Blog

Reading tips, book recommendations, and literary insights from the Bookwise team.

Hardcover vs StoryGraph: The Two Best Goodreads Alternatives Compared

Hardcover vs StoryGraph: The Two Best Goodreads Alternatives Compared

Hardcover vs StoryGraph: both are popular Goodreads alternatives, but they take completely different approaches to book tracking. StoryGraph gives you data-driven recommendations and detailed reading stats, while Hardcover builds a social community around discussions and trending books. We'll compare their features, communities, and pricing to help you decide which platform fits your reading style.

April 3, 202611 min read

HardcoverStoryGraphbook tracking apps

How to Set Reading Goals You'll Actually Achieve in 2026

How to Set Reading Goals You'll Actually Achieve in 2026

Setting reading goals sounds simple until December rolls around and you've barely cracked half your target. Most readers set goals based on what sounds impressive rather than what's actually achievable given their real life. Here's how to create reading goals that motivate you without burning you out.

April 1, 202617 min read

reading goalsreading habitsbook trackingproductivity

The Best Book Journal Apps for Readers Who Love to Reflect

The Best Book Journal Apps for Readers Who Love to Reflect

Looking for the best book journal app to capture your reading reflections? We tested the top apps for logging thoughts, saving quotes, and building a personal literary history. Whether you want AI-powered insights, simple notes, or deep analysis tools, we'll help you find the perfect fit.

March 31, 202616 min read

book journalingreading appsbook trackingdigital journalingreading reflection

The Oku App: Your Social Bookshelf Companion Reviewed

The Oku App: Your Social Bookshelf Companion Reviewed

The Oku app brings a design-forward approach to book tracking, focusing on social discovery through readers whose taste you trust. Here's what you need to know about this iOS-only platform, including its strengths, limitations, and whether it's the right fit for your reading life.

March 30, 202610 min read

book-tracking-appsreading-appsapp-reviews

Bookly vs Goodreads: Which Is Better for Building Reading Habits?

Bookly vs Goodreads: Which Is Better for Building Reading Habits?

Bookly and Goodreads serve fundamentally different purposes in your reading life. One's a habit-building timer app that helps you read consistently. The other's a massive social platform for discovering your next favorite book. We'll break down how they compare and help you decide which one (or both) belongs on your phone.

March 27, 202611 min read

BooklyGoodreadsapp-comparisons

How to Track Books You've Read: The Complete Guide for 2026

How to Track Books You've Read: The Complete Guide for 2026

Wondering how to track books you've read? From physical journals to modern apps with AI companions, we cover every method that actually works in 2026. Whether you want simple lists or detailed reading stats, there's a tracking system that fits your style.

March 26, 202615 min read

book trackingreading appsreading habits

The Literal App: A Social, Minimalist Home for Your Reading Life

The Literal App: A Social, Minimalist Home for Your Reading Life

Literal is a minimalist book tracking app built on a simple idea: the best book recommendations come from people you trust, not algorithms. With its clean interface, genuine community focus, and features like book clubs and translation tools, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional reading apps.

March 25, 20268 min read

literalreading-appsbook-trackingsocial-reading

The Best Reading Tracker Apps for iPhone in 2026

The Best Reading Tracker Apps for iPhone in 2026

Looking for the best reading tracker app for iPhone? We tested the top iOS book tracking apps and found that different readers need different tools. Whether you want detailed stats, social features, or simple habit tracking, there's an app that fits your reading style.

March 24, 202615 min read

reading appsbook trackingiPhone appsproductivity

The Hardcover App: Features, Community & Everything to Know

The Hardcover App: Features, Community & Everything to Know

The Hardcover app is a community-first book tracker built by a small indie team as an alternative to Goodreads. With Discord integration, seamless imports, and a public development roadmap, it's designed for readers who want active community engagement alongside their book tracking. Here's everything you need to know about whether Hardcover is right for you.

March 23, 20269 min read

hardcoverbook tracking appsgoodreads alternatives

Goodreads vs LibraryThing: Which Platform Is Better for Book Lovers?

Goodreads vs LibraryThing: Which Platform Is Better for Book Lovers?

Goodreads and LibraryThing solve different problems for different readers. One prioritizes social discovery and friend activity, while the other excels at cataloging precision and collection management. We compare features, communities, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right platform.

March 22, 202610 min read

goodreadslibrarythingbook-tracking

StoryGraph vs Bookwise: Which Book Tracker Comes Out on Top?

StoryGraph vs Bookwise: Which Book Tracker Comes Out on Top?

StoryGraph is the best Goodreads alternative most people recommend. Bookwise is the one built for where reading apps need to go next. Here is how they actually compare.

March 19, 20268 min read

Oku vs Goodreads: Which Reading Tracker Is Right for You?

Oku vs Goodreads: Which Reading Tracker Is Right for You?

Oku and Goodreads are often compared as competing reading apps. The more honest take is that neither does what it does particularly well, and together they still leave meaningful gaps.

March 16, 20268 min read

LibraryThing Review: Is It Still the Best Book Cataloging Tool?

LibraryThing Review: Is It Still the Best Book Cataloging Tool?

LibraryThing has been cataloging readers' libraries since 2005. Two decades on, it still does one thing better than anyone else. Here is our honest review.

March 15, 20269 min read

Literal App Review: The Minimalist Social Book Tracker

Literal App Review: The Minimalist Social Book Tracker

Literal is social media with a specific purpose — and in a world of internet fatigue and growing love for books, that purpose matters more than ever. Here is our honest review.

March 14, 20268 min read

The Goodreads App: A Complete Guide to Features & How It Works

The Goodreads App: A Complete Guide to Features & How It Works

The Goodreads app has over 150 million users and has been the default home for readers' book lists for nearly two decades. Here is everything you need to know about how it works — on desktop and mobile.

March 13, 20268 min read

The Best Book Tracking Apps for Avid Readers in 2026

The Best Book Tracking Apps for Avid Readers in 2026

Casual readers need an app that helps them read more. Avid readers need something different entirely — an app that gets out of the way and gives them more time for the actual reading.

March 12, 20268 min read

How to Import Your Goodreads Library to StoryGraph (Step by Step)

How to Import Your Goodreads Library to StoryGraph (Step by Step)

Years of reading history shouldn't keep you stuck on an app you've outgrown. Here's exactly how to import your Goodreads library to StoryGraph — and what to watch out for along the way.

March 9, 20267 min read

Bookly Review: The Reading Timer App That Builds Real Habits

Bookly Review: The Reading Timer App That Builds Real Habits

Bookly is one of the most polished habit-tracking apps for readers. But does a reading timer take you far enough? Here's our honest verdict.

March 8, 20268 min read

Hardcover vs Goodreads: Which Book Tracker Should You Choose?

Hardcover vs Goodreads: Which Book Tracker Should You Choose?

Goodreads is the default. Hardcover is the rebellion. In 2026, more readers than ever are asking whether the default is still good enough — and whether Hardcover is the answer.

March 5, 20269 min read

The Best Free Book Tracking Apps for Every Type of Reader

The Best Free Book Tracking Apps for Every Type of Reader

You don't need to pay to track your reading life. But not all free book tracking apps are created equal. Here's how the best options stack up in 2026.

March 4, 20269 min read

Goodreads Review: Is It Still Worth Using in 2026?

Goodreads Review: Is It Still Worth Using in 2026?

Goodreads has 150 million users and has been the default book tracker for over a decade. But in 2026, is it still worth using? Here's our honest verdict.

March 4, 20268 min read

StoryGraph Review: Is It the Best Goodreads Alternative?

StoryGraph Review: Is It the Best Goodreads Alternative?

StoryGraph has won over millions of readers who've grown tired of Goodreads. But does it deserve the hype? Here's our honest review after spending real time with the app.

March 3, 20267 min read

The StoryGraph App: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

The StoryGraph App: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

StoryGraph is one of the most popular Goodreads alternatives on the market — and for good reason. But is it the best book tracker available in 2026? Here's everything you need to know before you switch.

March 2, 20268 min read

The Best Goodreads Alternatives in 2026 (Ranked and Reviewed)

The Best Goodreads Alternatives in 2026 (Ranked and Reviewed)

Goodreads built a 150-million-user empire and then stopped improving. These are the best Goodreads alternatives in 2026 for readers who want modern features, smarter recommendations, and a platform that actually keeps up with how people read.

February 26, 20269 min read

Goodreads vs StoryGraph: Which Book Tracker Wins in 2026?

Goodreads vs StoryGraph: Which Book Tracker Wins in 2026?

Goodreads has dominated book tracking for years, but StoryGraph has changed what readers expect from a reading app. Here is a full breakdown of both platforms to help you decide which one is worth your time.

February 26, 20267 min read

How to Set a Reading Goal You’ll Actually Keep

How to Set a Reading Goal You’ll Actually Keep

You’re not too busy to read - you’re overstimulated. Here’s how to set a reading goal you’ll actually keep, without guilt, burnout, or forcing yourself to finish books you don’t enjoy.

February 24, 20263 min read

reading goalshow to read morereading habitset a reading goalhow to build a reading habit