September 23rd, 2009 / 8:40 pm
Snippets
Snippets
Blake Butler—
What do you think about Goodreads? What do you think about rating books based on stars? What do you use Goodreads for, if you use it? How do you rate books in this kind of forum? Is it wrong to give a bad rating to a book without saying why? Is their ‘three star’ rating equating to ‘liked it’ apt? Is it scary that the Book of Mormon is #3 on their user-populated list of Best Books Ever? What else?
I joined but don’t use it
I like librarything better
The book of mormon terrifies me
So do beans
I joined but don’t use it
I like librarything better
The book of mormon terrifies me
So do beans
i use it only as a means of tracking what I read because it makes it easy to. i give everything 5 five stars regardless of how i felt about it.
i use it only as a means of tracking what I read because it makes it easy to. i give everything 5 five stars regardless of how i felt about it.
I like it when people write real reactions to books, especially if they’re funny or interesting and make me want to read the book (or make me feel better about disliking it).
Lately, though, I feel like I have to weed through a lot of other junk. Like did you know you can write poems on there and get critiques? That exists, apparently. And some of my friends never write reviews, just give everything three stars, which, really = worthless (to me, anyway; maybe they’re building themsevles a spreadsheet).
I have had some good conversations about books with people I don’t really know in real life — people I “know” through Barrelhouse or whatever, or friends of friends. That’s kinda cool.
I like it when people write real reactions to books, especially if they’re funny or interesting and make me want to read the book (or make me feel better about disliking it).
Lately, though, I feel like I have to weed through a lot of other junk. Like did you know you can write poems on there and get critiques? That exists, apparently. And some of my friends never write reviews, just give everything three stars, which, really = worthless (to me, anyway; maybe they’re building themsevles a spreadsheet).
I have had some good conversations about books with people I don’t really know in real life — people I “know” through Barrelhouse or whatever, or friends of friends. That’s kinda cool.
Don’t use it. Too much. I get recommendations from this community, don’t want strangers in a news feed. Hard to find the right books/covers.
Another social network = no.
Don’t use it. Too much. I get recommendations from this community, don’t want strangers in a news feed. Hard to find the right books/covers.
Another social network = no.
i give most books i like 3 stars. i think 3 is a good rating.
i give most books i like 3 stars. i think 3 is a good rating.
i need eighteen more stars and then i can buy the powerup for my crystal sword.
i need eighteen more stars and then i can buy the powerup for my crystal sword.
I’m really bothered by the lack of half-star votes. I don’t tend to read stuff that is crappy (or don’t keep reading it) so that cuts out almost all use of the 1 and 2 star. So my only real range is 3 4 or 5… Not a lot to choose from!
I’m really bothered by the lack of half-star votes. I don’t tend to read stuff that is crappy (or don’t keep reading it) so that cuts out almost all use of the 1 and 2 star. So my only real range is 3 4 or 5… Not a lot to choose from!
I use it to keep track of what I read, since I work at a library and rarely buy books.
I use it to keep track of what I read, since I work at a library and rarely buy books.
It’s a blunt instument, though useful in it’s way I suppose. I don’t frequent it.
It’s a blunt instument, though useful in it’s way I suppose. I don’t frequent it.
I like Goodreads, overall. I often find that seeing what friends of mine are reading can remind me of books I’ve meant to read, or turn me on to something unexpected.
(I’m also just inherently curious about what other people are reading. This is likely connected to my tendency to eye record collections and bookshelves when in a new person’s apartment.)
I’m getting more ambivalent about the ratings system these days…
I like Goodreads, overall. I often find that seeing what friends of mine are reading can remind me of books I’ve meant to read, or turn me on to something unexpected.
(I’m also just inherently curious about what other people are reading. This is likely connected to my tendency to eye record collections and bookshelves when in a new person’s apartment.)
I’m getting more ambivalent about the ratings system these days…
i have one of those.
i have one of those.
The Book of Mormon is fascinating, though. Have you ever read it? It’s an American classic.
The Book of Mormon is fascinating, though. Have you ever read it? It’s an American classic.
I like Goodreads but I often forget I have an account there for weeks or months at a time until someone asks me to review something. I think it is a great idea but in the grand scheme of social networking, it holds not the appeal of Twitter or Facebook. I do not give 5 stars to everything. For me, 3 stars is an average book, 4 is good, 5 is great. I like star rating systems. It reminds me of grade school and gold star stickers. I was really competitive about those.
I like Goodreads but I often forget I have an account there for weeks or months at a time until someone asks me to review something. I think it is a great idea but in the grand scheme of social networking, it holds not the appeal of Twitter or Facebook. I do not give 5 stars to everything. For me, 3 stars is an average book, 4 is good, 5 is great. I like star rating systems. It reminds me of grade school and gold star stickers. I was really competitive about those.
I’ve been using it to blog every book I read in its entirety since March 2008. I read a lot (of all different sorts of books), so this is mostly a way for me to keep track of what I’ve read and what I think of what I’ve read.
I find their rating system strange. Two stars is “it was okay,” but I usually feel compelled to save two-star ratings for books that I don’t like, but also don’t want to throw across the room.
I’ve been using it to blog every book I read in its entirety since March 2008. I read a lot (of all different sorts of books), so this is mostly a way for me to keep track of what I’ve read and what I think of what I’ve read.
I find their rating system strange. Two stars is “it was okay,” but I usually feel compelled to save two-star ratings for books that I don’t like, but also don’t want to throw across the room.
i did the same as darby, but havent been on in a long time
i did the same as darby, but havent been on in a long time
don’t use goodreads at all but i LOVE the book of mormon, crazy people are the best (sorry mormons, but joseph smith was out of his gourd in the best way).
on ‘dictating’ the book of mormon via wikipedia:
“To translate, Smith gazed into a stone in the bottom of his hat, a method of investigation he had used earlier while treasure seeking.[10] Smith said he could also translate using a set of spectacles made of two stones, called “interpreters” or the Urim and Thummim; but unlike the single stone he often used, Smith said that by command of the angel, he could not show these spectacles to anyone.”
don’t use goodreads at all but i LOVE the book of mormon, crazy people are the best (sorry mormons, but joseph smith was out of his gourd in the best way).
on ‘dictating’ the book of mormon via wikipedia:
“To translate, Smith gazed into a stone in the bottom of his hat, a method of investigation he had used earlier while treasure seeking.[10] Smith said he could also translate using a set of spectacles made of two stones, called “interpreters” or the Urim and Thummim; but unlike the single stone he often used, Smith said that by command of the angel, he could not show these spectacles to anyone.”
I will say publicly that I love Goodreads. It’s just a cool way to not only keep track of what I’m reading (and have read–believe me, sometimes I forget with certain authors) but it’s also a fun way to see who’s reading my books (and books by my friends). Actually, here’s maybe the best reason: People are always asking me (especially since I work at Powell’s) what I’ve been reading. Here’s a place to send them!
I will say publicly that I love Goodreads. It’s just a cool way to not only keep track of what I’m reading (and have read–believe me, sometimes I forget with certain authors) but it’s also a fun way to see who’s reading my books (and books by my friends). Actually, here’s maybe the best reason: People are always asking me (especially since I work at Powell’s) what I’ve been reading. Here’s a place to send them!
oh yeah, Goodreads.
i wish i could read some mormon underwear.
oh yeah, Goodreads.
i wish i could read some mormon underwear.
I totally agree with my goodreads friend KevinS. I like tracking what I’ve been reading, what I want to read, and depositing a few thoughts after reading. I love reading what good writer/reader friends say about books and then reading them, too. I love finding out about books I wouldn’t’ve heard of otherwise: Stoner by John Williams, particularly, was an awesome goodreads virus. Three stars, for me, is sort of a slight, usually meaning I respect the author or something about the book but don’t actually actively like it.
I totally agree with my goodreads friend KevinS. I like tracking what I’ve been reading, what I want to read, and depositing a few thoughts after reading. I love reading what good writer/reader friends say about books and then reading them, too. I love finding out about books I wouldn’t’ve heard of otherwise: Stoner by John Williams, particularly, was an awesome goodreads virus. Three stars, for me, is sort of a slight, usually meaning I respect the author or something about the book but don’t actually actively like it.
ha
ha
top 10 books the Goodreads is currently telling me to check out:
1) To Kill a Mockingbird
2-8) The entire Harry Potter series
9) The Da Vinci Code
10) Twilight
it’s good to keep track of books i’ve read, but other than that, i’m not so sure about it all.
top 10 books the Goodreads is currently telling me to check out:
1) To Kill a Mockingbird
2-8) The entire Harry Potter series
9) The Da Vinci Code
10) Twilight
it’s good to keep track of books i’ve read, but other than that, i’m not so sure about it all.
I had one but deleted it. Yawn-making.
I had one but deleted it. Yawn-making.
i use goodreads regularly, and fairly obsessively. i also write commentary on everything i record there after i read it, so it’s nice to be able to go back and see what i thought about something. the community aspect of it is ok, but nothing special, i mostly use it to remember. i also use it to keep track of my whole library, so i can remember if i’ve got something when i’m not at home.
i use goodreads regularly, and fairly obsessively. i also write commentary on everything i record there after i read it, so it’s nice to be able to go back and see what i thought about something. the community aspect of it is ok, but nothing special, i mostly use it to remember. i also use it to keep track of my whole library, so i can remember if i’ve got something when i’m not at home.
Goodreads is nice, not so much as a place for reviews (the recommendations at sites like HTML Giant are best for those), but more of a place to track books and keep personal blog visitors up to date on current reads. Using the Goodreads widget, I can update my “currently reading” status once and have that info filter to my personal site, Facebook, and MySpace widgets.
Goodreads is nice, not so much as a place for reviews (the recommendations at sites like HTML Giant are best for those), but more of a place to track books and keep personal blog visitors up to date on current reads. Using the Goodreads widget, I can update my “currently reading” status once and have that info filter to my personal site, Facebook, and MySpace widgets.
Hate it. I like the idea, but in reality I update websites all day long, so the last thing I want to do is update more crap. Plus I feel like it’s just a vanity project, really–like, look how many fucking books I’ve read, I am AWESOME, OMG. Which is just my opinion, and I’m sure not the actual point of the site. Maybe.
I’ve noticed the Mormons are seriously infiltrating ALL web 2.0. Have you SEEN how many Mormon apps there are for the iPhone now? Does this worry anyone but me?
Hate it. I like the idea, but in reality I update websites all day long, so the last thing I want to do is update more crap. Plus I feel like it’s just a vanity project, really–like, look how many fucking books I’ve read, I am AWESOME, OMG. Which is just my opinion, and I’m sure not the actual point of the site. Maybe.
I’ve noticed the Mormons are seriously infiltrating ALL web 2.0. Have you SEEN how many Mormon apps there are for the iPhone now? Does this worry anyone but me?
I joined, but I don’t use it. Partly I agree with Amber – it seems a bit too much like a place to show off how well-read you are. Big deal – invite people round to look at your bookshelves in that case, and get the information out of our faces.
Also, it feels like a social network too far. There are social networks for everything now, and yet still not one for sad inadequates like me who stay home on their own and hate the world. What gives?
I joined, but I don’t use it. Partly I agree with Amber – it seems a bit too much like a place to show off how well-read you are. Big deal – invite people round to look at your bookshelves in that case, and get the information out of our faces.
Also, it feels like a social network too far. There are social networks for everything now, and yet still not one for sad inadequates like me who stay home on their own and hate the world. What gives?
i use it to show off how many books i have yet to read. (nearly 1,100 so far. i’ve only read 167, and a lot of those are e-chaps.)
i use it to show off how many books i have yet to read. (nearly 1,100 so far. i’ve only read 167, and a lot of those are e-chaps.)
I was on Goodreads for awhile, but eventually got tired of it. I could never remember to update it, so it would have the status of “currently reading ________” for several months. I don’t want anyone thinking it takes me that long to finish a Dan Brown novel.
Instead I use librarything as a way to keep track of the books I own, not just what I’ve read. After all, if it was good enough, it will have a place on my bookshelf.
I was on Goodreads for awhile, but eventually got tired of it. I could never remember to update it, so it would have the status of “currently reading ________” for several months. I don’t want anyone thinking it takes me that long to finish a Dan Brown novel.
Instead I use librarything as a way to keep track of the books I own, not just what I’ve read. After all, if it was good enough, it will have a place on my bookshelf.
Who is running this thing. Have you seen the entire Best Books Ever? 1-14 are all Mormon faves. Especially Twilight.
Who is running this thing. Have you seen the entire Best Books Ever? 1-14 are all Mormon faves. Especially Twilight.