Shelfari

WEBSITE UNITES BOOK LOVERS

Remember fantasizing in grade school about what you planned to do with your two months worth of summertime freedom? Just as days filled with sprinklers, BBQs and nighttime hide-and-seek seemed so close, your evil teacher hands out a two-paged required summer reading list. While my classmates groaned and swore they were going to dropout of the fifth grade, me and my four eyed, bookworm self - who used to request books as a birthday gift, instead of Barbie - silently cheered with pure glee. For all of you out there who share the belief that reading is fundamental and sexy, Shelfari is at our rescue.

Created as an online literary community, the first social media site dedicated to literature, connects an international network of book connoisseurs. Instead of slapping up suggestive photos or colorful profile wallpaper, Shelfari’s users express themselves by creating a virtual bookshelf of books they own, finished, are currently reading or would like to.

Sick and tired of all the self-published “hood” novels or obsessed with anything Michael Eric Dyson comes out with? Shelfari offers a rating system and discussion groups so you can share your two cents on the reads you loved and those you regret picking up. Not sure which book to pack for your next out-of-town trip? Link up with folks who have similar taste in literature and get a few suggestions.

And who knows, maybe you’ll connect with a cutie who also loves Parable of the Sower just as much as you do. Truth be told, mind sex is where it’s at.