Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Love to Read? Join Goodreads!

I joined Goodreads a few years ago but didn't keep up my account. At the time it seemed like too much trouble, and I wasn't reading much then. (I go through phases, sometimes consuming a book a day and other times going all year without finishing a single one.)

Recently I hit a frantic reading pace, and when I got a Goodreads friend request from a new acquaintance, I said yes, started following her reviews and filled out my own long-neglected list. It was fun. Here was a place to record everything I read, all the books from ages past, and the ones I want to read.

So for anyone out there who isn't yet on Goodreads-- here's the link to my home page. I will happily be your first friend. Or if you're already a member, let's connect and share books and reviews.

If you are a published author who has not yet set up a Goodreads profile page, get busy! It's easy-- one more place to get your mug out there. AND--They now offer this really awesome widget, where visitors to your site can add your book with one click. After a lot of experimentation, I think I've got it. Check it out, yo.

The widgets to add my books to your list are under the twitter thingy on my sidebar. They're looking a bit lonely and neglected right now but hopefully will have many smiling faces showing up soon :) What I don't like about these widgets is that anyone who added a book previously on their Goodreads list, has to redo it here for it to show up. Fix that soon will ya Goodreads people? Because I like to see the pretty faces.
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Goodreads is awesome! Books rock! We should read more books!

45 comments:

  1. Thanks for enlightening us about this! I
    ll have to swing by & check it out.

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  2. I just checked it out -- and you're right, it's awesome!
    From what I understand, there are more people claiming to be writers than readers... for obvious reasons that just doesn't work LOL.

    Good for you for encouraging us all to read more. =)

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  3. Goodreads is the best thing since sliced bread. No, since reading itself! It's awesome, and that new Goodreads widget is pretty cool.

    My problem with Goodreads is that I use it to keep track of when I read books for the first time - so if I'm rereading a favorite, then I can't really say I read it, say, 9/4/10, because years from now it might trick me into thinking that was the first time. I know there's a space to mark how many times you've read a book, but that still doesn't cut it, in my opinion.

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  4. Hey, Beautiful! I gave you an award on my blog. Come over and check it out. Also, I joined Good reads a while back, but don't keep up with it. I do read all the time, but dang. I have to pick the most important things to do with my time! LOL

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  5. I love Goodreads, I can spend lots of time on there. Unfortunately, my account is a little outdated. I haven't been keeping track of the last few books I read, and the email address I'm signed up with is no longer active. So I might start over. When I do, I'll look you up! :)

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  6. I like goodreads. Only problem, I don't have the time to mark down all the books I've read.

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  7. I love Goodreads! I went through an addictive phase with is awhile back. Now I keep reminding myself to update my books!

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  8. I am a goodreads member but I honestly don't go there much. I should though.

    CD

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  9. I will give it a look-see but am allergic to any diversions right now. I do belong to the library...

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  10. Looks interesting. Thanks for the tip. ;)

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  11. Love Goodreads! The perfect way to meet others who love books as much I do.

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  12. I love Goodreads! I'm in there every day. :D

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  13. Clearly they have some work to do on their widgets, because every time I come to my blog, I see a different panel of faces! So funny! I've been around long enough that I remember when Goodreads first started. That's like saying you remember when Amazon first started. Or Oprah. (Yes and yes.)

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  14. The widgets are awesome! I'm going to have to see what I can do with those...also, shouldn't the third one be "uncut diamonds?"

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  15. Should it? Yes that would probably be more organized, and we all know how organized I am LOL. I'll try it, and see how it looks. Oh look my other blog persona came up and made this comment.

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  16. Oh right, I had it misnamed. Duh. Thanks Susan.

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  17. I am on Goodreads but I am so busy I hardly have time to check updates, but I will get there, Goodreads is a good idea especially if you have other friends and are able to connect

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  18. Thanks for posting this. I've been trying to figure goodreads out, but maybe it would be easier if I joined first. ;)

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  19. So many people have told me they have my book on their shelf - I guess I need to join!

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  20. I know a lot of people on Goodreads, but for now I am holding out. Too time poor for yet another social networking site, even one specifically for books.

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  21. Good reads is definately on my ToDo List. Just so much going on. I've signed up for it. Now I just need to get over there and do something with it.

    Very cool ... thanks for the reference to my blog. Every little bit helps. I try to visit as many blogs as I can every day. But 50 - 100??? I don't think so. 30 a day is a good day for me.

    Stephen Tremp

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  22. I had some trouble with posting the goodreads widgets to my blog. It came up with the Harry Potter book instead of my book! ;)

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  23. ...Good Reads is an excellent means of "scouting" what's out there in the genre you write in as well. Kind of like checking out the competition before diving into that WIP blindfolded. I've been a member for several years.

    Karen, wanted to let you know that your a character in my newest post...a celebration of sorts in regards to surpassing 100 followers. Your barbecue drove hoards of attention my way...therefore I thought it considerate to repay the favor. Hope you enjoy:)

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  24. Susan, Yes that kept happening to me too and then one day it just worked.

    Elliot, Thanks I'll go check it out!

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  25. The universe is whacking me upside the head...telling me to get off my butt and reset my Goodreads password (it's been too long, I forgot it). This is at least the 3rd reference I've had to it today.

    I'm still a rookie, but I've told my family about it. I think once I figure it all out, I'll be even more enthused.

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  26. I love Goodreads. I've only recently started using it but so far it's been a terrific way to track the books I read and share my bookcase on my blog so others can see what I'm interested in reading.

    At the moment, I'm trying to write some kind of review for each book, so I have a record of what I thought of it, as well. I'm not sure how long that will last but I am transferring some of these onto my blog as an instant blog post!

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  27. I'm all for Goodreads as well - though I really need to go and update again soon.

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  28. Universe to Vicki, Reset your password and be KarenG's friend on Goodreads. (And give food to the homeless shelter.)

    Kath, I started out trying to review each book and just couldn't do it. But the ones I feel strongly about one way or the other get reviews, often not very thorough reviews but I figure even a few lines is better than just the stars.

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  29. I should read more books! I haven't been on goodreads yet. *cringe*

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  30. I discovered the awesomeness of Goodreads a few weeks ago. I started signing up to win free books to review and won one almost immediately! lol Who doesn't love free books?

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  31. I never turn down the chance to get my hands on more books:)

    Thanks Karen!

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  32. I hadn't considered setting up an author profile page there although I know that several of my readers have mentioned my book on their pages.

    Jai

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  33. It is good and does make for a cool widget to have on your blog. I was a little sceptical too, at first, but I like it now, if only to keep a log of what I've been reading. I don't ever bother to tell it what page I'm on and detail like that though!

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  34. I am pretty sure I joined Goodreads, but never did anything about it. I really should go back and check. Thanks for the prompt.

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  35. I joined Goodreads at the invitation of several of my writer buds, but I have to admit I'm horrible at updating. Yes, I am a Goodreads slacker. :(

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  36. Very handy! I've been on Goodreads as a reader, but thanks for the info and insight on some of the tools as a WRITER. Can't wait until I have a book to link!

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  37. Thanks for friending me on goodreads, Karen. :)
    I love that I can keep track of what I want to read. So often I hear about a new good book then forget about it; this way, I can log on, find it, and bookmark it. It's a cool tool.

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  38. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out but I don't know if I'll have time for it. I can' barely find time to blog;)

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  39. I'm on Goodreads and I'm your friend! I love it there:)

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  40. Oooh it must be interesting to look back and so what and how much you've read?

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  41. Will hook up with you there - I need to update my stuff as well!

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  42. Goodreads sounds like an interesting place. I already belong to Shefari, but I will check it out! Thanks for the tip!

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  43. I've heard so much about Shefari and Goodreads -I heard of them but never really understood the concept! I'll definitely be checking these out soon - thanks for the tips and links!

    take care
    x

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  44. I joined Goodreads a few months ago. I try to keep up, but have to say I'm not the most organized of people. lol.

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  45. Mary, but look what you've done on the Amazon site with promoting your book. That's one arena I haven't yet explored.

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