So we explored the internet this week about teens, reading, and how they use social media. I found some great social media sites and ways to use them to create your TBR list or a library, even to connect with authors! I will list some of the sites, how they help, and how teens are using social media in the mix. I didn’t add any books to my TBR list in my seaching though, unfortunately all of the really interesting books were already on my list (which is very, very long).
GOODREADS:
Goodreads is a nice website. It contains an online library of books you have read. I have an account on this website, but I don’t update it very often. I like its groupings of books I might like when I add another book; this usually grows my TBR list. This site also contains book lists for readers. There are lists by year, genre, and many more titles. Readers are sure to find this website handy. I look at the reviews for books I may be interested in reading.
SHELFARI:
Shelfari seems to be a website that is quite similar to Goodreads. I had never heard of this site before looking into this assignment. From what I can tell, this site is essentially a slightly differne tversion of Goodreads. You still build your shelves with books you’ve read and everything, but it seems to have a better way to connect to people through the site. It is interesting, and I may be looking more into this website in the future.
TWITTER:
Twitter is so popular with teens today that it is rumored to be even more popular than Facebook. This platform is wonderful for connecting with teachers, authors, editors, and more. I think teens would have an easy time finding books to read if they utilized the platform they already spend a ton of time on. Some hashtags are better than others, but some new ones I checked out were #whatto read, #MustRead, and #GreatReads. Of these three, the best hashtag was #GreatReads. This one had a lot more in the way of post actually about books. The other two hashtags had a lot of irrelevant ads posted to their feed. There are also hashtags specifically for genres to narrow down the resources you find.
These sites were great, but there is a bigger issue involving teens, reading, and social media. The issue is actually reading. Teens nowadays don’t read as much as they used to. They are too obsessed with social media and their computers to have time to read. I confess, sometimes I am distracted by the internet and don’t read as often as would like, but I do find time to read. With so much technology, both new and improved, the world is changing. Ebooks are more popular than actual books. Tweeting has become an obsession. Snapchat dominates the cell phones of a majority of teens. Netflix is better than reading. This is what has become of teens, reading, and technology.
Who knows, maybe actual printed books will end up obsolete…
Ana's Adventures in Wonderland 
I so hope that actual books will not become obsolete. There is still something about holding an acutal book (at least for book lovers), that is rewarding in itself. There are young adults who read and those who do not. My two daughters may be great examples. One daughter will come home and disappear to her room for hours (and I do mean hours)…. upon further investigation, she is immersed in a book in her room. The other daughter tends to be connected to her phone constantly, however, because of our discussion about books, she has now read 3-4 books in the past month. (Possibly more than she read in the entire last year.) I attribute this change in behavior to small book talks and trips to the book store. I’m hoping they will both be avid readers as they grow.
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I was at a reading conference a few months ago and a teacher directed our attention to a website where students can build their bookshelves, much like GoodReads. But this one was completely geared towards elementary and high school students. I will have to do some additional research to see if I can find it. Kids love to keep track of their accomplishments and track their successes!
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I wonder if students would be more willing to read if it didn’t feel like such a chore. Too many classroom paradigms utilize elitism to push “required readings” and turn reading into a chore. This, in conjunction with inordinate amounts of homework from all of their classes as well as extracurriculars, students don’t have the time nor the energy to read as we would like them to. We have discussed throughout this semester numerous ways to change this in our own classrooms, but what can we do to convince other teachers to consider their methods and create a learning community rather than almost fighting for place of priority?
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Analise, I loved your post! It’s so interesting to see what sites there are to help readers find communities. I would agree that Twitter is becoming increasingly popular among young adults; crazy that it’s taking over the popularity of Facebook! I hope to someday be able to use it in my future classroom. 🙂
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I really enjoy the smell and the feel of a real book, so I hope that printed books do not become obsolete. I think teens would read more if we gave them a chance to. If we did not pressure our own interests or the classics on teens, then they might be able to find enjoyment in reading. They read online, even if it is just short tweets. Teen like reading, they scroll and read all day. Great blog post!
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I really like the hashtags you posted and will have to add them to my Twitter reading routine.
I think that you are right that reading a physical book is not something that many teens may admit to doing. But, consider the possibilities of the web. Sites like Twitter could be used to create collaborative poems (140 characters at a time – so hard for me!!, have Q&A, chat with other readers. It is endless.
I wholeheartedly agree that teens should read and share, but writing and creating may be another avenue there. What do you think?
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