Online Book Communities

Online book communities are advantageous communities for book lovers of all ages! Readers can share what they are reading by building virtual book shelves. They are able to rate, recommend, and keep track of books they've read. Readers can also keep track of what their friends are reading.

Goodreads

Goodreads is an Amazon company. It features a nice eye pleasing interface. It is well organized and easy to use. It has a five star rating system and also allows you to leave a written review. I really like the book shelf option of categorizing your books by read, currently reading, and will read.

Skitch Screenshot of Goodreads profile


LibraryThing

LibraryThing not only catalogs books but movies and music as well. It is very well organized but not very colorful (eye-catching). Recommendations are given based on what books you have on your shelves. Readers are able to write and read book reviews as well.

Skitch Screenshot of LibraryThing


Shelfari

This is my favorite online book community. It is similar to Goodreads. It is also owned by Amazon. It has the virtual bookshelves as it's main feature. The color book covers are displayed as well with popups that allow you to view the rating, review, and tags. The books can be organized in different shelves such as already read, currently reading, planning to read, wish list, currently owned, and favorites. Shelfari also features group creator which allows you to talk, play, or discuss your books.

Skitch Screenshot of Shelfari

Booklikes

Booklikes has an interface similar to Tumblr's. When you create an account on this online book community, you are actually creating a book blog. You can choose from a variety of free templates and you may purchase some as well. The bookshelves can be categorized as read, planning to read, currently reading, and wish list. You may also create a category of your own. I really like the Dashboard feed posted by Booklikes and updates from users or users you wish to follow.

Skitch Screenshot of Booklikes

Biblionasium

As a classroom teacher, I think this is great. Teachers can create a class group and see what their students are currently reading. Teachers can create a bookshelf of recommended or required readings. Students will create their own virtual bookshelves on what there are currently reading, read, plan to read, and wishlist. They may also view their classmates' bookshelves to see what there are currently reading and their book reviews. Hopefully students will get inspired to read what their friends are reading.

Skitch Screenshot of Biblionasium