By Tessa Pulyer Posted on

Book Blogger Hop | Do You Use Goodreads for Tracking?

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The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blog.

Question:

Do you use Goodreads to keep track of your books?

(submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews)

Answer:

I do use Goodreads to track my reading – sort of. How is that for a non-definitive answer?

I put my books in starting with my current reads – I put the book I am actually currently reading and then the next two books that I will be reading, so people can see those three books. I show this on my blog.

I also always post my reviews on Goodreads. That is the real reason I use it because, since I read mostly ARCs, I know it is encouraged to post the reviews on Goodreads.

I also use the TBR list for two reasons: (1) Goodreads contacts me for any giveaways if the book appears on my list and (2) so that I don’t forget about a book that I’m interested in. But, I’m not in any way, shape, or form consistent in doing this.

The keeping track of part is just a consequence of the above reasons that I use Goodreads. I never used it before I started book blogging. Every once in a while I’d look at it more out of curiosity than anything. I knew my oldest daughter and her friends used it (and they still do) – so it was sort of a novelty to me – much like social media.

I’m also part of a few groups on it, but I’ve never figured out what to do with them and if it’s worth becoming more involved. I feel like my involvement time is completely taken up with blog time, Twitter, and Instagram.

How do you use Goodreads? Or, do you not use it?

26 Replies to “Book Blogger Hop | Do You Use Goodreads for Tracking?”

  1. mehsi says:

    Let’s see, what I use GR for… well a lot. Haha. I manage my currently reading and at times like to write reading updates for it. I track what books I have at home to read + library books. I keep track of review copies and books coming out this year that seem interesting. I got a wishlist shelf with many books to buy. I like to add new shelves to my read books. I talk to my GR friends and recommend books. I love finding new bookish friends. I chat in a group. I write long and short reviews (because I read too much books to feature on my blog so some books get the short review treatment). I love that I can edit and add new books, it is always fun to do that when I get new books that aren’t on GR.

    I still haven’t found a site like Goodreads. Each one was missing something (or died after a few years so my trust isn’t high with new book sites). Yes, GR is buggy at times, yes it would be nice if they updated things or fixed things. But I am still happy GR exists. Without it I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t have started a blog because I wouldn’t be writing reviews. I wouldn’t know what I read because I didn’t track books before GR. I wouldn’t have found as many amazing books as I did over the past few years of using GR (either through lists/new releases or through friends). GR made me reading life so much better and more fun.

    Haha, sorry for the long post again. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tessa says:

      That’s a huge endorsement! You really get a lot out of it ❤️. And, I totally agree – there is no other site like Goodreads out there.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Teri Polen says:

    I use it for all the reasons you named, Tessa. Although I can’t win a Goodreads Giveaway to save my life. A friend in my book club wins regularly and we have no idea how she does it.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café says:

    I use Goodreads heavily, tracking every book I own and want to own. I have standard categories that only mean something to me but are critical to me managing everything. My blogging is an outgrowth of what I do on Goodreads. I actually have a private group I created to manage my monthly reading plans.

    I also belong to several groups and am very active in about seven of them, serving as moderator of five. Whenever you see me talking about group reads on my blog, this is what I’m referencing. I joined Goodreads about ten years ago for the purpose of talking books so the groups I moderate all have book discussions that are meaty and substantive.

    Great question!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      Wow! I’m so impressed. I know who to come to now when I’m ready to take that involvement step. You’re awesome!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Mae Clair says:

    Like you, I use it to track books, and post reviews. I also participate in the Goodreads challenge every year. I enter giveaways when there’s a book I’m interested in (I actually won once). I don’t do anything with the forums, but I do use the lists now and then when I want to read something in a hard to find genre (crypto fiction is one example).

    GR has it’s benefits, but I honestly like BookBub much better. It also allows me to track books and post reviews. It’s my go-to place for books. I love their daily email that matches my interest with featured or discounted novels based on genre.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      I love the daily book bargain emails from BookBub too. It is solely responsible for all my book buying. Like, today, the prequel to The Game of Thrones – only 2.99 – how do you pass bargains like that up?

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Literary Feline says:

    I discovered LibraryThing before Goodreads and am partial to that site, especially for cataloging all the books I own (read and unread). I joined Goodreads out of peer pressure and only use it to track books I have read. I use a separate source for my wish list (books I want to read but do not own). It has its uses, but ultimately doesn’t do everything for me I wish it did. Which is why I also keep my own separate spreadsheet with various stats I like to track just for the fun of it.

    I am not a fan of the Goodreads Groups format to be honest, and so while I belong to groups on there, I don’t really check in or participate often. As often as I think of leaving Facebook, I mostly stay around that site because of the book groups I am in there.

    I hope you have a great weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      That makes sense. I’ve never heard of Library Thing but it sounds like you have a good system going for yourself. Utilizing everything for what works best for you 🙂

      Like

  8. Leslie says:

    I love Goodreads. I’ve been using it for years.. it was mostly to keep track of my books but now I have apps for my personal collection. I use it more for blogging and keeping in touch with other readers. I love seeing what people rate things and most of the time it helps me pick whether or not I should read a book. lol. I love how it helps me keep track of what I’m reading and what I’m going to have up next, just like you do! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tessa says:

      I have to admit, I do like to look at the ratings too and though I try not to let them influence me, I think they still do to some extent.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Louise H says:

    I started using Goodreads for arc reviews but I love that I can search for books and find my reviews from years ago much more easily than I can on Amazon. I have started adding books that I own and haven’t read and am slowly sorting them onto different reading priority shelves.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Gemma says:

    I do use Goodreads to track! It’s become a habit at this point. Finish a book… go to Goodreads though I am using the Storygraph for the first time this year and really liking that as well.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. swordsandspectres says:

    Yea, I do as I’m a stat-lover.

    My favourite thing about Goodreads is going on Twitter and reading how many people claim it’s hard to use 😂 it’s far too simple. I worry for some people when they’re let out into the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Carla says:

    I use Goodreads for tracking books. I used to have pieces of paper all over the place, now I don’t. I can make up a shelf for just about anything. My most recent one is Blog Recommendations. I like to remember who recommended or raved about a book that I have added to my TBR, I now do that with books I put on that shelf. I also use it to remember to write reviews. Once I put a book on my Reading shelf, it will stay there until I review it, so I don’t forget to do that. I also belong to some groups and participate in challenges, so lots of things to appreciate.

    Like

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