VinylMapper vs OwlCrate

Built for and by music lovers, VinylMapper is a social community with a goal of creating the ultimate resource for finding and supporting local independent record stores.

Have you ever read a book so good you wanted to share your excitement with others? As book lovers, we’ve been there… And that’s why we created The Nest—a place where readers belong. The Nest is a completely free, community-powered platform built by the award-winning book subscription box, OwlCrate. Our app welcomes every bookworm, author, and writer —no OwlCrate subscription required. No paywall. No catch. Just a love of books and the people who read them. Whether you’re yet to read your first book this year or plan to read five hundred by the end of the year, The Nest is your space to connect, explore, and celebrate the magic of storytelling. We built this virtual bookish community on the same values that have shaped OwlCrate since the beginning: Community, Creativity, Curiosity, Inclusivity, and Joy. That means everything we offer—from live chats to virtual cons—is free, accessible, and built for readers by readers. With more than 25,000 members and growing, The Nest is where book lovers gather to share what they’re reading and give book recommendations, post book reviews, meet new friends, and take part in unforgettable experiences. But that’s not all…. Here's what’s inside: CONNECT WITH BOOKISH FRIENDS Build your profile, join group chats, comment on posts, and connect with readers around the world—or right in your neighborhood. GET EARLY ACCESS Members of The Nest get access to new OwlCrate releases before they go on general sale. DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVORITE READ Scroll your personalized feed to see what books others are reading and recommending in real time to expand your reading list. PARTICIPATE IN A MONTHLY BOOK CLUB Read together by joining chapter-by-chapter readalongs with games, trivia, and giveaways included! JOIN A READING CHALLENGE New challenges drop every month. Join a team, earn points, and complete creative prompts together! WIN GIVEAWAYS Win bookish goodies, gift cards, store credit, and more just by participating in the community. WATCH LIVE EVENTS Throughout the year, we host free live events with bestselling authors. You can expect monthly live chats alongside our annual convention. Plus, you can rewatch all past event recordings whenever you like—no ticket, no cost, ever. PLAY GAMES & FEATURES Weekly games like question of the day, reading sprints, and more keep the fun going every day! TAKE PART IN SUBSCRIBER CHALLENGES The Nest hosts our Young Adult Fantasy Crate Challenge for subscribers. Show off your box, or show us how you use it, and be entered to win OwlCrate store credit! ENJOY YOUR SPACES Whether you're into writing, crafts, cozy fantasy, or TV fan theories, there’s a space for you. EXPERIENCE REAL OPPORTUNITIES Our Nesties have front-row opportunities to get creative! You could be published in OwlCrate Press anthologies, become an OwlCrate artist, or become a featured community contributor on our blog! The Nest is built differently. No gatekeeping. No barriers. Just a joyful space for readers who want more from their reading life—and from each other. We didn’t add a community to OwlCrate. We built a home where both we and our readers can celebrate books together in a safe and supportive space. Join The Nest. Find your people. Share your love for books. Be part of something real. Have questions or feedback? Reach us at support@owlcrate.com Follow @owlcrate on Instagram and TikTok for updates.