Hello there, fellow bookworms! 📚 Ever wished for an awesome online catalog for all your reads, or maybe just a better place than Goodreads? One with a truly stellar user experience? Well, your wish is granted! ✨
Introducing StellarReads, your new favorite reader's corner to discover new books and navigate your very own literary universe. As Stephen King once wisely said, "Books are a uniquely portable magic." And with StellarReads, that magic is now at your fingertips, organized and accessible like never before.
🏃 Motivation: My Cosmic Reading Journey 🚀
Reading is one of my absolute favorite things to do outside of work. I mean, I really read a lot. When Emilia Clarke famously said, "My father always told me — Never trust anyone whose TV is bigger than your bookshelf," I was nodding along wholeheartedly! 😉 This sentiment perfectly captures my dedication to the written word.
Over the years, I've dived into fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and countless other subjects that just ignite my curiosity. These books have truly inspired me and helped me grow into the person I am today, constantly expanding my horizons. My reading journey has been a profound exploration, each book a new galaxy to discover, enriching my understanding of the world and myself.
💡 Problem Statement: Navigating a Galaxy of Good Intentions, Bad UX 😵💫
For almost a decade, Goodreads has been the go-to platform for readers to discover and rate books. But let's be real, many dedicated readers out there are now wishing they could share their bookish enthusiasm somewhere else. And I totally get it! I desperately wanted that online catalog for my books. I wanted to talk about the books I read, not just log them.
I tried Goodreads once and never opened it again because of its super challenging user experience. I mean, it's 2025! We totally deserve better.
As the brilliant Dr. Seuss penned,
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
But how can we truly go places if the tools we use hinder our journey?
I know there have been alternatives built, but my goal wasn't to solve the engineering problem; it was all about the user experience problem. So, I focused more on the execution than just the idea. I wanted to build my own version of this passion project, a platform that truly prioritizes the reader.
And here it is: StellarReads! 🎉
🎨 The Process: Designing a Universe of Delight ✨
I spent a significant amount of time planning how I'd build this app even before writing the first line of code. I mapped out the roadmap, tasks, and everything on Notion. This workflow really helped me meticulously track my progress and ensure every star aligned perfectly. 🌟
I had to make tons of decisions around the user interface and the overall user experience. Sometimes, I even had to go back to the whiteboard and rethink the whole user flow, much like a cosmic cartographer adjusting their maps. But it was super exciting, and StellarReads got better with each iteration, shining brighter with every refinement. So worth it! 💖 The journey of creation, much like the act of reading, is often about discovery and refinement.
📦 The Final Product: Your Personal Nebula of Narratives 📖
Oh wait, did I forget to mention why the name StellarReads? 🤔
"Stellar" means exceptionally good, outstanding, and relates to stars or outer space. It perfectly encapsulates the experience we aim to deliver – an outstanding platform that helps you explore the vast universe of books. Pretty neat, right? 🚀 It’s about creating a truly exceptional space for your literary adventures.
Here are a few cool features of StellarReads, designed to make your reading life more enjoyable and organized:
Instant Search
Discover your next favorite read in a flash! Our robust database lets you instantly search for books by name or author, making exploration an absolute breeze. ⚡ No more sifting through clunky interfaces; just quick, efficient discovery.
Category Exploration
Dive deep into different literary genres. Find books based on categories like fiction, nonfiction, business, technology, science fiction, fantasy, and so much more. There's a universe to explore! 🪐 Whether you're in the mood for a thrilling mystery or a thought-provoking philosophical work, StellarReads guides you to your next literary adventure.
Share Your StellarThoughts
Loved a chapter? Found a profound quote? Share a "StellarThought" – your quick insights, reflections, or favorite things about the books you read – in one click. Talk about your thoughts, favorite quotes, and the moments that truly moved you. It's like your personal book club, but better and available whenever inspiration strikes! 💬 This feature allows you to truly engage with your reads and share that engagement with others.
"A book is a dream that you hold in your hand." - Neil Gaiman.
With StellarThoughts, you can share those dreams and reflections with ease.
Effortless Collections
Organize your reading life with ease. Add books to your personalized collections as "Currently Reading," "Want to Read," and "Read." Create your own online library and manage your books effortlessly. 📚 This feature transforms your digital space into a beautifully curated personal library.
I've seen a lot of people having a collection of books they read in their portfolios. This could totally be one of the use cases for StellarReads! Just create your profile and add it to your portfolio – a testament to your amazing literary journey. ✨ Imagine showcasing your reading history as a reflection of your intellectual curiosity and growth!
You can check out my profile here: [wait lang sa link hehe !TODO @marbinjan]
👀 What's Next: Expanding the Cosmos 🌠
I am so, so happy I could finish this project in time. I was this close to giving up on it, but I'm so glad I didn't! StellarReads has been my passion project for a long time, and this journey has pushed me to finally build and ship it. I know there's a lot of room for improvements and features – a whole universe of possibilities! And I will definitely keep working on it, constantly adding new stars to our growing constellation of features. ⭐
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." - Joseph Addison. And just like any good exercise routine, StellarReads will continue to evolve and offer more ways to strengthen your mind.
What features would you love to see in the next update of StellarReads? Connect with me on Facebook, Github or Linkedin. Also, subscribe to my newsletter and stay up-to-date with my latest blog posts.
🐺 Happy reading and exploring!