Task 11 - LibraryThing

So far we've seen communities based on words, videos, and pictures. Next we'll be looking at a community that is based on books. LibraryThing is a site that allows you to make a list of books you own (or even just books you've read) and rate them, review them, tag them, discuss them, or just about anything else you can think of doing. LibraryThing will even tell you who has similar reading tastes to you, and you can check out their list to find something else you might enjoy reading. (Someone who had read 39 of the same books as I have will probably have the same taste in books, so any book that they enjoy will probably be something I will enjoy.)

LibraryThing is similar to NoveList in that it is very helpful for reader's advisory, but LibraryThing is more community oriented. Instead of giving reader's advisory by genre lists, these recommendations take into consideration everything that you have on your list. You like mysteries, but you also like a good weepy romance now and again? LibraryThing will try to match you up with people who do too (there's even an easy way to see exactly what books you and the other person have in common, so you don't have to wonder if you're just being recommended because they have read all the same mysteries that you have).

When you have an account, adding books is easy. When you are logged in, at the top of the page there will be a tab that says "add books". Click there, type in the name or the author, or even the ISBN number, and LibraryThing will search whichever database you choose to find the book's record. That's it! Choose the correct book from the list of results by clicking on it, and the book record will be added to your list.

(Fun hint: Notice the RSS buttons on the bottom right corner of my profile page? If you find someone on LibraryThing that has the same taste as you, you can subscribe to an RSS feed that will notify you when they've added a new book to their list. There is also one that will notify you when they post a new book review. Book recommendations delivered directly to you!)

Your task: Sign up for LibraryThing. Add a few books, and explore what the site offers. Add a link to your profile page to your blog so we can see what you've read.