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One thing that both traditional book publishers and I can get behind is that algorithms are hell. The explosion of social media's BookTok has upended the traditional marketing strategies within the publishing industry, meaning that now, more than ever, publishers are at a crossroads: do they continue to try to work with the mysteries of other people's algorithm, or do they try their hand at creating marketing platforms of their own?

That's where Booktrovert comes in. Publisher's Weekly describes the new launch as a "consumer-facing marketing platform and website offering e-book giveaways, reader activities, promotional and preorder campaigns, book sales, and more." Booktrovert was launched by NetGalley, a site where industry professionals can read and browse advance reader's copies (ARCs) of books from various publishers. But whereas NetGalley is geared towards professionals, Booktrovert is intended for ordinary readers. 

I've gotten the chance to try out the platform, because I had an industry account with NetGalley already. After selecting which genres you like to read, you're directed to a landing page titled "My Booktrovert Feed" presenting a series of books available for giveaways and purchase, alongside a brief blurb describing what they're about, with the feed changing daily. It could be because Booktrovert is still getting off the ground, but I wasn't able to snag giveaway copies for any of the books on My Booktrovert Feed when I logged on today. Though I couldn't find new books to read directly on Booktrovert, I was able to start adding books I have read to "My Library," alongside my to-be-read pile and everything that I'm currently reading. 

In addition, there is also a "Play" section on Booktrovert leading you to "My Booktrovert Arcade" where you can create digital bookshelves to share on social media, as well as play Bookish Bingo. At this time, the page says that there is more arcade content to be added soon. The Bookish Bingo is fun because it doesn't rely on stale or restrictive tropes ("enemies to lovers") that I feel pretty alienated by, as someone who doesn't really think about what he reads in those terms. Instead, the categories are things like "Survival story," "Includes a prologue," "Snake on the cover," "Includes a party," "Four word title," and "Borrowed from the library," which I think is neat because it actually got me thinking. 

At this time, there isn't a Booktrovert app, but the site notes that one is coming soon. It's worth noting that Booktrovert's user interface is a hell of a lot better than Goodreads. And given how mediocre Goodreads is, I'm willing to give Booktrovert a shot. 

Booktrovert is now live. 

Just like yourself, the Popverse staff spends a whole lot of time with our respective noses in respective books. It's why we've come up with stuff like:

• The hottest upcoming fiction
• Queer romance to add to your reading list
• A reading guide to Cassandar Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles

...and a whole lot more. Join our metaphorical library, won't you? There are no late fees and you can be as loud as you want, so long as the people you live with are OK with it.