Books 1
Shelfari
Overview
Shelfari is a social media web app for book lovers. Following the standard format it enables the reader to add their favourite books to create a collection and build on this with book reviews. The collection is broken down into books you have read, are reading and plan to read. The social networking side involves groups that can contact each other and share information about the books. In other words readers connect with other people with similar interests. Shelfari is easy to use to gather book covers of your choice. There are forums with light discussions around book choices. The design is staid and readers are sent occasional emails about activities on forums. July 2009.
Shelfari
Conclusions
Shelfari is an accessible web app that will appeal to general internet users who enjoy books and wish to connect with other readers reader similar books to yourself. There are enough features on the site to keep your interest but it may not be enough for heavy users.
Related Apps
LibraryThing
Overview
Like Shelfari LibraryThing is a social network web app for booklovers. It specialises on being easy to set up and just as easy to build up your collection. LibraryThing prides itself on being the largest books fan site on the web. Naturally your online catalogue of books can be shared with others. There are groups created around subjects for discussion and "Talk" forum for conversations. Typically you can review and rate your collection. Tags can be added to manage large collections. The books added are then boosted with stuff from the web likely ISBN numbers and, helpfully, related book recommendations. Finally, there is a local section about book-related activities in your area including the UK. It has a text-heavy design that is aimed at the serious user. July 2009.
LibraryThing
Conclusions
This site is the leader for providing information about your book collection which makes it attractive to serious book users compared to Shelfari. That said it has all the features expected for a generalist books fan site. Although there are privacy options it is an open site meaning you cannot limit your profile to friends and family. If you do not want to pay a fee you are limited to 200 book entries .