BLOGGING WITH THE #BOC *To Goodreads or Not to Goodreads*

Welcome book lovers to a new Book Obsessed Chicks feature, 'BLOGGING WITH THE #BOC". I hope you will be interested and enjoy this new spot that has been brewing for a while and has finally come to fruition.

This time "goodreads" is the topic of discussion and I imagine, as well as hope there will be questions and comments when all is said and done. The goodreads site is a touchy subject for some and always creates a great debate when mentioned.  Here are a few questions for you... What is goodreads for you? What do you get out of it? What don't you like about it?

When I joined goodreads back in 2009 I wasn't quite sure how to utilize what the site had to offer. At first I started adding all the books I remember reading and adding ratings to them. As time went on, I primarily used goodreads as a place to keep track of what I had read and once in a while, write some thoughts pertaining to books I liked. It became an invaluable tool for me in keeping track of what was on my TBR pile, because honestly, I read a lot, but retention and my brain are not best friends. 

A few years ago, I became a goodreads Librarian and use that status to help my author clients and friends add their upcoming books, covers and descriptions to the site and make changes when necessary.

When it comes to goodreads, I think readers and authors at large either love it or hate it. Let's chat about the Pros and Cons of the site. Please feel free to leave your opinions, questions and comments, because I really would love to know what's on your mind. A huge PRO for me is that from my goodreads Friends list, I see what you all are reading and get your recommendations, which make me very happy.  I LOVE the goodreads Challenge, because it makes me strive to read more for myself and only for myself. I don't feel the need to be in competition with my friends to see who can read more.  Another PRO to this forum, is the ability to find my tribe, the people who enjoy the same books I do and forge a friendship through that. 

To be quite honest, there's only one CON I have about goodreads, but it is a very BIG CON. I absolutely detest the reviews that choose to rip apart a book. Those reviews by trolls who have an agenda to bring an author down. Those reviews by those trolls who haven't even read the book, but rate it with a ONE STAR for no apparent reason. I understand the need to write an honest review, I  don't understand the need for someone to pick apart a book and go as far as using GIFs to embellish the vitriol. What good can come out of this bashing? What good can come out of starring a book that hasn't been read? No good. I find it very interesting that these trolls always hide behind fake names and no photo. I wonder if these so-called reviewers would have the guts to rip an author if they had to use their real name and photo. Somehow I doubt it. 

I always say that reviews are subjective. Everyone has different tastes and thus different opinions. I am happy to read and acknowledge a well written, honest opinion and wish that was the norm on goodreads. 

This year I strive to complete my goodreads Challenge and help my authors and reader friends. I will continue to use the site to keep track of the books I read and want to read and I will try not to let those trolls get to me, but it's hard.

So what's your take on goodreads? 

~KIMBERLY~