Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Recommendable Club.
Getting Recommendations
How do you choose books for me?
We focus on your current mood and what you're seeking emotionally from a book, rather than your reading history. Our process combines librarian expertise with a curated database to match books to how you're feeling right now—whether you need comfort, escape, inspiration, or intellectual challenge.
Do I need to create an account?
Nope! You can get recommendations immediately without signing up, creating profiles, or logging past reading history. Just tell us about your mood and preferences, and we'll find you something great.
How many recommendations will I get?
We typically provide 3-5 carefully chosen recommendations. We'd rather give you a few perfect matches than overwhelm you with dozens of random suggestions. Quality over quantity, always.
What if I don't like your recommendations?
That's valuable feedback! Use our feedback option to let us know what didn't work, and try "Get More Recommendations" for different options. Every piece of feedback helps us improve our matching process.
Can I get recommendations for specific genres?
Absolutely. Our mood-based approach works within any genre—romance, mystery, sci-fi, literary fiction, memoirs, you name it. Just let us know your preference along with your current mood.
How Our Process Works
Do you use algorithms like Amazon or Goodreads?
No. We don't use algorithms based on purchase history, ratings, or "people who bought this also bought." Our recommendations come from a human-curated process that focuses on emotional resonance and mood matching.
How do you decide which books to include in your database?
We curate books based on literary quality, reader satisfaction, and emotional impact—not sales numbers, marketing budgets, or what's trending. If we wouldn't personally recommend it to a friend, it doesn't make our list.
Do publishers pay you to recommend their books?
Never. We don't accept payment for book placements or let commercial relationships influence our recommendations. Every suggestion is based purely on how well it matches your stated preferences.
How often do you add new books?
We regularly add new titles that meet our quality standards and expand the range of moods we can match. We focus on timeless quality over chasing the latest releases.
Purchasing and Support
Why do you only link to Bookshop.org?
We partner with Bookshop.org because they support independent bookstores nationwide. When you buy through our links, a portion of every sale goes to support local bookstores. Plus, their prices match other major retailers.
Do you make money when I buy books?
Yes, we earn a small commission (typically 10%) when you purchase through our Bookshop.org links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep our service free while supporting independent bookstores. We're completely transparent about this relationship.
What if I can't afford to buy books?
Every recommendation includes a free library link through OpenLibrary. You can create an account and borrow available digital copies. We believe everyone should have access to great books, regardless of budget.
Can I support you without buying books?
Yes! Our "Tip the Librarian" option lets you leave a small tip if you found our recommendations helpful. Tips are always optional and never expected—they're just a way to say thanks.
Privacy and Data
What information do you collect?
We only collect what you tell us during the recommendation process (your mood, preferences, etc.) and basic website analytics. We don't track your purchases, collect personal information, or require accounts.
Do you share my information?
No. We don't sell, share, or distribute any user information. Your reading preferences stay private.
Do you send marketing emails?
We don't collect email addresses unless you specifically sign up for our newsletter. No spam, no unwanted marketing, no "you haven't visited us lately" messages.
About Our Service
How is this different from Goodreads or Amazon recommendations?
Those services base recommendations on your past reading or purchase history. We focus on your current emotional state and what you need from a book right now. You don't need to rate hundreds of books or log your reading history—just tell us how you're feeling.
What if I'm not sure what mood I'm in?
That's totally normal! Our recommendation process includes questions that help you identify what you're seeking. Sometimes you know you want "something different" without knowing exactly what that means—we can work with that.
Can I get recommendations for someone else?
Absolutely. Just answer the questions based on what you know about their preferences and current situation. Our process works great for finding gifts or helping friends discover new books.
Do you recommend children's books?
Currently, we focus on books for adult readers. We may expand to children's and young adult recommendations in the future based on user interest.
Technical Questions
Why isn't the website loading properly?
If you're experiencing technical issues, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. If problems persist, please contact us—we want to make sure everyone can access our recommendations easily.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes! Our website is designed to work seamlessly on phones, tablets, and computers. The recommendation process is optimized for mobile use.
Will you make an app?
We're considering it based on user feedback. For now, our mobile-optimized website provides the full experience without requiring a separate app download.
Getting Help
I have a question that's not answered here
We'd love to help! Contact us through our contact form, and we'll get back to you quickly. We're real people who genuinely want to help you find great books.
Can I suggest improvements?
Please do! We're constantly refining our service based on user feedback. If you have ideas for how we can better match books to moods, we want to hear them.
How can I stay updated on new features?
Follow our social media or sign up for our occasional newsletter. We only send updates when we have genuinely useful news to share—no weekly spam.
Still have questions? Get in touch—we're here to help!
Ready to discover your next favorite book? Get recommendations →