Popular websites for Booklovers
"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." ~Charles W. Eliot
If that quotes resonates with you as much as it does me, than you might just be a fellow bibliophile. If I'm not working, I'm reading and if I'm not reading, I'm surfing online reading book reviews and shopping for books! I've compiled a list of some of my favourite book related websites for you to enjoy. If you know of a great book related website, be sure to post it in the comments section below. Don't keep a great find to yourself!
Nothing Beats A Good Book
Reference & Social
Fantastic Fiction
I first became aware of this website while working at my local book store.
Ran by Fantastic Fiction Limited, based out of Lancashire, U.K
This is the ultimate reference website for book lovers. Easy to navigate, FF boasts an impressive database which includes over 30,000 author bibliographies and info on over 350,000 book titles.
One quick search of an author or book title and you're provided with all the information you'll need including all the titles written by the author, listed in order they were released with photos of the cover and ISBNs.
Goodreads
Launched in January 2007, Goodreads has grown to become the largest book recommendation website in the world. It's kind of like facebook for booklovers (minus all the annoying status updates). Currently there are over 13,000,000 members from all over the world, with reviews of over 440,000 books.
It's free to sign up and create a profile.
You can do many things on Goodreads, including but not limited to the following:
Read reviews and recommendations from other users, as well as post your own.
Create and participate in book lists, reading lists and book related trivia.
Join or create book clubs.
Track your reading habits by adding books to three main bookshelves, Read, To-Read & Currently Reading.
Goodreads also has a free app available to download (just search "Goodreads" from your smart phones app store) which has a nifty little bar code scanner. Perfect for when you're in the book store and wavering as to whether you'd actually enjoy that book in your hand or not. Instant reviews right in the Fiction section of your local bookstore or library!
Book Crossing
Launched in April 2001, Book Crossing works on the concept that if you love a book, you should let it go to be shared by others. Here's a quick run down of how it works:
Register one your books, after which you'll be assigned a unique "Book Crossing ID"
Print out the label provided and paste it inside the cover. Then you simply send your book out into the great unknown to be discovered and enjoyed by someone else.
Sending it into the world can include leaving the book on a park bench or the train. There are many examples of safe and easy places to leave your book provided on the website. The idea is someone will find your book, go to bookcrossing.com and register that they've found the book (using the code you pasted inside the cover) read and enjoy it as much as you did, then send it back out into the world for another person to find and read
You can follow the entire journey of your book, as well as read journal entries (if they choose to write any) from all the people who read your book around the world. Currently there are over 1,597,927 people book crossing from 132 different countries, sharing over 9,495,000 books
I love this idea so much. I have yet to actually release a book into the world because, well to be honest, I'm a bit of a book hoarder. I have a very hard time getting rid of any of my books. I don't throw away or give away books. I buy them and keep them forever. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to pick one I'm willing to let go of because I love the idea of seeing where in the world one of my books might end up.
Bib-li-o-phile (bib-lee-uh-fahyl)
noun
A person who loves or collects books, especially as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding or the like.
Did you know?
Reading is one of the most popular past times, with 66% of us reading in our spare time. That's more popular than gardening or going to the movies.
Source: The Reading Agency
Reviews & Blogs
The Savvy Reader
Run by publisher Harper Collins Canada. The Savvy Reader features reviews by other book lovers, runs a monthly newsletter full of publishing news & book release info, an online book club as well as many book giveaways (I have yet to win any, but I'm not giving up!)
The Savvy Reader is also home to the 50 Book Pledge. The Pledge was created to inspire people to start making more time to read. You can register through their website and track your progress throughout the year, as well as use Facebook or Twitter to see how your friends are doing or encourage them to start reading more.
Read In a Single Sitting
Run by freelance writer, Stehpanie Campisi from Australia.
If you're not in the market for a heavy duty book, Read in a Single Sitting is the perfect place for you. This website is dedicated to fun, fast reads. It's easy to navigate, allowing users to search for reviews based on book genre or title. The website is not too heavy on the graphics or advertising, making it quite visually pleasing. I would definitely recommend Read in a Single Sitting for those of you looking for your next vacation read.
BookLore
Created in January 2000 as a labour of love by two friends, Book Lore is home to the quick book review. The website is not concerned so much with making money, so there's very little advertising and fancy graphics here. Just quick and to the point. Fellow readers are also encouraged to submit their own reviews. They also provide visitors with a score out of ten to provide you with a quick idea as to whether you would enjoy a specific title.
Shopping
The Strand
Home to 18 miles of new, used and rare books. Strand Books first opened its doors in 1927 in New York City. It was one of 48 bookstores on NYCs legendary book row, and today The Strand is the only store left. If you're not able to visit the store itself, their website is almost as enjoyable. I say almost because I was fortunate enough to *finally* visit the Strand on a trip to NYC last summer. (It's hard to tell, but that's me standing outside the store in the picture!) Three floors of books, including a rare book room, it is not only a book lovers paradise but a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Old wooden floors that creak plus the smell of 1000s books enveloping you, the store is truly one of the best places I have ever had the good fortune to visit.
The website not only has many wonderful titles available to order (with shipping available to the U.S & Canada), but fabulous merchandise perfectly suited for the book lover. Everything from bookmarks, tote bags, to t-shirts and journals. Don't forget to check out the rare books section. They even have a rare cloth bound edition of Alice in Wonderland! Of course, you need to have an extra $15,000 to take it home with you.. but hey! It's fun to dream.
Out of Print Clothing
Based out of Brooklyn, NY, Out of Print Clothing makes lovely book cover t-shirts. I dream of having a closet full of all their wonderful t-shirts and hoodies. (I am proud to say I am the owner of their Jane Eyre t-shirt!) All of their clothing and accessories are adorned with the images of classic book covers, which they have obtained all of the appropriate licensing for. They have an excellent return policy and happily ship to most countries. Not only do they make wonderful products, but they are also a company with a conscience. For each product that is sold, they donate a book to Books for Africa.
The Book Depository
This company is based out of the UK, and they operate under the motto "All Books Available to All" They are a wonderful online bookstore that offers the largest selection of book titles you can find (over six million titles!). They ship within 48 hours, to over 130 countries and the best part? Free shipping worldwide!
Something I love about this bookstore is that they are not about shoving ebooks and ereaders down peoples throats. They are about selling good, old fashioned books. Another great thing to note about The Book Depository is they operate DoDo Press Imprint, a publishing company that is dedicated to republishing hard to find and out of print books. There are over 30 million books published in the English language and they have dedicated themselves to saving as many as they can from extinction.
How often do you read?
Honorable Mentions
I hope you enjoyed my book lovers hub! I'll leave you with another wonderful quote about the joy of reading from beloved childrens author, Dr. Seuss:
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!" - Dr. Seuss- I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
