Character.AI’s new Books mode turns reading into roleplay

April 16, 2026 Robert Hart

Mired in controversy and legal woes over concerns about its chatbots' interactions with users, particularly teens, Character.AI seems to be playing it safer with a new "Books" mode. The new format lets users step inside familiar worlds for a more structured roleplaying experience, one the company hopes will broaden perceptions of what AI roleplay can be beyond romancing minors, encouraging violence, and promoting self-harm.

In a blog post, Character.AI said Books is launching with a catalog of more than 20 classic public domain titles sourced from Project Gutenberg, including Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, Dracula, Frankenstein,

Read the full story at The Verge.

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