The Right Byte: The StoryGraph

It often feels like we spend so much time on the Internet, that we’ve completely exhausted it — but that’s not true, and The Right Byte is here to introduce you to sides of the web you may not have heard of! Ready?

Since I’m a bookworm myself, it only felt right to kick off this segment with The StoryGraph, a Goodreads competitor. The website launched a few years ago, and the app has only recently entered the stores. On the other hand, Goodreads has been around for quite a while, and it shows in its interface and user experience, both of which seem quite vintage (to put it politely). Despite all the memories we may have with it, perhaps it is time to move on, and The StoryGraph may be an ideal new home; here’s why.

Firstly, the visuals of the app alone give it an edge. The teal, white, and black are a simple combination, and yet provide the platform with a sleek and minimalistic look that’s perfect for Gen-Z users. You can also switch easily to dark mode if you’re not a fan of bright screens, and prefer a more comfortable experience.

With The StoryGraph, you’ll begin by answering a survey that helps the app understand your reading pace, preferred genres, themes, and keywords. Once you’ve submitted your responses, the app will get to work analysing your data and comparing it to thousands of books and readers on the platform.

It will then generate a highly personalized list of book recommendations that match your preferences, so you can easily find your next great read. Quite ideal for when you want something that’s like your favourite book but not exactly your favourite book, you know?

But that’s just the beginning. The StoryGraph offers a variety of features that make it easy to connect with other readers and expand your reading horizons. You can follow other users to see what they’re reading and get inspired by their choices. You can also start or join a buddy read with up to four other users, giving you a chance to discuss your thoughts and reactions to a book in real-time. And with a variety of book clubs to choose from – including Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, and the Bad Bitch Book Club – you’re sure to find a community that shares your interests and passions.

Also, you can rate your books with utmost precision and flexibility, thanks to its half-star and quarter-star options (you no longer need to give a 3-star rating where only 2.5 stars are deserved). Plus, you get personalized book recommendations tailored to your mood, pace, genre, and theme preferences. You can even filter and sort recommendations based on various criteria! But that’s not all – StoryGraph provides comprehensive reading statistics and graphs that track your reading speed, diversity, mood, and genre breakdowns.

This way, you can compare your reading habits and see how far you’ve come. And the best part? StoryGraph allows you to add non-traditional books like fanfiction and literary journals without affecting your regular book stats and recommendations. So, you get a holistic reading experience that caters to all your needs and habits!

Of course, no app is perfect, and The StoryGraph is no exception. Some users have criticised the app for having a smaller and less diverse community than Goodreads, but that’s only natural for an app that’s still up-and-coming. Others have found the design to be too simplistic, which is an entirely subjective take, so you may disagree with this anyway.

However, these minor flaws are far outweighed by the app’s many perks. The StoryGraph is a must-try for anyone who loves to read and wants to discover new books that match their unique tastes and interests. Oh, and the best part? You can import your Goodreads data!

So why wait? Download The StoryGraph today and start exploring your next great read!

Rating

Google Play Store: 4.4 ★

App Store: 4.5 ★

About the Author: With chai and Google Docs as trusted companions, Abrish Nayyar has honed the art of weaving stories, fueled by late-night inspiration and the mundane world. Aspiring to one day be a published author, to her, every article is an inch closer to that goal.