The dilemma for many faithful readers is figuring out what book to read next. A new website launching late this summer is hoping to solve this problem.
Bookish.com, a new digital platform for readers, promises to be editorially independent and is designed to connect readers of all types with their favorite authors and books. Through unique editorial features and tools, Bookish is designed to provide users with a personalized experience that goes beyond rating books and providing reviews, according to a news release.
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According to the release, Bookish is designed to answer the question, “What should I read next?” as well as to deepen the reading experience around books, authors and genres. Bookish will also offer the ability to purchase print and digital books from various retailers.
Led by media veteran Paulo Lemgruber, who previously developed and managed digital businesses for Comcast and Reed Elsevier, Bookish hosts a team of players that rival the best in online and publishing industries.
“We’ve assembled an incredibly entrepreneurial and dynamic team at Bookish that embraces the most cutting-edge trends in publishing and technology,” Lemgruber said. “With our team’s start-up expertise and credentials, as well as our ability to leverage the knowledge of publishers, retailers and authors, Bookish is innately positioned to fuel people’s passion for books.”
Bookish will also partner with AOL Huffington Post Media Group to leverage its ability to start real-time conversations around content as well as their advertising expertise.
“We’re delighted to be working with Bookish and to use our multimedia, social and community engagement tools to help connect our readers with authors and their books,” said Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of AOL Huffington Post Media Group in a news release. “As a lifelong book lover and reading evangelist, I’m always on the lookout for innovative ways to get people excited about books, to remind them why they are so important and to spark a thousand conversations around big issues, fun ideas and great writing.”
Students may find Bookish a great resource as they have such little time for recreational reading. When they are able to read outside their academic studies, some students want to read something worth their time.
“It would be cool to have a site like Tivo that predicts books you would enjoy,” said Brock Bennion, a junior from Seattle studying physiology.
To generate early Bookish branding, Starbucks created a Bookish Reading Group as part of the Starbucks Digital Network. Users can upload up to four books at a time for free and read them when visiting any Starbucks location. The service will save their place and pick up where they left off next time they visit.
Bookish will officially launch late summer. Until then, users can preregister online at bookish.com.
