Goodreads for Web

Overview of the site

Goodreads is a community-focused website for readers who want to catalog, rate and discuss the books they’ve finished. Unlike platforms that focus on submitting original manuscripts for feedback, Goodreads centers on published works — from bestsellers to indie and self-published titles — and lets readers share their impressions with others.

Getting started with your account

• Create a free account to begin tracking the books you read.
• Personalize your profile with a photo and bio so others can get to know your tastes.
• Follow friends or other readers to see their reading lists and recommendations.

How to rate a book

Goodreads uses a five-star scale to capture your personal reaction to a title. A single star signals that the book didn’t work for you, while five stars mean you loved it. Ratings reflect your own enjoyment rather than an objective measure of quality.

Finding and organizing books

• Search by author name or book title to locate works you’ve read or want to explore.
• Add interesting titles to a “to-read” shelf so you can save them for later and keep your future reading list organized.

Writing and reading reviews

Post written reviews to explain what you liked or disliked about a particular book. Reading other members’ reviews can help you decide whether a book is worth your time and gives context beyond the star rating.

Tools for authors

If you publish books, you can claim an author profile to showcase your bibliography, publish blog posts, and reply to reader questions and comments — a handy way to connect with fans.

Mobile access

If you prefer reading or managing your lists on the move, download the Goodreads iPhone app to update shelves, rate books, and read reviews from your phone.

Final note

Goodreads provides a simple, social way to keep track of what you’ve read, share opinions, and discover new titles through community input.