2 posts tagged “book reviews”
Ever wonder what to read next? Even despite my ever-growing to-read list, I am always on the lookout for more book recommendations. To help me (and others like me) along, I have started to create a list of online reader's advisory resources. Although the list is still in its infancy, I thought that I would start to list some of the links here and then update the list as I find more resources. Feel free to leave comments and suggest your favourite book-related websites, blogs, etc.
- AllReaders.com (http://www.allreaders.com)
This website allows users to search for book reviews by title, author, plot, setting or character. It also allows users to browse by genre or recent reviews. - Gnooks (http://www.gnooks.com/)
- Reader2 (http://reader2.com)
This social website allows users to create lists of their favourite books (or their entire collection) and to search for book recommendations based on other books they have enjoyed, on user-created tags, etc. - Reader 2 Reader (http://www.reader2reader.net/)
- Reader's Robot (http://www.tnrdlib.bc.ca/rr.html)
This website allows users to search for book recommendations by genre, keyword, or "appeal factors" such as book length, writing style, and characterization. - Story Code (http://www.storycode.com)
This website allows users to get recommendations based on books that they have enjoyed. - What Should I Read Next? (http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/books/search)
This social website allows users to get recommendations based on books that they have enjoyed. - Whichbook.net (http://www.whichbook.net)
This website allows users to search for books based on desired style (e.g. funny, conventional, short, etc.), characters, plot, and setting.
- Book Bitch (http://www.bookbitch.com)
- Book Bytes by Marylaine Block (http://www.marylaine.com/bookbyte/index.html)
- Booklist Center (http://home.comcast.net/~dwtaylor1/)
- Genreflecting (http://www.genreflecting.com/)
- Hennepin County Library - If You Like...Fiction (http://www.hclib.org/pub/books/iyl/)
- January Magazine (http://www.januarymagazine.com/)
- MCPL - Based on the Book (http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/movies/)
- MGPL Webrary - Reader's Corner (http://www.webrary.org/rs/rsmenu.html)
- Overbooked (http://www.overbooked.org)
- Waterboro Public Library - Mostly Fiction: Booklists! (http://www.waterborolibrary.org/bklista.htm)
- Book Buzz (http://www.randomhouse.ca/readmag/book_buzz.htm)
- ChickLit Forums (http://www.chicklit.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi)
- Dear Reader (http://www.dearreader.com/)
This website allows users to sign up for online bookclubs and be sent (via email) five minute samples of books. - Fiction_L (http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLmenu.html)
- Bibliophil.org (http://www.bibliophil.org/default.php)
- Chain Reading (http://www.chainreading.com/)
- Gurulib (http://www.gurulib.com/)
- LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/)
- Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com/)
I decided to read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery last week after seeing so many recommendations for it over at the ChickLit forums. I didn't really have high hopes for the book (despite enjoying Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series), but I ended up really enjoying the book and devouring it in a matter of days.
Book Description (from the publisher)
At twenty-nine Valancy had never been in love, and it seemed romance had passed her by. Living with her overbearing mother and meddlesome aunt, she found her only consolations in the "forbidden" books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle. Then a letter arrived from Dr. Trent -- and Valancy decided to throw caution to the winds. For the first time in her life Valancy did and said exactly what she wanted. Soon she discovered a surprising new world, full of love and adventures far beyond her most secret dreams.
Strengths
- Rich characters and setting
- Strong female main character
- Enchanting fairy tale-like storyline
