Why did Apple gut and destroy the Apple Books app?

I detest everything about the latest version of Books. All the functionality previously available is gone. There is no indication of page number within chapter or book. Page changes are clunky and ugly. I cannot highlight words to get definitions. I must click endless all over the page to finally leave a book for my library or the bookstore. Sad to say goodbye to a once terrific app, but I will no longer purchase a book through apple (way to kill the golden goose). Technology is supposed to get better, not worse!

I'm struggling with this update as well. The highlight function is not working properly - it selects in addition to highlighting, and therefore requires an extra 'tap' to exit. An additional annoyance is bookmarking - embedding this function in the 'menu' adds steps each time rather than just tapping the upper right corner as before. While these don't seem like huge issues, when repeated dozens of times (or more) during a reading session, these greatly, and adversely, impact the user experience.

You should let Apple know your thoughts on the matter here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Mortonbruce wrote:

There is no indication of page number within chapter or book.

Page numbers are at the bottom of the page and the number of the pages left in the chapter is at the top when I'm reading any book I've purchased. As I don't see anything in settings that allows you to turn that off, I wonder if the file formats you're using don't support it? I don't see page numbers in PDFs unless I tap on them. I admit I don't use Books as a PDF reader very much.

Page changes are clunky and ugly.

Personal preference. I find the current simple slide over to the next page much cleaner and less distracting. But you should let Apple know your thoughts using the feedback link already provided

I cannot highlight words to get definitions.

What happens when you try? If I press and hold on a word, I get a pop-up menu that offers me the option to Copy, Highlight, Add Note, (and if I tap the arrow) Look Up or Translate the word. This works in PDFs and purchased books.

I must click endless all over the page to finally leave a book for my library or the bookstore.

Swipe down to close the book and return to the library in a purchased book. In a PDF, tap on the page, then top the arrow in the upper left corner.