Reflecting Pools

Library Thing is absolutely amazing. This is social networking for the book lover. By entering your own titles of books you own/have read/adore/hate, you are able to connect with thousands of people who also know the book and author. Actually, you don’t have to enter a thing–you’re free to search anything you like to come up with information and reviews on a book in question, suggested books if you liked that one, books to avoid if you liked that one–a treasure trove of information from real readers about real books.

I was delighted that one of my long time favorites, Katherine by Anya Seton, has a following, as well as other recommended books for me to pursue. There are not many of us that know about this medieval commoner who became the Duchess of Lancaster. OK, I’m impressed.

One thing that bothered me, but I acknowledge that I was not at all surprised given human nature, were the biblio-snobs who had to wither authors and books that have won the hearts of millions. The site, however, was definitely fair-minded in giving these reviewers and opposing reviewers room to write and persuade. Frankly, it’s a bit funny to read someone who takes him/herself so seriously and then read other reviewers who show such a love for the reading experience evoked by the book in question.

That observation aside, I can see how I will refer to Library Thing to learn about a book in question, to get reading suggestions, to learn about authors and their bodies of work.

Filed under: Learning K12 2.0 and tagged Library Thing, social networking