So, apparently my insane obsession with tracking A Dribble of Ink’s stats has come in handy for once. I noticed I got a referral from a web site called Goodreads. Curious, I followed the link and found on the other side a terrific web site that I can see myself using a lot in the future!
From their web site:
When I was in second grade, I discovered the Hardy Boys series. Ever since, I’ve loved to read — both for fun and to improve my mind. And I’m always looking for the next great book. Reviews on Amazon and other sites are helpful, but I thought there might be a better way.
One afternoon while I was scanning a friend’s bookshelf for my next great read, it struck me. When I want to know what books to read, I’d rather turn to a friend than any random person, bestseller list or algorithm. So I thought I’d build a website — a website where I could see my friends’ bookshelves and learn about what they thought of all their books.
Goodreads is that site. It is a place where you can see what your friends are reading and vice versa. You can create “bookshelves” to organize what you’ve read (or want to read). You can comment on each other’s reviews. And on this journey with your friends you can explore new territory, gather information, and expand your mind.
Knowledge is power; and power is best shared among friends.
Goodreads is, in many ways, a social networking web site, like Facebook. It allows you to index, rate, review, sell, trade and more. It even allows published/aspiring writers to upload downloadable pieces of their own novels. It’s definitely a place where I can see myself spending a lot of time, I’ve only indexed a small portion of my library and I’ve already got over 400 novels! It’s easy (and fun) to go through your library and take a look at some of the novels you haven’t read for years and then compare it with your friends.
Goodreads also seems like a terrific place to find reviews of nearly every novel out there, I haven’t found a single novel that I own that isn’t in their database, which is quite a feat.
You can sign up for Goodreads HERE and check out my profile HERE.
If you sign up, be sure to add me as a friend!
Yeah, Goodreads is pretty cool. I actually posted a question in the malazan forum yesterday in a related thread, asking which was better: library thing or goodreads. I think I like goodreads better. I’ll have to add you to my list of friends this am :)
This actually reminds me of another similar site called Shelfari, which seems a bit identical. I am there as well, but not as much active as I would like. Cool blog.
I didn’t know Goodreads before. I agree with Jeff C. It’s pretty cool. Thank you for mention Goodreads. Based on your blog entry I signed up. After a few days I can tell you it’s a kind of drug for me.
Judging by the invites I’ve received, and ediFanoB’s comments, it looks like some of you are following my advice and signing up! Now I just need to get back and continue adding my huge library of books….
I recently came across GoodReads from another website as well…love the idea of a social networking site with books as its focus (I could never say no to that, haha). :)