If you’re an avid reader, chances are you already use Goodreads. It’s a social website for booklovers, allowing you to post reviews, follow other members, search for books, and create reading lists. With over 90 million users, it’s one of the biggest social cataloguing sites on the internet.
But Goodreads has issues that leave many of these users dissatisfied. Common complaints include its outdated design, bugs, crashes, poor quality control, and extortion scams.
Sites Like Goodreads
With Goodreads stuck in its clunky form, many users are searching for better alternatives. Here are few sites currently challenging Goodreads’ place at the top of online book communities.
1. LibraryThing
LibraryThing calls itself the “Facebook for books.” You can look at other people’s libraries, swap reading suggestions, and start discussions. You can check out any books from Library of Congress, Amazon, and more than 2,200 libraries worldwide.
It also allows you to track movies and music, which makes it an all-in-one catalogue for your sources of entertainment.
It’s completely free. The only thing you need to sign up is a username and password, though the site does recommend attaching your email address just in case you need to recover your account.
2. The StoryGraph
Like Goodreads, The StoryGraph allows you to track your reading, post reviews, rate books, and connect with other readers. Originally, founder Nadia Odunayo considered The StoryGraph as a companion for Goodreads, but the site (and app) has quickly become an alternative instead.
Some features that The StoryGraph has that Goodreads users have long requested are Did Not Finish button, a better recommendations system, more detailed statistics, granular rating systems, and trigger warning filters.
The site and its app are free to use, though they do have a paid plan for users who want a more personalized experience.
3. BookSloth
BookSloth is a social platform that works more like other social sites. Think of it as an Instagram that’s focused on books. You can create your own profile, earn achievements, follow others, join discussions, and chat with fellow readers.
While it’s social aspect is its foremost feature, it still has the necessary qualities to be a catalog system for your books. It has a unique rating system that adds more dimension to ratings and recommendations and has a way for you to browse and buy books.
4. Libib
Libib takes cataloging one step further by not only featuring books but also music, movies, and video games. And while others limit your cataloging at a few hundred items and less, Libib caps things at 100,000 items. You can make your own curated collection and share it to fellow members.
When signing up, you create a searchable profile that others can follow. A messaging system similar to Twitter allows you to connect with people, share recommendations, and start discussions.
5. Bookly
Bookly is an app that helps you build and maintain your reading habit. You can manage your recommendations, take notes, save quotes, set deadlines, and add personal goals.
To help document your progress, Bookly tracks your reading speed, the amount of books you read, and shows you a personalized report of your statistics every month.
It’s available for free though there’s a limit of 10 books. Its pro version starts at $.99/month, which gets rid of the limit.
6. BookBrowse
BookBrowse markets itself as a magazine dedicated to book lovers. It’s meant to be a curated resource for readers to find the books they want and not be disappointed.
It allows you to search read book reviews, previews, author interviews, and reading guides to make it easier for you to direct your reading journey. You can also search through 100+ reading categories, broken down by genre, location, and other classifications.
Some features are free but you need to become a paid member if you want to use the full potential of the site. Price starts at $15 for a 3-month membership which gives you access to professional reviews, book club recommendations, pre-publication access, and their online magazine.
7. BookTrib
BookTrib is a news source, online catalogue, and marketing engine focused on books. Just like Goodreads, you’re able to catalog books, leave reviews, and join book giveaways.
What sets it apart though is its emphasis on news. It provides extremely in-depth guides, reviews, interviews, podcasts, and video discussions about pretty much every genre and subject. You might even get the chance to chat with your favorite author.
8. Anobii
Anobii is an independent community for readers. You can create your own virtual library out of 11+ million books and comics, create wishlists, join discussions, and leave reviews. It’s best used to match with people with the same tase in books.
Anobii also makes it easier for you to connect with readers outside of their website. If you have a blog, you can easily connect it to your anobii profile. You may also invite your Facebook friends and upload your contact list if you wish.
Websites for Bookworms
Readers want a lot of different things when it comes to a website that caters to them. Some simply want an excellent cataloguing system. Others are more into finding a worthwhile community. And still there are those who like seeing stats and other data.
There’s more out there than Goodreads. Despite having plenty of wonderful features that make a bookworm’s life easier, it also has a ton of shortcomings that can quickly turn things into a nightmare. And if you’re dissatisfied with Goodreads, chances are there’s a site out there that’s a better fit for your needs.
What alternative for Goodreads do you use? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
