book2rec MCP Server

Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for high-quality book recommendations based on a book you loved reading.

Overview

This MCP server exposes book2rec recommendation capabilities to MCP-compatible clients such as Claude Desktop. It supports streamed HTTP transport and API key authentication.

Authentication

All MCP connections require an API key passed via HTTP headers.

x-api-key: your_api_key_here
How to get an API key
  1. Sign in with Google
  2. Go to My Books page
  3. Click on Generate API KEY button
  4. Copy generated API KEY

Connecting to the MCP Server

Streamed HTTP Endpoint
POST https://book2rec.fastmcp.app/mcp

Transport: HTTP (streamed)

Required Headers
x-api-key: your_api_key_here

Available Tool

book2rec tool

Get books similar to a given book. Only display results from the tool along with addional information provided by the tool about the book. Args: book: The title of the book (e.g 'The Great Gatsby', 'Beloved')

Request Parameters

 {
  "arguments": {
    "book": "the master and margarita"
  },
  "name": "book2rec"
}   
Response Result
{
  "content": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "text": "[{\"Similarity Score\":73.85,\"Book Title\":\"Earthly Powers\",\"Book Author\":\"Anthony Burgess\",\"Amazon Purchase Link\":\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/0099468646/?tag=b2r05-20\",\"Book2Rec Book Page\":\"https://book2rec.com/book/98c93639-a52f-4a4b-8369-ce35f52fcb1e\",\"Booker Prize Shortlist\":true,\"Reason for Similarity\":\"Both novels intricately explore themes of power, morality, and the human condition through complex characters and dual narratives. They examine the interplay between personal desires and societal constraints, utilizing rich, introspective storytelling to highlight existential dilemmas.\"},{\"Similarity Score\":70.97,\"Book Title\":\"Knowledge of Angels\",\"Book Author\":\"Jill Paton Walsh\",\"Amazon Purchase Link\":\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/0552997803/?tag=b2r05-20\",\"Book2Rec Book Page\":\"https://book2rec.com/book/f653c32e-c413-4194-9a20-9f69b62018df\",\"Booker Prize Shortlist\":true,\"Reason for Similarity\":\"Both novels explore profound themes of morality, existence, and the quest for truth through rich, philosophical narratives. Each features characters facing existential dilemmas that challenge their beliefs, highlighting the interplay between spirituality and human experience, fostering a thematic resonance that justifies the similarity score.\"},{\"Similarity Score\":69.56,\"Book Title\":\"The Colour of Magic\",\"Book Author\":\"Terry Pratchett\",\"Amazon Purchase Link\":\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063373661/?tag=b2r05-20\",\"Book2Rec Book Page\":\"https://book2rec.com/book/33249380-700e-46f8-980b-c1f39fa5e63d\",\"BBC The Big Read List\":true,\"Reason for Similarity\":\"Both novels blend fantasy with philosophical themes, examining human nature, morality, and the absurdity of societal norms. They use humor and surreal elements to critique reality, creating rich, imaginative worlds that provoke reflection on existence and identity.\"}]"
    }
  ],
  "structuredContent": {
    "result": [
      {
        "Similarity Score": 73.85,
        "Book Title": "Earthly Powers",
        "Book Author": "Anthony Burgess",
        "Amazon Purchase Link": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/0099468646/?tag=b2r05-20",
        "Book2Rec Book Page": "https://book2rec.com/book/98c93639-a52f-4a4b-8369-ce35f52fcb1e",
        "Booker Prize Shortlist": true,
        "Reason for Similarity": "Both novels intricately explore themes of power, morality, and the human condition through complex characters and dual narratives. They examine the interplay between personal desires and societal constraints, utilizing rich, introspective storytelling to highlight existential dilemmas."
      },
      {
        "Similarity Score": 70.97,
        "Book Title": "Knowledge of Angels",
        "Book Author": "Jill Paton Walsh",
        "Amazon Purchase Link": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/0552997803/?tag=b2r05-20",
        "Book2Rec Book Page": "https://book2rec.com/book/f653c32e-c413-4194-9a20-9f69b62018df",
        "Booker Prize Shortlist": true,
        "Reason for Similarity": "Both novels explore profound themes of morality, existence, and the quest for truth through rich, philosophical narratives. Each features characters facing existential dilemmas that challenge their beliefs, highlighting the interplay between spirituality and human experience, fostering a thematic resonance that justifies the similarity score."
      },
      {
        "Similarity Score": 69.56,
        "Book Title": "The Colour of Magic",
        "Book Author": "Terry Pratchett",
        "Amazon Purchase Link": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063373661/?tag=b2r05-20",
        "Book2Rec Book Page": "https://book2rec.com/book/33249380-700e-46f8-980b-c1f39fa5e63d",
        "BBC The Big Read List": true,
        "Reason for Similarity": "Both novels blend fantasy with philosophical themes, examining human nature, morality, and the absurdity of societal norms. They use humor and surreal elements to critique reality, creating rich, imaginative worlds that provoke reflection on existence and identity."
      }
    ]
  },
  "isError": false
}

Connect to VSCode

code --add-mcp "{\"name\":\"book2rec\",\"type\":\"http\",\"url\":\"https://book2rec.fastmcp.app/mcp\",\"headers\":{\"X-API-KEY\":\"your_api_key_here\"}}"

Connect to Claude Desktop

  1. Downlaod book2rec extension Download
  2. Double-click to open with Claude Desktop
  3. Click "Install"
  4. Enter API Key
  5. Enable extension
  6. Enter prompt "find me books similar to catch-22"

Rate Limits

To ensure fair usage, API requests are rate limited per API key.

  • Daily limit: 20 requests per API key
  • Reset: Limits reset every 24 hours (UTC)

Need higher limits? Contact sandy@book2rec.com.