Thing 35: Books 2.0

Now you are talking to me! The opportunities to feed my reading addiction have really multiplied with the internet.

Organize Your Personal Library

I have my library listed on LibraryThing (as my sidebar shows) and will be using lib.rario.us as a cataloging/social site for my CDs, VCR tapes and DVDs. I just wish there was a cuecat scanner to use with lib.rario.us to save some keying. Adding in all my CDs, DVDs and VCRs is a rainy weekend project.

Books On Your Phone

I am likely one of the three people in the United States who still does not have a cell phone. So those applications are of no use to me.

Readers' Advisory

As a school media specialist, I am constantly doing reader's advisory. Two sites that I depend on are Juvenile Series and Sequels from the Mid-Continent Public Library though I have noticed that the lists aren't as current as they could be. I also depend on Fantastic Fiction to find out series order and "what comes next?"

Online Book Communities

I haven't tried any of the listed communities. I do look at many of the groups on LibraryThing. Barnes & Noble also have discussion lists in a number of genres and I have used them. Some of the authors I read also have their own discussion lists. Many of the blogs I follow also sometimes have discussions in the comments sections.

I use my blogs mainly to find good books to read. I don't usually feel the need to discuss a book I have read. I'm too eager to get to the next book. I can talk about books with my students. I don't need to find an online way to talk about books.

Book Group Resources

I recently discovered another site for author resources that looks like it could grow to be quite a community. It is FiledByAuthor and has the potential to be useful. BookSprouts looked interesting and I plan to explore it as soon as I have a little time. I added it to my delicious account so that I can get back to it easily.

I think that the Books 2.0 sites have greatly enhanced the reading experience for me. My TBR pile expanded exponentially since I started reading book blogs and other Books 2.0 sites.

I really enjoy the opportunities it has provided for my students too. Author websites and book websites have enhanced the reading experience for students. And what about the new concept of combining a book with online portions the way Skeleton Creek does?