Goodreads vs. Fable – Which One’s Better for Book Lovers?

Goodreads vs. Fable – Which One’s Better for Book Lovers?

If you’re a bookworm like me, you’ve probably tried (or at least heard of) Goodreads. But lately, a lot of people are talking about Fable as the new go-to for readers. So, I decided to break down the good, the bad, and which one might be better for you.

Goodreads – The OG Book Tracker

What’s great about it:

• Huge Library – Goodreads basically has every book ever. You can track what you’ve read, what you’re reading, and what you want to read.

• Big Community – There are tons of reviews, groups, and discussions. You can easily find book recommendations or dive into niche book clubs.

• Reading Challenges – The annual reading challenge is a fun way to stay on top of your goals. Plus, there’s something satisfying about marking a book as “read.”

What’s not so great:

• Kinda Ugly – Let’s be real… Goodreads looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2010. It’s functional but not exactly fun to use.

• No Half-Stars – You either give a book 3 or 4 stars, no in-between. Sometimes I want to rate something a 3.5, you know?

• Weird Recommendations – Goodreads suggests books, but it often feels random or not super personal.

Fable – The New Kid on the Block

What’s awesome about Fable:

• Gorgeous Design – Fable looks sleek, modern, and just way more pleasant to scroll through. The stats??? GORGEOUS. (and you get to choose your own colour scheme).

• You Can Give Any Rating - You can give any rating to a book, ie. 2.25, 2.5 etc. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this feature.

• Book Clubs on Steroids – Fable really leans into book clubs. You can join or create clubs, and there’s this cool social aspect where you can comment and react while reading.

• Interactive Reading – You can highlight, make notes, and share your thoughts directly in the app. It’s like an e-reader and social app had a baby.

• Focus on Mindfulness – Fable’s whole vibe is about reading intentionally – kind of like self-care through books.

The downsides:

• Smaller Crowd – Because Fable is newer, there aren’t as many people on it, so discussions aren’t as lively (yet).

• Smaller Database - They don't have as many books on their database as GoodReads. When I finish a book and go to put it on my read list- it isn't there. My reading total for 2024 was atleast 6 books short of my GoodReads total.

• A Bit Overwhelming at First – It’s really cool, but it took me a minute to figure out all the features. Once you get the hang of it, though, it’s smooth sailing.

So… Which One’s Better? It depends on what you’re looking for:

If you just want to keep track of your books and find reviews, Goodreads still does the job (even if it feels a bit old school).

If you’re into a more interactive, social reading experience, Fable feels fresh and fun.

Honestly, I’m kind of using both right now. Goodreads for the massive database and tracking, Fable for the vibe and rating feature. Why not try both?