Help Page
Click here for help with the Discussion Forums.
Why do I need to register?
The site is geared toward readers. And on the net, a minimum amount of protection is required. So we ask people to create a login and have a valid email address. That is all. It is not intended to be a chore for anyone. The VIP code needed to register is 9979.
What software does ClubReading.com use?
ClubReading.com is custom coded by the site creator, Bill Estep. The site primarily uses the LAMP environment model.
What are book lists?
Book lists are individually created groups of books. You can create a book list for any group of books you want to record/discuss/share/whatever. Some book lists ideas:
- Inventory of all my books
- My top 10 Sci-Fi list
- Best Horror Books of all time
- Cookbooks you cannot live without.
The possibilities are endless.
Notice the first book list idea. It sounds like a very daunting task, but if you have all your books listed here, and someone wanting to know more about a particular book or author would see it on your list and hopefully start a discussion with you about the book.
Are my reading lists public?
Reading lists can be public or private. Only you and the site administrator can see the private lists. You have total control over your Book Lists.
I want to add a book, what do I do?
You must be registered and logged in to add books to the site. From almost every page, click the Add a Book link in the left navigation section. Read the instructions on the page. Add part of a title, or asin number (the books ISBN number without any spaces or dashes), or authors name and click Search Amazon.
Look at the list of books returned. Find the book you wish to add, and click the Add This Book link. If the book is already on ClubReading.com the Already Added link will take you to the book detail page. If the book you wish to add is not available on Amazon.com, click the Add Book Not Found link.
On the Add Book page, if you clicked the Add This Book link, the first three fields will be filled in automatically. Select at least one category for the new book. You may select a list or multiple lists to add the book to, however, this is not required. Also, you may add a comment from the Add Book page, but a comment is not required.
I want to write a review but I am afraid it wont be good enough.
There is no specific formula or set of requirements for a good book review. The reviews people enjoy most are fairly short, they tell what the reader liked and disliked about the book and introduce the author a little.
One thing to avoid is giving away the fun parts of a book. These are called spoilers. For example, “I couldn’t believe it when I learned in the last few pages of the book that the whole thing had been a dream, that the main character has been in a coma since the car accident on page 2!” This is a spoiler. Spoilers will make folks very, very angry.
You can include spoilers if you are very careful and make sure the reader has a chance to stop reading before learning something they didn’t want to know. For example, ”SPOILER BELOW! Do Not Continue Reading if you don’t want to know” then leave a few blank lines and continue.
If you are still stuck getting started, try answering these basic questions, and before you know it, the review will be done.
- Who is the author? Is he an established writer or is this a first book?
- Is the book part of a series?
- What is the basic primary element of the plot? In other words, is it a story about growing up? Taking a journey? A daring princess rescue?
- Did you like the book? What did you like about the book?
- Was there a part of the book you didn’t like? Why? Do you feel the author failed you somehow?
- Would you recommend it to a friend?
There, that’s it. Just answer a few basic questions about the book and you have written an excellent review.
The site is full of excellent examples of book reviews. Don’t be intimidated, we just really want to know what you thought of the book and decide for ourselves if we should read it.
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