7a. Reading Lists and Recommendations – Goodreads
The What
Launched in December 2006, Goodreads says it is the largest social network for readers in the world with more than 2,800,000 registered users who have added over 75,000,000 books to their shelves.
Goodreads members recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they’ve read and would like to read, form book clubs and more. Upon logging in to Goodreads, readers see status updates about what their friends are reading and when a reader reviews a book, all his friends are notified. Goodreads is free and runs on ad revenue so readers see ads on most pages.
The Why
If you’re looking mainly for people-generated (versus database-driven) recommendations, then Goodreads is the book site for you. Founder Otis Chandler’s believes that recommendations from friends are more valuable than referrals from algorithms or bestseller lists. The site has standard social networking features with users having the ability to edit their publicly viewable profiles, add and meet friends, and interact with each other through messages and comments.
The site differs from LibraryThing in that it revolves around users’ “Bookshelves” – a list of books they have read or are reading currently. Users can browse others’ bookshelves, and see their full reviews.
While Goodreads doesn’t have the same cataloging depth as LibraryThing, it’s more social focused. The goal of Goodreads is to “make reading fun again” and to generate excitement about books. Goodreads does this in a social Facebook-like way.
The How
Discovery Exercise
- Watch this video about Goodreads.
- Go to http://www.goodreads.com/ and join Goodreads.
- Add a book you’re currently reading or have read in the past. Use the options for tagging (in Goodreads, this is called bookshelves), dating and categorizing the book.
- Search for friends on the website and friend someone. You can always search for Dedra Anderson to friend.
- Find a book that you would like to read—add it to your “to read” list and add tags.
- Explore the various Groups and join one that interests you.
- Explore what other, if any, activities are offered by the site. (For example, Goodreads offers a never-ending book trivia game that’s community created.
More for the Curious
- Business, Pleasure Mix on Book Networking Sites
- Web Sites Let Bibliophiles Share Books Virtually
- 23 Social Book Networking sites
Books and Reading Home | Next up: 7b.Personal Libraries – LibraryThing
About the Author
Dedra Anderson
After working in both circulation and reference, Dedra Anderson became a district trainer for Douglas County Libraries in 2006. When she’s not in a library she’s probably either reading (her favorites are serial killers and Tudor history but not in the same book!) or working on her readers’ advisory websites, The Romance Reader and The Mystery Reader.