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We set out to build a better Goodreads a while back called Helloreads (my wife thinks we didn’t differentiate our name enough but whatever). It never seemed to

We set out to build a better Goodreads a while back called Helloreads (my wife thinks we didn’t differentiate our name enough but whatever). It never seemed to get traction probably due to the monopoly and network effect of Goodreads. We thought and still do that Goodreads user interface is terrible, the site is slow, the reviews are too volatile. The one thing that we truly could not compete with them on is the data. The book data problem is insanely hard. New books come out and there is not authoritative database of book metadata. We had a blast building (and the iOS app) it but have put the development on hold. [0] https://www.helloreads.com https://www.helloreads.com [1] My books: https://www.helloreads.com/ryanhittner https://www.helloreads.com/ryanhittner

justanotherhn 7y ago
Interesting, just out of curiosity - does the website still work well? I just signed up with a dummy account and the images for the books are not showing up. I belive this might have something to do with AWS. (It might also be my browser settings)
- ryeguy_24 7y ago
  It should work. Just tried and looks to work on my end. https://imgur.com/a/wU69opo https://imgur.com/a/wU69opo Could be browser settings but feel feee to shoot us a message. Support [at] helloreads.com
  - justanotherhn 7y ago
    It seems my VPN may be the culprit.
kzrdude 7y ago
I guess it's a social network, but since this is hacker news — I'd love if your front page would not be just a login screen. The front page should say something about specific books, something that draws you in! Something from the site itself. And put that book recommendations button higher up (it's not visible on first view for me). :-) Something that makes you begin browsing and using the site to get recommendations. Then in standard style, somewhere down the line you'll hit a snag where you have to register to use certain features, like commenting, liking, etc.
- ryeguy_24 7y ago
  I like your idea. This may be something you’d like (more HN style - HN was actually the inspiration for the feature): https://www.helloreads.com/recommendations/new https://www.helloreads.com/recommendations/new But I think your right, should open it up a bit on the main page. You don’t need to log in but I think your right, it could be more appealing on the home page. If enough interest, we may fire up the development again and see where it goes now that we know people other than us are also frustratedly with Goodreads.
  - kzrdude 7y ago
    I didn't intend to say the site should be inspired by HN, and that's not what I mean. I just wanted to say, since this is HN, here comes the drive by well intentioned but shallow critique. Good luck with the site. I hope it gets a more engaging first experience, and I don't hope it ends up looking like HN ;)

justanotherhn 7y ago

Interesting, just out of curiosity - does the website still work well? I just signed up with a dummy account and the images for the books are not showing up. I belive this might have something to do with AWS. (It might also be my browser settings)

ryeguy_24 7y ago
It should work. Just tried and looks to work on my end. https://imgur.com/a/wU69opo https://imgur.com/a/wU69opo Could be browser settings but feel feee to shoot us a message. Support [at] helloreads.com
- justanotherhn 7y ago
  It seems my VPN may be the culprit.

kzrdude 7y ago

I guess it's a social network, but since this is hacker news — I'd love if your front page would not be just a login screen. The front page should say something about specific books, something that draws you in! Something from the site itself. And put that book recommendations button higher up (it's not visible on first view for me). :-) Something that makes you begin browsing and using the site to get recommendations. Then in standard style, somewhere down the line you'll hit a snag where you have to register to use certain features, like commenting, liking, etc.

ryeguy_24 7y ago
I like your idea. This may be something you’d like (more HN style - HN was actually the inspiration for the feature): https://www.helloreads.com/recommendations/new https://www.helloreads.com/recommendations/new But I think your right, should open it up a bit on the main page. You don’t need to log in but I think your right, it could be more appealing on the home page. If enough interest, we may fire up the development again and see where it goes now that we know people other than us are also frustratedly with Goodreads.
- kzrdude 7y ago
  I didn't intend to say the site should be inspired by HN, and that's not what I mean. I just wanted to say, since this is HN, here comes the drive by well intentioned but shallow critique. Good luck with the site. I hope it gets a more engaging first experience, and I don't hope it ends up looking like HN ;)