I find it hard to make friends as I don't randomly add people have tried trying to get to know people so would it be best to just stick to reading story's?
you ain't alone. i am a little shy meeting new people bc i don't know what to talk about really. at least until i get to know them a little better.
I Ferrell the same way.. Shy and dont really send request. Every once in a while I will stumble on some ones profile and send a, message.. Do what you are comfortable with.
"I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are the first to be rescued off of sinking ships."
— Gilda Radner
Read and then be sure to leave comments. Pretty soon writers will want to friend you and other members will start to know what interests you. If there is a story or author that you like better than most, favorite the story and follow the author. These things will make friend requests welcome and generate more than a few for yourself
Also, never be afraid to contact writers whose work you enjoy. We live for such contacts
By being active readers who comment often, you will make friends very quickly.
Have you tried the chat rooms? Just hang out and have fun talking to people (and don't send out private requests to every random person)