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I am obsessed with reading. I’ve belonged to one book club or another for 27 years. I love the idea of reading as a form of community and accountability. Primarily, I’ve read physical books (hardcover and trade paperback). Reading opens my mind to new possibilities and ideas, but audiobooks made me a voracious reader and, by token, transformed my reading experience.
Book clubs create the space to talk about topics that may be hard to discuss, life-changing or entertaining. Social justice, Black Lives Matter, Indigenous stories, women’s issues and LGBTQ topics, we have discussed it all in our book club. The social aspect of having a glass of wine and an appetizer while spending two hours analyzing a great (or bad) book is priceless. The opportunity for debate or shared experience is real.
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Being accountable to a group of people to read the book and show up for a discussion is the best part of a book club. By token, the possibility of discussing multiple books becomes even more appealing when you join a larger community – such as Goodreads. With 125 million members worldwide, this book platform (and APP) helps you find your community with book lists, descriptions, reading journeys or member book reviews.
Why I love Goodreads
Goodreads lets you search for a book by scanning the Universal Product Code (UPC or bar code) on the back of a book jacket. When thrifting books, I will pull out my phone, scan the UPC code, and read the reviews and ratings. If a book is rated 3.8 stars or more, I will consider it. No matter the topic, I will likely buy it if it is 4.2 or more. It is not always accurate, but it is certainly a strong barometer.
Thousands of people review books on Goodreads every day. I have used these reviews to choose my next read or assess whether I will likely place it on my virtual TBR (to be read) shelf. Every book consumer is different, but after a while, you will appreciate people with similar tastes in books. If I know if Lisa likes a book or Katherine dislikes a book, chances are I will likely enjoy/dislike the book.
The best part is that I carry this quick reference guide (on my phone) in my pocket, so it’s easy for me to make a quick decision about whether to pick it up or pass.
Goodreads lets you save books on shelves: read, currently reading, want to read (are the standards), but you can also create your own lists: Moved on/DNF (did not finish), LPL Book in a bag (London Public Library Book Club in a Bag List), critically acclaimed (newspaper bestsellers or ‘books of the year’, literary prize-winners and short-lists). The only thing I don’t like is that you can only place the book on one list!
Audiobook Apps
I became a voracious reader because I have embraced audiobooks. I’ve done this for a few reasons: (1) the cost of books is getting outrageous, (2) the Libby App and Hoopla have made it very accessible, (3) I can multi-task while I listen, and (4) I realized I walk farther if I am listening to an audiobook (more exercise).
The game changer was the Libby App. I access all of my audiobooks through the London Public Library, and this useful app has changed how I read. With over 17,000 audiobooks in 122 different subjects, there is a lot to pick from.
I am no longer tied to a physical book. I can access titles from my local library or borrow titles from other public libraries throughout Ontario, giving me greater access to popular titles sooner.
Audiobooks can be accessed through paid apps like Audible, Apple Books, Amazon, Kobo, Scribd, and Overdrive. I subscribed a few years back but do not see the need to pay for them now. That is the beauty of a public library!
Goodreads Book Challenge
If you are a list maker, competitive, or like to keep track of things, consider the Goodreads Book Challenge. You set the number of books you want to read in a year and can adjust it throughout the year. Last year, I set a goal of 45 books and added 20 more by August since I hit that target mid-summer. It also keeps track of what you read in previous challenges (I read 42 books in 2022 and 26, 11 and 10 books in the three previous years). I have decided to keep my goal at last year’s benchmark, 65, as I plan to travel more in 2024.
Reading List
- National Indigenous History Month In Canada – 12 must-read books
- 12 Best Chick Lit books for Women’s History Month
- Goodreads Book Challenge 2022 – 40+ Books Read
- 12 Books That Made Great Movies… Travel through Lit
- Good Books My Lists of Great Canadian Books and A bunch of other @GoodReads
- 10 Great Books to Read during Black History Month
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