# Bookship: a virtual book club

> A social reading chat app for book clubs, reading groups, friends

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.ionicframework.bookship](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.ionicframework.bookship)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.ionicframework.bookship`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** The Hawaii Project, LLC
- **Category:** BOOKS\_AND\_REFERENCE
- **Downloads:** 17,727
- **Rating:** 3.96 / 5 (87 ratings)
- **Version:** 10.8.5
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-04
- **First published:** 2017-07-14
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 76 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-08
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionicframework.bookship)
- **Website:** [https://www.bookshipapp.com](https://www.bookshipapp.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.thehawaiiproject.com/privacy](https://www.thehawaiiproject.com/privacy)

## Description

Bookship is a mobile-first social reading app designed to enrich your book club experience. Connect with friends, family, or co-workers to discuss books, share quotes, and post photos of favorite passages. Enjoy instant live video chats, group calendars, polls for book selection, and easy management of members and reading lists. Discover unique book recommendations curated by leading tastemakers and keep track of your To Be Read books with the built-in barcode scanner.

Read classic works for free inside the app, highlight passages, and share your thoughts in real time with your group. Bookship Premium offers enhanced features such as reading guides, author interviews, expanded group sizes, and an ad-free experience. Supporting literacy initiatives, Bookship donates a portion of revenue to nonprofits. Perfect for casual readers and avid book clubs alike, Bookship brings your virtual reading community together seamlessly.

## Rankings

- #452,985 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_OWN_CALLS`
- `android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.READ_CALENDAR`
- `android.permission.READ_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC`
- `android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS`
- `android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_CALENDAR`
- `android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.ionicframework.bookship.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users appreciate Bookship as a simple and effective virtual book club platform with strong digital reading and annotation tools and excellent support. However, many experience technical issues including loading errors, login troubles, and lack of notifications. Users desire improved social features like open community discussions, better comment functionalities, and organizational tools such as calendars and shared bookshelves. Despite its promise, the app requires enhancements and bug fixes to fulfill user expectations effectively.

### Pros

- App is great for virtual book clubs, allowing synchronized reading and group interactions.
- Digital highlighting and markup features enhance reading and discussion experiences.
- Customer support is responsive and helpful in resolving issues.
- Simple and easy to use for hosting virtual book clubs and tracking reading.
- Integration of PDFs within groups for reading and annotation is appreciated.

### Cons

- App has frequent technical issues such as loading problems, crashes, and network errors.
- Difficulties in account creation and login errors are common.
- Lack of notifications for comments and interactions outside the app.
- Limited social features, no option for open communities or better comment formatting like @mentions.
- Missing features like calendar integration and shared bookshelves for better group coordination.

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- [BookClub Social](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.zenithTechsphere.bookClubSocial) — 44 users

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.ionicframework.bookship)