Parallel Read

Parallel read puts two books side by side in the same window. It's one of Readest's signature features — useful for reading a translation alongside the original, comparing editions, or reviewing notes next to source material.

Open a parallel view

You can open a parallel view in two ways:

1. From the library. Long-click (or long-press on mobile) a book and select another book — each book will open in a separate pane.
2. From the reader menu. Open the actions menu in the sidebar and choose Parallel Read. Then pick another book from your library.

Each pane is a fully independent reader — it has its own TOC, its own settings, and its own reading progress. You can adjust fonts, themes, and layout for each pane separately.

Layout & panes

• Side-by-side on desktop and large tablets.
• Stacked on narrow screens when side-by-side would make text too cramped.

Closing a pane leaves the other book open as a normal single reader. Progress for both books is saved continuously, so closing the parallel view never loses your place.

You can open more than two panes when the screen is wide enough. Use it sparingly — each pane competes for space.

Synced scrolling

By default each pane scrolls in synchronization. Turning a page in either pane advances the other by the same relative amount.

Sync works best when both books are roughly the same length. For a translation read — where chapter breaks match but page lengths differ — manual scrolling per pane is usually cleaner. Sync between panes can be disabled by clicking on the Parallel Read again in the Sidebar menu.

When to use it

• Reading a translation alongside the original. The Iliad in Greek and English, a Russian novel and its translation, a Chinese classic with its English rendering.
• Language learning. Read the target-language book next to a known-language reference, looking up passages as you go.
• Cross-referencing. A study book next to the text it discusses, two editions of the same work, or a book next to its own companion volume.
• Notes review. Open two sessions of the same book — one for the chapter you're reading, one for an earlier part you need to consult.

Parallel read uses more resources than single-book reading, especially on mobile. If the reader feels slow on older hardware, close unused panes.