Thing #2: Social Reading: Book sharing and reviews (and sometimes more)

What is Social Reading?

Oprah invented Social Reading with her book club, right?   Although Oprah's book club has gotten a lot of attention for getting people to read and talk about books and authors, social reading is probably as old as books themselves.  Social reading happens informally when you mention what you're reading or have read recently or when you recommend a book to a friend.  Formally, you may belong to a book club that meets on a regular basis to discuss a particular book that, theoretically, everyone present has read.  Either and both of these forms of social reading can be done online as well, via a Social Reading web site.

Why you should know about Social Reading sites:

Online social reading sites are good places to share reviews and recommendations for books you’ve read and find out about what others are reading.  And since no one can read everything themselves (!) they’re a good place to read comments and reviews about popular titles in order to become familiar with them. Social reading sites are also good places to enhance an existing "physical" book club by continuing the discussion online. 

Have you always wanted to keep track of what you've read?  Social Reading sites enable you to maintain that list of books that you've read and what you want to read.  Add them to your list online rather than to the stack beside your bed!  If you have a list of "have reads," it's likely that you can upload your list to the social reading site. The sites allow you to add tags, sort, and even keep track of books that you've lent to others.

Do you have a favorite book that no one you know seems to have read?  A Social Reading site is a great place to find others who have also enjoyed that title. With thousands of reading members there's an awfully good chance that someone shares your love of Spray-drying: Webster's Timeline History, 1947 - 2007.  You can join or start a virtual book club or group. Groups can be found that have formed around authors, genres, topics, lists or goals (such as 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die).

Libraries can use social reading sites just like people do:

• Create an online book club
• Create a list of recommended reads to share with your patrons
• Create lists by genre, topic, author or whatever category you want!
• Some small libraries use these sites as their online catalogs!

Social Reading Sites

A little bit about some established social reading sites:

Goodreads

• Create a profile
• Highly customizable notifications
• Upfeed to Social Networking sites
• Create bookshelves (tags)
• Share a favorite quote
• Booklists  

Watch a Goodreads tutorial (This tutorial is geared toward business networking but it covers the basics.)

LibraryThing

• Good help information
• Clean spreadsheet format--in list view
• Choose between styles to see info that you want to see
• Power edit allows "batch" editing
• A free account allows members to add 200 books, add unlimited books with a paid membership. (currently $10 annual, $25 lifetime)

Watch a LibraryThing tutorial (Also demonstrates use of Library Local for highlighting events.)

And another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAI4wE2rp-Q (This one is fun. It makes a point humorously about how LibraryThing can simplify keeping track of your library.)
    
Shelfari

• Create an attractive virtual bookshelf
• Create a profile
• Participate in the Shelfari community
• Basic yet visually appealing

Watch a Shelfari tutorial (Well done tutorial by young people. Shows how a class could use Shelfari.)

Discovery Excercise

1. Join one of the above book sharing networks.
Goodreads
Library Thing
Shelfari

2. Post which network you’ve joined and your username so that others doing the Things can find you and “friend” you.

3. Add a book you’re currently reading or have recently read. Use the options for tagging, dating, categorizing the book.

4. Search for friends on the network and friend someone.

5. Find a book that you would like to read—add it to your “to read” list and add tags.  

6. Explore the various Groups and join one that interests you.  

7. Explore what other, if any, activities are offered by the site. (For example, Goodreads offers a never-ending book trivia game that’s community created.)

More information for the curious:

WorldCat
Create, share and export lists of books without all of that fancy-schmanzy stuff on other sites.  
 
Bookglutton
Online reader (similar to Adobe Reader) but with chat. The site provides a tutorial to watch. 

Book Club Girl
The Book Club Girl explains in her mini-bio that she works in publishing.  She also maintains this blog, geared toward book clubs, that is almost overwhelming in the intensity of its bookishness. You’ll find book reviews, book resources as well as live, on air discussion with authors.

Facebook
Facebook members can import their bookshelf. You can also use Facebook’s Virtual Bookshelf.

This Thing was prepared for you by Sherrie Baltes, Pima County Public Library.

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