NetGalley Accessories: A Complete Guide for Beginners

If you’ve just discovered NetGalley, you’re probably here for one reason: free advance reader copies (ARCs) of books before they hit shelves. But here’s the part nobody warns you about — NetGalley is a reading platform, not a bookstore. You don’t get a physical book, and you don’t get a file you can load anywhere you like. You read through their app or website, which means the “accessories” that matter aren’t bookmarks and dust jackets. They’re the tools that make long-form reading on a screen tolerable, and sometimes even enjoyable.

The good news? You likely already own most of what you need. The better news? A few targeted upgrades can turn NetGalley from a chore into the most efficient part of your reading routine.

Why NetGalley Feels Different From Every Other Reading App

Before you buy anything, it helps to understand what you’re working with. NetGalley delivers ARCs in a few formats: Kindle-compatible files, PDFs, and titles read through the NetGalley app itself. Each format behaves differently, and that difference determines which accessories actually matter.

For Kindle users, the experience is close to normal — you send the ARC to your device and read it like any other ebook. For everyone else, you’re likely reading in the NetGalley app, which is functional but not exactly feature-rich. There’s no adjustable line spacing, no custom fonts beyond a few options, and the app can feel cramped on a phone screen.

That’s the gap accessories fill. You’re not accessorizing the books — you’re accessorizing the reading environment.

The One Accessory That Changes Everything: A Dedicated E-Reader

If you read more than a few NetGalley titles per month, the single highest-impact purchase is a dedicated e-reader. Not a tablet, not your phone — an e-ink device like a Kindle or Kobo.

Here’s why this matters specifically for NetGalley: ARCs are often long. A 400-page debut novel is normal, and nonfiction titles regularly push past 500 pages. Reading that on a phone screen, with the NetGalley app’s limited display options, causes eye fatigue fast. E-ink screens reflect light like paper, which means you can read for hours without the strain that comes from a backlit LCD.

The practical workaround: many NetGalley titles offer a Kindle-compatible format. You request the ARC, choose the Kindle version, and Amazon sends it to your device automatically. Once it’s there, you get all the e-reader benefits — adjustable font sizes, dictionary lookups, and the ability to read offline.

A concrete example: If you request a title like The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton (a 2024 ARC that generated heavy NetGalley buzz), the Kindle version syncs seamlessly. You can highlight passages, adjust the font, and read at your own pace without the app’s limitations.

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Screen Protectors and Blue Light: The Cheap Fixes That Work

Not ready to buy a new device? Fine. The next tier of accessories is about making your existing screen less hostile to long reading sessions.

A matte screen protector is the unsung hero here. If you’re reading on a tablet or phone, glossy screens create glare that forces you to adjust your angle constantly. A matte protector diffuses that glare and adds a paper-like texture that reduces finger smudges. It won’t turn your iPad into an e-reader, but it makes a noticeable difference during a 45-minute commute.

Blue light filtering is the second cheap fix. Most modern devices have a built-in night mode, but if you’re reading on a desktop computer (common for NetGalley reviewers who read during work breaks), you might not have that option. A free tool like f.lux adjusts your screen’s color temperature based on the time of day. It’s not an accessory in the traditional sense, but it functions like one — and it costs nothing.

Here’s the branch point: After you install a matte protector or enable blue light filtering, give it two full reading sessions before judging. If your eyes still feel strained after 30 minutes of continuous reading, the problem isn’t glare or color temperature — it’s the screen type itself. That’s your signal to skip further cheap fixes and move straight to an e-ink device. If the strain disappears, you’ve saved yourself $100 or more.

Audiobook Pairing: The Multitasker’s Secret Weapon

Here’s where the audiobook connection becomes relevant. You’re a time-pressed reader, which means you’ve probably discovered that audiobooks let you “read” while driving, cooking, or walking. NetGalley doesn’t offer audiobooks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pair your ARCs with audio.

The strategy is called dual reading: read the physical or ebook version when you have focused time, and listen to the audiobook when you’re on the move. Many NetGalley titles are published by major houses, which means the audiobook version often releases on the same day as the print edition. You can request the ARC for review purposes, then pick up the audiobook from Audible to keep the story going during your commute.

A concrete example: If you’re reviewing a thriller like The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill, you can read the ARC in the NetGalley app during lunch, then switch to the Audible narration by Katherine Littrell while driving home. The narrator’s pacing adds a layer of tension that silent reading doesn’t provide, and you’re not losing time — you’re double-dipping on the same story.

This approach works best when you pick a narrator you already trust. If you’ve enjoyed a narrator’s previous work, search for their name on Audible before committing to a new title. A good narrator can elevate a mediocre book; a bad one can ruin a great story.

A quick verification step: After your first dual-reading session, check your progress in both formats. If you’re roughly at the same chapter in the ARC and the audiobook, the pairing is working. If you’ve raced ahead in one format and lost the thread in the other, you’re not actually dual-reading — you’re just reading two versions of the same book. That’s fine if it works for you, but it means the strategy isn’t saving you time.

Organization Tools: Tracking Your ARCs Without Losing Your Mind

NetGalley’s dashboard shows your approved titles, but it doesn’t do much else. If you’re requesting multiple ARCs per month, you’ll quickly lose track of due dates, feedback status, and which titles you’ve actually finished.

The accessory here is a simple spreadsheet or a notes app. You don’t need anything fancy — a Google Sheet with columns for title, author, approval date, due date, and feedback status works perfectly. The act of logging each ARC takes thirty seconds and saves you from the panic of a forgotten review deadline.

For a more automated approach, the StoryGraph app lets you track your reading progress and set goals. It’s not NetGalley-specific, but it gives you a clean interface for logging what you’ve read and what’s next. The key is consistency: update your tracker when you finish a chapter, not when you finish the book.

The escalation threshold: If you find yourself with more than three ARCs past their due date, stop requesting new titles immediately. NetGalley tracks your feedback ratio, and a history of late or missing reviews can hurt your approval odds for future requests. Take a month off from requesting, clear your backlog, and only resume once your feedback percentage is back above 80%. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s the difference between a sustainable NetGalley habit and a permanently throttled account.

The Case for a Good Reading Light

If you read in bed (and who doesn’t?), a dedicated reading light is worth considering. This applies whether you’re using an e-reader or a phone. The problem with reading in a dark room is that your device’s backlight creates a harsh contrast that disrupts melatonin production. A warm-toned reading light that illuminates the page — or the device — from the side reduces that contrast.

Clip-on lights like the Glocusent or the Moko are inexpensive and attach directly to your e-reader or tablet case. They offer adjustable color temperatures, so you can switch to a warm amber tone in the evening. It’s a small purchase with a measurable effect on sleep quality, especially if you tend to read right before bed.

How to know it’s working: After three nights with a warm-toned reading light, check whether you’re falling asleep faster after closing the book. If you’re still lying awake for 30+ minutes after reading, the light isn’t the issue — it’s the content itself. Thrillers and high-stakes nonfiction can keep your brain wired regardless of lighting. In that case, switch to something calmer for the last 15 minutes of reading, or move your reading session earlier in the evening.

What You Actually Don’t Need

Let’s be honest about the accessories that are a waste of money for NetGalley readers:

• Tablet stands — unless you’re reading at a desk for hours, a stand adds bulk without much benefit.
• Expensive styluses — NetGalley’s app doesn’t support handwriting notes, so a stylus is pointless.
• Premium e-reader cases — a basic case protects your device; the $50 leather options are pure vanity.

The principle is simple: buy tools that reduce friction, not ones that add complexity.

How to Decide What’s Worth It

If you’re just starting with NetGalley, don’t buy anything. Read your first few ARCs on whatever device you already own. Pay attention to what annoys you — is it eye strain? Glare? The inability to read while walking? That specific annoyance tells you which accessory to buy.

If you’re reading on a phone and your eyes hurt after twenty minutes, a matte screen protector is your first purchase. If you’re reading on a tablet and find yourself avoiding ARCs because they feel like work, a dedicated e-reader is the upgrade that will actually change your behavior.

And if you’re already an audiobook listener, the pairing strategy costs nothing extra — you’re just being more intentional about when you read versus when you listen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read NetGalley ARCs on a Kindle?

Yes, many titles offer a Kindle-compatible format. When you request an ARC, select the Kindle option and Amazon will deliver it to your device automatically. Not all titles offer this format, so check the available formats before requesting.

Does NetGalley offer audiobooks?

No, NetGalley is exclusively for written ARCs. However, many titles from major publishers have audiobook versions available on Audible, which you can pair with your written ARC for dual reading.

Do I need a tablet to read NetGalley titles?

No. The NetGalley app works on phones, and the web reader works in any browser. A tablet or e-reader improves the experience, but neither is required.

How do I avoid missing review deadlines?

Set up a simple spreadsheet with columns for title, author, approval date, and due date. Check it weekly. The NetGalley dashboard also shows upcoming deadlines, but a personal tracker gives you a clearer overview.

Is a dedicated e-reader worth it for NetGalley?

If you read more than three ARCs per month, yes. E-ink screens reduce eye strain significantly, and the Kindle-compatible format syncs automatically. For occasional readers, your phone or tablet is sufficient.

The right NetGalley setup isn’t about owning the most gear — it’s about removing the barriers between you and the next chapter. Start with what you have, identify the specific friction point, and make one targeted purchase. That’s the entire strategy, and it works whether you’re reviewing your first ARC or your fiftieth.