An App I’d Like to Exist: ReadRack

This year, one of the targets I set for myself is to read 2 books a month. Setting the target is the easy part. The hard part is actually getting it done.

In getting it done, there is getting the book and there is reading it.

For me, the first half of of getting it done is my problem. Getting access to the book I would like to read at a particular point in time these days almost always means you would have to buy the book. E too cost.

My most voracious reading period was in early-mid ’2000s when I used to roll with my cousin Namo. Namo’s library has over 1000 books. So there was always something for me to read.

These days, I end up buys some random stuff on Kindle that I do not get to start. Talkless of finish. Buying physical books are equally expensive and take time to come if you have the money to keep buying.

So how does one get quick access to “unlimited free physical books”?

ReadRack

An idea I came up with about 5 years ago was an app that will allow you to see the personal libraries around you. People would download the app, scan their libraries into the app. They can then search for the libraries around them and the libraries of their friends.

I remember a number of times going into a friend’s office and seeing a book that I waited six months to arrive. if only I knew the person had it!

This app would also track who you give your books to so people can know when it’s out and who took it. They will also know Seyi Taylor, has not returned my Sarah Lacy book since 2012

Reviews of books can be pulled for GoodReads

I hope someone gets to build this or someone points me to something that already exists. Cos I no know where I go get the book I wan read this year.

PS: I tried to encourage someone to build it then but he could not follow through. If you want to build this, I’m happy to brain dump my ideas with you.