Start Here - how to use booktribes

Booktribes is new. The site is a work in progress. If it turns out you don't like the way we've organised things, we'll find another way. Irksome for us, but it's a promise.

Books

Click on a book title – or on a cover image – or type the name of a book into the search box. It’s that simple. Well, usually. Many books have the same or similar titles. The more accurate info you can type into the title (and author) search boxes, the higher the chance that your book will appear top of the list.

Every book title on the Booktribes site has its own dedicated page where you will find information and options.

Information includes:

  • Members’ reviews and comments about the book. From a single word to a huge screed.
  • The publisher’s blurb (believe at your own risk)
  • Members who list this book as a favourite
  • Other books loved by people who love this book (here’s where you might discover something rather wonderful)
  • A rating (the average score of all members who rated it)
  • Tags given to this book by members
  • Groups reading this book

Options include:

  • Click an icon to indicate it’s one of your favourites (unclick if you change your mind)
  • Click to say you’re reading it
  • Click to say you’ve read it
  • Click on a slider to give it a rating out of ten. Click again when you decide you were over-generous the first time
  • Click to send an email to a friend recommending this book
  • Tag the book. HORROR, LIPGLOSS and COMPLETE GARBAGE are all valid tags. So is HADDOCK.
  • Click on other titles to visit their dedicated pages.
  • Click on members’ names or photos to visit their user pages. Send them a message. Tell them their favourite author is a puffed up twerp who couldn’t write his way out of a paper bag. Or that their tastes are uncannily similar to your own.

Oh, and if you click on the narrow blue section bars, the “filing cabinets” open and shut. Try it. It’s fun.

Me and My Books

You get your own user page when you register on Booktribes. Here’s where people can discover who you are and the sort of stuff you like. And where you can discover who’s reading the same book(s) as you right now – and who shares one or more of your favourites. There’s also information about groups: those reading the same book(s) as you, and those you are a member of.

People can write you messages by clicking on CONTACT ME. When you have received new messages, the site will tell you; a small envelope icon will also appear. You will also receive notification by regular email, a function you can turn off if it starts to annoy you. Click You have 0 new messages to read old messages.

And there’s some rather cool image resizing software on board enabling you to upload a nice photo should you so wish. So long as you register first.

Registering

Harder than falling off a log, but easier than reading Finnegan’s Wake. Actually it’ll take about a minute. When you’ve done, we instantly send you an email with a ridiculously complicated password – you simply click a link to alter it to something memorable. Like SPALDING. Maybe you can think of a better example.

Groups and Booktalk

Once you have played with the above you should have no trouble navigating your way through our groups and discussion forums. If you do however …

Your Comments

We need to know what you think. If you love us, great. Tell all your book-loving friends. But if there’s something we could do better – let us know.

There’s a £1,000 weekly prize for the most trenchant criticism offered.

Just kidding.