PowerBook: A Web Platform for Habit-Building and Competitive Reading

Abstract

PowerBook is a web platform for building a reading habit through short, head-to-head competitions. Users log how long they read, join competitions that run for a fixed number of days, pick up XP and badges along the way, and - when the competition ends - take part in a gift exchange that pairs the heaviest readers with those who read less. Reading apps usually treat reading as a solo activity; our bet was that a bit of friendly pressure and a live leaderboard would do more for consistency than another streak counter.