Website Spotlight: Good Reads

 This week we'll be discussing GoodReads, a website that allows you to track the books you've read, make lists of books you plan to read, and keep up with what you're friends are reading. There are several websites that allow you to do the same thing like Shelfari or LibraryThing, however GoodReads is the only one we are familiar enough with to offer an opinion.

Setting up an account with Goodreads.com is easy; all you need is an email address.



Keep track of the books you have read, will read and are currently reading by adding them to your bookshelves. There are three default bookshelves, but you can add personalized shelves.


While it's nice to be able to keep track of my reading habits, my favorite part of the GoodReads website is getting recommendations for new books to read. One way to receive recommendations is to rate the books that you have read. You can give between 1 and 5 stars to a book, which allows GoodReads to makes suggestions for you based on how well you enjoyed a certain book. For example, if you rate the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams very high, the site might then suggest books by Terry Pratchett. 




Another way to see  When you sign up for the site you can choose to link your account with your Facebook account to find any friends that also like to use GoodReads. You can also find them by email address, if you prefer. Adding friends allows you to see their updates - what are they reading and how did they like it? I have found many new books that I wouldn't have thought to read because a friend read it first. 




Goodreads is also available as an app for your smartphone or tablet. this means you can keep track of you books and get recommendations anywhere! Even during otherwise boring tasks, like standing in line at the supermarket. Find it on  iTunes (for Apple)  and Google Play (for Android).


Do you use GoodReads or another site to keep track of your reading? Tell us in the comments below! If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter

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