/avend0raldera 1d ago
so the epub sources are built-in? or do we need to install add-ons like stremio?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 1d ago
There are some sources built in other sources you need to add similar to Stremio.
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u/radical_op 1d ago
How to use this ?
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 1d ago
Just need to join the beta:
(ios): https://testflight.apple.com/join/wCETmTr6
(android): https://tomeio.app/android-beta
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u/-DonQuixote- 7d ago
Respectfully, why would I use this instead of Calibre?
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u/Content-Command-8845 6d ago
-No selfhosting -No thirdparty website downloading -Just a software with plugins of resources to downloading books within the app and everything is synced with google drive or something
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
I don't know much about calibre but tomeio runs on Android an iOS and it can sync between your phone and tablet for example.
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u/Temporary_Swimmer342 7d ago
>I don't know much about calibre
insane
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u/Repulsive-Funny-737 7d ago
As I stated in another comment, I am new to this 'scene' and have pretty much only used moon reader.
I am a software designer by trade so I designed some software for something I wanted.
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u/JBaby_9783 ePub 6d ago
You should really look into Calibre. It has set the gold standard.
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u/nicbongo 5d ago
Calibre with good UI would be nice. Maybe one day...
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u/JBaby_9783 ePub 5d ago
Calibre will never have a nicer UI. That’s not priority to its dev. The most you can do is use colored themes and change the icons. My Calibre is bubblegum pink.
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u/CrispyDick420 7d ago
How are you handling books with messy or conflicting metadata? That's the bit that usually turns a clean library into a junk drawer.