The new Booky call app will pair you better than Tinder

On Sept. 30, a new “dating” app launched on the app store with a little twist. Instead of matching its users with people, Booky Call matches its swipers with potential books using the same algorithms as popular dating apps. The developers claim the app will revolutionize book suggestions since users do not have to deal with the annoyances of typical book apps and sites such as review bombing, persistent ads and bot reviews. Not to mention, the discovery app is free. 

Tinder especially served as inspiration for the swiping method used to indicate if users are interested or not interested in the books recommended to them. The more a user swipes, the more Boo, the app’s matchmaker, can understand their preferences and adapt its personalized lineup.

When first setting up a profile on the app, Boo requires each reader to set up a profile of their preferences in different genre categories in both fiction and nonfiction. Fiction categories include classics, contemporary, fantasy, historical, horror, mystery/thriller/suspense, poetry, short stories, romance, science fiction and young adult. Nonfiction recommendations include business and money, current affairs, essay collections, family and relationships, health, history, humor and entertainment, memoir, philosophy and religion and self-help.

The authors of the books on the app create a unique bio and profile for their books. Book profiles include in-depth answers to creative questions that will give the readers some insight into the stories. All of the questions are answered in the first person as if the story was a potential partner in the same fashion as dating apps.

Some of these questions include “Who should swipe right on me?”, “What do I spend a lot of time thinking about?” and “What will we eat/drink on our first date?” Each profile also comes with a brief sneak preview of a passage read aloud from the book.

Booky Call certainly does aim to mimic the dating apps that inspired it. Once a reader actually swipes right on a story, that book then slides into their DMs to clarify the relationship. Will the dates be in real life or completely digital? In other words, it is asking the user whether they would like to purchase a print or eBook edition. There is also a “Whisper In My Ear” option for those who prefer audiobooks. A few nights a week, Booky Call additionally sends “U up?” texts to spotlight new profile matches, just like creepy late-night texts received from actual dating apps. Boo also hosts a podcast several times a week for readers to tune in to.

Booky Call’s library consists of over a thousand book options, from classics to bestsellers to niche selections so there are plenty of potential matches for its users. It is designed for both serious and casual readers. While there are short and easy reads for those who are in need of a light pick-me-up story, there are just as many intense and lengthy options for those in for a long ride.

“We created Booky Call because we saw a real need for this among readers, whether they pick up a book once a year or go through a few a week,” said the CEO of Booky Call, Brant Menswar in a press release. “Every reader looks for something different from their book selections much like they would in a romantic partner.”

An additional benefit of the app is that it supports local, independent bookstores through bookshop.org. Overall, the creators really looked to create the perfect matching app for readers and authors alike.