Thing 9: LibraryThing, Booktagger, Google Books and eBooks

So far Thing 9 has been my favourite, and here is why:

LibraryThing

So LibraryThing has been around for awhile, its not at all new and yet I have never looked seriously at it until I had to for this program! I have to say that I'm glad I have seen it and I will probably continue using it after this program is over. I really like that it shows other members with the same books as you (potentially leading you on to reading new books since you may share the same taste). Plus I like the idea of having recommendations, since I'm always looking for new great reads and have exhausted other website suggestions. The reviews are interesting too. I found learning my way around this site to be fun.

Booktagger

Similarly Booktagger allows you to also share reads on the internet, only it seems like it would be more effective with more friends to share it with. I think I prefer the layout and feel of LibraryThing better. Still I could see how it would be useful for those looking for a new read.

Google Books

I've used Google Books a few times. As a student it was sometimes helpful in working out which pages would be the best to photocopy from a book I could get in a physical copy at the library. Although I have used Google Books in the past it is not something that I would use regularly.

eBooks

I've never really embraced eBooks much for my own personal library. I love that they exist for students because I was once a Distance Education student so I know first hand how useful eBooks are for an assignment. Despite not seeking them out for my own personal reading, my roommates have been using Kindles and after seeing them and hearing all the virtues (i.e how many books you can carry in one lightweight kindle) I'm a little envious and it has definitely made me interested in looking further into eBook readers and eBooks.

My local library does offer eBooks. The ACT Library service offers several eBook services, and also has this handy page for users.