Connecting People to
Good Books
Share and discover good books with your church, school, or community. Set up your shared library in 10 minutes.
What is Agathos Books?
Agathos Books is a Christian platform for sharing physical books. It turns your book collection into a working shared library that's ready to lend. Unlike traditional library tools, members can add their own books to your shared catalog, so your library can grow many times over as members add what's on their shelves at home. Beyond book sharing, Agathos Books cultivates personal connections around good books—see what your community is reading and discover your next read there.
Built for Communities That Love Books
Whether you're a church, family, school, or community group—Agathos Books helps you organize, share, and discover books together.
For Churches
- Members share their personal books with the congregation
- Grow your collection without growing your budget
- Curate and approve which books are included
- Library-owned books auto-approve for lending
For Home Libraries
- Every household contributes their books
- Share across multiple households and distances
- See what family, friends, and neighbors are reading
- Build a legacy of shared wisdom
For Schools
- Families pool their educational resources
- Age-appropriate platform for students (13+)
- Optional parental supervision for teens
- Perfect for Christian schools & homeschool co-ops
For Community Groups
- Every member contributes their favorites
- Book clubs, study groups, neighborhoods
- Invite-only—you choose who joins
- Free tier perfect for small communities
Members Can Share Their Own Books
Most book-sharing tools assume one organization owns all the books. Agathos Books lets members share their personal books straight from their own shelves at home—nothing to donate, box up, or drop off. Their books stay put until someone requests one, so everyone benefits from each other's collections.
- Library-owned books are auto-approved for instant lending
- Member-owned books give owners control—they approve each request
- Admins curate which member books appear in the catalog
- Grow your collection without growing your budget
Everyone shares from their own shelves at home
David +100 books 
Hannah +92 books 
Daniel +78 books 
Grace +95 books 
Sofia +85 books Shared Book Library
10x larger without spending a dime
How Agathos Books Works
Set up your library once. After that, members borrow, read, and return on their own—the reminders and tracking run in the background.
Create your shared library
For the organizer — about 10 minutes, just once.
Create your library
A quick setup wizard walks you through initial setup. Easily completed in under 10 minutes.
Add your books
Point your phone camera at a barcode—title, author, and cover fill in automatically. Adding books is quick and easy!
Invite your community
Send an invite and members join in seconds, then browse the catalog and request the books they want to read.
Borrow, read, return
For members — what borrowing a book looks like.
Request
Tap any book to ask to borrow it.
Approved
Instant for library books, or a quick yes from the member who owns it.
Pick it up
From the library's shelf, or meet the owner in person.
Read & return
Keep it for the loan period, then return it. Reminders and due dates are automatic.
The logistics are handled for you—so your community can spend its time on the books, not the paperwork.
Why Agathos Books?
"Agathos" — the Greek word meaning "good"
We believe good books change lives. That's why we built Agathos Books: to make it easy to share and discover them within your own trusted communities.
My Christian testimony cannot be told without speaking of the major impact that good books have had in my life—books that are faithful to Scripture and helpfully communicate its principles, meaning, and practical application.
I did not have strong mentors growing up, but God graciously connected me with many good books that helped grow and mature me. Faithful authors became teachers, pointing me again and again to Christ and His word.
— Greg, Founder of Agathos Books
Books Shape Lives
God's word is powerful. Good books use Scripture as the supreme authority—truth that truly transforms lives.
Books Build Community
"What are you reading?" opens profound doors—to genuine connection, discipleship, mentorship, and friendship.
Books Require Curation
We're intentionally opinionated—curating excellent content that edifies, while protecting from destructive error.
Reading Is Social
Share what you're reading. Find your next book through trusted sources.
See What Others Read
Discover books your community members are reading. See their progress, discover featured picks, and find your next great read.
See Who Loves This Book
Every book shows who else has favorited it and who's currently reading it. Discover your next read through trusted community members.
Start Conversations
"What are you reading?" is a natural conversation starter. Shared books lead to shared discussions.
Sharing Is Your Choice
One switch shows your profile and reading activity—favorites, progress, and stats—to the members of your libraries, or keeps it private. Change it anytime.
John is reading
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Sarah finished
The Holiness of God
Mike favorited
Mere Christianity
Sarah Mitchell
23 books read this year
Making All Things New
David Powlison
What Makes a Book "Good"?
Books that point people to the truth found in God's word
Fidelity to Scripture
Does not promote sin or contradict core biblical doctrine. They align with God's word and are not contrary to God's design and purpose.
Pure
Content that is edifying. Does not promote, glorify, or normalize sin. Protects communities from content that would lead readers away from the way of life presented in God's word.
True
Reflects reality honestly. A business book teaching integrity reflects God's design. Classic literature exploring the human condition can illuminate our need for redemption.
Beneficial
Equips readers with wisdom for godly living. Books that shape minds, change hearts, and build communities—whether through theology, fiction, history, or practical skills.
Good Books Across Many Genres
What makes a book "good" is not merely its genre, but its alignment with truth and purity.
Christian & Theology
Resources that deepen understanding of God's word, equipping believers for faithful living and pointing directly to Christ.
Fiction & Literature
Stories that explore truth, beauty, and the human experience without glorifying sin—from classics to contemporary works.
Practical Resources
Business, health, education, family, and biography—books that equip us with wisdom to live well and serve others.
An Intentionally Curated Platform
Agathos Books has a book approval process—by design. This is not a general book platform. We want to protect our communities from destructive content and curate excellent books that edify and strengthen faith.
We hold to the truths in the Bible precisely because we love people as God loves people—pointing them to truth, protecting from error.
What This Looks Like
When a community shares books well, good things happen
Imagine a Church...
Where the library is a vibrant hub of activity. Members discover books that strengthen their faith. Reading plans bring the congregation together. Personal collections are shared generously. All pointing people deeper into God's word.
Imagine a Family...
Where reading is a shared journey. Grandparents' books inspire grandchildren. Reading goals are celebrated together. Books become a legacy of wisdom and a heritage of faith passed down through generations.
Imagine a Community...
Where every book collection is accessible. Reading is social and visible. Communities are strengthened through shared stories and ideas that point to the truth of the gospel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Agathos Books
How much does it cost?
Free to start, no credit card required. The free tier includes everything most small groups need. Paid plans add more books and members when you outgrow it.
Which countries is Agathos Books available in?
Agathos Books is available in most countries worldwide. A small number of countries are unavailable due to payment-processing and international sanctions restrictions. See the full list.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes. Download Agathos Books free on the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android). You can also use your browser on any device—the same account works everywhere. Learn more about the mobile app.
How does lending work?
Members request books through the app. Library-owned books can be borrowed instantly (self-service). Member-contributed books need the owner's approval first. The system sends reminders and tracks due dates automatically.
What makes Agathos Books different?
Members can add their personal books to the shared catalog. A church with 100 books becomes a collection of 1,000 when members contribute what's on their shelves. Traditional library tools don't support this—because they're designed for institutions, not communities.
Can multiple people manage the library?
Yes, with any paid plan. The free tier includes one admin (the library owner). Growth and Plus add more admin seats so volunteer teams can share responsibilities.
Do I need technical skills?
No. Point your phone camera at a book's barcode—the system looks up the title, author, and cover automatically. Most people are up and running in under 10 minutes.
Who uses Agathos Books?
Churches, extended families, homeschool co-ops, Christian schools, and book clubs. Any group that wants to share books.
Who can see what I'm reading?
Your profile and reading activity have a single on/off switch in Settings → Privacy. When it’s on, members of the libraries you’ve joined can see your profile and reading milestones—like starting or finishing a book—while your email and phone number stay private. When it’s off, your profile and activity are hidden from other members (you can hide past activity too). Library admins can still see reading and lending activity within their own library, and teens 13–17 start hidden by default. Learn more in Privacy and your data.
Is there advertising?
Agathos Books has no banner ads and no ad networks, and we never sell your data. We're a mission-driven company focused on a clean, distraction-free reading experience.
Ready to Start?
Scan your books, invite your community, start sharing. The free tier has everything you need to get started.
Join us in connecting people to good books that point to Jesus.
Good books shape lives. Agathos Books makes it easy to share them.