A UX Audit of the Post-Read Experience
Lately, I’ve been enjoying the convergence of books and digital technology. The instant gratification of borrowing or purchasing a book and diving in immediately is a UX win. Add to that the seamless integration between public libraries and reading apps, and access to books is easier than ever.
But for all that progress, I’ve noticed a recurring friction point: a less than optimal user interface that fail to match the joy of reading. Specifically, I encountered a UX breakdown in a key moment of the reading journey—finishing a book.
Hoopla, a digital media service used by libraries, allows users to search, borrow, stream, and favorite titles across various formats. While the app performs well across core functionality, its end-of-book experience presents several usability challenges.
After finishing an audiobook late one evening, I was met with a screen that left me questioning:
Was I rating the book I just finished? Another suggested title? The app itself?
This moment—where the user’s cognitive load should be low and satisfaction high—was instead filled with ambiguity.
Identifying UX Issues
1. Conflicting User Goals
At the conclusion of a book, the user’s mental model is focused on reflection or closure. However, Hoopla’s UI simultaneously introduces three competing calls to action:
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Rate the book (unclear which one)
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Start a new, recommended title
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Rate the app itself
This introduces goal dilution, where multiple CTAs reduce the likelihood that any single one is completed effectively.
2. Poor Proximity and Visual Clarity
The star rating component appears in close proximity to the recommended title rather than the book just completed. This violates Gestalt principles, particularly the law of proximity, misleading users into thinking they’re rating the wrong book.
Additionally, the lack of cover art or title for the recently completed book removes vital recognition cues, forcing users to rely on memory—a high-cost action in UX terms.
3. Visual Hierarchy Breakdown
The most visually prominent element on the screen is the next recommended title: it’s centered, brighter, and includes a thumbnail. Meanwhile, the completed book is visually downplayed at the top without imagery.
This misalignment in visual hierarchy creates cognitive dissonance. The user has just completed a task—finishing a book—and the interface fails to acknowledge that milestone with proper visual or emotional feedback.
There’s also a missed opportunity for microinteractions that celebrate the moment, reinforcing positive user behavior and enhancing retention.
In short, this editor is not happy with the plot line.
Comparative UX Patterns
Google’s approach is even more minimal. After finishing a book, the completed title disappears altogether in favor of new suggestions. While the information architecture is clearer and better ordered, it sacrifices closure.
Looking beyond media apps, the Shop app (used for tracking packages and purchases) provides an exemplary model for end-state UX:
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Confirms task completion
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Invites user feedback (review)
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Suggests next steps based on prior action
The user understands they’ve completed one task and is gently invited to begin another, without confusion or interruption.
Designing an Improved Post-Completion Experience
Inspired by these insights, I redesigned the Hoopla post-read screen to offer the users a better experience following the completion of a book:
- A “Back” and “Close” button allows users to navigate confidently.
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An illustration establishes clear task closure by visually treating the user to a fun illustration and confirms that the book has been completed.
- A dedicated card displays the just-completed book with its title, author, and cover art for visual clarity.
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The rating component is contextualized within the completed book’s card, removing ambiguity.
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Actionable next steps (like continuing a borrowed title or exploring recommendations) are visually and hierarchically distinct, supporting choice architecture.
Conclusion: Designing for the Final Impression
In the age of digital reading, the user experience of finishing a book should be as thoughtfully crafted as the content itself. This is a pivotal moment in the user journey—one filled with emotion, satisfaction, and momentum.
By applying principles like visual hierarchy, goal clarity, and affective design, reading apps can transform this moment into a highlight, not a hurdle. A few simple design changes can reinforce user success, reduce confusion, and keep readers engaged—book after book.