Feature Friday: Goodreads

Every week, Feature Friday will highlight something…cool. It might be a person, it might be a business. It could be a new product, a new site, a new book, a new idea.

There are so many amazing people and stories out there that deserve more attention. Attention from all of you, my five, lovely readers.

This week’s feature is for you if:
– you like to read
– you love to read
– you enjoy talking about what you like to read and love to read
– you enjoy sneaking a peak at what others are talking about what they like to read and love to read
– you like books. Period.

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Goodreads
Feature Friday, vol. 2

I was trying my darndest to figure out how I was introduced to Goodreads, and what I came up with was…I have no idea how I was introduced to Goodreads.
But I won’t let that stop me. It’s a cool, cool service. Here is what Goodreads says on their home page:

Have you ever wanted a better way to:
– Get great book recommendations from people you know.
– Keep track of what you’ve read and what you’d like to read.
– Form a book club, answer book trivia, collect your favorite quotes.

Sign up!
It’s free and anyone can join.

Neato, huh? It’s a social network for book geeks.

Book geeks like me. AND YOU! I mean, honestly, if there was any corner of the internet that fits us better…

Here’s a bit more about them:

What Is Goodreads?
Goodreads is the largest social network for readers in the world. We have more than 5,100,000 members who have added more than 150,000,000 books to their shelves. A place for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, 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 much more. Goodreads was launched in December 2006.

Our Mission
Goodreads’ mission is to get people excited about reading. Along the way, we plan to improve the process of reading and learning throughout the world.

Why We Do It
Every once in a while you run into a friend who tells you about this “great new book I’m reading.” And suddenly you’re excited to read it. It’s that kind of excitement that Goodreads is all about.

There are hundreds of niche social media sites out there and, unfortunately, I find many of them difficult to use, inconsistent, and just plain boring. Goodreads, though? It’s fabulousness.

Simple. Striking design. Integrated with all of your other profiley profiles. And fun. And useful. And fun. Very, very fun.

I love how it is always suggesting things to you. Try reviewing this list over here, check out these friends over there, go see that book we think you’ll like it. It’s actionable.

Very actionable.

My favorite feature of Goodreads has to be My Books. My Books is your online bookshelf. It categorizes your books under All, Read, Currently Reading, or To-Read. And that’s exactly how I categorize the real books I have at home. Read, Currently Reading, To-Read.

You do that too, right?

Right? Right?!

* crickets *

Crap.

One more thing – Goodreads? I don’t use it like I should. It’s an amazing service, and I am the first to admit that I need to spend some quality time snuggling up to it and incorporating it into my life.

Here, let me show you. This is my bookshelf on Goodreads:
Two books are listed. Two…yeah. I mean, honestly, that’s pathetic. Do not as I do, my lovely readers. Do not as I do!

I wonder if they have a widget? So I can embed it and use their service to keep track of my reading list on this site instead of doing it myself? Hmm.

Goodreads, if you’re listening, let’s talk. Thank you for your cooperation. In books we pray amen.

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How you can use Goodreads

– Stop by Goodreads main website to take a look around. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the tour.

– If you’d like to check it out, sign up for free.

– If you’re an author, take a look at the Goodreads Author Program.

– Get all the inside scoop by following Goodreads on Twitter.

Books books, we love books!

Thanks for supporting our love obsession, Goodreads. Thank you thank you thank you.

Tagged as: Feature Friday, books