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ASTANA – A Kazakh digital platform called PARAQTA is helping readers build consistent reading habits through page tracking, personalized goals and interactive features, bringing together more than 8,400 registered users who have collectively read almost 1 million pages over the past year.
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The platform was created by Yerdaulet Ayanuly, an engineer by profession who wanted to make reading a more accessible part of everyday life. Speaking on the Jibek Joly television channel’s program on Oct. 15, he said the project grew out of his own experience with books and efforts to build a reading community in Astana, reported Kazinform.
Ayanuly first joined a book club before organizing reading-related activities with volunteers. When the group struggled to find a suitable venue for meetings, the team opened a café for book lovers. Financial difficulties eventually forced it to close, but Ayanuly continued looking for ways to promote reading.
“It was a special, cozy place that was close to my heart. We held various creative events there and managed to bring together Astana residents who enjoyed reading. Closing the project was difficult, but I did not want to give up on the idea of developing a reading culture,” he said.
The team had previously used a Telegram bot to record the number of pages members read. Ayanuly later decided to turn the simple tracking tool into a dedicated website.
From page tracking to a reading community
Artificial intelligence helped him develop the first version of the website in three months. Over the following four to five months, he added features and improved the design, bringing the total development period to approximately eight or nine months.
PARAQTA allows users to set reading goals, record completed pages and track their progress, whether they read printed books or digital editions. Users can also access books directly through the platform’s online library, which currently contains 148 titles.
The collection includes Kazakh folk tales, Abai’s “Words of Edification”, works in Kazakh, Russian and English, and translated literature. According to Ayanuly, users show particular interest in Kazakh classics and national literature.
The platform also uses gamification to encourage readers to return regularly. Users earn stars for reading, which they can exchange for profile customization options and virtual room decorations. Personal accounts allow readers to track their activity and see their progress over time.
“We believe people should not be forced to read books. Instead, we need to find other ways to interest them,” Ayanuly said, explaining that small rewards can encourage users to read more consistently.
He cited four platform members who each read 60 books in a year as examples of how a regular reading habit can develop.
Digital tools and offline connections
PARAQTA offers both free and paid features. Paid options allow users to read the same book alongside other participants, compare reading progress and pace, join book clubs and take part in rankings. The platform has collected around 600 book reviews.
Beyond its digital functions, the project aims to connect readers offline. Astana’s book club currently has around 300 members, with people aged 20 to 25 among its most active participants. Members meet to discuss books and exchange perspectives on what they have read.
For Ayanuly, building this community is as important as developing the technology itself. He said books can influence how people think and understand the world, motivating him to share his enthusiasm for reading with others.
PARAQTA remains a small operation, with a team of two people. Ayanuly continues to work in his main profession as a design engineer while developing the platform, which began as a personal hobby and is gradually becoming an independent business.
The next step is to expand access through mobile applications. Ayanuly is awaiting approval to publish the iPhone version on the App Store, while an Android version is also planned. The application will be free to download, with paid subscriptions remaining available.
He believes that making reading convenient and rewarding is essential to building a stronger reading culture, particularly when digital platforms compete for people’s attention.
Kazakhstan’s wider reading initiative
PARAQTA’s development coincides with Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to promote reading. In September, Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen joined the nationwide Reading Nation marathon in its Parasat category, which encourages reading through the personal example of public figures rather than competition for prizes. The marathon runs from Sept. this year to April 2027 and brings together participants including schoolchildren, students, teachers, families and civil servants.
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