In the digital age that we are in, reading apps have become extremely popular for bookworms. With their tracking abilities and countless other options, they’ve become valuable companions to us, but which should you get? There’s the original Goodreads, but now there are other options like Fable, StoryGraph, and Uncover! I’ve done some investigative research and have uncovered the unique features that set these apps apart! Now you can choose for yourself which app will help you on your reading journey!
Goodreads: The OG Reading App
Goodreads is the original app for bibliophiles. Started 2007 and bought by Amazon in 2013, I feel like it’s an app that most readers are familiar with. With its age and large user base, it is a treasure trove if you’re looking for vast book reviews, community engagement, lively discussion boards, and reading challenges to keep you on track. Also, Goodreads’ affiliation with Amazon allows seamless Kindle integration if you’re an ebook reader! But some do feel like Goodreads lacks updates – that Amazon acquired it and kind of left the app in 2013.
Other features include:
- Customizable lists and tags
- Ability to follow friends’ reading habits
- Ability to switch between book editions (except in Android app version)
- Digital tracking of your reading shelves
- Book rating system (increments of 1)
- Customizable reading goals
Fable: Making Reading a Social Experience
Fable was recently launched in 2021 post COVID lockdown with the mission of making reading a more social experience to help with mental wellness. It has grown rapidly and just recently surpassed Goodreads in the Apple App Store as the #1 reading app. Fable is a very vibrant app both in design and through their immersive community. If you are looking for an interactive reading experience, Fable is definitely the place for you. They have a vast assortment of virtual book clubs and the first ever interactive e-reader with more than 1 million books. The e-reader enables Fable users to make highlights, add reactions, share comments, create tabs, and write notes directly inside the ebook in order to share your reading experience with other readers. But some do believe that the interface can be a bit overwhelming for first time users.
Other features include:
- Ability to follow friends’ reading habits
- Digital tracking of your reading shelves
- Quarter star book rating system
- Cute graphics/descriptions personalized to your reading experience
- Simple “I Read Today” button to track reading streaks
- Ability to import Goodreads data
- Customizable reading goals
- Content Warnings based on reviews
StoryGraph: Algorithm-Based Recommendations and Stats
StoryGraph was also more recently launched in 2021 by a Black woman-owned independent company. She started StoryGraph because she was an avid Goodreads user but thought Goodreads lacked certain features. StoryGraph has an amazing algorithm for book recommendations based on your mood and reading preferences. You’ll be able to find a book for every occasion or mood. It also has a statistics page under your profile that gives you a breakdown of what you read into categories like moods, pace, page range, audiobook length, genre, format, and book ratings. Users find it fun to be able to see their reading habits laid out in a way that is fun and accessible. It has an incredibly easy interface and a default “dark mode” vibe to it. But StoryGraph doesn’t excel in being as social of an app as Fable or Goodreads. It does offer a community page that has Buddy Reads, Readalongs, and Book Clubs. But as of yet, there is no place to write discussion posts, join groups, or send messages.
Other features include:
- Digital tracking of your reading shelves
- Quarter star book rating system
- Ability to import Goodreads data
- Ability to switch between book editions
- Customizable reading goals
- Content Warnings based on reviews
- Personalized pie charts and bar graphs
Uncover: The Underdog
Uncover is the holy grail for an organization focused bibliophile. This app acts as a digital catalog for your books. It keeps track of your wishlists, TBR (to be read) lists, reading challenges, and genre recommendations all in one place. It has a vibrant and simplistic design; it’s very easy to add books to your lists (any list you’d like to make!). Lists are also able to be followed, so you can follow lists made by other users and those users themselves. Uncover’s book catalog seems to be quite vast as well, I was able to find all the books that I was looking for and even a couple indie authors! Uncover is definitely not as social of an app – probably even less so than StoryGraph. It’s more straightforward in its use for simply tracking and making book lists – not so much focused on the community discussion or book club aspect.
Other features include:
- Digital tracking of your reading shelves
- Ability to comment on books instead of a star rating system
- Monthly wrap-up graphics that you can share to your own personal social media
- Fun reading challenges (also in graphic form to share on social media)
Overall, it’s entirely up to personal preference which reading app you would want to employ in your own reading journey! So when you are deciding just consider which features resonate with you the most. We have librarians here that use Goodreads, Fable, StoryGraph, and Uncover – some (like your friendly Adult Services Coordinator) use all four! Regardless of which app you choose, check out our Annie Halenbake Ross Library account on all four! You never know what your local librarians might be reading!
