For a little while now, I've been trying to up my game when it comes…
Are You on Goodreads?
The title kind of speaks for itself. It’s another one of those “inquiring minds want to know” situations.
I like Goodreads, but I generally just use it as a way that’s easy and convenient to track my reading for the year. See, I went years and years without writing down what I read. It honestly never occurred to me to write it down until people started asking me how many books I read in a year (because I apparently read more than is average or typical) and I just wasn’t able to answer them.
Enter Goodreads.
Now I had an answer. And I also started realizing just how much re-reading I tend to do. So I tried to work on that–cutting down some of my re-reading and forcing myself to find new books and new authors to enjoy. Overall, that’s been a good thing. Though sometimes re-reading an old favorite is just what the doctor ordered. It’s a chance to curl up and hang out with old friends. It’s like coming home and getting a hug.
But here’s the thing, I read widely. I read Christian fiction. I read secular fiction. I read just about any genre that’s out there. If something catches my interest, I’ll read it. And I can usually find something to enjoy in it as well, which factors into my star ratings (I tend not to review, because generally I don’t believe authors should be writing reviews, even if we don’t know the other author, but I do like to at least give a star rating.) But the wide reading appears to get me in trouble a little with a small, critical group of people who seem to feel that Christian authors should only read Christian fiction in their genre.
So I’ve been rethinking Goodreads. I know now that I average 150 books a year, it may be plus or minus a few, but that’s a close enough answer for people who are curious. I’ve been dithering about adding what I’m reading this year and had almost decided against…but, well…I find I like having that book list.
And this gets me to my secondary question – if you are on Goodreads, do you worry about what people think when they scroll through your book lists?
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I love GoodReads. I’ve found a lot of new things to read through GR. I tend not to judge others’ reading choices, although I am sometimes surprised at what people read, what they like and don’t like. I really wish Christians would extend more grace to their fellow Christians.
Your last sentence kind of sums it up – Grace for one another does seem to be in shorter supply with certain things. Thanks for commenting 🙂
I also use Goodreads to keep track of my books read and reviews I did. I also like to get the updates on the groups I participate in. I am a fond follower of Grace, Hope and Love.
I keep meaning to look into more groups. Just time!
I answer to God. If I’m square with him, I don’t much worry about anything else.
Love that, Charlene! That’s the right attitude (I need to work on that.)
I’m not on Goodreads (although I think I’m going to). I agree with Charlene. If your conscience is clear, it’s those other people who have a problem. Reading widely makes you a better author. Reading outside of Christian circles keeps you connected to the world, and that’s good for two reasons: (1) You can have a good conversation with someone who doesn’t follow Christ, and (2) You know the secular perspective so you can pray and act redemptively in our culture. So go for it!
Those are fabulous (and well stated!) reasons, Carole. Thanks for that. 🙂 Given that I really try to focus on what it means to live in today’s world as a Christian in my books (and in my own life), I definitely agree that partaking of the general media is important — you just have to do it with a discerning mind.