for readers and writers

I've been looking for a great site that caters to both writers and serious readers/book fans. Although EditRed is a great site for writers, it doesn't really approach books in the way that I wanted. After browsing through a handful of other websites that dealt with books and writing, I found a site that fulfills all of my literary requirements...http://www.goodreads.com/



I've been involved with quite a few sites that deal with various aspects of writing and books but this site is, without a doubt, the most fun and interesting. First, you have a bookshelf where you can display the books you're reading, the books you've read, and the books you want to read; the fun part is that you can create your own shelves, partitioning your books by genre, author, etc. You can also write reviews, comment on someone elses review, and even rate books using a five star scale. And when you find a book you like, you can choose from a variety of booksellers, both large and small. If you're an author, Goodreads has a special membership that allows you to display information on your published work. There are also a variety of groups you can join where you can engage in discussions on various literary topics...or start your own group if you don't find one that covers your topic.

What closed the deal for me was that your profile allows you to display your writing. Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. You can display chapters or single pieces of work; either way, it creates a more well-rounded literary profile, if that is in fact what you prefer.

If you're a huge fan of books or a casual reader, this site is a great place to learn about new books, authors, etc without having to walk aimlessly through a bookstore or anxiously wait for your next email from Borders or Barnes and Noble. And if you're a writer, there's something here for you as well. Check it out, start a profile, and start browsing!

url: http://www.goodreads.com/