Kaffe · a free, private bookshelf

Know what to swap: see your friends' shelves

Swapping books with friends works best when you know what's on their shelves. Kaffe is a free, private bookshelf you share with a few people, so you can see what's worth borrowing.

Each person keeps a shelf of the books they've finished and rates them with stars if they want. You invite friends to your reading circle with a link. Members see each other's to-read lists and top picks, and each person chooses whether to share their full shelf. Kaffe then shows you the books your friends loved that you haven't read. That's your borrowing list.

For one swap partner, use compare shelves. It shows the books you've both read and recommends books from their shelf to yours, or from yours to theirs. A short note on a book (up to 280 characters) is a good place to say "I own this, ask me."

To be clear about what Kaffe doesn't do: it doesn't track physical loans, arrange shipping or match you with strangers. It helps friends you already know see each other's shelves. Accounts need only a name and a password. Kaffe is free, has no ads, and runs in the browser.

Start your own reading circle: free, with just a name and a password. No email, no ads.

Questions

Does Kaffe track who borrowed which book?

No. Kaffe shows shared shelves and recommendations. It doesn't track physical loans.

Can I swap with strangers?

No. Kaffe has no user search. You share with people you invite by link.

How do I see what a friend has that I'd like?

Compare shelves with that friend, or look at the books your circle loved that you haven't read.

Is it free?

Yes, with no ads.