In early 2021, I officially pulled the plug on Goodreads and switched entirely to The StoryGraph. But what is The Storygraph, you might ask? Let me tell you some more about it.
The StoryGraph is a platform created to help you track your reading goals and find new book recommendations based on your mood. It’s suitable for every kind of reader and has so many incredible elements that make it an absolute must. It only took me one day of use before I quit Goodreads entirely. I haven’t logged into my old account since then, and quite frankly, I plan to never do so again.
If you’re fed up with Goodreads and their outdated website, inability to listen to user feedback, and lack of review customization, keep reading to see why you absolutely need to create a free StoryGraph account!
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How to Read More Books // 20 Bookish Phrases to Know // Why I Use a Planned Monthly Reading List
10 Reasons Why I Chose to Switch from Goodreads to The StoryGraph
The StoryGraph allows you to give .5 ratings and you can mark your books as DNF.
You heard me. No more wishing you could give a book a 2.75 but only being allowed a 2 or 3 star option. In addition, you can help other readers understand the book better without posting a review by just selecting a few simple descriptive terms. In other words, the rating system rocks. When you DNF, you can state why you chose to stop reading as well as share how far you got (using pages or percentage). This book will still be part of your library but it won’t be constantly pushed on you to read and you don’t have to “lie about reading it” like you may have done on Goodreads in the past.
You can easily add trigger and content warnings to your reviews.
I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again (and again): adding trigger and content warnings to reviews is so important. However, thinking through all of that after you’ve finished a book can be daunting. The StoryGraph makes it ridiculously easy. They categorize the content by graphic, moderate, and minor and provide a drop-down list to choose from. Now, when you look up a book, you can see the warnings along with the moods, pace, average rating, and so on.
The website and app are modern, user-friendly, and constantly updated with sleek new features.
We all know that Goodreads has a clunky, old-fashioned web and app design and it constantly crashes or just doesn’t function properly. Follow The StoryGraph on Twitter and you’ll see that they’re always updating and adding new features based on user feedback. They do offer an app (available for iPhone and Android) and it is fantastic. I would know since I use it literally every day. I love that it shows all my reading stats in such a unique and fun way! It’s a great way to track how I read – and yes, I can add reading notes as I go.
You can participate in a plethora of tailored reading challenges.
Whether you prefer to stick with traditional numerical reading goals or you want to find something brand new, The StoryGraph offers tons of options. You can even create your own unique challenge and share with friends. This is an excellent option for those who participate in buddy reads or book clubs!
The StoryGraph makes searching for books a breeze.
Have you ever gone to search for a book and then, due to maybe a misspelling or misplaced word, couldn’t find it on Goodreads? Yeah, that’s not even a thing with The StoryGraph. They make it so easy to search for any book and even the newest indie releases are quick to show up. If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, you can manually add it to their system! There aren’t any ads to clog things up either, which makes the search experience way more efficient.
It’s super simple to import your Goodreads data so you won’t lose all of your previous reviews and ratings.
This was something I was slightly worried about when I first created my account. I didn’t want to manually add the hundreds of books I had added to my Goodreads over time. But it literally took fifteen minutes to click a few buttons and ta-da! The data was seamlessly imported to my new page. All of my ratings, reviews, and even my tags were still intact.
You can choose to be as social as you’d like.
There is a community feature to the platform, but it’s less in-your-face than Goodreads. What your friends are reading isn’t the first thing you see when you log in, but if you want to find out what they thought about their last read, it’s super easy to do so! And you’re not inundated with random user information that you don’t care about. I can’t tell you the number of times I thought, “why do I see that user liking another user’s reading status when I don’t even follow them?” No more!
The StoryGraph provides personalized reading recommendations that you can tailor to your mood.
Okay, so I’m not at all a mood-reader, but I’ve heard from a few other users that they love this particular feature more than the rest! It literally prompts you with, “what are you in the mood for?” and you can input your desired pace, number of pages, genre, etc. to receive a list curated just for you!
The creators of The StoryGraph value user input!
Over the years, I’ve read horror stories of authors being bombarded with horrific reviews that contained terribly offensive (racist, homophobic, ableist, etc.) content, and when they begged Goodreads to remove it, they were declined. On the other hand, Goodreads will remove 1-star ratings that aren’t hurting anyone, just because a favored author complains. It just doesn’t add up. However, The StoryGraph listen to their users. They constantly request feedback and encourage user input to make their website and app more accessible, inclusive, and safe (along with just generally making it run better and other things websites and apps should do on a regular basis).
You’re supporting a small start-up rather than another Amazon-owned business.
Nadia Odunayo created The StoryGraph with the intention of helping readers find their next book. According to Nadia, the platform isn’t meant to be an alternative for what’s already out there (though it has become just that for me, personally). It’s meant to give users better tracking tools and one place to consistently find great book recommendations.
Do you already utilize The StoryGraph? I’d love to connect with you!
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Cristina Rosano says
I have been pondering about the switch since it came out, but you totally convinced me now! I have been on Goodreads for years, but the interface and lack of change after so long are truly incredible! I love that you can give .5 reviews, trigger warnings, DNF a book and choose a book on the mood!
Merry Sari says
I’ve heard about the storygraph many times but never actually use it. I definitely need to download it after reading your review Steph! Their features are really fantastic x
Amy Day says
OMG! Thank you for finding a better alternative to Goodreads! This is just what I’ve been looking for & I’m already obsessed!
~ Amy
Lee says
This is so interesting! I;ve used Goodreads before but have never heard of Story Graph. Clearly i need to check it out!
Nathalia says
Funnily enough, I made the switch to Storygraph when they were still in Beta but haven’t started using it yet. When I imported the books from Goodreads, it messed up some of the data and I’ve been putting off organising it for AGES. Definitely need to make the switch though, I loved it way more from the brief time I’ve used it.
Robin says
What an excellent, comprehensive review! I dropped the ill-yclept Goodreads a couple of years ago, for the reasons you mention above, and was delighted to find TSG late last year. I especially like the point you make “You can choose to be as social as you’d like”. For me, that’s “not at all” – with the exception of those delightful reading challenges. I think it’s worth stressing that TSG is great for those who simply want to curate their own reading and track their own journey, without either rapacious data-mining or noisy “social” static. For those reasons, I was delighted to be one of TSG’s first wave of paying users, and I urge all who can to give Nadia and her small team the added support of a few extra dollars.
Mariah says
Oh my gosh! I’d never heard of this before. There are so many good features. Love the .5 thing, and DNF! I hate that goodreads doesn’t have that. I was literally thinking about that just this weekend. Also love that you can import stuff from goodreads. Literally downloading right now.
Kayleigh Zara says
I’ve actually heard some really negative things about Goodreads lately so I’ve been thinking of making the change to another app. StoryGraph sounds like a great alternative and I love that you can import all of your Goodreads data x
Andrea's Book Corner says
Oh! Ok so I’ve heard of this but never really knew how it worked. Although I currently am using Goodreads, I would consider fully switching over eventually! I appreciate how it lets you transfer your books from Goodreads to here (convenient) and that it’s super personalized and aesthetically pleasing.
Ely @ Earl Grey Books says
I’ve been considering making the change over to StoryGraph for a while, but I’ve kind of lost interest in tracking my books in that way lately. I’ve been using my own spreadsheets but that’s about it. Maybe when I feel like getting back into it I’ll make the switch over!
Venus says
I never heard of StoryGraph before. It’s definitely something I could use to help me stay on track 🙂
Lizzie says
That is so cool! I’ve never heard of this before. It looks like a really useful tool! Such a great review too!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
proseccobefore7 says
I’ve never heard of this site but I am definitely going to look into it, specially with all the perks you listed above. Thanks so much for sharing!
Melissa says
This is SO interesting. I will definitely check it out. I have been using Goodreads since I’m in like 8th grade (so more than 10 years ago), and the website literally looks the same. The fact that you can import all the books I have from Goodreads to StoryGraph makes me want to switch. The Goodreads app is so slow!
Jimmy Clare says
Okay wow, I am going to check out this platform later today I just added it to my chrome reading list. Thanks for sharing this.
Bianca Visagie says
I tried Storygraph this year but I couldn’t keep up with it and Goodreads. I think I might switch over permanently next year. I do like being able to see other reviews and the social aspect of GR. But hopefully, Storygraph gives us the same features (and improved features) soon.
Charity says
I haven’t heard of story graph before so this was an interesting and informative read for me. Thanks so much for sharing all about it!
Nailil says
I had not heard of this app. It seems like a good option, so I’ll have to check it out.
Xx, Nailil
Amie says
Ooooh I’ve never heard of this before, but I’m definitely going to check them out, I feel like I need it right now!
Greta says
I hadn’t heard of this before but thanks for listing all the benefits! I’ll definitely check it out.
Anda @Thebusyshelf says
I like it so much more than Goodreads too but it does have one minus for which I will still keep using GR( while also using StoryGraph). StoryGraph is perfect for English books and „world famous” ones, but they don’t have books that are written by authors in smaller countries 🙁 I am Romanian and I read authors from my country too but none of their books is present on there… I know they’re growing and I do plan to contribute too, but this is something other people outside English countries should be aware of 🙂 Nonetheless, I can see them overtaking GR! The experience is much better!
Stephanie Whitman says
It’s why you should absolutely add those books to the system. Self-adding is pretty simple if you can’t find the book you’re looking for. I’ve done it a few times and love that option because it allows you to choose the correct cover and everything right off the bat 🙂
Andrea's Book Corner says
I’m hearing about StoryGraph more and more lately! Although I’m still reluctant to leave Goodreads because of how universal and widely used it is, I am seriously drawn to the .5 star and DNF option! These are great because it gives a more accurate and detailed depiction of a book. I think one of these days I’ll have to switch over.
Mykki says
Ooh, interesting! I wonder if they have options for author profiles!
Stephanie Whitman says
I’m not aware of that option at this time – but remember, they don’t focus on the social aspect on their platform. However, that’s one of the things I like about it. I guess to each their own 🙂
Giulia says
Started using the StoryGraph a couple months ago as I was sick of seeing friends reads when they did not interest me. My reading tastes have changed and I wanted to start an entirely new library current to my tastes now.
Vourneen says
I’m not a massive reader so I haven’t ever heard of Storygraph or Goodreads but it’s really interesting everything Storygraph can do! I think you’ve made a good find here!
readandreviewit says
Ooh I hadn’t heard of Storygraph before but they sound amazing! .5 ratings is a must for me, as is being able to easily add trigger warnings. You’ve definitely convinced me to give it a go! Thanks for sharing x
Neely says
Just downloaded story graph! So excited to explore it!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I have a Goodreads account, but I honestly don’t remember the last time I logged into it. I wasn’t a fan of the interface AT ALL. I will have to check out The Storygraph. I need some more book recommendations. I only have 2 on my TBR, 1 new release next month and then that’s kind of it.
Jennifer Prince says
Oh wow! I didn’t even realize there were things like this out there. I love that it helps you keep track and motivates you to read. Recommendations are important, too!
Jodie says
Ive heard of Storygraph but didn’t want to replicate my information from Goodreads so it’s good to know I can import it into Storygraph. My only reluctance is that I read many books from Netgalley who require you to post to Goodreads. Having said that, I will definitely check Storygraph out!
Stephanie Whitman says
I also read a lot of books from NetGalley, so I’m surprised by the fact that yours force you to post on Goodreads? I’ve never had a single book through that platform that requires a Goodreads post. They only require a review and I can share on my platform of choice, so I typically share on my blog and then on StoryGraph before posting to retailer websites like Barnes and Noble. I wonder if you could just let them know that you post to StoryGraph instead?
Alexis says
I’ve just switched to Storygraph for the new year and I love it so far! My only complaint is that it runs a bit slow compared to most websites. I hope to see more people switch to get better reviews! I’ve used Goodreads on-and-off and it’s shocking to me how they don’t have a DNF option! But anyways, thank you for sharing Storygraph with others!
-Alexis
Stephanie Whitman says
How interesting! It runs a thousand times faster for me than Goodreads ever did. In fact, their website always froze for me or there were so many ads that if I clicked on the editions for the book, sometimes the page wouldn’t have loaded yet and instead it clicked on an Amazon ad. It drove me nuts! But I know that everyone’s experience is going to be different. I hope you find yourself growing to love The StoryGraph as much as I have 🙂
Anika says
I tried The Storygraph and couldn’t get into it just because the website’s design wasn’t for me and I missed the social aspect of a tracking app, but I did love the amount of data it provides. Super interesting for keen readers.
Stephanie Whitman says
They’ve actually got a wonderful community aspect! It was in beta for a while but it’s fully present on the website and app now and they even offer great ways to do buddy reads, which I love. If you checked it out a long time ago, I would recommend giving it another go just to see how it has grown! 🙂
Simona says
Cristina mentioned Storygraph a few times (probably thanks to you!) and she cannot stop raving about it! I need to get on it, it might help me get back in the reading mood too? One can only hope!
Jenny in Neverland says
I’ve been using Goodreads for years, when I was a book blogger / book reviewer, I used it a lot and a lot of authors utilized it for reviews etc but now that I don’t, I literally only use it to track my own reading. I have about 2,000 unread notifications / friend requests / messages on there because I don’t ever check anything haha! If I was more involved, I’d probably move over to storygraph!
Angelica @ Paperback Princess says
I recently trialed The Storygraph and absolutely love it. I’ve still been updating Goodreads once I’ve finished a book, but my daily updates I do on Storygraph. This app is beyond better than Goodreads but I’m not going to note what I like as you’ve covered it well in this comprehensive review. I definitely think this is the app that’ll have people leaving Goodreads once and for all, I dislike how they don’t care about their customers they’ve done no updates in YEARS.
Life Simile says
This is great to learn that, it’s insanely simple using the StoryGraph. They divide the information into three categories: graphic, moderate, and minor, with a drop-down menu to pick from.