Book Recommendation Feature

[Jaimey, Co-Moderator]

Hello!

On every book detail page goodreads provides a link: "recommend it"

I know some authors have no problem using this feature to recommend their own books to their entire list of friends. I have not been able to convince myself that recommending your own book this way isn't spamming. All authors are biased; all authors love their "babies" and want the world to know it.

Here's my solution: In our "Authors Read Authors" program, many of us have agreed to read each others e-books and give a fair, honest review. Perhaps we can go a step further than that. If we really enjoyed the book, gave it 4 or 5 stars, can we use this feature to recommend to our list of friends here on goodreads? Or at least those friends we think would enjoy the book? Basically, we'd be helping each to get even more exposure.

Let me know what you think of this.

[Sharon]

Jaimey, I think that's a super idea. I'm happy to use the recommendation feature in that way.

[Gina]

Sounds like a great idea to me :o)

[Bernadette]

Ditto!

[Jaimey, Co-Moderator]

I tried this yesterday; I'm not sure how effective it was. I recommended Madison's book to 33 of my friends. I tried to select friends with children or grandchildren, teachers, or ones with that sort of book on their shelves. Oh, and ones in the US since it is about the educational system in the US. I also left out those who are quite active in this group since I know many of you are already planning to read it. :o)

[Susan]

I haven't used this feature yet. Is it possible to only select a few friends to recommend something to? If so, I'm totally game to join in -- this is part of how book buzz is created. But if not... I've got some people on my friends list who WOULD (and have blogged that they DO) consider it spam, even if it's not your own book.

[Sharon]

Susan wrote: "I haven't used this feature yet. Is it possible to only select a few friends to recommend something to? If so, I'm totally game to join in -- this is part of how book buzz is created. But if not......"

Hi, Susan. When you click on the "Recommend It" link, a box appears where you can write a note. Beside it is a list of your friends, with a tick box next to their name. You can select the people whom you think would most enjoy a particular book that way, thus targeting your recommendation. :-)

[Susan]

Whew. I still like the personal approach better, though!