Harmony’s Toolbox: Goodreads Is A Free Reading Organizer, And More!

“Harmony’s Toolbox” features products or services that I personally use and recommend.

I’m always looking forward to those infrequent opportunities to relax and lose myself in a good book.  As a working mom, it’s hard to predict when I will have enough time to start, and finish, reading something new.  Goodreads is a free website and app that maintains your to-read list. The best way to describe this tool is as a digital bookshelf, with an optional social-network.

Every time I hear about a new book I head to Goodreads to read the description and check the reviews. These reviews always seem more authentic, as compared to Amazon or other sources. In addition to writing reviews, the users also rank the books on a scale of one to five stars. If it looks like something you want to read, simply click the button to add it to your to-read list (I have over 200 books on my to-read list right now). Each account has a number of default bookshelves, including for the books you’ve “read” and those you intend “to-read.” You can add other categories too. One of my personal shelves is for books that I “did not finish,” to track that I already gave them a chance. Another one is for books that I own, in case any friends want to borrow something (you can add a book to multiple shelves).

I use this site in conjunction with my local library for free entertainment. While many a good book have surely been found while browsing the stacks, I save a lot of time by just referencing my to-read list. I can compare my list to what is available and easily find one, or more, new tales to bring home with me. My library does have an electronic-request system where they will pull a book for you and have it waiting up front (and I suspect most others do too). But, the cost is twenty five cents each time you use it – that can add up quickly. For someone like me, who is clicking for pennies on the internet to pay off debt, those fees are a small, but easily-avoidable expense.

Goodreads is very handy for discussing books as well. If someone asks for your opinion on a book, you can easily look back at how you rated it or read your personal review. I’ve often scanned through my “read” list when asked for a recommendation.

If you want, Goodreads will run a search of your email list or Facebook account for friends who are also signed up with the site. If you choose to connect with them, you will be able to see what they are reading, their reviews, and ratings of the books. If they find out about a new book and add it to their to-read list, you will see it in your news feed. I’ve read books with friends after seeing that both of us recently added the same one to our bookshelf. There is a fun little tool that compares your books and ratings with those of a friend and provides interesting data about your reading compatibility. Goodreads also has discussion groups and a variety of virtual book clubs.

Bonus: There are free giveaways! You can look through the contest listings and enter ones that appeal to your taste. It is very easy to enter and I’ve won three free books by entering a just a handful of giveaways. You don’t even have to pay any shipping. Most of these books are advanced reader copies (soon to be released) and the authors are hoping for some good reviews in exchange for free copies of their book.

How many times have you seen a book, thought that you would like to read it, but then completely forget about it? Thanks to Goodreads, that does not happen to me anymore. I highly recommend this fun and handy tool that helps keep my life a little more organized.