On Goodreads: The Gamification of Reading Is Changing How We Approach Books

[ZodWallop]

Just read an interesting article on Goodreads as a platform and what effect it is having on reading in general: The Gamification of Reading Is Changing How We Approach Books

I found the article pretty level, citing positives and negatives. The review bombing of the Elizabeth Gilbert book was brought up.

And for those arguing that Goodreads should not allow reviews for books that have not yet been published, there's this:

“It’s become common practice to put a lot of energy into garnering reviews on Goodreads pre-publication so that the book is launched with a boost,” says Smith Publicity’s Olivia McCoy. “Reader reviews have a tremendous impact on purchasing behaviors from other readers and from bookstores.”

[meeera]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Just read an interesting article on Goodreads as a platform and what effect it is having on reading in general: The Gamification of Reading Is Changing How We Approach Books

I found the article pretty level, citing positives and negatives.

Like you, I found that to be mostly a fairly good article. The author does head down a bit of a weird binary rabbithole toward the end, though:

"I don’t want to lose the experience of reading a book I’d never heard of but found on a stoop, or rereading a book even if it doesn’t count toward an annual goal."

There's nothing about logging your reading on Goodreads or participating in the annual GR challenge that is incompatible with either of those things. You can make re-reads count for your challenge, or not care about your challenge not being 'optimised', and obviously you are not limited to GR for your book discovery either.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

And for those arguing that Goodreads should not allow reviews for books that have not yet been published, there's this:

I have no problem with those (ARCs, I'm guessing) but allowing reviews for books that haven't even been written should not happen, imo.

[Sirtel]

"How we approach books". Eh. I don't use any social media, including Goodreads, and my approach to books and reading is still exactly the same as it was 30 years ago. Nothing's changed except for using an ereader and ebooks instead of paper.

As to gamification being an incentive, not for me. Nothing puts me off an activity faster than gamification. I hate games, competition and comparing myself to other people with a passion. That's why I can't stand social media, which is ultimately comparing your life to that of others. No thanks.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

"How we approach books". Eh. I don't use any social media, including Goodreads, and my approach to books and reading is still exactly the same as it was 30 years ago. Nothing's changed except for using an ereader and ebooks instead of paper.

I've been a member of Goodreads for many years, and my approach to books and reading is still exactly the same as it was 40+ years ago. Nothing's changed except for using an ereader and ebooks (and some audiobooks), instead of paper.

My approach to finding books has adapted/evolved continually in that time. But moderate to heavy utilization of social media has not changed my approach to books and reading one bit.

[Cactus Chef]

Gamification of reading is nothing new. Accelerated Reader was rolled out to American public schools almost 25 years ago, and from day one teachers expressed some concern that children were reading books strictly for points rather than for learning or enjoyment.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

My approach to finding books has adapted/evolved continually in that time.

Not mine. I still use the same method as I've used all my life - browsing bookstores by myself. I need or want nothing else to find my reading material.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Not mine. I still use the same method as I've used all my life - browsing bookstores by myself. I need or want nothing else to find my reading material.

You were browsing bookstores by yourself at 9-11 yrs? Wow!

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

Gamification of reading is nothing new. Accelerated Reader was rolled out to American public schools almost 25 years ago, and from day one teachers expressed some concern that children were reading books strictly for points rather than for learning or enjoyment.

It was a little chicken and egg for me. I know my school had a program that rewarded reading with free pizza vouchers, but I really don't remember if I was already reading that much or if it built me into the habit.

I know gamification works some in kids who "don't like" to read, etc.

I have kept meticulous lists and spreadsheets of my reading for years, and I always set goals. But I am not gaming against myself, merely trying to steer the stream of my reading. The amount of water in it has always been the same though.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by meeera

The author does head down a bit of a weird binary rabbithole toward the end, though:

"I don’t want to lose the experience of reading a book I’d never heard of but found on a stoop, or rereading a book even if it doesn’t count toward an annual goal."

There's nothing about logging your reading on Goodreads or participating in the annual GR challenge that is incompatible with either of those things...

But I'm sure for some people, including the author, find the 'social challenge' aspects too tempting.

For a couple of years, I participated in the Goodreads Reading Challenge. But I found myself paying too much attention to book length in order to increase my numbers, so I stopped.

I like reading challenges like astrangerhere's Storygraph reading challenge. I think of it as a sort of organized reading list for the year.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

Accelerated Reader was rolled out to American public schools almost 25 years ago, and from day one teachers expressed some concern that children were reading books strictly for points rather than for learning or enjoyment.

Better the kids are reading for the points than not reading at all.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

You were browsing bookstores by yourself at 9-11 yrs? Wow!

Yes, actually. In my childhood it was common for kids as young as 9-10 to move around alone and visit the stores. In the Soviet Union the selection in stores was not comparable to that in the West and prices were dirt cheap, so yeah, kids did buy books, candy and icecream for the money their parents gave them for such things. Of course, my parents still bought most of our books.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

As to gamification being an incentive, not for me. Nothing puts me off an activity faster than gamification. I hate games, competition and comparing myself to other people with a passion. That's why I can't stand social media, which is ultimately comparing your life to that of others. No thanks.

There's nothing competitive about the GR challenge. You set yourself a target, then you either meet it or you don't. There are zero external consequences or rewards.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by meeera

There's nothing competitive about the GR challenge. You set yourself a target, then you either meet it or you don't. There are zero external consequences or rewards.

Ah, I thought the targets are shared or something. Still, for me challenge is basically the same as competition. I never, ever set myself goals or targets in anything. That feeling of pressure/duty takes any enjoyment out of the activity for me.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Ah, I thought the targets are shared or something.

They are shared in that they are available for others to see. But the primary incentive is your own.

That feeling of pressure/duty takes any enjoyment out of the activity for me.

I'm finding that is true for me as well.