Readers deserve a better alternative to Goodreads…so I built Bookworm

For many years, Goodreads (owned by Amazon) stood as the default go-to platform for book lovers worldwide. But beneath its beige veneer of convenience lays a toxicity that Amazon doesn’t care to address. From the most recent episode of authors behaving badly on Goodreads to the infamous Goodreads trend of review-bombing, more and more people are noticing the problem with Goodreads. Amazon only cares about profit, not about books or readers. We do.

I originally built Bookworm as a tool for myself — I wanted a prettier, Amazon-free way to track my books. It’s since grown into so much more — a home to over 15,000 readers (!!) and a delightful celebration of diversity and creativity and the joy of reading. 

The Toxic Underbelly of Goodreads

Goodreads, once hailed as the digital hub for bibliophiles, gradually revealed its darker side — a breeding ground for toxicity, negativity, and a lack of accountability. Despite its popularity — boasting 125 million members as of late 2022 — Goodreads has become an arena for toxic behavior, evident in review-bombing, author harassment, and a lack of response from Goodreads or Amazon. Amazon’s decision to let Goodreads stagnate has led to the platform’s disarray, primarily due to their failure to allocate resources for innovation, enhancing moderation, or responding to support channels.

Enter Bookworm: A Community-Owned Sanctuary

Bookworm emerged as a response to this dire need. Bookworm is a reader-owned cooperative that celebrates inclusivity, joy, and community spirit. We’re all about creating a joyful space for readers and authors—a place where we can talk books, get new recs, and dress up our wormy avatars. Because we all deserve a fun and safe place to talk about our favorite thing. 

The Power of Community Ownership

The core foundation of Bookworm rests not on profit margins or corporate agendas but on the collective ownership by passionate readers and authors alike.

In community-ownership, Bookworm breaks away from profit-driven interests that have overrun our beloved book industry. At Bookworm, decisions are made collectively, with the community’s interests before anything else. We are beholden only to our readers and authors — not to corporate agendas or exploitative motives. This also means that, on Bookworm, you own your data — we don’t sell or exploit your information.

Join the Bookworm Movement

As we embark on this journey, we invite you to be part of this transformative movement. Join us in creating a space where the love for literature thrives without toxicity, where readers and authors alike find solace in a community that values respect, empathy, and inclusivity. 

For the full Bookworm experience, download the Bookworm app (https://onelink.to/bookworm) and join us!

Conclusion: For a Better Tomorrow

Bookworm acts as a beacon of hope — a testament to what a community-owned, inclusive platform can achieve. In an era where toxicity looms around every corner of the Internet, Bookworm emerges as a book-lover’s haven — a delightful, welcoming space where readers unite in our shared love of literature.

Let’s build a literary world where every voice matters and where inclusivity and creativity shine. Join us on Bookworm and get started today.