Dear Reader
Literary Wordplay
Free
3.0.2for iPhone, iPad and more
Age Rating
Dear Reader Screenshots
About Dear Reader
• Play with more than a hundred classic books
• Unlock dozens of ways to Wordplay
• Acquire new books from a rotating selection in the Bookstore
• Earn Rare Books by completing challenging Reading Goals
• Embark on Research missions to unlock special abilities
• Puzzle through increasingly difficult Daily Challenges
“If I’m not actually reading in my down time then I’m likely playing Dear Reader.” -one of our dear players
Dear Reader lets you curl up and play your favorite books, turning classic literature into clever word puzzles. Unscramble passages from famous books, unlock unique puzzles, and add new books to your library.
Dear Reader includes over 130 literary classics and dozens of different types of word puzzles, from unscrambling anagrams to swapping lines of text. Dear Reader is the first and only game where you can play with the actual written words of so many tempting books of classic literature!
As Game Developer’s Alissa McAloon wrote, Dear Reader is “a game that’s as difficult to put down as a good book.”
Best Apple Arcade Games, IGN
Top 5 Apple Arcade recommended games, Bustle Magazine
12 Best Apple Arcade games, Gamespot
10 Best Mobile Games of the Year, Paste Magazine
Official Finalist, IndieCade
Official Selection, Indie Megabooth GDC Showcase
Official Selection, Wordplay Festival
Best Gameplay Finalist, Games for Change
Best Meaningful Play, International Mobile Gaming Awards
• Unlock dozens of ways to Wordplay
• Acquire new books from a rotating selection in the Bookstore
• Earn Rare Books by completing challenging Reading Goals
• Embark on Research missions to unlock special abilities
• Puzzle through increasingly difficult Daily Challenges
“If I’m not actually reading in my down time then I’m likely playing Dear Reader.” -one of our dear players
Dear Reader lets you curl up and play your favorite books, turning classic literature into clever word puzzles. Unscramble passages from famous books, unlock unique puzzles, and add new books to your library.
Dear Reader includes over 130 literary classics and dozens of different types of word puzzles, from unscrambling anagrams to swapping lines of text. Dear Reader is the first and only game where you can play with the actual written words of so many tempting books of classic literature!
As Game Developer’s Alissa McAloon wrote, Dear Reader is “a game that’s as difficult to put down as a good book.”
Best Apple Arcade Games, IGN
Top 5 Apple Arcade recommended games, Bustle Magazine
12 Best Apple Arcade games, Gamespot
10 Best Mobile Games of the Year, Paste Magazine
Official Finalist, IndieCade
Official Selection, Indie Megabooth GDC Showcase
Official Selection, Wordplay Festival
Best Gameplay Finalist, Games for Change
Best Meaningful Play, International Mobile Gaming Awards
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What's New in the Latest Version 3.0.2
Last updated on Mar 12, 2024
Old Versions
Version 3.0:
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
Version 3.0.1:
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.2:
• Minor Tutorial Update
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
Version 3.0.1:
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.2:
• Minor Tutorial Update
Show More
Version History
3.0.2
Mar 12, 2024
Version 3.0:
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
Version 3.0.1:
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.2:
• Minor Tutorial Update
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
Version 3.0.1:
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.2:
• Minor Tutorial Update
3.0.1
Mar 1, 2024
Version 3.0.1:
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.0:
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
• Updated Research Assignments
Version 3.0.0:
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
3.0.0
Jan 24, 2024
Very Dear Readers,
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
We are happy to announce a major update to the game! This version of Dear Reader contains the following changes, additions, and improvements:
• Six new books - including Shakespeare's Sonnets (unabridged!), Frederick Douglass' autobiography, and a century-old guide to Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Mind-Reading.
• Completely revised Rare Books section - choose any book at any time
• All-new "Asters" - earn Asters from Reading Goals to get Rare Books.
• Plus text edits, gameplay balance tweaks, and UX fixes.
Enjoy the revised version of the game and happy reading!
2.7.1
Jul 12, 2023
Hello Dear Readers,
We continue to improve your experience with new bug fixes, difficulty balancing, typo editing, and other minor updates. Happy reading!
We continue to improve your experience with new bug fixes, difficulty balancing, typo editing, and other minor updates. Happy reading!
2.7.0
Jun 29, 2023
Dearest Readers,
In this update, enjoy four new books for your reading pleasure.
• New titles include The Development of Metaphysics in Persia, “The Vanishing American,” Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam, and for you songbirds, How to Sing by the famous soprano Lilli Lehmann.
• Text edits and typo fixes - many based on your feedback and comments. Thank you!
In this update, enjoy four new books for your reading pleasure.
• New titles include The Development of Metaphysics in Persia, “The Vanishing American,” Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam, and for you songbirds, How to Sing by the famous soprano Lilli Lehmann.
• Text edits and typo fixes - many based on your feedback and comments. Thank you!
2.6.0
Mar 3, 2023
Very Dear Readers,
In this update, enjoy four new books for your reading pleasure.
• New titles include A Girl’s Ride in Iceland, Tales from the Hindu Dramatists, Edison’s Conquest of Mars, and The Art of Money Getting by none other than P.T. Barnum himself.
• Text edits and typo fixes - many based on player feedback and comments. Thanks for that!
In this update, enjoy four new books for your reading pleasure.
• New titles include A Girl’s Ride in Iceland, Tales from the Hindu Dramatists, Edison’s Conquest of Mars, and The Art of Money Getting by none other than P.T. Barnum himself.
• Text edits and typo fixes - many based on player feedback and comments. Thanks for that!
2.5.0
Nov 10, 2022
Dearest Readers,
You’ve been asking for more books - and here they are!
• We’re adding four titles, including the classic Black Beauty, Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, and The Blazing World from 1660 - one of the first science-fiction books ever written!
• Minor difficulty adjustments to Research Assignments.
• Fixes to the interface and typo edits.
You’ve been asking for more books - and here they are!
• We’re adding four titles, including the classic Black Beauty, Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, and The Blazing World from 1660 - one of the first science-fiction books ever written!
• Minor difficulty adjustments to Research Assignments.
• Fixes to the interface and typo edits.
2.4.0
May 26, 2022
Dear Dear Readers,
Another update for your reading pleasure! This new version of the game includes:
• “Words from Ukraine” - a new bookshelf with 4 new books
• in response to your requests: more frequent bookshelf rotation
• lots of difficulty balancing - in Daily Challenges, Reading Goals, book difficulty ratings, twist puzzles, and more
• text edits, interface smoothing, and various and sundry small fixes
Another update for your reading pleasure! This new version of the game includes:
• “Words from Ukraine” - a new bookshelf with 4 new books
• in response to your requests: more frequent bookshelf rotation
• lots of difficulty balancing - in Daily Challenges, Reading Goals, book difficulty ratings, twist puzzles, and more
• text edits, interface smoothing, and various and sundry small fixes
2.3.0
Mar 1, 2022
Dearest Readers,
In this update: a bounty of beautiful bits for your reading pleasure…
• four brand-new reading goals in the rare books section
• four new secret rare books to collect
• redesigned leaderboards for keeping track of your progress
• the ability to restart a chapter from the pause screen
• lots of small editorial fixes and improvements
In this update: a bounty of beautiful bits for your reading pleasure…
• four brand-new reading goals in the rare books section
• four new secret rare books to collect
• redesigned leaderboards for keeping track of your progress
• the ability to restart a chapter from the pause screen
• lots of small editorial fixes and improvements
2.2.1
Oct 14, 2021
Version 2.2.1:
• Updates and improvements, including a fix for buying rare books
Version 2.2.0:
Dear Readers,
We've implemented a veritable cornucopia of novel delights:
• a "New & Notable" section of the bookstore to highlight newly added books
• four new books in the game, including 1,001 Nights
• accessibility improvements for playing with VoiceOver
• Research Assignment clarifications and fixes
• a counter that displays when you unlock the next Wordplay
• new Wordplay puzzles will be unlocked more quickly than before
• interaction improvements and text edits throughout
• Updates and improvements, including a fix for buying rare books
Version 2.2.0:
Dear Readers,
We've implemented a veritable cornucopia of novel delights:
• a "New & Notable" section of the bookstore to highlight newly added books
• four new books in the game, including 1,001 Nights
• accessibility improvements for playing with VoiceOver
• Research Assignment clarifications and fixes
• a counter that displays when you unlock the next Wordplay
• new Wordplay puzzles will be unlocked more quickly than before
• interaction improvements and text edits throughout
2.2.0
Oct 4, 2021
Dear Readers,
We've implemented a veritable cornucopia of novel delights:
• a "New & Notable" section of the bookstore to highlight newly added books
• four new books in the game, including 1,001 Nights
• accessibility improvements for playing with VoiceOver
• Research Assignment clarifications and fixes
• a counter that displays when you unlock the next Wordplay
• new Wordplay puzzles will be unlocked more quickly than before
• interaction improvements and text edits throughout
We've implemented a veritable cornucopia of novel delights:
• a "New & Notable" section of the bookstore to highlight newly added books
• four new books in the game, including 1,001 Nights
• accessibility improvements for playing with VoiceOver
• Research Assignment clarifications and fixes
• a counter that displays when you unlock the next Wordplay
• new Wordplay puzzles will be unlocked more quickly than before
• interaction improvements and text edits throughout
2.0.1
Apr 28, 2021
Minor fixes and improvements for all platforms - now optimized for Mac with M1. Enjoy, Dear Readers!
2.0.0
Mar 11, 2021
Dear Readers,
There are so many improvements to the game that we have officially decided to declare this version 2.0.
• You can now select your favorite Wordplay puzzles as you play. So you only receive the puzzles you like best! We are particularly excited about this new feature.
• Several books have been added to the game - including 4 Rare Books with brand new reading goals!
• We’ve made lots of edits to the text and tweaks to the research assignments - many of the changes thanks to reader comments! So please keep sending us feedback.
• Small changes throughout the game interaction and tutorial experience. One bit you might notice is that loading the game takes you more directly into the action.
There are so many improvements to the game that we have officially decided to declare this version 2.0.
• You can now select your favorite Wordplay puzzles as you play. So you only receive the puzzles you like best! We are particularly excited about this new feature.
• Several books have been added to the game - including 4 Rare Books with brand new reading goals!
• We’ve made lots of edits to the text and tweaks to the research assignments - many of the changes thanks to reader comments! So please keep sending us feedback.
• Small changes throughout the game interaction and tutorial experience. One bit you might notice is that loading the game takes you more directly into the action.
1.4.2
Jan 6, 2021
Dearest Readers,
A plethora of loveliness in this new version of the game:
• The bonus effect you earn from Research Assignments is no longer time-based. Instead, the bonus lasts for a certain number of chapters, no matter when you play them. Huzzah! We made this change based on your feedback - so thanks!
• We are offering for the first time the official Dear Reader iOS widget! Those of you on iPhone and iPads can create a widget that will display the daily challenge’s quote-of-the-day.
• Lots of little gameplay and interaction improvements throughout the entire Dear Reader experience - including Apple’s new Access Point interface for getting to the Game Center.
• We’ve also made a number of small text edits and tweaks. Many of these were spotted by you, our dear readers. You humble us.
A plethora of loveliness in this new version of the game:
• The bonus effect you earn from Research Assignments is no longer time-based. Instead, the bonus lasts for a certain number of chapters, no matter when you play them. Huzzah! We made this change based on your feedback - so thanks!
• We are offering for the first time the official Dear Reader iOS widget! Those of you on iPhone and iPads can create a widget that will display the daily challenge’s quote-of-the-day.
• Lots of little gameplay and interaction improvements throughout the entire Dear Reader experience - including Apple’s new Access Point interface for getting to the Game Center.
• We’ve also made a number of small text edits and tweaks. Many of these were spotted by you, our dear readers. You humble us.
1.4.0
Oct 6, 2020
Dear Dear Readers,
Many enhancements to your reading and playing experience:
• A dozen new books, including The Secret Garden, Call of the Wild, and The Three Musketeers!
• Lots of new bookshelves appearing in the store - and new options for being informed about them.
• Integration with Apple Arcade’s new and improved save game system.
• Many little improvements to the game interface and edits to the text.
• We’d love to have you on our new mailing list! Sign up in the options section.
Many enhancements to your reading and playing experience:
• A dozen new books, including The Secret Garden, Call of the Wild, and The Three Musketeers!
• Lots of new bookshelves appearing in the store - and new options for being informed about them.
• Integration with Apple Arcade’s new and improved save game system.
• Many little improvements to the game interface and edits to the text.
• We’d love to have you on our new mailing list! Sign up in the options section.
1.3.0
Aug 20, 2020
Dear Readers,
Some delightful improvements for your reading pleasure:
• We are incredibly excited to share with you a brand-new way to play: RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS! Every day will bring you 3 different assignments that ask for specific kinds of books or chapters. Complete the assignments to gain a special gameplay boost.
• For new players, there is a a revamped tutorial that more properly introduces the bookstore and the book-buying process.
• Lots of other small fixes, edits, and tweaks!
Some delightful improvements for your reading pleasure:
• We are incredibly excited to share with you a brand-new way to play: RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS! Every day will bring you 3 different assignments that ask for specific kinds of books or chapters. Complete the assignments to gain a special gameplay boost.
• For new players, there is a a revamped tutorial that more properly introduces the bookstore and the book-buying process.
• Lots of other small fixes, edits, and tweaks!
1.2.3
Jun 16, 2020
Dear Reader, this update includes a special shelf of books by Black authors for Juneteenth, an American holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. We’re excited to make these books available for free until the end of June.
1.2.0
Apr 17, 2020
Dearest Readers - a major update with some substantial new features for your literary pleasure:
• A new way to acquire books in the Bookstore - Holiday Shelves - featuring celebrations of World Poetry Day, International Literacy Day, and many more
• Dark Mode compatibility (perfect for reading under the covers at night)
• A dozen new books for your reading pleasure, including works by Dickens, Thoreau, Wollstonecraft, and Twain
• Many small text edits, visual improvements, reading goal adjustments, and other interactive pleasantries, implemented throughout the game
• A new way to acquire books in the Bookstore - Holiday Shelves - featuring celebrations of World Poetry Day, International Literacy Day, and many more
• Dark Mode compatibility (perfect for reading under the covers at night)
• A dozen new books for your reading pleasure, including works by Dickens, Thoreau, Wollstonecraft, and Twain
• Many small text edits, visual improvements, reading goal adjustments, and other interactive pleasantries, implemented throughout the game
1.1.2
Mar 10, 2020
A bit of Dear Reader editing:
• Improved music tracks for all of the books
• Small visual improvements on book covers and app icons
• A fix to the Reading Goal progress logic
• Improved music tracks for all of the books
• Small visual improvements on book covers and app icons
• A fix to the Reading Goal progress logic
1.1.0
Jan 24, 2020
Dear Readers - a big new update for your textual pleasure:
• Three new kinds of wordplay puzzles: CONSTRUCT, RECALL, and DEDUCE
• 15 new books and 4 new reading goals that unlock rare books
• Additional music tracks throughout the Dear Reader experience
• A full catalogue that lists all of the books currently available in Dear Reader
• Brand-new Game Center leaderboards and expanded achievements
• When you finish a book, links to help you find full versions online
• Many small improvements to difficulty balance, text, visuals, and interaction
• Three new kinds of wordplay puzzles: CONSTRUCT, RECALL, and DEDUCE
• 15 new books and 4 new reading goals that unlock rare books
• Additional music tracks throughout the Dear Reader experience
• A full catalogue that lists all of the books currently available in Dear Reader
• Brand-new Game Center leaderboards and expanded achievements
• When you finish a book, links to help you find full versions online
• Many small improvements to difficulty balance, text, visuals, and interaction
1.0.4
Dec 18, 2019
Lots of enhancements to your literary wordplay, including:
• A new FAQ with answers to common questions
• Difficulty adjustments that make it easier to get a high rating
• Additional feedback when you advance reading goals
• New audio effects for finishing a volume, book, or challenge
• A book counter in library to stay on top of your collection
• Direct link to the Dear Reader online store
• Fixes to book rotation and shelf order
• Many small improvements to visuals and interaction
• Edits to the language in the game
• A new FAQ with answers to common questions
• Difficulty adjustments that make it easier to get a high rating
• Additional feedback when you advance reading goals
• New audio effects for finishing a volume, book, or challenge
• A book counter in library to stay on top of your collection
• Direct link to the Dear Reader online store
• Fixes to book rotation and shelf order
• Many small improvements to visuals and interaction
• Edits to the language in the game
1.0.2
Oct 24, 2019
Lots of readerly improvements, including:
• updated sound effects
• book text and commentary corrections
• better shelf labels for the store
• improved navigation on Apple TV
• numerous small visual improvements
• achievement and book price adjustments
• other miscellaneous changes
• updated sound effects
• book text and commentary corrections
• better shelf labels for the store
• improved navigation on Apple TV
• numerous small visual improvements
• achievement and book price adjustments
• other miscellaneous changes
1.0
Sep 13, 2019
Dear Reader FAQ
Click here to learn how to download Dear Reader in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of Dear Reader.
iPhone
Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later.
Apple TV
Requires tvOS 13.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
Dear Reader supports English
Related Videos
Latest introduction video of Dear Reader on iPhone
