Today I’m reviewing a software solution called QRead.
What is QRead, and why do I need it?
So glad you asked! The easiest way to explain QRead is that it helps in reading large documents. These can include PDF files, ePub files, Docx files, compiled help files otherwise known as CHM files, very large HTML pages, and huge text files.
QRead works with JAWS and NVDA, but also has options for reading a book via text-to-speech independent of a screen reader.
The language interface of QRead can be set from within the QRead preferences. This can be accessed by opening the Documents menu or by pressing ALT+D, then arrowing down to Preferences.
Did I mention Bookshare files?
Oops! I think this is one of the best features of QRead. If you use Bookshare, and if you have a visual impairment you should be using Bookshare, QRead makes it a snap to get these books. No more messing around with the website, unpacking the book, and so on. Let me walk you through this and show you how it’s done!
Downloading and reading Bookshare books with QRead
Before you can download Bookshare books, you have to be a Bookshare member. This is free if you’re a student, whether you’re taking Hadley courses, enrolled in college, vocational school, or even participating in vision rehabilitation training. The application process can seem a bit overwhelming, but what they are looking for is basic demographic info, user account info such as your email and password, and to verify that you truly have a print disability. One way they allow you to verify is via third-party verification through the National Library of Congress and the National Talking Book Library. The signup process can take a few days, but they email you during the process so you know what’s happening.
Connecting QRead to Bookshare
Alright, now I can show you how to connect QRead to Bookshare. If you’re a clicker, click on Documents in the menu bar at the top of the window, then click on Import From Bookshare.
If you’re using the keyboard, press ALT+D to open the Document menu, then either arrow down to Import From Bookshare or just press the letter I. The Bookshare Import Tool brings up a separate window that allows you to search Bookshare books, browse by category, or browse periodicals.
The first time you do this, you’ll need to enter your email and password for Bookshare. You can also put this in ahead of time in preferences for QRead.
Searching for a Bookshare book
Click Search or press ALT+E to jump directly to the Search box. By default, the author and title is searched for at the same time. If you select Title from the Search Type drop-down box, you’ll only search by book titles. Your other options in this drop-down are Author and Full Text. The Full Text option is very nice if you want to search Bookshare for a particular phrase. Remember that this type of search can take some time, and the program can appear to freeze while the search is being carried out. Once you have typed what you’re looking for and selected your search type options, just press ENTER.
Browsing results
Now you’re within the Titles List of Bookshare books. The Bookshare Import Tool will show 100 results at a time. Clickers can click Next to get more results if available. You can also press ALT+N to hit Next. Just arrow through the results or press the letter that the book title starts with to jump to all titles starting with that letter. If you’re interested in that particular book, there’s a Description Box that changes depending on what book is selected in the Titles List. Keyboard users can tab to it and arrow through the book description to determine if it’s something you really want to download and read. If you do, you’ll need to SHIFT+TAB back to the Titles List and press ENTER. The book will be downloaded and opened in QRead automatically.
Browsing categories
Within the Bookshare Import Tool are three tabs: Search, Browse, and Periodicals. To get to Browse, press CONTROL+TAB. Clickers, just click your heals, uh, I mean mouse. Once in the Browse tab, you’re in a tree view of options. The Popular and Latest categories are viewable by just arrowing to them and pressing ENTER.
The tree view has nodes you can expand or collapse by using the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys. The two other options are Bookshare Categories and By Grade Level. Both trees are collapsed, so keyboard users will arrow to these and press the RIGHT ARROW to expand them. When the Bookshare Categories tree is expanded, you get a list of 100 categories. The By Grade Level tree gives you different grade levels to choose from. Arrow to one and press ENTER to see the results.
Periodicals
The last tab in the Bookshare Import Tool is Periodicals. Clickers, click it! Keyboard users press CONTROL+TAB. You’re now in a list of various periodicals that you can download. Try not to read them in one sitting. You’ll get a brain freeze!
You can arrow through the results, or just press the first letter of the journal, magazine, or periodical you would like to read. Press ENTER to download.
Reading your book
If your file has a table of contents, you can press CONTROL+T to bring this up from anywhere, then arrow to the area you want to jump to.
P, jump to the next page. SHIFT+P, go back a page.
H, jump to the next heading. SHIFT+H, go back to the previous heading.
L, jump to the next link. SHIFT+L, go back to the previous link.
CONTROL+F, find text within a book.
CONTROL+G, jump to a line number.
CONTROL+S, begin reading using built-in text-to-speech.
CONTROL+SHIFT+S, stop built-in text-to-speech reading.
You can also jump by percentages. Click and drag the Document Position slider, or tab to it and use the UP/DOWN ARROW keys.
Automatic bookmarking
QRead automatically saves your place every second, so you’ll never lose your place. When you open QRead, your book will automatically be opened to where you left off. This feature can be turned off in QRead preferences.
Temporary and named bookmarks
CONTROL+B, set a temporary bookmark.
CONTROL+J, jump to a bookmark from the list of all bookmarks.
CONTROL+SHIFT+B, set a named bookmark. Give it a name such as “Chapter 7” and press ENTER.
ALT+D from the Bookmarks dialog, delete a bookmark.
Goodreads integration
QRead also supports Goodreads. You will need to provide your Goodreads account credentials before using this feature. You can share book status updates and book reviews directly from QRead. This feature is available in the Documents menu.
Portable mode
There is a special version of QRead you can download that allows running it in portable mode. You do not need to install it on the PC you are using. You can just run it from a thumb drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or any other folder on your PC. The advantage to running QRead in portable mode is that you always have your books and documents with you, to read quickly and easily.
FAQ
What file formats does QRead support?
QRead supports PDF, ePub, Docx, CHM (compiled help files), HTML, DAISY, and plain text files.
Does QRead work with screen readers?
Yes. QRead works with JAWS and NVDA. It also has built-in text-to-speech for reading without a screen reader.
Is QRead free?
QRead is a paid application. You can find current pricing and download information on the QRead website.
Can I connect QRead directly to Bookshare?
Yes. QRead has a built-in Bookshare Import Tool that lets you search, browse, and download Bookshare books directly without needing to use the Bookshare website separately.
We’re done!
Well, as much fun as I have had writing this article, all good things must come to an end. If you have any questions, please get in touch or leave a comment; it’s quick and easy.
Qapla!