The StoryGraph is stealing Goodread’s thunder and here’s why

Goodreads is the OG book social media that filled a void for all book lovers upon its creation. Set up in 2007 by a couple who wanted to share their love for books, it was later bought out by *whisper* Amazon in 2013.

Goodreads allows you to track and organize books you’ve read, books you are currently reading, and books you want to read in the future. The platform also provides a sense of community where readers can interact with one another.

Goodreads lets you know more about the books you are reading by displaying info about the author, whether the book is a standalone or a part of a series, and what other readers in the Goodreads community thought of it.

Goodreads became the model for the development of other book centered websites and apps, although none of them seemed to have gained enough traction to best Goodreads… and then came The StoryGraph.

@jillzbaby
i just made an account and i’m obsessed #booktok #bookrecommendations #stroygraph

♬ original sound – jill

Well, actually, The StoryGraph is still quite new on the scene. Originally conceptualized in 2012 by Nadia Odunayo, The StoryGraph was established as a platform in 2019.

Odunayo hopes for it to be “the place to help you choose you next book,” adding that the company’s mission is rooted in “enhancing the lives of avid readers everywhere and inspiring non-readers to read.”

The StoryGraph has slowly been making a name for itself. Although containing similar features as Goodreads, The StoryGraph seems to take things one step further.

Signing up to The StoryGraph includes a detailed survey about your taste in books, this allows The StoryGraph to perfectly curate its suggestions for your next favorite read. The questions range from your preferred genres, what makes you invested in a book, and what your book turn offs are.

This survey also allows The StoryGraph to generate charts and graphs that represent your reading habits. Visually showing you the typical mood, pacing, and even number of pages the books you usually read contain.

One of the notorious struggles in Goodreads is not being able to give out half-star reviews. In The StoryGraph, not only are you able to give out half (and .25 and .75) stars, but there are also several prompts that help you dive deeper into why you may or may not have enjoyed a book. The StoryGraph also allows users to tag any content trigger warnings that other readers should take note of before reading a book.

Similar to Goodreads, The StoryGraph allows you to set up a reading goal for the year. On the other hand, unlike Goodreads, The StoryGraph also allows you to set aside books that you deem unworthy of finishing by marking them as “did not finish”. Out of sight out of mind.

If none of these features sound tempting enough to make you exert the effort of starting all over again on another book social media platform, fear not because The StoryGraph seems to have thought this through as well. Following a quick and easy process, you can import all your Goodreads info unto The StoryGraph. Allowing you to get started on the platform without having to start from scratch.

Nadia Odunayo believes in the importance of hearing user feedback and accountability. At the bottom of The StoryGraph’s website one may click on the “Roadmap” link to see feedback given by other users, and to submit your own suggestions as well. This page also lets users see the progress of the company in addressing these comments.

Goodreads may have been the OG, but it might be time for a new star to shine. Both are free and easy to use, with quite self-explanatory features. At the end of the day, it’s up to you which to use. Would you rather support an independent company, and a platform that truly feels like it’s being managed by people who love to read? Or…