In the last few years, with the publication of hundreds of books each day, reading has reclaimed its spot as one of the most beloved pastimes. As more and more bookworms embrace the life of reading and getting lost in fiction, the need to document progress and to-be-read lists becomes more imminent.
All of us love having our own little journal, so we have tangible proof of our reading throughout the year, but handwritten journal entries take more time than most book lovers are willing to spend on it. Many major websites like Goodreads have primarily dominated the scene of book journaling, but recently many others have grasped and even improved the concept. An online journal is way easier and faster to write, not to mention that the cute graphics elevate the experience further. There are countless social media platforms for both authors and writers making their way around the web.
You want to have an online journal, but do not want to get into Goodreads? We got you, dear bookworm! We have compiled a detailed list with a wide array of alternatives for you to choose from. There are so many that one is guaranteed to fit different types of readers.
Let’s dive in!
First things first, let’s explain why Goodreads is being ditched by many book lovers in exchange for alternative options. If you are an oldie then perhaps you remember Goodreads before it was bought by Amazon in 2013. The layout is mainly the same—aside from the obvious lack of new features competitors already have incorporated, due to Amazon’s negligence— and there are seemingly not many differences, but have you noticed the increase in targeted ads and book recommendations? The numerous ads that decorate a Goodreads page bring a ton of money back to Amazon, making the Goodreads users prey to Amazon’s associates.
But the most important and pressing issue is that readers are not so subtly prompted into buying books from Audible and Amazon, thus benefiting the same corporation. And it begs the question, fellow bookworm, how ethical is this practice and are our reviews and book selections manipulated by Amazon’s marketing strategy? In order to withdraw support from Amazon, many users have switched to other apps to maintain their reading ethics. Some readers have even opted to go back to local libraries and bookstores to get physical copies, but the need to document reading progress is still there.
So, if you are interested in finding another option that suits you better for whichever reason, then keep reading!
Here is a simple yet detailed list of all the alternatives we recommend:
The StoryGraph:
Pro: Book recs based on the reader’s mood
Con: Limited book database
Best for: Data-loving readers who seek personalized recommendations
LibraryThing:
Pro: Extensive cataloging features
Con: Outdated interface
Best for: Data enthusiasts and book collectors
Reading List:
Pro: Simplicity
Con: Limited features
Best for: Casual readers
Libib:
Pro: Easy to use
Con: Limited social interaction
Best for: Individual collectors and small libraries
BookSloth:
Pro: Strong community
Con: Limited catalog
Best for: Social and engaged readers
Anobii:
Pro: Strong community engagement
Con: Interface and usability issues
Best for: Avid readers, reviewers, collectors
BookBrowse:
Pro: Depth of content
Con: Subscription required for full access
Best for: Serious readers and book club members
Bookstagram:
Pro: Engaging and supportive community
Con: Non-curated content
Best for: Authors, publishers, readers looking for a community
BookWyrm:
Pro: Ethical and community focused
Con: Smaller user base
Best for: Non-commercial readers
Your Library:
Pro: Resources and community programs
Con: Service limited to specific regions
Best for: Residents of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges
Bookly:
Pro: Motivational and comprehensive tracking tools
Con: Mobile-only app
Best for: Goal setters and video game enjoyers
Basmo:
Pro: Well-organized with AI features
Con: Constant setups required
Best for: Readers who like a structured experience blended with tech
Likewise:
Pro: Versatile content discovery
Con: Not always the best recommendations
Best for: Social media users and entertainment enthusiasts
Booktrib:
Pro: Rich Content and accessibility
Con: Overwhelming information
Best for: Avid readers, literature students, book club members
Binge Books:
Pro: Book samples and audio excerpts
Con: Limited catalog
Best for: Avid readers and audiobook listeners
BooksDigits:
Pro: Unique rating system
Con: Limited user base
Best for: Avid readers
Bookhype:
Pro: Limited/special editions
Con: No broader content like reviews or discussions
Best for: Avid readers and collectors
Bookroo:
Pro: Quality and curation
Con: No free version
Best for: Younger readers
Candl:
Pro: User-friendly and private
Con: Limited interaction
Best for: Readers seeking privacy
Hardcover:
Pro: Able to handle multiple libraries, user-friendly interface
Con: Not for solitary reading
Best for: Social readers
Libreture:
Pro: Easy Access
Con: Limited social features
Best for: E-book readers and collectors
It’s an ad-free and user-friendly app that specializes in book tracking and data-based recommendations. It offers comprehensive analytics breaking down the user’s reading habits, offering insights into preferred themes and pacing. Its unique feature is making personalized book recommendations based on the reader’s mood and preferences. It is also ideal for exploring lesser-known authors, thus promoting a better understanding and engagement with literature.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free version / $4.99 monthly or $49 yearly for Plus features
Best For: Data-driven readers
It’s an app best for cataloging books and keeping track of your reading. It has a limit of cataloging 200 books for free. The reader can join communities and share reviews and opinions. Recommendations are based on the user’s library and preferences. Information about local events and bookstores is also available.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free version with a limit of 200 books / $10 yearly subscription or $25 for life
Best For: Book collectors
Reading List is an app offered by Google. It is accessible via Google Chrome and is thoroughly convenient for Google users. Allows readers to save info across devices and bookmark articles, interviews, etc. for later reading. It is completely free as it is within Google services, but does not offer various features like detailed cataloging for book lovers.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Casual readers
Libib is another user-friendly website used mainly for cataloging aimed at individual collectors and small organizations. It offers statistics regarding your collections and allows the user to create multiple libraries. A user can share their library so that others can like and comment. All data is stored on Cloud to prevent data loss and allow accessibility from all devices.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free version allows storing 5,000 books over 100 libraries / Pro version $9 monthly or $99 per year
Best For: Individual collectors or small libraries
BookSloth is an app designed for readers who want to discover new books and connect with other book lovers. Users can participate in reading challenges, rate and review books, get personalized recommendations according to preferences and connect with other readers. It is easy to navigate and engaging for bookworms.
Key Features:
Pricing: Most features are free, but some require in-app purchases
Best For: Social and engaged readers
This website targets passionate readers and is primarily focused on book cataloging and tracking, sharing reviews and connecting with other readers. Book recommendations are curated according to daily activities and preferences, while statistics breaking down the user’s reading habits are also offered.
Key Features:
Pricing: Primary features are free
Best For: Avid readers, reviewers and collectors
In case you need some guidance on how to become a reviewer, we have some tips for you!
BookBrowse targets passionate readers who are looking for in-depth literary knowledge. It offers users access to editorial content like reviews, interviews, etc, and extensive reading guides to help beginners. High-quality and engaging book recommendations are a priority. The option of joining newsletters with literary news is also available. Book club features and advice regarding book clubs is offered.
Key Features:
Pricing: Operates on a subscription model. To access the full range of features, the fee is $29.95 per year or $3.33 per month if billed annually.
Best For: Serious readers and book club members
Bookstagram is a particularly popular community on Instagram, where bookworms share aesthetically pleasing photos, book reviews, bookish news and book recommendations. It focuses on the social aspect of reading and connecting with other readers. Hashtags and trends are born every day on #bookstagram, while bookish events can be organized or promoted on the app.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Authors, publishers, casual and social readers
Unlike Goodreads, BookWyrm is an open-source, federated and ad free website that prioritizes user privacy and does not sell data. It is built around social reading, and users can review and rate books, while also interacting with other bookworms via comments and likes. Hosts can customize their very own “instances” and set their own community of book lovers with their own rules and guidelines. There are also reading challenges with reading goals the users strive to achieve.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free, setting up your own independent “instance” may require a server fee
Best For: Readers looking for non-commercial alternatives
Do we have any Aussie bookworms here? Cause this is the ideal site for you! Your Library targets people of all ages and offers a variety of services, including access to physical copies and digital ones, community events, and educational programs. It also offers tech support sessions and promotes community engagement overall.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Residents of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges
Bookly is another option built around book tracking and cataloging. It is a user-friendly app that motivates readers to set and achieve reading goals while keeping track of their progress with comprehensive statistic reports. Reading habits like reading speed are also tracked by the app. A personalized dashboard displaying reading achievements along with reminders to keep reading can also assist you in how to be a better reader.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free version available / $4.99 per month, $19.99 for 6 months, $29.99 yearly for the premium version
Best For: Goal setters who enjoy video games
For the bookworms who appreciate more than a simple book tracker, Basmo is the one for you. A wide array of AI-powered features is incorporated, allowing readers to set reading goals, journal their reading experience, organize their bookshelves, and create their own unique reading schedule. Our own personal kryptonite is the ability to take notes and highlight passages in our books in the app. It is also available for both iOs and Android devices. What else could a bookworm want?
Key Features:
Pricing: Free version with limited features / $8.99 per month or $59.99 yearly for advanced features
Best For: Tech lovers and reading list bookworms
This app is targeted more at recommendations and content organization. Likewise supports direct linking with streaming services, making it easy to use. The algorithm for suggestions and recommendations is shaped by your personal preferences, thus ensuring you get the best book for you. It is ideal for social media lovers as it has the feel of a social network, allowing users to follow others, see their recommendations and share favorites.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Social media users and entertainment enthusiasts
BookTrib is a very inclusive and comprehensive platform. From literary podcasts— if you're into them, check our post on the best historical fiction podcasts, too— and video interviews to content for upcoming releases, it has anything a book lover could want. It covers a wide spectrum of topics and genres while staying on top of trends and author insights. Community engagement is also strong, making it a dynamic platform. User’s can find reviews for both new releases and well-known works.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Avid readers, literature students, book club members
BingeBooks offers a fresh and engaging way of connecting with other readers and discovering new books. The user can explore new books by binging through their samples or listening to snippets from the audiobooks. Your personal library is where you can save your favorite, books, authors, or genres like romance and its subgenres. The community here is also going strong, as both interactions with other readers and authors are featured.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Avid readers and audiobook listeners
BookDigits is another platform mainly aimed at book discovery and engagement. What’s different about it is that it has its own unique rating system, where each book is not only judged by its quality but various aspects of it. The goal is to optimize recommendations according to personal preferences and reviews. The user can also vote on other people’s ratings and track reading statistics.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Avid readers
Bookhype is best at helping readers stay on top of new releases, track their reading, and discover special editions, like signed copies or sprayed edges. It includes a release calendar to keep track of upcoming books and personal reading lists. When new parts of your favorite series are published, they are automatically added to your library. Reader engagement is also promoted to improve the individual reading experience.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Avid readers and book collectors
Now let’s change things up a bit! Bookroo is mainly focused on younger readers, promoting reading from a young age and encouraging young ones to embrace the bookworm lifestyle—what a touching and potentially life-changing gesture! Delivering hidden gems rather than mainstream titles is a priority. Enriching children’s libraries is the main focus, so perhaps school-organized giveaways or similar activities can also be arranged using Bookroo.
Key Features:
Pricing: $19.95 per month, discounts available
Best For: Younger readers
Introverted bookworms rise, it’s your turn now! Candl is a non-social, private book tracking app for readers who want to organize their reading. Users can customize their reading lists, reminders and keep notes, and privately review books. The app can be accessed by all devices and data export and account deletion are supported.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Readers seeking privacy
Hardcover offers a variety of features including the very important half-star ratings—how we all wished we could give half-stars everywhere. It tracks reading progress across “read”, “to be read” and “currently reading” statuses. It is targeted at serious readers and is designed to handle complex libraries.
Key Features:
Pricing: Free
Best For: Social book lovers
Libreture focuses on e-book storage and book discovery. It can be accessed by any device and users are able to manage their digital bookshelves. The pricing system is rather unique, as users can pay for the storage they need and don’t have to spend extra on anything other than their allotted space.
Key Features:
Pricing: Between $2-$15 depending on the storage you need
Best For: Digital book readers and collectors
Now, let’s see what is best for each category of readers!
I’m sure after reading all of these you want nothing more than to bury your nose in a book and think about it again tomorrow, but hang with us for just a couple of minutes more, dear bookworm. The last thing we have to do is help you decide which alternative is best for you based on the unique features offered!
Apps like BookDigits, BookTrib, BingeBooks, Your Library, BookSloth, and Likewise seem like the best options for you!
Features to look for:
For our more introverted book lovers, we suggest alternatives like The StoryGraph, Candl, Reading List, Libretube, Hardcover, Basmo and Bookly! A good option is to join a few book Subreddits to keep up with trends and literary news as well. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
Features to look for:
For those of you who prefer the traditional way of storing books and recording your progress, we suggest sites like Google’s Reading List, LibraryThing and Libib.
Features to look for:
For those of you who want to have everything combined in one place instead of using different apps, we suggest Likewise, LibraryThing and Libib.
Features to look for:
A try on these platforms will help you realize which one works for you.
As you can see, the options for book lovers are countless. It is important to find the one that better suits your reading needs and personality, though. Don’t be afraid to try out a few to find the best match. Perhaps our own Crewfiction will be the place for your book journaling one day! One thing is for sure, dear bookworms, reading will always be a safe haven for millions of people, and numerous apps and devices to aid our quest into the unknown.
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Always living in her own enchanted little world, Christina discovered the magic that can be hidden within the pages of a book when one dares to take a closer look from a tender age. An avid reader, she is constantly inspired to delve into the secrets woven between the lines and challenges herself to find her own voice amidst the chaos. She is a dedicated fan of the classics, but the supernatural creatures that have tormented readers for years are her kryptonite. The mastery it takes to infuse the author's essence, molded by the era they grew up in to their innermost desires fascinates her. Undoubtedly, putting her passion and knowledge on paper has a mesmerizing allure on her, and following the steps of so many other dreamers before her she wishes to leave her mark in the literary world. Guided by T.S Eliot’s haunting words: “I will show you fear in a handful of dust” she intends to wreak havoc in the minds of her future readers.
