Reader communities are a specialized type of social networking site where readers and authors network, and readers recommend books to others.
Goodreads claims to be the world's largest social network for readers, with 1.8 million users. Authors can promote their book in a variety of ways.
LibraryThing has 600,000 members. Registered LibraryThing authors can promote events, participate in Author Chat, and add information to their author page.
Authors can build profile pages on AuthorsDen and interact with readers. Red Room is another popular site for authors.
Nothing Binding is geared toward independent publishers. Shelfari is owned by Amazon and it's popular with Facebook users.
FiledBy is a new site that offers authors a free page that they can enhance with a photo, bio, and links. Each author page also includes links to purchase books on major online bookstores.
JacketFlap focuses on children's and young adult books. Big Universe is devoted to children's picture books.
Amazon.com offers groups (called communities) and forums (called customer discussions). Customer discussions appear on book detail pages, just below the customer review section.
Here are some other reader communities to consider:
1 Chapter Free
All Fiction Books
Author Nation
Authors Bookshop
Best Books Reviewed
Bibliophil
Book Hitch
Book Reporter
Book Teaser's Galore
Books for Women by Women
Internet Book Database
LitMob
Once Written
Overbooked (fiction)
Reader 2
Reader's Room (fiction)
Readerville
Slake
Writer's Café
