Stories with Tag book discovery

• Show HN: I built a modern Goodreads alternative

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-03-02 14:50:20

  Verbose tl;dr

  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.

  • book tracking
  • Book Reviews
  • goodreads alternative
  • reading list
  • book discovery
  • social reading
  • web application
  • kaguya
  • IndieWeb
  • bookshelf management
  • reading challenge
  • reading progress
  • book recommendations

  Summary of Comments ( 90 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230994

  Verbose tl;dr

  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:

  • Import/Export Functionality: Multiple users requested the ability to import their existing Goodreads libraries, recognizing the barrier to entry for users with large collections. The ability to export data from Kaguya was also mentioned as important for data portability and backup.
  • Social Features: Some commenters expressed interest in social aspects similar to Goodreads, such as the ability to follow other users, see their reading activity, and engage in discussions.
  • More Advanced Search and Filtering: Granular search options and the ability to filter books based on various criteria (genre, tags, etc.) were mentioned as desirable additions.
  • Mobile App: While the website is responsive, some commenters expressed a preference for a dedicated mobile app.
  • Progress Tracking: Being able to mark a book as "currently reading" and track reading progress was suggested.
  • ISBN Scanning: A quicker way to add books, such as scanning ISBN barcodes, was also a popular request.

  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.

• Show HN: I made a table comparer to quickly find a new book to read

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-01-28 21:02:39

  Verbose tl;dr

  NextRead (nextread.info) is a simple web tool designed to help users find their next book. It presents a sortable and filterable table comparing popular book recommendations from various sources like Goodreads, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama. This allows readers to quickly see commonalities across lists, identify highly-recommended titles, and filter by criteria like genre, author, or publication year to refine their search and discover new reads based on trusted sources.

  A software developer, motivated by the perennial challenge of selecting a new book amidst an overwhelming array of options, has meticulously crafted and publicly unveiled a novel online tool designed to streamline and expedite the book discovery process. This innovative application, accessible via the web address nextread.info, functions as an interactive table comparer, presenting a curated collection of books in a tabular format. The table's structure facilitates rapid comparison of key attributes, enabling users to efficiently assess numerous potential reads at a glance. Each book entry within the table likely includes a concise synopsis, providing a glimpse into the narrative's core themes and plot elements. Furthermore, the table likely incorporates details on the book's author, genre, page count, and potentially other pertinent information such as publication date or average reading time. The user interface is designed with an emphasis on simplicity and ease of use, aiming to minimize the cognitive load associated with sifting through vast libraries or online catalogs. By presenting critical data points in a clear and concise manner, this tool empowers users to make informed decisions about their next literary pursuit, thus transforming the often daunting task of book selection into a more manageable and even enjoyable experience. The developer's primary goal is to address the common problem of choice paralysis, offering a practical solution for readers seeking their next captivating read without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of available titles. This table comparer represents a fresh approach to book discovery, leveraging the power of structured data and intuitive design to connect readers with books that align with their interests and preferences.

  • books
  • reading
  • recommendations
  • book discovery
  • table
  • Comparison
  • Tool
  • website
  • nextread
  • HN
  • Show HN

  Summary of Comments ( 6 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42857951

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally praised the simplicity and usefulness of the book comparison tool. Several suggested improvements, such as adding Goodreads integration, allowing users to import their own lists, and including more metadata like page count and publication date. Some questioned the reliance on Amazon, desiring alternative sources. The discussion also touched on the subjectivity of book recommendations and the difficulty of quantifying "similarity" between books. A few users shared their personal book recommendation methods, contrasting them with the tool's approach. The creator responded to many comments, acknowledging the suggestions and explaining some design choices.

  The Hacker News post titled "Show HN: I made a table comparer to quickly find a new book to read" linking to nextread.info generated several comments, mostly positive and offering constructive feedback.

  One of the most compelling comments praised the simplicity and usefulness of the tool, especially for those who struggle with choice paralysis when faced with a large number of options. They specifically liked how it allows for quick comparisons based on key criteria like length and rating, making decision-making more efficient. This commenter also suggested adding an option to import from Goodreads, a popular book tracking platform, which would significantly enhance the tool's practicality for many users.

  Several commenters focused on the technical aspects and offered suggestions for improvement. One suggested using a different JavaScript framework like Svelte or SolidJS for potentially better performance and maintainability, although acknowledging the current implementation works well. Another pointed out the benefit of using a table for this type of comparison, contrasting it with alternative visualizations like scatter plots which might not be as effective for this specific use case. A third technical comment delved into the importance of accessibility, recommending adding keyboard navigation for users who cannot use a mouse.

  Another commenter appreciated the clean design and user experience, noting how quickly the tool loads and the intuitive interface. This reinforces the positive reception of the tool's simplicity and ease of use.

  A few comments also discussed the broader context of book discovery and recommendation. One commenter mentioned the challenge of finding new books and how tools like this can help narrow down the options based on specific preferences. Another shared their personal experience with using spreadsheets for similar purposes, highlighting the value of a dedicated tool like nextread.info.

  Finally, the creator of the tool engaged with several comments, responding to questions and acknowledging the suggestions for future development. This active engagement indicates a commitment to improving the tool based on user feedback. Specifically, the creator responded positively to the suggestion of Goodreads integration and expressed interest in exploring it. They also addressed technical questions regarding the implementation and future plans.