I’ve been a member of Goodreads for a year or two, I think. However, I haven’t really gotten involved until recently.
I’m giving away books through Goodreads, reviewing the books I love there, and generally interacting. I’ve received some recommendations for books that I might have missed, otherwise.
So, here are my questions: Are you involved in Goodreads? Do you like it? Do you enter the books you’ve read? Do you find recommendations there? Have you joined any groups?
I’m not heavily involved, but like you said, I’ve found some great books through recommendations.
I really like the recommendations, Mary.
I do belong to Goodreads, as does my teen-aged daughter, and we also like the recommendations. I also like the newsletter they send out when the authors you have rated have new books coming out.
Oh, cool – I’ll have to check that out.
I do belong to Goodreads. I keep track of my books there… I have all my TBRs marked and as I read a book, I mark it as read. I check out new authors to me there… and read the blogs.
I’ll have to get more organized and put more books I’ve read on it.
Yes I joined but I don’t do much either, I recently signed up to read a particular author’s books but I can’t get back to post my oppion. I haven’t spent any time there signing up to follow but two or three authors, never seem to have the time.
Z
That’s my problem, too, Zina. However, I have from 1-3 AM available. LOL.
LOL, indeed. You can see the time I am now typing this. I think this is the time slot for all authors in need of ‘extra time.’ Sigh…
I just joined, Karen. Will send you a friend request. I’m still trying to find my way around the place. I haven’t had much time to do anything but I’d like to post reviews and read recommendations. I think it will be a fun place to hang. Once I get the hang.
)
I’m the same way. I just found the giveaway, which I like I’m giving away 10 copies of A Scottish Love starting 1/31 and ending on Valentine’s Day.
Thanks for friending me in GRs, Karen. Darn! If I didn’t have the book already I’d enter. But I’m glad I have the book already……
I do belong to Goodreads, but don’t have the time to go to the site as often as I would like.
My problem, too, Rita.
I am a member of Goodreads. Every book, I read is entered there with a rating. I seldom give reviews because I’ve read some very snarky reviews & just don’t feel that is appropriate. If you don’t like a book, tell me why. You don’t have to be rude and nasty about it.
I don’t spend a lot of time there. Usually I’m picking up a quote or two to use in my signature tag line.
I’ve noticed the recommendations I get are from authors whose books I may have reviewed at one time or another. My “friends” seldom recommend anything. And I haven’t joined any groups. I figure I spend enough time in other areas of the internet & I just cannot block out anymore time for Goodreads.
I agree about the reviews, Kimberly. Reviews are meant to give constructive criticism when needed. There are ways to write a review so that you’re able to express your distaste for a book without denegrating it. I do like their star rating … if I really like or dislike a book, I use the stars. I don’t really have time to review every book I read. After all, just because I don’t like a book doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it. And, my ‘goodreads friends’ rarely recommend anything either. : )
Whenever I’ve left a review for a book I’ve hated, I give it lots of stars for the writing and other things. The fact I’ve hated the book is just mentioned – that’s the truly subjective part and really shouldn’t go into the rating of a book. My opinion.
I am still pretty new to Goodreads. I have listed my books, at least the ones that I remember reading. Now I list what I am currently reading and try to keep current there. I also look at the recommendations. I have won several books and read them as soon as I can and then do a review. I have not become very involved with the blogs though. I do find the sight worth the time I spend on it.
I’m looking forward to doing more on Goodreads. I want to do a Q&A there, for example.
I joined Goodreads but haven’t done a lot in there. I won a book and am reading it so I can do a review. I do read my friends reviews and have found some new authors that way.
That’s what’s important to me, Cathy. I’ve gotten to the point I hate Twitter. So, I doubt I’m going to pay attention to all the Buy Me Buy Me! messages there.
I joined Goodreads and I check there often for new books and authors but I’m not otherwise involved. I like the fact that they have listings for all types of books and you can sort by type to see just the ones you are interested in.
I like that feature, too. I read in many genres and sometimes I’m in a mood for a mystery. Sometimes, a fantasy.
I’m a member of Goodreads but not very active. I try to keep up with the status of my current reading and such but it’s just one more thing to manage over the course of the day and since some things have to take the back burner, Goodreads is one of them. It’s a great site and a great way to get recommendations and meet fellow readers but other than that, I haven’t really connected with it. Been invited to join groups but haven’t joined any as yet.
I joined four groups and had to drop out. Way more involvement than I have time for.
I signed up for it at my daughters request but I never did anything else with it. She uses it quite frequently. I just don’t have the time.
Maybe they offer TOO much. I feel a little overwhelmed at times.
I actually went on today. Added you as a friend, my one and only, LOL! And I entered some book contests. It looks like a good site. It’s just very time consuming. I wish I had more time!!!
I’ve been on Goodreads for a year. I’ve won eight books & have commented on all of those (that is the request when you win them). I really liked most of them & have read several new authors (to me). I have added several books I have read, but not won from Goodreads – (total of 37 now), but not all the books I’ve read (that would just take too much time). I think I may be a member of a couple groups, but I’m not sure. I do like to see what others think of books – it’s funny how there can be such a wide range on the same book.
Boy, I am going to have to give Goodreads another look. I did not know you could win books. Yea….
Helen in Ark.
Check out my contest starting 1/31.
Helen –
Just go under the Explore Tab (top right) & select Giveaways. First time you might have to go thru the whole list, but then just check backwards thru the ‘recently listed’.
I like that, too, Diane. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
I got into Goodreads a little while ago but just now have began entering the books I’ve read and the ones on my TBR shelves. It’s taking me awhile to go through and get everything added. I was thinking last night after I logged off that this was a good way to keep records of my books outside of writing each down in my records, in case of fire, like we were talking about the other day.
Since I’ve purchased most of my books lately from Amazon, I can find my books easy. I just don’t remember a lot of them.
I too have been a member for some time, but have not ”gotten into it”.
Now I suppose I should give it another try. If you are there, that is where I need to be. Helen in Ark.
Too cute, Helen. I’m there and now, so are you!
I joined last month but haven’t taken the time to enter much or go back, gee I wonder why!… I was at emergency Sat with Mother again, upper respiratory with advanced COPD put all her vitals in an uproar. She’s OK and back at assisted living and we have another trip to the Dr this week…
I intend to get my list of read and TBR included on it at some future date. The idea of winning books is cool, I didn’t know about that. I became interested because it seems to have a fairly complete list of upcoming releases that are hard to track now that Borders database is gone. They had them all listed as soon as the publishers posted dates. It was truly awesome and not divided up by each individual romance sub-genre. I never missed anyone’s new release.
Oh, Lenna, I am sorry. I’m so glad she’s back home, and I hope she stays well. You’ve had enough to say grace over lately, haven’t you?
Good point on the inventory and new release aspects of Goodreads.
I’ve been a member for about a year. I enjoy looking at the upcoming books. I have tried to add in books that I have read plus a short review. I need to be more diligent with it I guess. I’m not really sure all of the things that one can do at this site though. Not enough hours in the day to do everything.
I suspect you’re doing wicked things in your free time.
I looked all over Goodreads and cannot find you. Do I feel stupid or What?
Helen in Ark
Don’t feel stupid – we’ve found each other!
Karen, I’m not on Goodreads and have no intention of joining. Such sites go into my ‘time sink’ category. A great place for readers to hang out and post their reviews and have fun amongst themselves. But I think it’s best for authors to steer clear of such places. And not just because of the potential for wasting valuable deadline time.
Sure, readers love giveaways. But I prefer doing mine on Tartan Ink or my guest blog appearances. And, of course, through my newsletters which go out to my mailing list readers. Any readers wanting giveaways from me, can find them in those places. I think that’s enough.
Well, I’m a reader, too, and have oodles of books I want to read and have read.
Love goodreads. Am a member of the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers group moderated by author Emery Lee. Goodreads has given me a simple way to inventory my library of a few thousand books many without barcodes; rate what I’ve read, discover new authors (mainly thanks to RHFL) and track that endless TBR pile. The monthly newsletter is helpful. Also really appreciate that I can keep my profile private, have no interest in using it as a dating pool. And none of the advertising to buy (x) book based on my history without bludgeoning them to desist (looking at you Amazon). For author blogs I’ve switched to Google Reader to keep up.
My one complaint: the two times I won books on goodreads they never arrived, and nothing ever happened when I reported them “not received” six weeks after winning. Have won about 30 books in past year and they all arrived, from Ireland, authors, publishers, newsletters, Facebook, but goodreads. I know this won’t happen in your case!
Hi Karen,
Yes I’m a member of Goodreads. I have posted many of the books I’ve read and I try to review as many as possible. Some days and weeks time just gets away from me, and I don’t get my reviews up when I’m done reading. I do like the recommendations and I try to follow a couple of groups or another, but I don’t always have time to sit and read it all.
I’m a member on Goodreads, but haven’t taken the time to fully utilize it as I should. I haven’t joined any of the groups and probably won’t – I can barely keep up with things now. I’ve won quite a few books and only had two where I did not receive the book. After reporting to Goodreads, I followed with the publisher and subsequently received the book. I did that in one situation and just reported one other without followup with the publisher – received that one 3 months later.