I like the features and layout, but the overall aesthetic look of the home page seems kind of antiseptic now. No colors, no pictures, just words and toolbars. I imagine that’s partly because of the modular approach and will change as you add the new features you mentioned, but right now it just looks very sterile.

@Thad Woodman Yes definitely! That sort of digest for each book allows me to know what they are about without having to click, and website visitors hate clicks. 

Quick question: Is there a reason that the website starts with the reader activity as the first thing a visitor sees and not the books themselves? I always thought it would be cool to have at least a smattering of featured books (maybe like the top three Staff Picks, or things currently on sale, or in a contest maybe) right at the top of the index. Now that I see your new concept for a book entry, I think it would be perfect to lure readers into the ecosystem to feature the books up front and personal.