I’ve just joined Goodreads.
(photo courtesy of Goodreads)
For want of something better to do with my time. The website’s a little confusing, working within genres the way they’ve laid them out. I’m actually affronted by the Chick Lit genre term. Do they (book marketers) have a Man Cave genre Just For Men too? Huh? I’d quite like a genre for Author nationalities as I’m trying to plough my way through some Australian literature. Maybe they do this. And how about sex of the author? Although given my new-found experience of not determining self through gender binaries maybe that’s a rabbit hole not to go down. Anyway, I’ve not investigated the site properly yet.
Also, I never actually COUNT the books I read – I don’t really care all that much. But this is probably a good opportunity to reread and rate the ones I’ve already read and will read this year – keeps my reading catalogue on track. But herein lies another problem. I’m a voracious reader most of the time. If I read just one book a week that’s 52 books a year. That’s actually rather expensive in Australia, with the average paperback book about $25 new – $1300 a year.
I could (and DO) buy ebooks but I actually find them rather annoying to read unless I’m in bed without the light on, or travelling. And don’t get me started on library books. I am the world’s worst library book returner. I’m not going there again!
And, in the end, do I really want to catalogue my reading like this? As a researcher who reads up to 8 articles a day at times, it’s tiring, doing filing. My catalogue of books, also known as a library, is actually on my actual real-life bookshelf. (Shelves). In full view. Of me.
Anyway, I’ve set myself a goal of reading 50 books this year. Not a stretch. Now just to remember to do it!
Happy reading, everyone.
I'm no superwoman. 
It helps you from reading really bad book because they got ratings. I usually go there & type top 10 must read books in psychology and select only those with near about 4 avg. ratings with at least more than 500 votes. It’s kind of help in that sense, IMO.
Thanks for the heads up!
I use it to keep track of books that people have told me I MUST read, then instead of wandering aimlessly around in book stores or libraries (shhhh..sorry) I just check my Want To Read ‘shelf’ at Goodreads and there’s my list.
Ooh, good idea. I wish I used libraries better. I just don’t. I borrow books and don’t return them and get huge fines. It’s a problem. Sigh.
What Data said. My favorite thing about Goodreads is being able to save books to read for later. Yes, I could probably accomplish the same with a list on my iPhone, but I just liked the nice layout 😀 Plus after I read one I like, I can more quickly add everything else to read later by that author.
Good to know.