LibraryThing, GoodReads, Shelfari

[Brenda Branson]

Who is using which? How do they compare? Does anyone use more that one? I've started using LT which I really like. Then found Goodreads and I've found the other participants are more active in GR than LT. AND then I found Shelfari and I really like their cool bookshelf for the widget but there's a lot of advertising. I really have attempted to analyze any but if you have strong pros or cons about any of these or know of others, please share.

[Yvonne]

I belong to Goodreads and Shelfari. I like them both, but for some reason I use Shelfari more.

[Kara]

I am exclusively on Shelfari. I think I have an LT account but don't remember the login. I like Shelfari because I think it is easy to use. I don't have my complete library entered yet but have about 1/3 of the books I've read/own. I like the groups on Shelfari also.

I really want to try Library Thing but need time to sit down and really see what it is all about.

[Miriam Parker]

I'm most into GoodReads...it seems easiest to use. Although ReaderVille.com is starting a new one and it is SUPER cool. (You can "follow" books like you follow people on Twitter.)

[sari]

I just went to ReaderVille.com and it has an announcement that is is closing. It says it is not new. Weird huh?

[Nicole]

I'm on GR an LT. I was invited by a friend to GR so I would like to use it to stay connected to them and see what they're reading. I've had a LT account for over a year and again have just started working with it and getting involved.

[Trisha]

I belong to all three but I prefer GR and Shelfari. I keep active shelves on both sites. I the user friendliness and social aspects of GR and Shelfari better than LT. Here are my profiles if anyone wants to add me as a friend:

http://www.goodreads.com/profile/trishaj
http://www.shelfari.com/trishaj

[Antonette]

I am only on Shelfari. A friend told me about it. I've heard of the other two, but would probably prefer to stick with just one. I really enjoy talking with the people I've met in the groups I'm in on Shelfari. I've even met some members IRL.

[Allison]

I have used just Libraything now for a while and love it. I've looked at the other 2, but think I will stay in one place!! I think Librarything is very easy to use, once you get use to it (like anything new!) It's great though that there are 'choices' out there for people to use...ANYTHING to keep people interested in books and reading!!

[Michael Kindness]

I started on LT and entered all of my books (2500+!) , but then I didn't keep up with it as I acquired new books. I tend to spend most of my time on GR now. For some reason I feel like I started fresh and am only entering books I'm reading, have read or are actively on my TBR pile.

I did try Shelfari, but then I saw this post on LT's blog and it just turned me off to Shelfari. Maybe they've cleaned up their ways, but I'm not sure I'm willing to give them another chance.

[Ann Kingman]

Good Reads is my favorite place for community -- I feel like there are some excellent groups there and the interface is easy to use and logical.

We use Librarything to link to books we talk about on our blog and podcast because it is the only system of the 3 that does not require a log-in to view the basic title information (except when traffic is particularly high; then they do require a log-in but say that it is temporary). (We refuse to link to Amazon as we want to encourage people to shop at their local bookstore). I don't like the LT interface for groups, though.

I haven't spent much time at all on Shelfari. I know that Shelfari recently had an upgrade and now looks pretty, but the same issue that Michael had turned me off as well.

If any of you are knitters, you will know what I mean when i say that what I *really* want is a 'Ravelry' for book-lovers. I don't think that any of the sites are quite there yet.

[Wayne Hurlbert]

I started on Shelfari, and have added all of my reviewed business books. Their shelf concept looks really good. I like the widget shelf that I have added to my blog. I think it's a cool addition to the blog.

I just started on GoodReads, and need to investigate it a bit further. I did add a few mini reviews of some classic novels that I enjoyed reading. There are also mini book reviews at social media site blippr.com as well, but I haven't added any of them.

[Veronica Arreola]

I use LT mostly to catalog my books. I stopped cataloging when I got to the limit for a free membership about a year ago. But I just finally coughed up the money for a lifetime membership AND the bar scanner. Yes, I'm a big ol' nrrd.

I use GoodReads to find out what others are reading.

Haven't looked into Shelfari and won't...I have enough book things a going! haha...