Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Addicted to Goodreads

Are you all fans of Goodreads? I'd joined a few months ago, entered a couple of books and then left it for dead. I didn't really see the point. After the initial entry it felt a little too much like entering my snack calories into FitDay - a chore with not much reward. 

But then one day I poked around a little bit and I was hooked. Hooked! Really, it combines the best of what I love from online book browsing with my love of CIA-level-profiling of the people I stalk online. I've been burning up my library card checking out stacks of books recommended by my online peers and they don't even know it! Like Facebook, it's the ultimate way to get personal information without having to employ any actual interpersonal skills. Huzzah! 

Plus, once I started entering books I'd read, forget it. My All or Nothing Switch (on which I'be been trying to install a dimmer for years) was flipped and I voraciously ripped through my last three years of B&N and Amazon orders to post my books. In the end I got a pretty collage for my blog. Bonus! When I find some time I'll try to work in all the books I've bought in meatspace as well, which takes actual work rather than just cutting and pasting from Amazon. So, yeah, it might be a while.

I urge you to give Goodreads a try - more for book recommendations than for a catalog of your own reading. And please, if you sign up, make me your friend so I can peruse your books as well...

11 comments:

Angie Frazier said...

I like goodreads a lot, though I don't think I've explored it to its fullest :-) I'll go find you!

Katie Anderson said...

I know nothing about this but I am now fascinated!

Corey Schwartz said...

I'm on, but I am also in the "left it for dead" category. I'll go back and friend you.

Kimberly Derting said...

Completely addicted. Like crack!

Jennie Englund said...

I'm excited to give this a shot!

How do you find these snappy little treats? Like Pandora's Box and the title rater?

Fun!

Tina Laurel Lee said...

It's good to hear of your experience with it-- I am a sometimes updater of Goodreads and find it to be interesting and have a ton of potential, but I'm scared of the amount of time it requires. I find I want everybody to tell me exactly how they use it before I take the time to explore it myself. I guess I have been like that with all things, blogging, Facebook, writing... It seems you are a good role model with these things. Thank you.

Casey Something said...

I LOVE Goodreads. I'll add you!

Deb Markanton said...

I did the same thing! I joined and got crazy with building my library and categorizing books. Each time I saw someone else's list I was shocked at how many books I'd read and forgotten about. I've stayed away, except for the montage thing on my blog. But, B.Nagel b.friended me and I get his updates. It's fun.

Deb Markanton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzanne Young said...

I've decided to only follow the books that you like. I trust you completely. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm the one in the corner taking ACE inhibitors, so I'd be right there with ya! :)