Everything Booklikes & Leafmarks discussion

Leafmarks is a new site started by a couple of people both major GR reviewers I think. I'm very happy at BookLikes for blogging, but the book data and lack of book pages mean I'm open to checking out other sites. The creators know what a lot of GR people find important so I'm joining and uploading a csv file and waiting to see what happens.

Update In the time it took me to write that comment my csv uploaded and all my books, shelves and reviews are there. Impressive!

But that site is so wet behind its ears that it got less data avail than BL has.

It hasn't got any data that I can see. But it is clean and lovely and it isn't going to get anywhere if people don't join and upload their csvs and contribute their data. I want to give it a chance anyway.

I have signed up there, and imported my book data. They are working pretty hard on using those imported CSV files to help other users find more books to add :)

If you want to find me there, you can click here

Sorry, I don't want to have to manage accounts at 100 different sites. I blog and review at Booklikes, and remain at GR only for groups.

Good names involved there. I'm not too excited either about managing another account (LibraryThing, GR, BL, my blog), but clean and lovely it is. I'm for helping give it a shot. Here's me - or will be.

Fish Lips wrote: "It hasn't got any data that I can see. But it is clean and lovely and it isn't going to get anywhere if people don't join and upload their csvs and contribute their data. I want to give it a chance..."

Well, the data it does have has lovely things like multiple editions of a work.

Near as I could tell, I think they may be getting data from member uploaded csv files rather than Ingram or publisher data feeds.

I just barely joined and have yet to even upload my csv file -- so I'm not sure of anything yet.

Except that I don't mind letting them have my book data whether or not I stay.

Like booklikes when everyone first joined, yes, there are social features like groups and pm's that aren't there yet.

I'm trying it out, but find it difficult. (Half the labels for things aren't readable for me unless I slide the cursor over them, which doesn't make it terribly easy.)

Also, most of the books I'm reading get no result when I look them up in the database there.

ETA: I am here: https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/... .

It took me a while to figure out that to see the feed you click the Leafmarks logo. (Feed page but also where you get menus like "import books")

And I have no idea what to do when a book asks you to help add missing information. I can't find anything to click to add.

I'm trying in Chrome browser and a lot of pages load sluggishly. For example, my profile and friends pages stay blank/zero long enough that I wonder if I'm still logged in.

Not spotting series information, either. But it's not like booklikes or other non-amazon-involved competitors have series features either(other than fictfact which I am not giving up and fictiondb, neither of which have a social side; fictiondb doesn't even let you see anyone else's shelves and most of their reviews seem to feed in from goodreads).

Just signed up and uploaded my csv file--waiting for it to be processed. My profile.

If it is going to ask me for user name and password every freaking time I try to add one, I'm not going to be using it much.

ETA: And then it won't accept the info. WTF?

Screw this. It won't let me sign in. No site is worth that much work.

Linda wrote: "I just signed up. I think I'm https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

My csv file has ~6000 titles, so if they're building off members' databases, mine should help a little."

Yeah, I imported over 6000 books as well, so that should help a little, too :)

Angela wrote: "Linda wrote: "I just signed up. I think I'm https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

My csv file has ~6000 titles, so if they're building off members' databases, mine should help a litt..."

Grab a csv export from goodreads anyway; import to a new excel worksheet and keep the first row (headers, column titles, field names or whatever you want to call it).

Copy relevant columns of data from your current inventory sheet into the goodreads headings one. Save as a delimited text csv file.

Double check it saved strictly as text by opening in notepad.

Blank rows above or below the goodreads headers will cause issues.

Another poster said that at this time you only get to import one csv file on Leafmarks; so doesn't hurt to use notepad to open exported goodreads csv file and compare beginning lines to the new one you just made in case something looks weird.

Linda wrote: "... I like the looks of it better than BookLikes, which I'm still having difficulty understanding. But then, I'm old. ;-..."

That's because booklikes has yet to implement an actual book database/catalog. Just pretty much pulls as requested from bookseller sites directly and doesn't try to combine editions of a work. So if you want to read reviews on a book with 64 editions, you'll have to go to 64 separate edition pages. No series information except when title on bookseller site mentions. No seeing your friends reviews unless you spotted when going by on the dashboard posts (if they use unique tags on reviews might be able to hunt down again later...).

They've got a list of requests that they are responding to, one Thursday at a time ncluding book cataloging features.

Like Leafmarks, booklikes did not have groups or pm's when we first migrated over.

Booklikes was and is basically bookblogging rather than competition for goodreads; but, I really think they will be.

Finally got it working, phew.

ETA: Though most of my currently reading list I can't find in the database, which is amusing. (Probably because some are from NetGalley, now that I think of it.)

Not sure how or if Leafmarks is handling data feeds. (Or funding site resources and paid data feed subscriptions.)

No one panic if they start by adding the free amazon data feed and affiliate links. Those links are free and fairly simple to get and implement.

But the amazon data feed comes with some rules on having to show on first screen of book page without any other booksellers competing in that space. Goodreads, pre-amazon buyout refused to comply and kept their sponsored and user customizable " get a copy" buttons (which the ongoing new amazon import is now royally fucking over). Booklikes complies by putting booksellers one at a time only in search bar and on book page where you can shelve or read more on a single bookseller's site. Fictfact complies by having a buy-at-"amazon" and "other" links (clicking "other" gives you a list of more booksellers and is allowed in the amazon data feed terms). And so on for other sites.

There are some publisher data feeds; but, the major publishers all load data into an Ingram data feed used by most brick and mortar bookstores (which is not free). Isbn agencies vary by country; extremely few offer free data subscriptions.

With all the affiliated purchase links and ad systems on sites (I don't ever click ads unless positive goes to a somewhat trusted site like a major publisher), I'm trying to stick to a system. That system -- I'll click thru on goodreads to amazon to download free samples so goodreads and amazon know I'm still out there and active. Then I rotate my purchases between charity campaigns, Baen ebooks (they sell eARCs for some favorite authors), FictFact, booklikes, The Reading Room, and BookRabbit.

Always willing to add Leafmarks to the rotation.

I used to buy a lot of books on kindle (several a week).

This is me: https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

I emailed the founder a few days ago and she said this: "I plan to add librarian features soon, first probably cover uploading, descriptions, etc. And private message too.

Thanks, Linda. It's Ancient Bloodlines by Dan Dos Santos, the artist that creates the Mercy Thompson book covers.

Literary Ames {Against GR Censorship} wrote: "I emailed the founder a few days ago and she said this: "I plan to add librarian features soon, first probably cover uploading, descriptions, etc. And private message too."

I'm waiting for a site to make a common sense decision that if a description, cover or other information is missing that it would be okay to let any member add either to go live immediately or to go live only after a librarian/staff reviewed.

A lot of that is much easier to enter by the reader who has book in hand (or on device).

Overwriting existing data is a whole other issue.

Well, as the site is only 3 weeks old, I'm willing to give it time to mature.

I am considering this site, I liked the look of it. I am very happy over at BookLikes, but it never hurts to have a backup. And since I'm only here for the groups this one could be my backup. I'll give it a shot when I have time.

I've just emailed them about not being able to login as I'm having that problem as well.

I just made an account, if anyone wants to friend me here is the link.

https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

FYI, I've just been able to sign in using IE as I was using Chrome before which wasn't working for me.

I'm Petra X if anyone wants to add me, preferably as a friend rather than follower.

I'm trying it out also. I'm Carly (https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/... I'd also prefer friend adds over follow adds.

I can't get the database working, but maybe that's because of system overloading.

I'm trying it there as well. I have greater hopes than for BL. I love BL visually, but have never gotten the hang of managing my shelves or using it for a book catalogue. We'll see.
https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

Same for me... I like the blogging feature, but I'm finding it difficult to use BL for organizing my books. Leafmarks is more what I'm used to, so I'm going to give it a try.

https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

This is me, I think! I'm unable to add anything to my profile info and have it save. I've tried three times and am giving up but I did manage to start the import and upload an avatar. I love BL and am sticking with the site but I'll try this one out too and see how it evolves.

https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

this is me. Importing books now, I will add a picture later. Tried updating my profile and don't think it saved So, will try again later.

"Leafmarks exists for the purposes of creating a forum in which people can speak their minds. Profits and sales will always come second to the wants and needs of the community. We will listen to you and welcome suggestions on how to make this site better for you."

Sounds good. :)

Here's my profile:

https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...

Just for perspective--I live in the U.S. Use Firefox. I had already exported my GR file recently--I'm really not sure why--and so when I heard about Leafmarks on Booklikes, I opened an account and uploaded. It gave me the same message listed --upload complete but we're processing--but I was always able to access my page and upload a picture. No trouble opening/logging in, but I allow the browser to save certain kind of passwords. I just logged in now, about 4 hours later and my books are there. Off to play!

Randolph wrote: "Has anyone started a Leafmarks group here yet on gr?"

There's one on booklikes.

Fish Lips wrote: "Leafmarks is a new site started by a couple of people both major GR reviewers I think. I'm very happy at BookLikes for blogging, but the book data and lack of book pages mean I'm open to checking o..."
Hello, Petra! :) I read this comment of your last night and was thinking of checking it out. I think I'll like BookLikes, too, so thanks for the group invite as well! Will set up accounts for both as soon as soon as I can and, probably, revive my Shelfari bookshelf, too. Happy to be in this group! :)

Just a FYI for everyone--it was a silent/slow release and not really intended for a mass influx yet--so we'll have to be patient with bugs and features.

@Jovi, do keep in mind that Shelfari was bought out by amazon a long time ago, remained integrated on kindle, then dropped from kindle. I still like the site and the features, but it's a bit of a ghost town compared to it's former self. Every time I check in on some series information, I would have to add the data myself in order to use.

I wonder if the appearance of LM explains GoodReads suddenly more reasonable stance on shelving and such... but no, I forgot, we've always been at war with Eastasia.

You know anyone who wants to start something new for readers should be commended so I will give it a shot.

Really cool these two are trying to fill the gap so quickly!!

Is the site down today? I managed to get a glimpse - and my books seem to be up - but now the sign-in button seems to not be doing anything.

I had the same problem. :-(

The sign in button doesn't work for me, either. What does is hitting "enter" after I type the password. (Using Firefox.)

That is odd I had no problem logging in
I am using Chrome and my books also up loaded in less than minutes without errors.

Linda wrote: "Someone somewhere -- BookLikes? Maybe? -- suggested Leafmarks wasn't expecting a rush of new members, that it was supposed to be a "silent" and gradual roll-out. That would make sense if they were..."

That was me. I had emailed the site saying, "thanks" etc., and actually got a reply. Jacquie answered said and they weren't expecting an influx, that they had done a 'silent' launch to get initial quick feedback.

I also shared that I would be willing to be a subscriber or participate in a Kickstarter if they needed funds.

It's up; I'm on it now.

Down for me in Chrome.

Carol. [All cynic, all the time] wrote: "I also shared that I would be willing to be a subscriber or participate in a Kickstarter if they needed funds."

I definitely would as well.

They have a weird sign in page, where it says my pw goes to the keychain. I have a Mac. Anyone know anything about that?

Also, Petra and others, when you say all your books and shelves are there, do they have the same issue every other site has with NOT importing non-ISBN books?

Thanks for any info!

Lisa wrote: "They have a weird sign in page, where it says my pw goes to the keychain. I have a Mac. Anyone know anything about that?

Also, Petra and others, when you say all your books and shelves are there, ..."

Lisa - did you just upgrade to OS X Mavericks by any chance? Mavericks has a new feature that will suggest a draconian password and then automatically remember it in your keychain. So you have a stupidly secure password you don't actually have to remember. But you can bypass it if you want and still use the passwords you're used to and can remember. :)

I decided to make a leafmarks account as well:

friend me here:
https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...