Goodreads

Posted on by inkbiotic

This is a general post about Goodreads, plus a small plug and a few questions for all you smart internet-sters out there.

What is Goodreads?

I suspect most of you already know what this website is, I’m always last to be a newbie, but in case you don’t know:

Goodreads is a massive hub for both writers and readers. It has many forums, discussing fiction and the ideas in factual books, as well as authors sharing information about the art of writing and how to self publish. It also allows authors to put up their books and information about themselves, so that readers can find them.

I am now on there!

My just-published book Riddled with Senses is now up, right here, in fact.

And now the questions…

  • So do you use Goodreads?
  • If so is it for learning about new books to read? Or promoting your own writing? (or both?)
  • Are there any good books you have found through it?
  • Do you write on the forums?
  • Which groups have you found interesting/useful?

And, if you’re interested in connecting up with other bloggers on here, then please say your username – I’m on there as Petra Jacob, and currently friendless, so if anyone wants to add me, that would be great.

 

17 thoughts on “Goodreads”

    1. Yes, you sign up to have an account that you can use to comment on forums, write reviews and so on. And then you can also create an author page and put your book onto their database (either trad published, or self-published) so that others can find it and review it. That’s all I really know at the moment, I’ll write up more as I figure it out. Good luck with the book! I’look forward to hearing more about it 🙂

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  5. First off, congrats on the book and it going live here and there etc. Totally awesome accomplishment and as you had mentioned in another post, unexpected. So extra bows and ribbons 🙂

    As for Goodreads …. once upon a time, it was pretty straightforward – a place- a hub – where you could do basic stuff – like have an online virtual library, with your own listings of your personal book collection, books you wanted to read etc. And of course review etc. Then it expanded to include so much more – so it’s pretty well rounded, with many many options.

    It can be a great tool for published authors (whether by traditional means) or for self-published. Like most things though, be careful what you wish for.

    It can be used a vehicle to self-promote, and engage, to ask people to read and review your product (you know free copy in exchange for an honest review) …. and such. And like all things, how much you “get out of it” is how much you are willing to put in – because let’s face it – you have to do most of the leg work.

    And sure, in the expansion, it has grown to offer all kinds of new ways and means for people to come together and exchange ideas, information etc.

    So I’d suggest you continue to explore and poke about – and see what’s what, and then figure out what roads within you might want to consider for yourself etc. Sometimes the best way is to step in and take a look. 🙂

    I don’t use it anymore – can’t be bothered with “keeping score” of what I’ve read in a year etc. but I do stop in and check out reviews and it can be a great way to discover new genres and books etc. But for me, at this time, it’s just one more space that really is a time distraction, so that’s why I don’t use it regularly anymore.

    good luck and keep exploring – it’s a pretty cool place and may very well serve your interests and needs Petra – and if I was on it, I’d definitely add you as a friend 🙂

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    1. Thank you for some very useful and interesting information. I agree with you about ‘keeping score’, I just read because I like to, or because I want to learn, I don’t want that to become a competitive thing. The time distraction is a problem for me too, it is necessary for now, but I look forward to a time when I can return to just writing. If you ever go back to GR, then be sure to add me 🙂

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      1. I absolutely will 🙂

        And sure, sometimes it is a time distraction, but in your case, at this time, it’s part of a necessary exploration and process – I mean, this a whole new adventure, and who knows what doors will open? so enjoy it and be well …. just remember, don’t let it overwhelm you 🙂

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  6. I love Goodreads (was just replying on another post about it!). I wouldn’t be able to keep track of all the books I wanted to read without it. I’m not using it to promote my own writing yet, as I’m currently still in unpublished land, but I’m hoping to one day if that happens. I have found a ton of good books on the site; in fact, it’s where I locate most of the things I want to read (bloggers are my next source), and it’s how I catalogue and keep track of everything.

    I both followed you as an author and added you as a friend in addition to adding your book to my TBR list 🙂

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    1. That’s ace, I accepted! Thank you for adding me TBR. I think it’s a very good idea for a site, and it makes me happy that so many people want to read and talk about books. It should be fun hanging out on there. 🙂

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  7. I’m a fan of Goodreads for finding new books. I find the lists people make useful, I like seeing what others are reading and I particularly like the “readers also enjoyed” feature, which can include some good recommendations. I think Goodreads works well because it’s curated by readers. (The reviews can be a bit random and varied, though there are plenty of good reviewers among the random ones.)

    I’m told by writer friends the giveaway feature is good for promotion, but I’ve never tried it myself.

    I’ve friended you. 🙂

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    1. Brilliant, thank you for friending (I can’t see you yet, I’ll have another look later) and for the information. I want to use it for finding some good books, so the features you mention will be good for that.I want to use it for finding some good books, so the features you mention will be good for that. 🙂 Do you use it for discussion too?

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