Linux has no shortage of ebook readers. However, most have a minimal feature set like Okular or else a needlessly complicated interface like Calibre. Either way, compared to the interfaces on Kindle or Kobo e-readers, the interfaces tend to be unsatisfactory. A notable exception is Koodo Reader. Drawing on the features of e-reader interfaces, and, possibly, sites like Goodreads, Koodo offers a clean, intuitive interface with detailed features and display options either implemented or planned in upcoming releases.

Koodo Reader has yet to reach the repositories of major distributions, but the Linux version is available from the web page in AppImage, DEB, RPM, and snap formats for 38 different languages. If you download the AppImage or snap format, you may need to change the file permissions to make it executable. In all versions, if you choose to store files on another machine, or in a location other than the default (.config/koodo-reader/uploads/data in your home directory), you will need to enter the full path in the settings. Optionally, you can also use the Setting menu to customize the default display and behavior.

The Main Page

Koodo Reader opens in a catalog of uploaded books displayed in card mode (Figure 1). In the upper right corner, you can change the display mode from card to the plainer list mode or to cover mode if uploaded items have a title page. The default display is set to Books, but in the left-hand margin, you can also choose to display Favorites, Notes, and Highlights (highlighted passages), as well as Trash. As the number of uploaded books increases, the search field becomes convenient. You can also change the sort mode, using such criteria as Title, Author, or Reading Progress, and arrange books on shelves, like on the Goodreads site. However, in the latest release, you cannot add your own shelves. Right-clicking on any item also opens controls, as well as information about the file (Figure 2). Assorted features can also be enabled from the Setting menu (Figure 3).

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