Goodreads alternative
A Goodreads alternative for the books on your shelves
Goodreads, StoryGraph and LibraryThing are built around tracking what you read or cataloging what you own. Stacks is built around something they don't focus on: the physical copies on your shelves, and passing them between friends.
What each one is built for
| App | Built for | Best if |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | A reading log with ratings, reviews and recommendations.You want to rate books and see what other readers think of them. | You want to rate books and see what other readers think of them. |
| StoryGraph | Reading stats, goals and recommendations by mood and pace.You like charts of your reading and help choosing what's next. | You like charts of your reading and help choosing what's next. |
| LibraryThing | Detailed cataloging of a personal collection.You want precise records of every edition you own. | You want precise records of every edition you own. |
| Stacks | The physical books you own, and lending them to people you know.You'd like your friends' shelves to feel like a second library. | You'd like your friends' shelves to feel like a second library. |
They aren't rivals so much as different tools. Plenty of people keep a reading log on one of the others and use Stacks for the books they actually own. On StoryGraph? Here's how the two fit together.
What Stacks does differently
- Your copies, not just titles. Each book on your shelf is your copy: where it is, who has it, who's had it.
- Your friends' shelves, searchable. Search once and see which friends own a book, then ask to borrow it.
- Lending that keeps track. Due dates, gentle reminders, and a history of everyone who's borrowed each copy.
- Notes that travel with the book. A heart or a line left for the next reader, like a penciled note inside the cover.
- A want-to-read list that watches for you. When a friend adds a book you're after, you hear about it.
- One shelf for the household. Couples and housemates can share a shelf and keep their own notes and friends.
- Groups and lending by name. A book club shares one link, and a neighbor or a classroom can borrow without an account.
Do I have to leave Goodreads?
No. You can bring your library over and keep using both: track your reading where you already do, and lend from Stacks. Export your library from Goodreads (My Books, then Import and export) or StoryGraph, then import the file. Books you own go on your shelf, ones you read elsewhere on your Also read list, and ones you want on your want-to-read list, and you choose before anything is added. Your reviews come along as notes, and five stars as a heart. Moving from LibraryThing or Libib? Their exports import the same way.
What Stacks doesn't do
There are no star ratings, public reviews, reading challenges or recommendation engine, and nothing strangers can find: your shelf's page is kept out of search engines, so it's seen by your friends and anyone you send the link to. Stacks is a website that works in your phone's browser rather than an app from a store. If what you want is a detailed record of everything you've ever read, one of the others will suit you better.