One of the great things about the Internet is that you don't need to know real people to get good book recommendations. (It's also kind of the creepy thing about the Internet, but that's for another post.)

So when I'm feeling slightly anti-social, or want to break free from what I and the people I know would normally read, I take a cue from Web sites like Shelfari and GoodReads. On these sites, not only can you create your own virtual library, you can review what you loved and hated, and join groups that have similar tastes to yours.

Shelfari, for instance, has groups that include Cook's Books, Movie Lovers, Friendship for Universal Peace and Readers in Thongs. Of course, I joined this last one for research purposes...I haven't yet figured out the source of its name, but don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it.

GoodReads also sends you an e-mail whenever one of your friends adds a book to their virtual bookshelf, so you can keep track of what the people around you are reading. I find this service to be a little more intrusive, but I guess now I'm prepared to ask Carla what she thinks of Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson, rather than the latest episode of Big Brother 10. (TEN?)

And of course, if you're a member of either of these sites, look me up. I'd love to take a few reading cues from some Read Streeters.