Simply TBR 1.1.0: More Ways In, More Ways Out

Simply TBR had barely been out a week when someone replied to my announcement post with a question I hadn't planned for. They self-host their ebooks with Grimmory and wanted to know if there was a way to bring those books into the app... plus they mentioned tracking their reading on StoryGraph and Hardcover. I've only heard of some in passing but that one email sent me down a path... here's what happened.

Bring in More Books

Connected Features

Your Home Library

A lot of readers keep their books in a self-hosted library like Grimmory or Calibre-Web. I use Grimmory on my computer, and Simply TBR can now connect to its OPDS catalog so those books sit in your stack right alongside your other books.

Connecting your OPDS catalog is part of Connected and sits at the bottom of Source Settings if you want to try it out.

Your Hardcover Account

When looking at tracking on Hardcover I realized they made their API accessible which means, as part of Connected, Hardcover has been added to Source Settings too. You will need to go onto your account, under API Access, to find your token and enter it in the app.

If connected it will be used in two ways. The first is when you press the button to import your books. Just like the other import methods. Secondarily, if hooked up, it will be used to fill in the extra information for books already in Simply TBR including moods, tropes, and content warnings.

Log Finished Books In More Places

With Free Access

The Exit Ceremony already offered quick links back to wherever your book came from. Now, along with Goodreads, it offers both StoryGraph and Hardcover available for all accounts paid and free. Simply toggle it on in Your Choices and see the link appear when you finish a book.

This isn't a deep integration. It's simply a quick search for your completed book on their site... but it does save you a step, and it copies your notes over so handing off your thoughts is easier.

Many Smaller Fixes

Better Covers and Details, Quietly

Some of this update happened under the hood. I now pull more metadata about your books from Open Library than I was before so covers and details fill in better. I also realized the Google Books weren't working with my free account and after looking into it realized since I charge for a subscription for importing I shouldn't connect to it... so that's been removed. Additionally, if you have Connected and connect your Hardcover account that can be used to pull in more information about your books too.

You shouldn't notice anything except more books showing up with the right cover.

NetGalley

NetGalley updated their sign in process at the end of June to use email addresses and not a username to log in. I thought nothing of it but then realized I needed to log in much more frequently in Simply TBR on my phone. I've fixed it so the NetGalley login session now stays signed in across app restarts.

Libby

When using Libby I realized both Simply TBR and my browser saw fewer books then when using Libby itself... then realized that's because some of my holds were on my second library card and only the Libby app saw it. I've updated the Libby flow to feel a little steadier now with clearer status while a shelf loads and a gentle nudge if there's no library card set up yet. Additionally, in Source Settings, you can check which library cards are being seen right now. Small but they're the kind of thing you feel every time you open the app.

And More

And like always while I use this app I try to notice little friction points that can be improved.

None of this was on my list a month ago... it came from one reader's question (thank you), me using the app, and everything grew from there... which is honestly my favorite way for an update to happen. If you use a source I still don't cover, or something feels off, please reach out. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for following along. And like always... I hope you're having a fantastic day.

— Kyra 💕