In today's fast-paced world, where everyone is busy with their work and commitments, it can be challenging to find time to read books. Everyone is likely to be familiar with receiving a book as a gift, downloading an e book or buying a physical copy only for it to sit gathering dust at home or await to be picked up again with a bookmark sat inside around chapter one or two. Reading is also not just a pleasurable pastime but a crucial aspect of personal development, and not being able to read regularly can have adverse effects on one's mental and intellectual growth.
However, with the advent of technology, there are now numerous solutions that allow people to access books and read them on-the-go, aiming to modernise the book reading process without diluting the content. One company aiming to provide a solution is Blinkist, a business that claims their product provides ‘more knowledge in less time’.
In this review we will take a look at exactly what Blinkist is and whether or not it is a gimmick that can be dismissed or a genuinely beneficial service for busy people in a modern world, that can enhance their lives and improve their reading practices.
What is Blinkist?
Blinkist is a mobile application that offers users access to over 4,500 books that have been summarized into bite-sized content that can be read in just 15 minutes. The app offers users the ability to learn from non-fiction books quickly and efficiently, making it an excellent tool for individuals who are constantly on-the-go or have limited time to read.
The app offers summaries of books across various genres, including personal development, science, business, and biographies. The content is divided into various categories such as “bestsellers,” “trending,” and “most recommended,” making it easy for users to find content that aligns with their interests.
Aside from the features related to actually consuming books, there are various things users can also do outside of this. These include, having book lists curated by experts and receiving personalised recommendations as well as ‘Shortcasts’, a service that provides the same same service for podcasts as it does for books.
Pricing wise Blinkist offers a free 7 day trial to familiarise themself with the platform and try to decide if it is going to be worthwhile to use long term. From there, users can then sign up to the ‘premium yearly’ subscription option which costs $89.99 annually.
The second option is to pay $14.99 a month however this does not come with a free trial and is naturally more expensive across the course of a whole year.
Users may be best placed to use the free trial option to have a first hand look at the platform and then making a selection on either the monthly or the yearly subscription based on both needs and personal budget etc.
Who would benefit from using Blinkist?
Blinkist could be a beneficial tool for individuals who want to learn but have limited time to read. It is perfect for busy professionals who want to stay up-to-date with the latest business trends or individuals who want to learn about personal development but cannot commit to reading a full book.
Blinkist is also a good tool for individuals who are looking to get into the habit of reading regularly. The bite-sized content makes it easy for users to get into the habit of reading every day, without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by a lengthy book.
Additionally, Blinkist may be of use for students who are looking to supplement their learning. The app offers summaries of books across various academic disciplines, including history, science, and social sciences.
What are the alternatives to Blinkist?
It will be unsurprising to learn that Blinkist is not the only tool for individuals who are looking to learn but have limited time to read, there are several alternatives available in the market that offer similar services.
One alternative to Blinkist is Book Summary Club. Book Summary Club offers users access to summaries of non-fiction books across various genres, including business, personal development, and psychology. The app offers a free trial, after which users can opt for a monthly subscription.
Another alternative to Blinkist is Instaread. Instaread offers users access to summaries of non-fiction books across various genres, including self-help, business, and biographies. The app offers a free trial, after which users can opt for a monthly or annual subscription.
Lastly, a final alternative to Blinkist is GetAbstract. GetAbstract offers users access to summaries of non-fiction books across various genres, including business, personal development, and science. The app offers a free trial, after which users can opt for a monthly or annual subscription.
It is clear then that Blinkist is not the only service like this available, which will come as no surprise. Ultimately it will be down to each individual user and their specific needs to ascertain which product, if any, is the right one for them.
Blinkist Review – Final Thoughts
Blinkist has the potential to be a great tool for individuals who are looking to learn but have limited time to read.
The app offers summaries of non-fiction books across various genres, making it easy for users to find content that aligns with their interests. Additionally, the bite-sized content makes it easy for users to get into the habit of reading every day, without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by a lengthy book.
With that being said, Blinkist is not the only tool, or potentially even a necessary one. It stands to reason that many potential users will be put off by this notion of condensing down an entire book into bite size chunks, potentially undermining the writer's work as well as diminishing the reading experience. It is also possible that by consuming books in this way, you may miss out on an insightful or valuable piece of information that Blinkist as an app has decided to skip over, with an huge amount of trust, therefore, being placed in a product to make the right decision about what to include and what to miss out.
