Stories with Tag social reading

• Show HN: I built a modern Goodreads alternative

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  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: My first side project, streamlined book clubs on Slack

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  Posted: 2025-02-09 13:28:10

  Verbose tl;dr

  BookTalk.club streamlines book club management within Slack. It offers a platform to propose, vote on, and schedule books, automatically creating Slack channels and reminders for discussions. The service integrates with Goodreads for book information and aims to simplify the organizational overhead of running a book club, allowing members to focus on reading and discussion.

  A software developer has unveiled their inaugural independent project, a web application meticulously designed to facilitate and enhance the organization and execution of book clubs utilizing the popular communication platform, Slack. This application, christened "BookTalk," aims to streamline the often cumbersome processes associated with managing a book club, such as selecting reading material, scheduling discussions, and fostering engaging conversations amongst members. It achieves this by seamlessly integrating with existing Slack workspaces, allowing users to leverage the familiar interface and communication tools they already employ.

  BookTalk's functionality encompasses a range of features specifically tailored to the needs of book clubs. Users can propose and vote on prospective books, eliminating the back-and-forth often required to reach a consensus. The application then facilitates structured discussions around the chosen book through dedicated Slack channels, prompting engagement with thought-provoking questions and providing a centralized platform for members to share their insights and interpretations. Furthermore, BookTalk aids in scheduling meetings, sending reminders, and tracking reading progress, ensuring that all members remain informed and engaged throughout the duration of the book club's activities.

  This project represents an attempt to address the common organizational challenges that can hinder the enjoyment and effectiveness of book clubs, offering a user-friendly solution within a widely adopted communication environment. By leveraging the existing infrastructure of Slack, BookTalk minimizes the learning curve and technical hurdles often associated with adopting new software, allowing book club members to focus on the shared experience of reading and discussion. The developer's intention is to provide a valuable tool that fosters richer literary engagement and strengthens the social bonds within book clubs, ultimately enhancing the overall experience for participants.

  • book club
  • slack
  • side project
  • Community
  • reading
  • books
  • discussion
  • online book club
  • social reading
  • booktalk
  • Software
  • web application
  • reading groups

  Summary of Comments ( 13 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42990540

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally expressed interest in the project, with several praising the clean UI and niche focus. Some suggested improvements like Goodreads integration, alternative communication platforms beyond Slack, and features for managing discussions and votes. A few users questioned the long-term viability of Slack as a platform for book clubs, citing potential inactivity and cost issues for larger groups. Others shared their own struggles with running book clubs and expressed hope that this tool could solve some of those challenges. The overall sentiment was positive, with many encouraging the creator to continue developing the project.

  The Hacker News post about BookTalk.club, a side project designed to streamline book clubs on Slack, generated several comments. Many commenters were supportive of the project and offered constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

  A recurring theme in the comments was the challenge of keeping book clubs engaged and on track. One commenter shared their experience with book clubs often fizzling out due to difficulty in scheduling and maintaining momentum. They saw BookTalk.club as a potential solution to this common problem.

  Several commenters focused on feature requests and potential improvements. Suggestions included adding support for other platforms like Discord, integrating with Goodreads for book selection and reviews, and implementing features to facilitate discussion such as prompting questions or providing summaries. The ability to manage multiple book clubs within the same Slack workspace was also mentioned.

  Some commenters questioned the reliance on Slack, expressing concerns about platform lock-in and the potential for a fragmented experience if members use different communication tools. Alternatives like a dedicated web platform were suggested.

  There was discussion about the monetization strategy. One commenter suggested a freemium model, offering basic features for free while charging for premium functionalities like advanced analytics or integration with other services.

  Several users appreciated the clean and simple design of the website and the clear explanation of the project's functionality. They commended the creator for launching the project and encouraged them to continue development.

  One commenter shared a similar personal project they had worked on, demonstrating the interest in tools that facilitate online book club organization.

  Overall, the comments were generally positive and offered valuable feedback for the project creator. The discussion revolved around the challenges of running book clubs, the potential of the platform to address those challenges, and suggestions for improving its functionality and reach.