Best way to find and read academic content from the I book store?

As a PHD student in a UK Higher education institution, I need to find and read academic books. Does anyone know if there are academic texts in the I book store and how can I access them easily as a blind user of an I phone 4s and I pad 2? I will need to get my I devices to read the books to me, move between pages, move from word to word or line to line and change the speed of reading. Some advice on what AP's would be useful, as would any advice on AP's to navigate and control audio books.