Four apps to keep track of your readings.
What will you read next?
Currently, many of us experience a sense of tension, which can lead us to seek out forms of escape. In the face of the avalanche of disturbing news and angry videos online, dedicating time to reading can be an excellent option. However, the most passionate readers may feel the need to go beyond simply reading. They might want to keep track of the books they’ve read, jot down their impressions and recommendations, or find new interesting reads. For this purpose, book tracking apps can be of great help.
For a long time, Goodreads has been the most recognized platform for book lovers. This site allows users to log their reading habits, share opinions, and engage in discussions about their favorite genres. While Goodreads remains a powerful tool, there are alternatives. Among them stand out four apps that help keep track of read books and discover new works. Goodreads and The StoryGraph focus more on reviews and community, while Bookly and Bookmory concentrate on setting reading goals using timers and notes.
To understand the alternatives, it's pertinent to observe the current situation of Goodreads. Originally, the platform offered only a reading log and the ability to discover and purchase books. Now it includes reading groups, discussions, the option to follow what your friends are reading, and the opportunity to ask authors questions. For writers, Goodreads allows them to promote new works through free copies, advertising, or interaction with readers.
However, in recent years, Goodreads has faced criticism due to practices like "review bombing," where certain books receive a flood of unfavorable reviews for political reasons or from people who haven’t read them. This has created a climate of controversy that affects the user experience, compounded by a cluttered and confusing site design, overwhelmed by ads.
Among the alternatives, The StoryGraph presents itself as the most similar to Goodreads. It allows for the migration of existing data from Goodreads and offers a cleaner, easier-to-navigate interface. You can view your current reads, receive recommendations, and there’s also a community section to follow other readers and review their opinions. Additionally, it provides the option to participate in group reads and themed challenges. There is a Plus version that offers additional statistics and prioritized support, although the free version is sufficient for many users.
In times when there are so many distractions, maintaining focus for reading can be a challenge. Bookly aims to facilitate this process, focusing not only on logging what you read but also encouraging you to maintain a reading habit. The app allows you to schedule reading hours, log the time you spend, and add thoughts or new words. At the end of a session, you can reflect on what you’ve read. The app also introduces a system of virtual rewards that can be used to acquire additional items within the application.
On the other hand, Bookmory allows you to log books read and pending but mainly focuses on progress within each book. You can note your progress in pages, percentages, or episodes, and the app gives you the option to mark if you’ve purchased or borrowed the book. Although there are some limitations, such as the need for a premium membership to use certain features, its free version offers a wide range of tools for readers interested in tracking their progress.