App reviews: Serial Reader, Twist

Trying to knock some classic books off your bucket list? Try Serial Reader, an app that delivers literature to your phone in daily snippets that you can read in 20 minutes. A bite-size section of the book will be delivered daily to your phone until you've made your way through something like "Moby Dick" - 20 minutes at a time. If you're looking to avoid cliffhangers or you like to read ahead, this app might be frustrating. But if you're looking for a way to fit more reading into your day, it's a pretty elegant solution.

Users should know that the key word here is "classics" - you're not going to find modern bestsellers. There's a small selection now, but the app developer's notes say the library is expanding daily. For those who are intimidated by thick, leather-bound tomes, Serial Reader is an good way to break it all down.

Free, for iOS devices.

Twist

Twist tests your reflexes and your perception. The game asks players to tap their screens to get a small ball to jump between platforms. Doesn't sound that hard, does it? But it's surprisingly difficult to get the timing right. Plus, the platforms aren't laid out in a linear fashion - they twist around in a tunnel-like configuration, which means that it's easy to get tripped up in the heat of the moment and send your little ball straight into the abyss.

In that way, this game can get frustrating. A mistimed tap means instant failure, after all. If you're prone to outbursts when you lose games, this is probably one that you want to play in the privacy of your own home. But it is a fun little game, and one that taxes your brain just enough to pull it out of the "mindless" category. Free, for iOS and Android devices.

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