I received my annual email recently that Goodreads was opening up their voting for the 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards. I like to go through all of the books and see if there are ones I have read, any of my new favorite authors, or something that catches my eye that I may want to read.
So I was curious as to how many of you do the same thing. Do you actively use Goodreads? I have been much better about logging in on a regular basis, and need to get to the point that I am checking in every day; which as of late, I have been.
The voting tends to be a long, tedious process, at least with my internet connection. Lately everything is long and tedious and I do not know if it is the 2 laptops we use in my house or the internet service. When I am trying to do my MBA homework, help my daughter with her homeschooling, write book reviews, update my blogs, check email…you get the picture…I have been wanting to chuck my laptop right in the garbage.
Sorry; I got off track.
So the voting has everything in their own categories, so it does keep it nice and organized. You also have the option of writing in a book, and I honestly have a couple books in mind that I may do this for, because I read them this year and they were fantastic, and deserve to be in this competition.
Do you vote? Have you written in a book you loved and wanted it recognized? Have you ever known one of the authors on the list? Have you been on the list?
What do you do for the categories that you do not read, such as if you do not read science fiction, or romance? Do you just pick one that you like the looks of the cover or the title? Do you think that is fair to the authors? (I am just curious, I have no hard-and-fast rules or feelings about this platform of voting for books).
I think Goodreads is a great resource for readers and writers alike, and will likely be adding some books I come across to my bookshelf.
booksandopinions.com 
Very enjoyable and informative post! I’ve heard good things about Goodreads, but I’ve avoided it (at least so far). Ironically, one reason is that I’m so busy reading novels and writing about them that I don’t feel there’s time to get involved in something else book-related! 🙂
I agree Dave. I have been logging in daily because the authors whose books I am reviewing are listed. If I put every book I have ever read on there, no one would believe me anyhow!
“If I put every book I have ever read on there, no one would believe me anyhow!” — very funny line, IrishReader. It sounds like you read an impressive number of books!
I signed on to Goodreads a while back but I must confess it’s not a priority and I’m not fully familiar with how it works. Ah but winter is on the way…perhaps I can get time to explore it further.
I love Goodreads! It’s a great way to keep track of books I have read and ones I want to read. I’ve done the “Reading Challenge” for the past few years too.
I have voted in the Goodreads Choice Awards and as much as I’m sometimes tempted to vote for books with awesome covers, or by authors I have previously enjoyed, I don’t vote in categories I’m not interested in (eg. Romance) or ones where I haven’t read any of the nominated books, unless I feel strongly enough to nominate one not on the list.
I had so much trouble picking my vote for cookbooks this year! 🙂
I too don’t vote for the categories I don’t read, I don’t think it’s fair lol