As someone who reads almost obsessively and has spent years tracking every page I turn, I used to think Goodreads was the ultimate tool for readers. For a while, I even enjoyed using StoryGraph for its clean stats and independence from Amazon. Over time, both platforms started to feel like the same uninspired routine: log the book, rate the book, move on. The interfaces did not spark joy, the community aspect felt flat, and I began to question why I was investing my energy in spaces that felt so impersonal.
I realized I was craving something more than just a database for my reading life. I wanted a place that felt alive, where sharing a book meant starting a conversation rather than adding another number to a reading challenge counter. I wanted the excitement of discovering what my friends were picking up next, the ability to recommend a title with personality and context, and a space that celebrated the fun side of being a reader.
That is when I found Bookworm Reads, and everything changed. I remember the first time I signed in, dressed my little worm avatar, and thought, “This feels like me.” It instantly made book tracking feel less like a chore and more like a hobby in itself. I imported my old reading lists and suddenly, my library felt fresh again, surrounded by color and personality. Instead of endless scrolling through generic lists, I saw vibrant updates from other readers, community challenges that actually sounded fun, and a space that made me want to log in every day — not because I had to, but because I wanted to.
Bookworm Reads is More Than a Reading Tracker
Bookworm Reads is not just a place to track your reading. It feels like stepping into a little world made just for book lovers. The first thing you do after signing up is create your “worm,” a personalized cartoon avatar that becomes your reading sidekick. Mine is dressed in a way that perfectly reflects my personality, and I smile every time I see it when I log in.
The design is colorful, inviting, and joyful. It captures the magic of reading in a way other platforms simply do not.
A True Community for Readers
On Goodreads, I often felt like I was talking into the void. On StoryGraph, I could track moods and stats, but the social experience still felt limited. Bookworm Reads is different. The community is warm and genuinely interactive. Readers leave thoughtful comments, share personalized book recommendations, and join reading challenges simply for the love of it.
Here, my reviews feel like part of an actual conversation, not just another entry in a database.
Supporting Small and Independent Platforms
The more I learned about Bookworm Reads, the more it aligned with my values. It is run by a small, passionate team, most of whom are volunteers. It is not owned by a tech giant, and when I pay for the Pro subscription, I know I am directly supporting the platform and its growth.
It feels good to know that my book tracking is helping sustain a community-driven space, rather than fueling a corporation that treats books as products to sell at a loss.
Growing Alongside the Platform
Bookworm Reads is still developing. There are occasional features I would like to see added, but I appreciate that updates often come from user feedback. Watching the app evolve in real time is exciting, especially knowing that the team behind it listens to readers and prioritizes joy in every update.
Why I Will Not Be Going Back
I deleted my Goodreads and StoryGraph accounts because I realized I wanted more than a reading tracker. I wanted a place where I could share books with people who love reading as much as I do. Bookworm Reads delivers that, offering a colorful, engaging, and friendly space that celebrates books instead of just cataloging them.
If you want to connect with me there, my profile is fernthebookworm. Happy reading!
I will have to check out Bookworm Reads. Currently, I still have my Goodreads account. However, I agree with you that is does feel like a “chore’ to accomplish anything on this platform.
I like a site that is more intuitive and user friendly.
I used to post book reviews for my indie author friends on Goodreads. But, I much preferred The Book Marketing Network. Unfortunately, the latter is not nearly as popular.
Another place that I found that I received more views on my reviews is Amazon Kindle. I know a lot of people don’t like Amazon. However, posting a book review is a straightforward process and people DO visit the site.
Also, not sure if this WordPress site is best suited for book reviews. But, I do share those here on Readsalot and What I Am Reading.
Finally, does anyone still use Wattpad?
Before I self-published my first e-novel on Kindle, I used Wattpad as a platform to beta test the 4th draft edit of the book .
This was quite the undertaking as Wattpad was a community of not only Indie authors, but also editors, and small publishers.
In order to have your work reviewed, you must first be willing to read and offer feedback for others who are in the same boat.
If you are willing to be an active member of the community, it can be a very rewarding experience.
Goodreads is powerful, but clunky. The interface feels trapped in 2010, and every action — from adding a new book to updating reading progress — feels like filling out a spreadsheet. The site became more about statistics than stories.