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Using the Internet to get more out of your reading
Authors :: Awards & Prizes :: Bookshops :: Children's :: Ebooks & Etext :: Genre Fiction :: Library Catalogues :: Literature Festivals & Events :: Poetry :: Publishers :: Reader Development :: Reading Groups :: Reviews :: Secondhand & Rare Books :: Teenagers :: Visually Impaired Readers :: What to Read Next? :: Recommend a Site
Please select one of the categories above for a list of useful websites. However, please note that Cheshire County Council accepts no responsibility for external sites or their contents.
American Authors on the Web
http://lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/AmeLit.html
Lists authors in chronological order and contains links to websites with information on those authors.
Author.co.uk
http://www.author.co.uk/
A UK site for writers and publishers, promoting British writers to the rest of the world. A-Z listing of authors.
Authors at Yahoo!
http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/arts/Humanities/Literature/Authors/
Another site offering links to author sites.
BookWire Author Indexes
http://www.bookwire.com/
Provides links to a whole host of author-related sites.
British and Irish Authors on the Web
http://lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/UK-authors.html
Lists authors in chronological order and contains links to websites with information on those authors.
Celebration of Women Writers
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/writers.html
Browse by author's name, country or century to find websites on a particular writer.
Contemporary Writers in the UK
http://www.contemporarywriters.com/
Provided by the British Council in partnership with Booktrust, this is a searchable database containing profiles of UK and Commonwealth contemporary writers. Includes biographies, bibliographies, critical reviews, prizes and photographs.
Meet the Author
http://www.meettheauthor.com/
Video clips of authors talking about their work.
Online Literary Criticism Collection
http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/
A very comprehensive site which lists websites on authors and their works. Browse by author, title, nationality or literary period.
Cheshire Prize for Literature
http://www.chester.ac.uk/literatureprize
New in 2003, a short story competition initiated by the High Sheriff of Cheshire, administered by Chester College, and set to be awarded at an event in the Chester Literature Festival.
Children's Literature Web Guide
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/
International guide to English-language children's book awards.
CILIP Medals & Awards
http://www.cilip.org.uk/practice/awards.html
Includes winners of medals and awards administered by the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals, including the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals.
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/
This award is the largest and most international prize of its kind. It involves libraries from all corners of the globe, and is open to books written in any language.
Nobel Prize
http://www.nobel.se/
The official site of the Nobel Foundation. Offers biographical information for all winners.
Orange Prize for Fiction
http://www.orangeprize.co.uk/
Information about the forthcoming Orange Prize, the books, the authors, news and reviews, and details of upcoming events taking place around the country in the run up to the announcement of the Prize winner.
Pulitzer Prize
http://www.pulitzer.org/
Profiles of recent winners and a list of past recipients.
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Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Buy books over the Internet or just browse for ideas and reviews. Search for a book by title or author or simply browse different categories of books. http://www.amazon.com is the American equivalent which tends to have more on it but books may not be available in the UK.
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
American site which includes options to search out of print titles and download ebooks.
Blackwell's Online
http://www.heffers.co.uk/bobuk/scripts/welcome.jsp?brand=BOBUK&sub=Heffers
Blackwell's Bookshops is a group of over 80 academic, professional and specialist bookshops based on university campuses and high street locations throughout the UK. It has recently acquired Heffers of Cambridge.
BookBrain
http://www.bookbrain.co.uk/
Although this site doesn't sell books, it provides a comprehensive price search of UK online bookshops on the web, searching approx. 15 sites.
Bookfinder
http://www.bookfinder.com/
This site connects readers to over 40,000 booksellers from around the world. Can also be used to search for used and out of print books.
Bookland
http://www.bookland.co.uk/
Booksellers with branches across Northern England and Wales.
Bookwire
http://www.bookwire.com/
Index of American / Canadian Booksellers.
Borders
http://www.borders.co.uk/
This is now an information site for Borders and Books etc stores across the UK including details of store locations, events and services available.
The Internet Bookshop
http://www.bookshop.co.uk/
This is WH Smiths own site. Usual searches apply.
Ottakers
http://www.ottakers.co.uk/
Cheshire stores are located in Crewe & Wilmslow. The website offers reviews and articles generated by a network of booksellers from over 70 branches and each branch offers its own website including events listings.
Waterstones
http://www.waterstones.co.uk/
UK bookstore website working with amazon.co.uk. Search for any book using the search box or go to a category at the bottom of the screen. Look out for the Book of the Month feature.
WH Smith
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/
The books section on this site highlights discounts and offers. Links to book awards sites and interviews with authors.
Yahoo
http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search/ukie?p=booksellers
UK Booksellers. Useful for tracing specialist and unusual bookshops. Choose the United Kingdom. The first list gives Booksellers by subject/genre. The second list further down gives Booksellers by name.
Achuka
http://www.achuka.co.uk/
Check the latest news, reviews, interviews, features and information about children's authors and their books. Provides links to lots of author sites.
Anderson Press
http://www.andersenpress.co.uk/
Information on authors published by Anderson including Melvin Burgess, Anne Fine, Michael Foreman, David McKee, Colin McNaughton, Chris Riddell & Tony Ross. Also includes a selection of extracts to read.
Barrington Stoke
http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/
Barrington Stoke is an award-winning publisher specialising in books for reluctant, dyslexic and under-confident young readers. Sample pages can be viewed, advice is given for parents and teachers, and reviews can be submitted and browsed.
Book Box
http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/B/bookbox/home.htm
Puts you in touch with your favourite authors and their books. Features over 30 of the most popular authors, poets and illustrators.
Book Selector
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/book_selector
The reviews on this site were originally written to assist librarians in the selection of new books and to help teachers and parents with particular queries. Now they are accessible to everyone. Although written with adults in mind, children themselves may also find these reviews useful.
Bookstart
http://www.bookstart.co.uk/
Bookstart schemes deliver book bags nationally through a network of partnerships ... Information and resources for Bookstart schemes.
Children’s Books UK
http://www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk/
Look for your favourite authors and illustrators in this listing.
Children's Laureate
http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/Home
Check out this site for all the latest information on the Children's Laureate, awarded every two years to a children's author who has made an outstanding contribution to creating the readers of tomorrow.
Children's Literature Web Guide - Authors and Illustrators on the Web
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html
Links to websites produced by the authors and illustrators themselves, their fans, and readers.
HarperCollins
http://www.harperchildrens.com/hch/
This is an American based site but includes links to the Chronicles of Narnia & R L Stine's Nightmare Room websites.
Healthy Books
http://www.healthybooks.org.uk/
Over 30 different booklists which offer information and reassurance with health and emotional problems, together with characters acting as good role models. Subjects include adoption, bullying, divorce, death, and behavioural problems, as well as books on both mental and physical disability, and many different medical conditions.
Kids on the Net
http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/
Write your own stories, poems and book reviews as well as reading those already written by children. Provides advice on writing including some top tips by Jacqueline Wilson.
Mrs Mad's Book-a-Rama
http://www.mrsmad.com/
All the best children's books reviewed and rated for young readers, parents, teachers and librarians, with games, stories and jokes.
Puffin
http://www.puffin.co.uk/
Top tips on becoming a successful author or illustrator. Find out where your favourite authors and illustrators get their ideas. Check out the Biography section for a more in-depth look at an author or illustrator's writing or drawing background, or check out their own websites.
Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org.uk/
Share reading ideas with authors, poets, illustrators and sports stars, enter competitions and send in book reviews.
Reading Matters
http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/
Contains around 170 children's book reviews, and can be searched by author or title. There are themed lists and a book chooser facility. The reviews are quite lengthy, include extracts, and then other books to try are suggested.
Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.com/
Popular publisher of children's books. This interactive site for kids provides the lowdown on favourite stories and characters.
Stories from the Web
http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org/
Read stories, e-mail authors, write reviews and even write your own stories.
UK Children's Books
http://www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk/
Excellent A-Z listing of authors, linking you to their own websites.
Yahooligans
http://www.yahooligans.com/
The Arts & Entertainment category leads to a selection of categories including books. Click on this to reveal a huge choice of sites from classics like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Chronicles of Narnia to Goosebumps and Harry Potter.
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Bartleby
http://www.bartleby.com/
Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse providing users with unlimited access to book information and text for free.
Bibliomania
http://www.bibliomania.com/
Hundreds of searchable full text works of classic fiction, popular fiction, short stories, drama, poetry, dictionaries, research and religious texts.
Electronic Text Centre
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/
Holds over 45,000 texts in 12 different languages.
English Server Accessible Online Publishing
http://eserver.org/
Includes fiction and nonfiction works.
Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
Online archive of electronic texts.
Online Books Page
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/
Searchable index of thousands of online books and other works.
AllSciFi
http://www.allscifi.com/
This search engine lets you search for science fiction novels by kinds of plots, kinds of characters, setting and action elements.
Based on the Book
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/movies/
'Based on the Book' is a compilation of over 800 book titles, short stories, and
plays that have been made into films. All films in this collection have been released since 1980.
Black Literature
http://www.blackliterature.com
Books by, for and about African Americans. Covers Mystery, Science Fiction, History, Romance, Biography, and Drama.
Chick Lit
http://www.chicklit.co.uk/
Includes interviews, thriller chicks, literary chicks, lad lit, nonfiction, writing tips, and more general lifestyle information.
Fiction DB
http://www.fictiondb.com/
Romance, Mystery, Western and Suspense genres are searchable on this site. Also offers reviews, links to author websites, and pseudonym directories.
Financial Fiction
http://www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/bankfiction/
The rather specialist fiction genre of finance and banking. Features financial fiction through the ages and financial fiction in other genres including legal fiction, suspense, mystery, spy thrillers, historical and romantic fiction.
Genrefluent
http://www.genrefluent.com/
Contents include: adventure, crime, fantasy, general fiction, graphic novels, historical, horror, romance, sci fi and young adult.
Jim Janke's Old West
http://homepages.dsu.edu/jankej/oldwest/oldwest.htm
The section Novels, Novelists, and Short Fiction offers resources on western writers.
Murder Squad
http://www.murdersquad.co.uk/
A virtual collective of seven crime writers from the North of England.
Mystery Reader
http://themysteryreader.com/
Genre-focused site about mystery novels.
Romance Reader
http://theromancereader.com/
Offers reviews of various types of romance novels, plus other features.
SF Site: The Home Page for Science Fiction and Fantasy
http://sfsite.com/
Includes reviews, features, and a comprehensive list of links to author websites.
Soon's Historical Fiction Site
http://www.histfiction.net
Includes author information, bibliographies, answers to frequently asked questions, and more.
Tangled Web
http://www.twbooks.co.uk/
Dedicated to Crime, Mystery, SF and Fantasy genres. Provides lists of new publications, author profiles and bibliographies.
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British Library
http://catalogue.bl.uk
Includes the catalogues, digital collections, information for visitors and details of current exhibitions.
Cheshire Libraries
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/library/
Click on the Library Catalogue button on the Libraries' homepage to explore what's available in Cheshire Libraries. Did you know that in addition to books you can borrow DVDs, videos and CDs?
COPAC
http://www.copac.ac.uk/copac/
COPAC is a union catalogue. It provides free access to the merged online catalogues of 22 of the largest university research libraries in the UK and Ireland, plus the British library.
Internet Public Library
http://www.ipl.org/
A 'virtual' library, with online collections, research guides, and a reference service.
Libdex: Library Catalogues on the World Wide Web
http://www.libdex.com
A list of library catalogues available on the web.
Libweb
http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/
An extensive international directory of library websites.
UK Public Libraries page
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/ac940/ukpublib.html
An extensive list of UK public libraries.
Bath Literature Festival
http://www.bathlitfest.org.uk/
The annual festival takes place each March. Additional information on educational activity, places to eat and how to join the mailing list.
Buxton Festival
http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/
An art festival with a small literary element.
Chester Literature Festival
http://www.chester-literature-festival.org.uk/
Chester's annual festival takes place each October with events running over a three week period.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/
Hugely popular yearly festival in August.
Festival at the Edge
http://www.festivalattheedge.org/
This is a storytelling festival which takes place each July at Stokes Barn near Much Wenlock, Shropshire.
Hay Festival
http://www.hayfestival.com
Hay is a tiny market town in the Black Mountains of the Welsh Marches. It has 1300 people and 39 bookshops. For ten days a year 50,000 visitors converge on Hay from all over the UK, Europe and America for the festival.
Knutsford Literature Festival
http://www.knutsfordlitfest.blogspot.com/
Knutsford's first festival took place in October 2000, and there has been a programme of literary events each year since.
Lancaster LitFest
http://www.litfest.org/
Takes place each October with additional events throughout the year. Features poetry and fiction.
Literary Festivals
http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-literature-literary-festivals.htm
Searchable online database of UK Literary Festivals provided by the British Council. Selection criteria include month, region and subject. Alternatively, enter specific name or town.
Live Literature
http://www.liveliterature.net/
The Arts Council of England's listings of author events and activities. Includes information on writers available for tour and a directory of members. The listings can be searched by region, venue, type of event and date.
Northern Children’s Book Festival
http://www.ncbf.org.uk/
The largest annual children’s book festival in the UK. Most of the events involve authors working with children in schools and libraries and are not open to the public, with exception of the Gala Day.
World Book Day Reading Festival
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/campaign/worldbookday.html
Authors taking part include Nigella Lawson, Andy McNab, Terry Pratchett and Jacqueline Wilson.
Writing on the Wall
http://www.writingonthewall.org.uk/
Liverpool festival. WOW celebrates radical writing by involving new and local communities in the context of social justice, international links, schools' involvement and debates the impact of digital technologies on writing.
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Apples and Snakes
http://www.applesandsnakes.org/
London based performance poetry organisation. Site provides information on their live poetry events and background on artists.
Bartleby
http://www.bartleby.com/
Search for bibliographical details of poets or for text.
BBC Arts - Poetry
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/poetry/index.shtml
Interactive poetry site including the Nation's Favourite Children's poem.
Bloodaxe Books
http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/
Contemporary poetry listing with poet information, links and biographies.
Carcanet
http://www.carcanet.co.uk/
Full poetry catalogue plus poet biographies, interviews and press releases.
Columbia Granger's World of Poetry
http://www.columbiagrangers.org/
Subscription service for searching poetry. Offers a free trial.
Poetry Book Society
http://www.poetrybooks.co.uk/
What are your poetry tastes? The Poetry Book Society aims to assist all readers of poetry from occasional browsers to connoisseurs. Features include reading tips and a book search catalogue.
Poetry Business
http://www.poetrybusiness.co.uk/
Publisher of contemporary poetry books, pamphlets and cassettes under the Smith/Doorstep imprint. Also publishes The North literary magazine, holds monthly writing days in Huddersfield and runs an annual Book & Pamphlet Competition.
Poetry Kit
http://www.poetrykit.org/
Numerous listings including publishers, competitions, courses, funding, events, festivals and magazine listings. It also holds a Who's Who in Poetry and a listing of blogs and poets on the internet. Home of the internet based "Poetry Kit Magazine" and a monthly newsletter of competitions and events around the world.
Poetry Library
http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/
The most comprehensive and accessible collection of poetry from 1912 in Britain. Poetry is available in many formats: books, pamphlets, audio cassette, CD, video for reference and loan; magazines, press cuttings, photographs, posters and postcards for reference.
Poetry Life
http://freespace.virgin.net/poetry.life/
Poetry Life magazine contains interviews with poets, articles on all aspects of the poetry scene in the UK and world wide, reviews, festivals, publishing, performance poetry, style and the politics of poetry, and competitions.
Poetry London
http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/
One of Britain's leading poetry magazines, bringing you poems, reviews, features and listings.
Poetry School
http://www.poetryschool.com/
The Poetry School offers a core programme of tuition designed to encourage the reading and writing of poetry.
Poetry Society
http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/
Features include National Poetry Day, events, educational activities and resources, poetry reviews and news of forthcoming titles, an online poetry class and details of poets in residence.
Bloomsbury
http://www.bloomsbury.com/
Provides catalogue, author information and events, and general news.
Bookseller
http://www.thebookseller.com/
Publishing journal aimed at booksellers. Includes news of forthcoming publications plus related articles.
Booksellers Association of the UK and Ireland
http://www.booksellers.org.uk/
Directory of publishers in the UK with links to their sites. Members directory can be searched by town or region.
Canongate
www.canongate.net/
Independent publishing house based in Edinburgh but with a distinctly international outlook. Authors range from literary giants to debut novelists; seasoned music journalists to internationally acclaimed historians; poets to crime writers.
Faber
http://www.faber.co.uk/
Book news, authors, poetry, performing arts and a searchable database of titles.
Fourth Estate
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Contents/4thEstate/Pages/4thEstate.aspx
Search the site by keyword, or browse new releases. Also includes a features section.
Little Brown
http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/
Imprints: Abacus, Orbit, Virago, Warner
Orion
http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/
Imprints: Phoenix House, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Oriel, Gollanz
Oxford University Press
http://www.oup.co.uk/
Gives quick access to information about World Classics.
Penguin Books
http://www.penguin.co.uk/
Try the 'Read Me' magazine in the right hand column for interesting articles about books, authors and the publishing world.
Random House
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/
Imprints: Arrow, Barrie & Jenkins, Cape, Century, Chatto & Windus, Ebury, Heinnemann, Hutchinson, Legend, Mandarin, Minerva, Pimlico, Secker & Warburg, Sinclair Stevenson, Stanley Paul, Vermillion, Vintage, Yellow Jersey.
Simon & Schuster
http://www.simonsays.co.uk/
Online catalogue of titles plus information on forthcoming publications.
Transworld
http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/
Imprints: Anchor, Bantam, Black Swan, Corgi, Doubleday, Partridge Press
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BBC Big Read
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigread
The Big Read is a national campaign to find out Britain’s best loved fiction and will be promoted throughout 2003 via BBC's television, radio, online and interactive services, kicking off with a TV show when celebrities present their favourite reads on 5 April. The top 100 will be announced at the end of April, and the top 10 in the Autumn.
Books Connect
http://www.artsandlibraries.org.uk/creatingpartnerships
Demonstrates how libraries, museums and the arts can work together to develop inspirational cultural partnerships that draw new audiences in new ways.
Bookstart
http://www.bookstart.co.uk/
Bookstart is a national books for babies scheme. The partners aim to provide every baby in the UK with a Bookstart pack of free books and guidance materials. They are committed to promoting the idea of early book sharing and seek to give every baby the opportunity to develop a life long love of books.
Booktrust
http://www.booktrusted.com
Booktrust is an independent, educational charity and their website provides information on a wide range of projects and initiatives including Bookstart, plus details of events and prizes.
Branching Out
http://www.branching-out.net/
Key reader development initiative funded by the Arts Council. Information on the projects developed by Branching Out librarians, including Rearranging the World, Book Forager, A Touch Of, Open Ticket, Loud and Proud, It's A Man Thing and Unclassified.
British Council
http://www.encompassculture.com/readinggroups/calendarofevents/
Provides a calendar of reader and book related events, activities and promotions.
National Reading Campaign
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/
The National Reading Campaign supports reading promotion across the country through a series of themes aimed at different age groups. This site provides information on reading activities at national, regional and local level.
Opening the Book
http://www.openingthebook.com/
This site is aimed at library authorities and provides information and advice to support their work in reader development. From library transformations to training courses, a very practical insight into Opening the Book's ideas and projects.
Reading Agency
http://www.readingagency.org.uk/
The Reading Agency develops innovative reader development pilot models and national programmes, partnerships, advocacy, research, training and promotional materials. It supports work with children, young people and adults. Details on all aspects are given on the site.
Their Reading Futures
http://www.theirreadingfutures.org.uk/
Their Reading Futures aims to support and enhance libraries’ work in providing high quality reading services to young people. The site provides strategies, resources and training.
Time to Read
http://www.time-to-read.co.uk/
Time To Read is a partnership of librarians, literature development workers and other organisations engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. This site provides information on all the activity which is taking place across the region.
Bloomsbury
http://www.bloomsburymagazine.com/ReadersGroups/default.asp
Features include: invite an author to your reading group, book offers, readers guides, discussion forum, and advice on setting up a group.
Book Clique Cafe
http://www.readinggroupsonline.com/
Online reading groups can be found from this site. The group directory can be searched by genre.
Bookgroup List
http://books.rpmdp.com/
This site provides an opportunity for readers to discuss preselected readings online. Reviews by the online group can be viewed back as far as 1996 when the site was created. Also lists award winners and bestsellers.
HarperCollins
http://www.readinggroups.co.uk/
Offers advice on getting started, reading guides, reviews of staff reads, suggestions on what to read next, and competitions.
Penguin Readers' Group
http://www.penguin.co.uk/
Click on Readers' Groups to enter Penguin's online resources. Features include author and book of the month, readers' recommendations, and information about how to start up a group.
Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/bookclub/
Information about Radio 4's book club with James Naughtie, including the listen again archive of past programmes as well as details of those forthcoming.
Random House Reading Group Guides
http://www.randomhouse.com/reader_resources/browsetitle
Provides Reading Group Guides intended to enhance a reading group's discussion of a book. Also sometimes includes a note from the author to assist the group in having a stimulating and interesting discussion.
Vintage Reading Group Guides
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/list.html
An imprint of Random House, Vintage Books also provides Reading Group Guides to enhance a group's reading and discussion of a book. They include a description of each book, questions, discussion topics, and author biographies. From fiction to memoir, award winners to bestsellers.
You Reading Group
http://www.you-reading-group.co.uk/
Again details book of the month and gives readers an opportunity to submit reviews, use discussion notes, and obtain some background information on the author.
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Book Wire: Reviews
http://www.bookwire.com/bookwire/
Includes reviews from Library Journal, Hungry Mind Review, Boston Book Review, and more.
Booklist
http://www.ala.org/booklist/index.html
Brief reviews on a wide range of new books.
Booksy
http://www.booksy.co.uk/
Small press book reviews - contribute your own or get some recommendations for a unique read.
Good Book Guide
http://www.thegoodbookguide.com/
Website of the magazine with many features and articles including an extensive list of book reviews.
Guardian
http://www.booksunlimited.co.uk/
In addition to reviews, includes bestsellers, first chapters and a genre search.
Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/
Select Books under the "Enjoyment" heading to see book reviews.
NewBooksMag
http://www.newbooksmag.com/
The popular magazine for readers and reading groups has access to reviews online as well as features and other articles.
Reader 2 Reader
http://www.reader2reader.net/
This is the readers' section of the People's Network, a site for readers to share opinions about books - what you loved, what you hated and what you got stuck on.
Richmond Review
http://www.richmondreview.co.uk/
Large collection of reviews covering a wide variety of subject areas.
Sunday Times
http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/
Reviews from this newspaper. Try selecting the Books option from the menu on the left-hand side of the page, then take a look at the bestsellers.
Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts
Articles as well as reviews, a book club and online book shop too.
The Reader
http://www.thereader.co.uk/
A Liverpool based magazine about writing worth reading. Provides access to articles from the current edition as well as information about back issues. In addition to reviews, articles include interviews with authors and editors, quizzes and debates.
Times Literary Supplement
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/
Review of literature, scholarship and the visual and performing arts. Carries comprehensive reviews, not only of the latest books, but also recent film productions, theatre, opera, broadcasting, the sciences and the arts.
Second-hand & Rare Books
Advanced Book Exchange (ABE)
http://www.abebooks.com/
US site for tracking down second hand books.
Alibris
http://www.alibris.com/
Database of hard-to-find books online. Provides a worldwide network of dealers and offers a good selection of used, rare and hard-to-find titles.
Bibliofind
http://www.bibliofind.com/
Search for second hand books in shops all over the world.
Blackwells
http://www.rarebooks.blackwell.co.uk/
Issues general catalogues periodically and occasional specialist lists. The company also purchases books whether single titles, in quantity or collections. Stock can be searched via a database online.
Bookfinder
http://www.bookfinder.com/
Searches new and second hand books from leading sites.
Clique
http://www.clique.co.uk/
Book cataloguing software and information services for booksellers and private book buyers.
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Barrington Stoke
http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/
Barrington Stoke is an award-winning publisher specialising in books for reluctant, dyslexic and under-confident young readers. Sample pages can be viewed, advice is given for parents and teachers, and reviews can be submitted and browsed.
Booktrust
http://www.booktrusted.com/booklists/teenage.html
List of recommended teenage fiction.
Cool Reads
http://www.cool-reads.co.uk/
Books for 10-15 year old readers by 10-15 year old reviewers. Search by author, title, or by category.
Grouchy Café
http://www.grouchy.com/
"House Specials" include favourite teenage angst novels, cook's diary, book chef, and one hot second (stories about desire).
Everybody's Reading
http://www.everybodysreading.com/
Find out what reading activities are taking place in the North West for young adults. Also provides reader recommendations and an opportunity to have your say.
4UReaders
http://www.4ureaders.net/
This is a gateway to three superb sites: Eclair, The Lads; and Girls with Attitude. Features to look out for include Book Brother (choose a book to evict!) and Star Signs (matching your personality up with a book to match). Also includes some music and film coverage.
Teen Reads
http://www.teenreads.com/
US Site featuring author interviews and biographies, book reviews, message board, and online newsletter.
Yahoo
http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/Arts/Humanities/Literature/Authors/Young_Adult/
Directory of author/book sites aimed at young adults including David Almond, Christopher Pike, Philip Pullman, RL Stine and Sue Townsend.
Visually Impaired Readers
Audiobook Collection
http://www.audiobookcollection.com/
Audiobook search facility, but limited reviews and author profiles.
Bag of Books
http://www.bags-of-books.co.uk/
Specialist children's bookshop; extensive range of story tapes.
Clear Vision
http://www.clearvisionproject.org/
A UK postal lending library of mainstream children's books with added Braille. All books have Braille, print and pictures, making them suitable for visually-impaired and sighted children and adults to share.
Cue & Review
http://www.cueandreview.org.uk/
Provides national magazines and newspapers on tape for visually impaired readers. Also provides a transcription service.
Listening Books
http://www.listening-books.org.uk/
Listening Books is a charity that provides audio books in cassette format via the post to people who have difficulty reading in the usual way.
OneWord
http://www.oneword.co.uk/
Audio books on the radio. Oneword is a digital radio station that specialises in the transmission of audio books, plays, comedy and reviews, particularly unabridged recordings.
Royal National Institute for the Blind
http://www.rnib.org.uk/
Includes good practice on clear print, Large Print, Braille and accessible websites. The library answers enquiries about books and information in alternative formats, and produces a wide range of subject reading lists and catalogues.
Ulverscroft
http://www.ulverscroft.co.uk/
Major supplier of large print books and spoken word tapes. Apart from their Books of the Month, over 9,500 titles can be accessed via their virtual showroom.
Top
What to Read Next?
Ask Chris
http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk/welcome.asp
Select your favourite kind of read from the various themes listed. If you are new to reading try Quick Reads. All suggestions have reader reviews. To add a review for a particular book, use Advanced Search by Author/Title.
BookCrossing
http://bookcrossing.com/
Have you found a book that has been released into the wild? Then register it here! Alternatively, browse the site for ideas as to what to read next. This international site is for book lovers everywhere.
Booksleuth
http://www.abebooks.com/docs/Community/BookSleuth/
Is there a special book that you read, or perhaps had read to you, at some point in your life but you can't remember the author and title? Perhaps you know the plot, or a character, or maybe even what the front cover looks like. BookSleuth is here to help you find that book!
Bookspot
http://www.bookspot.com/
A basic guide to book-related resources on the web including pages on what to read, genre corner, where to buy, authors, publishers, literary criticism, discussion groups, book associations and book events.
Good Book Guide
http://www.thegoodbookguide.com/
Magazine website. Includes features from the magazine: articles, interviews, reviews, information on authors, as well as book ordering facilities.
If You Like
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Guides/IfYouLike/
Provides loads of suggestions for titles and authors to read if you already like something in particular and want to try something new, e.g. authors who write like Dick Francis or Joanna Trollope, and books similar to Harry Potter or The Horse Whisperer. Also provides thematic lists of titles.
If You Like (KPL)
http://www.kpl.org/books_more/if_you_like.html
Another site offering suggestions of similar authors to try if you like one in particular. Not a very extensive list, but useful where relevant. Authors include the likes of Margaret Atwood, Maeve Binchy, Helen Fielding, John Grisham & Stephen King.
Internet Book Information Centre
http://www.internetbookinfo.com/
News and views for book-lovers including what not to read!
What's Next?
The What's Next database helps you search series fiction. A series is two or more books linked by character(s), settings, or other common traits. eg Sue Grafton's "A is for Alibi", "B is for..." etc. or the "Star Wars" series.
http://ww2.kdl.org/libcat/WhatsNextNEW.asp
Whichbook
http://www.whichbook.net/
This is the new version of Book Forager, the site designed to find books to match your mood. Do you want happy or sad, funny or serious, conventional or weird, romantic or realistic, short or long? You can also make preferences for character, plot and setting, as well as restricting searches to audio books and large print formats. |