Launched in January 2007, Goodreads is an app that allows people to track their reading, get recommended new books and discuss with others about books they’ve enjoyed. It was created by Elizabeth and Otis Chandler, and according to goodreads.com, it has over 125 million members.
Many people have tried writing book logs in a notebook or keeping track of reads themselves; however, with advanced technology, online book logs allow people to have their past, current and future reads all together in one space. People can also add friends and follow their favorite authors, which allows them to see what their friends are reading and get updated on future book release dates. Additionally, Goodreads provides books of countless varieties. From different genres, including classics, young adult, etc., to books featuring Hispanic Heritage Month and empowering women.
Otis Chandler is the co-founder of Goodreads and came up with the idea of an efficient app for keeping track of books, not just his own, but for his friends as well.
“One afternoon while I was scanning a friend’s bookshelf for ideas, it struck me: when I want to know what books to read, I’d rather turn to a friend than any random person or bestseller list,” Chandler said on Goodreads.com. “So I decided to build a website – a place where I could see my friends’ bookshelves and learn about what they thought of all their books. Elizabeth, my co-founder (and now my wife), wrote the site copy and I wrote the code. We started in my living room, motivated by the belief that there was a better way to discover and discuss good books, and that we could build it.”
Goodreads is known for being the world’s largest book-focused social network, with connections to Amazon, which allows Amazon Kindle to automatically sync reading progress. It also allows for reader reviews, so people interested in a new book can get others’ opinions.
Though Clarissa Vereen (11) wishes it had certain features, she appreciates Goodreads because it helps her log her books and gives interesting book recommendations.
“I like Goodreads because it helps me keep track of how many books I read and the types of genres I like. Although it is helpful in this sense, I do not like how I am not able to rate books in half stars because some books may be 3.5 stars, not just a 3 or 4,” Vereen said.
September is Goodreads’ giveaway month, which is when readers can enter giveaways and get delivered special editions for free. Goodreads also updated its logo, and now it is designed to better represent the app and is noticeable wherever one sees it.
Ann-Frances Brown, an Advanced Placement Seminar and English teacher at Spartanburg High School, is passionate about reading, and as someone in a book club, shares why Goodreads would be beneficial for her.
“I am interested in Goodreads because I am always looking for something new to read. I appreciate that it gives you recommendations and lets you know what others are reading. This makes reading feel more social, which I love. Also, I am in a book club, and we sometimes struggle to find something new or different to read. I think Goodreads would be a great resource to help us select new books and authors we may not normally consider,” Brown said.
