Do you list every book you've read in Goodreads or other sites?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by issybird

I’m seeing people disparaging the social aspect of Goodreads and inferring competitiveness and I’m finding it a little nasty. It’s not as if people who do use reading social media (cough, cough) mock those who aren’t tracking their books.

As for the social aspect…. If you can identify people whose reading tastes are akin to yours, that’s a good thing. If they recommend a book you can expect to like it and if they pan a book, you know to give it a miss. That’s a win.

As for competitiveness, I’m not aware of people in a race with others; goals are just a tool to get more out of your reading. I personally at the end of the year like to think I’ve developed a mild competency in a particular subject or two; at a minimum, goals encourage me to engage a little more with challenging books. If this be competitiveness, make the most of it.

I’m feeling judginess here, to the extent that I think some might try to remove the motes from their own eyes. The Goodreads trackers are just getting on with their reading.

Hmm. I don't think people who use social media (any social media, at that, not only book sites) or like goals and challenges are somehow less proper readers than I am ; it's just that their thinking is so alien to me I'll never understand it. I absolutely detest social media, in-depth book discussions, goals and challenges, but if it's something someone else loves, more power to them. It's no skin off my nose, and I don't think I'm better than them.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by issybird

I’m seeing people disparaging the social aspect of Goodreads and inferring competitiveness and I’m finding it a little nasty. It’s not as if people who do use reading social media (cough, cough) mock those who aren’t tracking their books.

As for the social aspect…. If you can identify people whose reading tastes are akin to yours, that’s a good thing. If they recommend a book you can expect to like it and if they pan a book, you know to give it a miss. That’s a win.

As for competitiveness, I’m not aware of people in a race with others; goals are just a tool to get more out of your reading. I personally at the end of the year like to think I’ve developed a mild competency in a particular subject or two; at a minimum, goals encourage me to engage a little more with challenging books. If this be competitiveness, make the most of it.

I’m feeling judginess here, to the extent that I think some might try to remove the motes from their own eyes. The Goodreads trackers are just getting on with their reading.

I was just stating what I do and feel about reading. I have nothing against anyone else and make no judgement about their choices or desires. Everyone is different and they do what works for them. I read strictly for my own enjoyment. As soon as I finish a book, I am starting the next. Keeping track of things would leave me with less time to read. I know I am different from the "norm" and do not judge others for choosing a different path. Who knows, their path may keep them from running into too many trees.
Apache

[Fbone]

I've been using Goodreads since 2010 to track titles I read, DNF and want to read. I find GR's data, reviews and ratings very useful. And the library extension add-on is a nice convenience. I post short reviews mostly as a memory aide.

Frankly, I prefer a web-based system as I'm a notoriously poor PC back-upper.

[Desertway]

I'm up for anything - tracking, discussions, recommendations, reviews - that helps me increase the depth and breadth of my reading.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Apache

Keeping track of things would leave me with less time to read.

My experience is the opposite: taking a few seconds to update tracking in GR each time has saved me an enormous amount of trying to figure out which book I'm up to in a series!

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by meeera

My experience is the opposite: taking a few seconds to update tracking in GR each time has saved me an enormous amount of trying to figure out which book I'm up to in a series!

I can see it on my Kobo. Book 4 finished, book 5 unread, for example.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I can see it on my Kobo. Book 4 finished, book 5 unread, for example.

Doesn't work when you read in various different media.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by meeera

Doesn't work when you read in various different media.

Well, yes, in that case it won't. I only read books on my Kobos. So I don't need any online tracking.

[JBaby]

Yes I do.

[pdurrant]

I track in calibre and here at MobileRead.

[John F]

Originally Posted by issybird

I’m seeing people disparaging the social aspect of Goodreads and inferring competitiveness and I’m finding it a little nasty. It’s not as if people who do use reading social media (cough, cough) mock those who aren’t tracking their books.

As for the social aspect…. If you can identify people whose reading tastes are akin to yours, that’s a good thing. If they recommend a book you can expect to like it and if they pan a book, you know to give it a miss. That’s a win.

As for competitiveness, I’m not aware of people in a race with others; goals are just a tool to get more out of your reading. I personally at the end of the year like to think I’ve developed a mild competency in a particular subject or two; at a minimum, goals encourage me to engage a little more with challenging books. If this be competitiveness, make the most of it.

I’m feeling judginess here, to the extent that I think some might try to remove the motes from their own eyes. The Goodreads trackers are just getting on with their reading.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Hmm. I don't think people who use social media (any social media, at that, not only book sites) or like goals and challenges are somehow less proper readers than I am ; it's just that their thinking is so alien to me I'll never understand it. I absolutely detest social media, in-depth book discussions, goals and challenges, but if it's something someone else loves, more power to them. It's no skin off my nose, and I don't think I'm better than them.

I consider MR as "social media". Am I alone in this?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John F

I consider MR as "social media".

Well, technically yes. Then it would be "any social media besides MR"

MR is the only interactive website I participate in. Unless you count email as interactive or social media too. Which again it technically is, I guess.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Well, technically yes. Then it would be "any social media besides MR"

MR is the only interactive website I participate in. Unless you count email as interactive or social media too. Which again it technically is, I guess.

Reminds me of this:

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/03/07/haggling/

Question for Quote Investigator: There is a famous story about sex and money that I have heard in myriad variations. A man asks a woman if she would be willing to sleep with him if he pays her an exorbitant sum. She replies affirmatively. He then names a paltry amount and asks if she would still be willing to sleep with him for the revised fee. The woman is greatly offended and replies as follows:

She: What kind of woman do you think I am?
He: We’ve already established that. Now we’re just haggling over the price.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by John F

I consider MR as "social media". Am I alone in this?

No. Hence my cough.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John F

Reminds me of this:

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/03/07/haggling/

Yeah, everything's a degree. And I don't understand people who do something by several more degrees than I do. Which, basically, is almost all other humans.