Kaguya is a new web app positioned as a modern alternative to Goodreads. It focuses on privacy, speed, and a clean interface. Users can track their reading progress, add books to their library, and discover new titles. The platform features a minimalist design, personalized recommendations, and integration with StoryGraph for importing existing libraries. Kaguya aims to provide a distraction-free reading management experience.
A software developer, motivated by perceived shortcomings in the popular book tracking platform Goodreads, has independently created and publicly unveiled a new web application named Kaguya. This application is presented as a contemporary alternative to Goodreads, aiming to provide a more streamlined and enjoyable experience for users wishing to catalog, review, and discover books. Kaguya features a clean, modern user interface designed for ease of use and aesthetic appeal. The developer emphasizes a focus on performance and responsiveness, suggesting that Kaguya offers a quicker and smoother interaction compared to the sometimes sluggish performance attributed to Goodreads. The application supports importing existing book data from Goodreads, facilitating a seamless transition for users migrating from the established platform. Furthermore, Kaguya implements a feature allowing users to connect directly with their personal StoryGraph accounts, offering an additional avenue for importing and synchronizing reading data. While still in active development, Kaguya is being offered as a fully functional web application, readily accessible to the public for immediate use and exploration. The developer is actively soliciting feedback from early adopters to guide future development and refinements of the platform. This project embodies an independent effort to address perceived gaps in the existing book tracking landscape and presents a potentially compelling option for bibliophiles seeking a modernized digital book management experience.
Summary of Comments ( 90 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230994
HN users generally praised Kaguya's clean design and mobile-first approach, contrasting it favorably with Goodreads' cluttered interface. Several expressed interest in specific features like the yearly reading challenge tracker and the ability to easily add books by scanning ISBNs. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying solely on Amazon for book data and suggested integrating with other sources like OpenLibrary. Others voiced concerns about the privacy implications of the project being closed-source and requiring an account. The developer responded actively to comments, addressing concerns and outlining plans for future development including features like import from Goodreads, personalized recommendations, and potentially open-sourcing the codebase. A recurring theme was the desire for a robust, modern alternative to Goodreads, with Kaguya seen as a promising contender.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: I built a modern Goodreads alternative" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230994) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing interest and offering feedback on the project, Kaguya. Many of the comments revolved around feature requests and comparisons to Goodreads.
Several users appreciated the clean and modern UI/UX of Kaguya, contrasting it with the perceived clutter and outdated design of Goodreads. One commenter specifically praised the infinite scroll implementation, finding it superior to Goodreads' pagination. The speed and responsiveness of the site were also highlighted as positive aspects.
A recurring theme in the comments was the desire for features not yet present in Kaguya. These included:
Some users raised concerns about the long-term viability and sustainability of the project, particularly regarding the business model and the potential for monetization. The developer responded to some of these comments, clarifying their current approach and future plans. They indicated a focus on building a solid user base before implementing monetization strategies.
A few commenters also offered technical feedback, including suggestions for alternative technologies and improvements to the codebase. There was a small thread discussing the choice of database and the potential scaling challenges.
Overall, the comments were generally positive and encouraging, with many users expressing excitement about the potential of Kaguya as a Goodreads alternative. The developer's responsiveness to the feedback and willingness to engage with the community were also well-received. While some skepticism regarding the project's longevity remained, the overall sentiment appeared to be one of cautious optimism.