Do You Use LibraryThing?

[Daniel Hatadi]

After a recent discussion on the record keeping habits of readers, I was inspired to create an account at LibraryThing. One of the members here at Crimespace suggested that I also set up a group over there as well. I'm not sure how many of you use LibraryThing, but it's a fun and addictive way of keeping track of books, as well as a way to see what the other Crimespace members have in their collections.

Feel free to join the Crimespace group over at LibraryThing. If not, I thought I'd share with you all my semi-artwork inspired by the place.

[Stephen Blackmoore]

I used it when it first came out. It's much more complete now, but I haven't touched it in a long time. I've been using software called Book Collector from Collectorz.com that uses a barcode scanner and pulls ISBN data from the LOC, Amazon, Powell's, Barnes and Noble and some others.

The scanner's a little buggy, but overall, it's pretty useful.

[Daniel Hatadi]

Mary's become addicted to LibraryThing too. I've come across software from Collectorz before, but I'm not really much of a collector. The social aspect of LT is what makes it for me, as well as being able to access it anywhere. A friend of mine bought a book for my birthday. Shame he didn't search LT beforehand, as I already had the book.

LT has its own scanner. It's shaped like a cat, though. A furless cat. Kinda looks like another form of plastic toy that is popular among adults.

[Sean Lindsay]

LibraryThing has an Importer which should work with Collectorz.com Book Collector (I think you'll have to export a list of ISBNs to HTML or text, when use the LT importer).

[Karen from AustCrime]

I've been slowly incorporating our stuff over there - more as a backup to the local opendb library that we run here on our own webserver. Now explain to me why I'm bothering. Goodness knows - compulsively addicted to lists I guess :)

[Jordan Dane]

Good question, Karen---I've signed up over at LT but not sure why yet. Can someone explain? Cause I can be a compulsive list monger too.

Hell, I don't have my ISBNs yet. In the process of bringing a book from production to release, do you know when those get assigned?

[Daniel Hatadi]

I think it's like going to a friend's house and having a look at their bookshelves. It also helps to have all your books listed so you don't get them again as birthday presents.

[Barbara Fister]

I've just started doing it - mainly to share with others the books I really enjoy. But it also means I can take notes on what I'm reading and not lose them!

I have no interest in cataloging my personal library - it's just what I've been reading lately, and a chance to see what people with similar tastes are reading. I quite like it.

[norby]

True and true. And it's a goldmine for nosy people. You can snoop through the shelves of people you don't even know!

[Stacie]

I just started using Library Thing this year, because of the gadgets for my blog. I enjoyed seeing the covers on other peoples blogs and decided to do it too.

[Dennis Leppanen]

The ape says he hasn't touched it in a long time---then Daniel adds, it scans like a hairless p-, er, cat.

I gotta check 'er out...

[Jeff Markowitz]

Maybe I'm missing the point (it certainly wouldn't be the first time) but I don't get the fascination with LibraryThing.

[Stacie]

Jeff---
I'm an avid reader, and have finished 50+ novels already this year. I get tons of questions from people about my reading habits. I can point them to my LibraryThing. The other aspect I like is the connections to other people's libraries. If I really like a book, I might check out another reader's library and see what else they liked and try that.

The publishing world might be publishing 150,000 titles a year, but I still need recommendations. :)

Hope this helps explain (my interest, at any rate)