Goodreads: Book Reviews

Submitted by coastguardgirl, 8 January, 2011

Last updated on 4 October, 2017

Description of App

Discover and share books you love on Goodreads, the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations! Find new and interesting books by browsing personalized recommendations based on books you've read and your favorite genres. See what your friends are reading, write book reviews, and keep track of what you want to read. Use our barcode scanner the next time you are in a bookstore. Add the book in your hands to your "to-read" shelf and browse reviews before buying. More than 35 million members have added more than 1 billion books to their shelves. No other app combines the power and depth of the Goodreads community with an enormous catalog of books and reviews. Features: • Get personalized recommendations and discover new books based on your tastes. • Goodreads Choice Awards: vote for your favorite books of the year and see the winners! • Participate in the Reading Challenge! • Barcode scanner! • Keep a want-to-read list. • See book reviews and updates from your friends. • Discover new books and explore popular book lists. • Rate and review any book in our catalog of more than 12 million books. • Share notes and progress updates as you read. • Recommend books to friends. • Join online book clubs and connect with other readers. • View literary events near you.

Version

3.2

Free or Paid

Free

Apple Watch Support

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

9.0.2

Accessibility Comments

Most items are accessible so far good for what I've done with it.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads most page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

There are some minor accessibility issues with this app, but they are easy to deal with.

App Store Link

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodreads/id355833469?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Developer's Website

http://www.goodreads.com/

Developer's Twitter Username

@goodreads

Recommendations

9 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Kerri 2 years 10 months ago

Options

Comments

GoodReads Accessibility

When four buttons on the screen are spoken as "button," button" "button" "button", I would not describe the app as mostly accessible.

Accessibility Issues

Thanks for making that note. Agree with you on that this app as of v1.5.3 is no longer very accessible. Made changes to the original post. Thanks again for pointing this out!

Version 2.0 much better

Very accessible. And the developer even said in a note on one of the forums. That they think it only proper the app be accessible to everyone mentioning the visionally impaired. I have found a few oddities here and there but none of them affect the use of the app.

I downloaded this app before june 15th and found it inaccessible. As I am always looking for more books to read and reviews on them by people I was disappointed. After june 15th I downloaded it again and I was amazed to see the change. I was extremely please and posted so to the developer on the goodreads feedback group.

This comment has been deleted.

Duplicate entry

Jessica, You posted a completely new entry for GoodReads when one already existed (this one). So, your duplicated entry was deleted, and the comments that you made in that post about the accessibility of the current version were added to the existing entry as a reply.

duplicate post

First i apologize for posting duplicates. I hit similar entries nothing showed up. So I thought it was ok. Second. I guess i simply don't understand the logic. And this goes for anyone posting an app. Why on earth would you keep an old entry. Wouldn't you delete the old entry and keep the new one? Sorry I got hot under the collar. But that should have been explained. The old post should have been deleted and the new post kept. I don't care who posted the new post. Whether it was me or someone else. That is how it should have been done. Instead the old post which is invalid was kept. Which means people will see it has accessibility issues and not even try it out. And the new post which version is accessible was deleted. Does this make sense at all? Sorry but I do not see the logic in deleting the new post which shows the app to be accessible and keep the old post which says it isn't with comment number 3 or 4 saying version 2.0 is better. Its the truth. Thank goodness like I said thank you. But this just is not logical for my thinking. And so I apologize for getting hot. You don't need to explain things to me. However this was not my fault. I checked for similar items. None came up. So I had no idea there was a 1.5.3 already submitted. Jessica

Good reasons for doing it this way

It's established practice to keep the original entries, and to simply update those as new versions are released.

Ideally the original poster will keep the entry up-to-date, but we also strongly encourage other users to post replies if they have new or additional information.

This keeps the information on any app in one single place, and also provides for a way to track how accessibility of an app has changed between releases.

If we did it your way, it would mean that any discussion about the app would also be deleted. Any links to that entry from other sites or search engines would be broken. Anybody who has subscribed to that page would no longer get email alerts of updates or new replies. The data about the number of people who have contacted the developer or who would recommend the app would also be lost.

Some people might also object if their post was removed before they had an opportunity to update it themselves.

Well hmmm. ok.

I can understand that. But is there a way to edit the original post to update the version number and description and that it is accessible now. But I do see your point. Thanks for explaining. It makes sense. Although I well anyway. It makes sense. Well another lesson in reading things carefully before responding. HMMM. Ok thanks. And thanks all especially the editor for putting up with me. I understand now. Thank you. I may not agree 100% but I do understand. I just hope people check this app out as it is hugely great! Jessica

Editorial updates

We will generally look to update an existing entry if a reply, such as yours, suggests that the accessibility of an app has significantly changed (be that for the better or worse).

In these cases, we will update the description, version number and accessibiity ratings to reflect the later comments. We'll include a note to say that we have done this, and why.

However, we would always allow some time for the original poster to update the entry themselves before we did anything. This gives the original poster, and any other users of the app, an opportunity to agree or disagree with the later comments before the ratings are changed.

I can't say that this always happens as described above, but it is certainly what we seek to do.

ahh ok. No problem.

Thanks for explaining seriously. I am new to the website. I know this kind of puts this in an odd form. I don't know if you can move certain messages to a group all there own explaining these things. Either that or I didn't understand when I signed up. Like I said I am pretty new to the site. So now I know and I understand. Thanks. And thanks for clarifying. Jessica PS the reason I suggest putting the posts in a group their own is because they are informative even if I got a little irritated. It wasn't your fault. Or really mine. Or the original poster's for that matter. It was just confusion on my part. So maybe it was my fault. Anyway newcomers to the site should know these things. I guess before i submit an app I will do an actually web page search to see if there is one listed already rather than depend on the similar items link which didn't work for me. Thanks. Jessica

Goodreads as campaign candidate

I finally got around to starting an exploration of the Goodreads app, whose level of accessibility turns out to be very disappointing. But it seems to be an app that could be of great value, especially since so many more books have become accessible via Kindle, Barns and Noble, etc. This would be a great app for a monthly campaign, don't you think?

GoodReads

Hi, Tom - What specifically within the app is giving you issues? I am able to access most of the app without difficulty.

I like goodreads. It seems

I like goodreads. It seems quite accessible. Though you wouldn't think so from this thread. The thing I can't seem to find is reading a book. Don't know either how to access discussion forums or get longer descriptions of books. Or how to add friends after the initial sign up. Things like rating, adding to shelf and seeing others' updates is all possible.

I like too but...

Hi All: the only thing not accessible in the app I found it: when You read the home or searched about a book You will find EG Fawaz gave thats only, You can't no what the rating was. It should be 4 of 5 stars EG. best wishes.

GoodReads, FaceBook, etc.

Actually, I figured out more of it. But now, when I try to share to Facebook, it gives me some deal about "your Facebook settings may be out of date" or whatever. This is silly, because it has already connected, got my Facebook friends added and everything. Quite frankly, thanks for your help, but not to worry any further. I'm tired of fiddling with it, and I really do have more important things to worry about. Even on here, I had to have a sighted person put the cursor in the text area of the reply, because it wouldn't go there with Voiceover on. All of this technology is ALMOST wonderful, and it ALMOST works!

Moving books between shelves?

The app works well but I can't figure this out. I have a book in my to-read bookshelf that I want to move to my currently reading shelf. Does anyone know if this is accomplishable on the app?

Yes of course. Go to your

Yes of course. Go to your bookshelf, open the book, and double tap the bookshelf button, after wich the current shelf is indicated. Choose the new shelf or shelves from there and click submit.

Thanks. I had to click the

Thanks. I had to click the book twice. The first time only brought up the author info. Thank you for the help.

Moving Books from "Currently Reading" to "Read" Shelf?

OK, so, I'm having problems moving a book from my "Currently Reading" shelf to my "Read" shelf. When I do, not only does the book get added to my "Read" shelf, but it also stays on my "Currently Reading" shelf. How do I make it so that, when I move a book from "Currently Reading" to "Read", the book gets deleted from "Currently Reading" and only shows up on "Read"?

How to move.

hello :) if I understand You, You are asking about how to move the book after You finished it. to do that, You should go to which page you on in update tab, then You shouldn't right any number, directly click on completed. then if I remember well, will ask for Your rating You can give between 1 and 5 stars. hope helps. best wishes.

"Settings"?

Is there a "Settings" option anywhere within this app, like, where you can change sharing options, etc.? If so, how do I find it? If not, how to I change such options as sharing to Facebook?

Deleting Duplicates

OK, it seems I have duplicate book titles on my "Reading" tab. How do I delete these and delet books on bookshelves generally?

Moving Books from "To Read" to "Currently Reading" Shelf

When you've started reading a book from your "To Read" shelf, how do you move it from that "To Read" shelf to your "Currently Reading" shelf? How do you do this without getting duplicates? I mean, without getting the same book on both the "To Read" and the "Currently Reading" shelf?

Sharing to Twitter

Hey, guys.

While I can see that there is a way to share when you add books to shelves or move them from one shelf to another on Facebook via the button labeled "facebook explicit share", I can find no way to share that same information to Twitter.

Is there an accessible way to do this via the app?

Goodreads Site Looks Good

Hi everyone. I haven't used this app since I don't own an i-device, but a fully sighted next-door neighbor recently recommended the site to me. She and her sister--who is also fully sighted--use the iphone app and like it. So I registered on the site and it looks pretty good in terms of VoiceOver performance. I haven't been back there much due to other scheduling conflicts and me being a bit under the weather. The site does look just a bit cluttered, but perhaps that's just because I'm still rather new to VO. But I fully intend to go back there to review and recommend the books I've read that are on BARD.

Version 3.02: can't see all the books I'm currently reading

With this most recent update, I can only see one out of the six titles that should be listed on my "currently reading" shelf. I can find the others by doing a search, but this seems like a really unnecessary pain, since I have previously entered all the info. I have emailed Technical support. We'll see what they say.

Re: Seeing all titles on "Currently Reading" shelf

Goodreads Technical Support emailed me back, suggesting that I should be able to see more titles by swiping left. I have tried swiping left with one, two, and three fingers. Other screen elements get read, but I still never find the other titles on the currently reading shelf. I wrote back to ask if this gesture has been tested with VoiceOver and explaining that this suggestion has not worked. We'll see if I get a response.

Second Suggestion from Goodreads Technical Support

The email I received today from Goodreads Technical Support suggested that I double-tap and hold below the title and then "drag" from one title to the next. I suppose the rep meant swipe or flick. I know how to double-tap and hold to move apps on my phone, so I'm sure I understand the instructions. The fact remains that this suggestion, like the previous one, does not work.

Re: Navigating through Titles on Currently Reading Shelf

Goodreads Technical support insists that the following procedure has been tried with VoiceOver and that it works. I have tried and re-tried to no avail.
1) Navigate to "My Books."

2) Under the "Currently Reading" row, tap the title name of the book once so VoiceOver reads it out.

3) Then somewhere on the "Currently Reading" row you'll want to activate "drag-mode." I found tapping just below the progress percentage bar is a good
area. Tap here 2 times and hold-- wait for the sound signal and then drag either left or right.

4) Repeat steps 2) and 3) to continue navigation.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions or if you need assistance with anything else.
End of quoted text. I know how to double-tap and hold to move apps into folders. I have done it successfully. In the Goodreads app, the procedure is a no-go. Navigation through titles on the Books to Read and the Read (past tense) shelves still work as expected. If others are having trouble with the currently reading shelf, would you please write to the developer? If anyone can successfully navigate through titles on the currently reading shelf, would you please write to me? Thank you.

Does th3s app have any similar features to tellmewhen?

Hi
I want to know if this app has any features like tellmewhen, the one that tells you when a new book of an author comes out. If it does, I'll probably get this one, or I might get both since they're both free. Thanks

I am using IOS version 9.01

I am using IOS version 9.01 and the latest version of Goodreads. When I double-tap the Currently Reading button in My Books, nothing happens. The only way I can access titles I am currently reading is to search for them.

Try tapping your profile link

Try tapping your profile link, hen tap the button there. I never use m,my book shelves feature like that.

New Goodreads app version

We've rebuilt the Currently Reading section of the My Book tab to be VoiceOver accessible in the current version of our app (3.2).

See:
http://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ios-app-discussion/goodreads-app-accessibility-improvements

I do visit this website from time to time, so feel free to post any questions or feedback you might have!

Thank you!!

I think I speak for the entire community here when I thank you profusely for taking the time as a developer to interact with us concerning the accessibility of this app! We only wish more devs were like you and did the same!

Thank you very much!! This is truly appreciated!

Oh wow interesting. Yeah I

Oh wow interesting. Yeah I love good reads and the reading challenge. Hope I do better next year. Good job on the app

When I go to the search tab,

When I go to the search tab, and search for a book, like Cycle of the Werewolf, I double tap on the Book Title in the search results list but get the author page instead. Is there a way to fix this?

Search tab

Hi,
I've noticedit does this, I don't know why. I usually double-tap and hold and it usually works.

Searching for Books

I have also noticed this problem too, and have reported it. I have not found a consistant way to go to the book instead of the author with VoiceOver enabled. As a low vision user, I find it easiest to turn VO off, and tap the actual cover on the left, rather than the text on the right. Hopefully they'll have a VO fix soon.

Just Been Back There

Hi everybody. I'm revisiting this thread to say that earlier this week, a friend and coworker invited me to be her friend on Goodreads. I had forgotten my password since I hadn't done anything on there for a couple years, so I had it reset. I found out that each user of the service can have their own Gr page, so I am in the process of setting up mine. I haven't done much on there yet, but thus far the service is working great for me. I contacted them about some broken links on the Help page, and somebody from the team got right back to me. Hopefully I can try the mobile app out sometime, but their website is good enough for me. The only question I have is how to link to all the BARD books I've read and am going to read. I don't want to post my BARD log-in info for the world to see, and I certainly don't want to violate copyright or anything. But perhaps I'll contact their support team about that.

Search feature broken?

I went to add a book to my reading shelf today, did a search and I'm seeing the search feature suddenly doesn't read very well at all. Each result is now appearing as a blank element to VoiceOver. Is anyone else seeing this? I'm on the iOS 13 beta, so I'd like to figure out if the issue is related to that before I report it to either goodreads or APple.