Website Wednesday

Because this blog is fairly new and we're just getting established and acquainted, I'll have you know today is our first Web Wednesday! Every Wednesday I'll feature a site that is helpful, has a giveaway, or is just plain fun.


I am an avid reader, but I'm also weird in a way that I like to keep track of what I have read and what I'd like to read in an organized way that is easily accessible. However, I don't have the time to write down every book.
So when I found today's site, I rejoiced.

Introducing...

Goodreads.com

It's been around quite a while, but had I not stumbled on it one day I doubt I'd make a trip to the library as much. I like to have a few books in mind in case my number one choice isn't there. This site helps me keep track of all things books.

When you first create an account, you can edit your profile (photos, age, area, etc.) and start adding books to your lists.
You start out with 4 lists:

• To Read
• Currently Reading
• Read
• Wishlist

But you can always add more shelves. Some of the popular shelf titles I've seen are:

• Favorites
• Least Favorites
• Children's
• YA
• Adult

One fun thing about Goodreads is that it is forever-hosting a book swap in which members post which books they have available. The first person to request the book pays shipping. The member with the book can print out a shipping label and send it off! Now, this is where the Wishlist comes to play. When books on your wishlist are available, you get an e-mail to let you know. Mine usually come around 3 or 4 in the AM, so when I'm up pumping, I always check my e-mail just in case. The new and/or popular books (obviously) go fast, while there are usually a few copies available of classics. I've requested a few books, but I haven't sent any yet.

You can search for books by their ISBN number, the book title, or the author's name. If there is more than one edition, there is more information so you can see which edition you are viewing. Also, you can leave a review and rate the book in your lists. It's on a 1-5 star scale. If you leave a comment with a spoiler, there is a box you can check so others know. (Isn't that just super nice of them?)

If you're looking for a certain type of book, check out listopia! There are so many lists on this site! Some examples are:

• Best Young Adult Fiction
• Books I'm looking forward to in 2011
• Best books of 2010 (or whatever year)
• Best for book clubs
• Best Greek mythology

Members can add books to the lists, voting for which books they think best fit the description in the title.

There are plenty of groups on this site as well. Want to get to know people that enjoyed the Percy Jackson series as much as you did? There's a group for that! Want to get to know people in Ireland that enjoy reading? Boom. Join the group.

You can friend other members, take/create trivia for your favorite books, and even enter to win books before they're sold in stores!
(I won one myself. It just hasn't come in the mail yet.)

There are tons of other things you can do on the site, but these are just a few.
If you love reading I hope you check it out!

*Disclaimer - goodreads.com did not imburse me for the review above. Any opinions are my own.