I’ll be honest, Goodreads is not a recent find for me.  In fact, according to my profile, I joined the site in April 2013, one month prior to starting this blog.  I know many are already familiar with this website, but for those that aren’t let me share with you what it’s all about.  In short, it’s a free website where you can keep track of the books you have read, want to read, and are currently reading.  This is excellent for me because I often hear about books that I want to read, then I tend to forget about said books once I finish my current book.  Another feature it offers is being a search engine for books.  This means that I can get all the details on a book quickly, including readers reviews.  This is especially helpful because I really like to know how many pages are in a book.  I’m the first to admit that a thick book is difficult for me to commit to.  Plus, I like that I can get a rough idea of how good the book really is based on their 5 star rating system.  While I enjoy reading, I don’t always get an opportunity to sit down to a book for one reason or another.  So, when I do, I want the book to be worth my time and Goodreads helps make that possible.

Another big plus to the website is that it creates a community of readers.  I like that I can see what my friends are reading and what they’re finding to be a good book.  I get notifications now and again about latest best sellers or what my friend’s are adding to their book lists and it gets me excited about reading.  Another way that it gets me pumped up to read is by tracking my book genres and ratings for books that I have already read and then recommending me new books.  Overall, I find it to be a really user-friendly site that helps promote a world of reading.

Now that I’ve hopefully convinced you of how awesome this website is, let me share with you one book from each of my four list categories on Goodreads: Read, Currently Reading, Want to Read, and Children’s.

READ – Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.  While I have read several good books, I feel this is a good book to share for a summer read.  It’s a light and easy romantic read that is perfect to enjoy while sunbathing or lying in the shade of a tree.

CURRENTLY READING – The Child Whisperer, The Ultimate Handbook for Raising Happy, Successful, and Cooperative Children by Carol Tuttle.  I would not be reading this book had my friend not sent it to me for Mother’s Day.  Parenting books are just hard for me to get excited about for some reason.  However, my friend kept pushing me to read this one and I’m definitely glad that I am.  I’m not 100% sold on everything this book says, but it has been a very eye-opening and thought provoking book to read.  I find myself wanting other parents to read it with me so we can discuss it together.

WANT TO READ – Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.  You can read more information regarding this book here on Goodreads.  I have heard nothing but great things about this book.  It’s a non-fiction book based on the life of Louie Zamperini who was an American WWII prisoner of war survivor.  Zamperini actually just passed away yesterday at the age of 97.  A full life for certain and one that I’m excited to read more about.

CHILDREN’S – What Animals Really Like by Fiona Robinson.  The default categories on Goodreads does not include a Children’s list.  I have just grown to love children’s picture books so much that I had to add a list to note my personal favorites.  Some children’s books are so pathetic I hardly feel like they should have been allowed to go to print.  Then there are others that are either so clever or poignant that I feel every adult and child should read them.  What Animals Really Like is one of those darling books that just makes you happy to read it to little kids.  You may recall, from my post called Breaking Through Boredom, that I read it to my daughter’s Kindergarten class on her birthday and it was a hit!

So, there you have it!  Some good reads to add to your Goodreads account!  And, since this is being posted on Independence Day, think of this First Friday Find as my personal appreciation and support for the freedom of press!

Happy Fourth of July!

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