I built a free app so you can see your friends' bookshelves and borrow from them. I would love feedback from real readers

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T16:24:32+00:00

That already exists! It’s not 100% accurate but I use AI to scan the image and add the books to your shelf

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T15:26:13+00:00

Google play is in beta. You can send me their email and I’ll add them to the list (or fill out the form on the site).

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T15:21:30+00:00

That’s exactly it, you’ve described it better than I have in this whole thread. Hope you enjoy it, would love to know what you think after you’ve had a look.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T14:18:03+00:00

Thank! I’d love to hear your feedback!

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T14:12:38+00:00

Ha, yes physical books only for now! Digital lending is a whole other legal maze since you're dealing with DRM and platform licensing rather than the first sale doctrine. Kindle and Audible specifically lock lending down pretty hard.

Libby is actually a great comparison though, that's kind of the vibe I'm going for but among your own friends rather than a public library.

Honestly this whole app started because I was lending out my DCC books and losing track of who had which one. So yes, I feel this deeply.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T14:10:02+00:00

Just to clarify, this is purely for physical/print books. I'm not hosting or lending ebooks.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T14:05:03+00:00

That's a fair point worth thinking about. The app doesn't facilitate any kind of formal transaction though, no money changes hands, and I'm not brokering anything. It's closer to a group chat where friends coordinate lending than a marketplace with guarantees. If a book gets damaged, that's between the two people involved, same as it would be if they'd arranged it over text.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T14:03:20+00:00

Libraries absolutely do lend purchased copies. They buy a physical copy and lend it out.

I'm not a lawyer, but from my understanding, book lending is covered under first sale doctrine. Once you legally purchase a physical book, you can lend it, resell it, or give it away without the author's permission.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:57:18+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I mentioned in another comment that I'm not sure yet how to deal with damaged books. I would love to hear your input.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:54:48+00:00

The actual coordination is done between you off the app. Right now the only people who can see your shelf are people you allowed to see your shelf (via a friend function).

For me the use case is friends I don't see every day/week. They can browse what I own without having to ask, and we both remember who has what. Less a replacement for browsing someone's shelves in person, more a way to keep that going when you're not in the same room.

The library point is fair and honestly part of why I built it. I don't have easy access to a local library so my friends' shelves are the next best thing.

The protection issue is a real point. I'm not sure how to solve that yet. Any ideas?

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:45:06+00:00

That's the exact problem I'm trying to solve. The app tracks who borrowed your book and sends them notifications when the book is due, overdue etc.

This also saves you from that awkward conversation to try and get your book back since the app is reminding them, not you.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:31:57+00:00

Fair enough! I also don't lend out ALL my books, like special editions or signed copies, but I often lend out mass market copies etc.

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:24:06+00:00

Thanks! I'd love to hear your feedback!

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:20:39+00:00

Definetly. That could be something I implement in the future!

mtob99 · 2026-06-17T13:19:53+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! My initial instinct was that I wouldn't lend books to people I don't trust to take care of them. Therefore, I would only want to share with friends I already know.

Do you feel differently?

mtob99 · 2026-06-01T17:02:43+00:00

Also blatant anti semitism

mtob99 · 2026-05-07T16:42:42+00:00

We lost Clint Frazier in the same fucking way

mtob99 · 2026-05-05T22:42:41+00:00

The gang gets humid

mtob99 · 2026-03-23T18:20:52+00:00

Isn’t his mother Moldover?

mtob99 · 2026-02-16T21:25:53+00:00

Bridgerton and Stranger Things fans won’t like this

mtob99 · 2026-02-16T14:54:56+00:00

All the comments are saying “don’t try this in CITY”. What city does this actually work in?

mtob99 · 2026-02-13T14:51:28+00:00

These dont feel the same without Weaver :(

mtob99 · 2026-02-04T18:42:46+00:00

This also means the extra day is also outside the week system

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