I did a forum search and found a somewhat similar question posted about three years ago. What I wonder is if there is a way to locate members (and the bookshelves) who have similar taste in books as I have. This would be indicated by the content of their bookshelf, their wish list, etc. I have seen that when I look in the member directory and click on someone's name, it with say "similarity 36%" or something like that.

My main reason for asking is that many of the books I read/post/request/wish are of fairly specific genres: non-fiction, psychology/psychiatry/counseling. I am just curious to see which members out there are looking for similar type books or have books I would be interested in requesting.

Does anyone know of a way to do this, or if there is no way, I'm sending out the suggestion to the PBS persons in charge!

Thanks,

Sarah B.

Normally I would suggest hanging out on the genre forums but I don't know how active those forums are.  That's how I do it and now have a long buddy list.  Although I'm not sure how accurate those similarity indexes are. I have some people that show a high percentage to me and then when I look at their bookshelf and WL-they don't look like they have similar tastes to me.  Then I have others with a low % to me and when half our WL is the same and I've read most of their bookshelf. 

Have tried goign through your transaction archive and looking up people you've done a swap with? 

I have tastes similar to yours, Sarah, and unlike the more commonly posted genres like sci-fi or romance, there's not really an option for fans of psychology or sociology.  However, as Mary has suggested, I find that when I do request a book of that nature, the member from whom I request the book usually has more books of that particular type on their shelves.  What I do is mention in one of the usual messages that accompany a transaction that I've sent that member a Buddy Invite so I can remember to go back to their shelf in the future.  Once they're on my Buddy List I tag them as a member from whom I'd like to request again in the future.  I've had wonderful luck this way, not only in finding titles that fit my tastes, but in finding members who enjoy discussing such topics as well.  It may not be as simple as a genre forum, but I find it to be extremely rewarding and fulfilling in its own way (beyond getting the books I'm after, which is of course a reward unto itself lol).

I was wondering why there are buddy lists.  When I first joined, a complete stranger asked me to be a buddy.  I didn't have a clue as to why because I didn't know her.  Was it so that she could remember to check my bookshelf?

ARG!!!  I just accidentally hit an ignore button instead of Back To Top.  How to I undo the damage?

Susan, there should be a *Stop Ignoring Member* button in the same spot!

ETA - Okay, first you have to *show this member's post anyway* then you can Stop Ignoring...

Great ideas, James! I'll keep those in mind next time somebody asks me via LH. :)

We used buddy lists a lot in the games forum (they're great to send mass PMs...for people that ask you to be on certain mailing lists of course...not for spamming.:)

I use the Buddy list to recall folks  There is a feature to make subsets called Tag Actions.  I use that to make notes about the type of books or deals I've ordered from them.  I do check my Buddies bookshelves when ordering books.

I have a Tag Action of folks who have offered me deals on children's books.  Another for folks who I know have unscented books.  One for local folks.  And another one for my favorite genre. 

I know this is a great way to track game members as well.  You can do a group PM to all members of a Tag Group.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I really appreciate them, and I will have to try them out.

Sarah

You might post in the BB that you want to look at shelves that have  xyz on them.

Also I think certain genres might move slowly if they are mostly heavy books. if you posted that you'd like to buy 2 books at once, people might be more willing to ship because the cost would be worth it, so might share books that aren't already posted.  I know heavier books I only send in a deal of at least 2 credits worth, (not per book).

Nancy

When I'm looking for similar interests, I go to my transaction archive to see who ordered from me and who I ordered from.   I may not find books on their shelves, but their wish lists supply me with interesting ideas.  Occasionally I'll find something on one of their shelves to order.

LeslieQ:  Thanks for that help.

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Next question:  How do I tag groups together so that I can remember to check their shelves?  I have to use the buddy list for that?  Did I read that right?

Thanks.

I have lots of books on my bookshelf that I haven't read and don't intend to read. I bought them used and posted them cause I thought there would be interest.  Since I read

mostly from one genre (mystery/thriller), I thought getting some romance and fantasy on my bookshelf would expand the number of views I get.

However, I have wondered what was being compared to yield those similarity percentages on my buddy list.  Should be based on what you've read, TBR, and member reviews

I think.

I have met a lot of people that have similar interests as me in chat.  Maybe you could check out the Live Chat. 

Sometimes we really do have conversations about books in chat.