Find Your Next Good Read Here!
I am a picky reader.
My time is valuable to me and I cannot stand to waste it on a really terrible read. So, I usually try to read books that have been recommended or authors that write books similar to ones I have enjoyed.
I have included information about some of the best "Social Reading" sites I have come across and that I use. Two of the best sites I have found are GoodReads.com and LibraryThing.com.
I have also created lenses where I review books I have read and I attempt to tell you in honest terms about them. Please find links to those pages below.
I invite you to keep reading further down the page and maybe you will find an interesting book, book site or a blog that will help you find some wonderful fiction to read!
Thanks for visiting this page. Remember to leave a comment.
Reader Image downloaded from Microsoft Clip Art
A Personal Reading Memory
Why I Read
Here is one of my favorite stories about my reading habits and why I cannot read badly written fiction:
When I was a teen newly transplanted to a new home in a new country (Philippines), I was so bored and desperate for something to do. So I decided to raid my Mom's bookshelf. She always had several books "going" and I just knew I would find something. I picked up one of her "romance" books (she read EVERYTHING) and a copy of East of Eden. I cannot even remember the name of the "bodice ripper", but it was horrible (I thought!)
Then I began the Steinbeck book. I loved it! Because I found it next to the other book, I thought I was reading a "nasty" book. I was sneaking around reading it in secret--that book was a page turner for me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that East of Eden is an American Classic.
This novel created such an impression on me that I recommended it to my own teenage daughter. She loved it, too. She told me that she could just "see" the fields that Steinbeck described.
GIF from Microsoft ClipArt
East Of Eden: Not a "Nasty Book"
by John Steinbeck
East of Eden (Steinbeck "Essentials")
Amazon Price: $14.30 (as of 02/09/2010)
My first classic! And I thought I was reading a "nasty" book!
Imprisoned by a Book!
For crying out loud, bring the book with you, then!
Used with permission from Mr. Dave Coverly
Catalogue What You Have Read
Social networking with readers
Do you ever forget what you have read?
Here are a few solutions to your problem.
- Welcome to Goodreads
- See what your friends are reading. Keep track of what you've read and organize your book lists into shelves. Join a book club to discuss your favorite books. A better way to find good books to read!
- LibraryThing | Catalog your books online
- A home for your books.
Enter what you're reading or your whole library. It's an easy, library-quality catalog.
A community of 600,000 book lovers. LibraryThing connects you to people who read what you do. - Welcome to Shelfari!
- Shelfari is the premier social network for people who love books.
Create a virtual shelf to show off your books, see what your friends are reading and discover new books - all for free!
Doing the "Library Thing" On YouTube
Learn about this really helpful personal cataloguing/social site
Doing GoodReads.com on YouTube:
Instructional vids about how to use this social/cataloguing site.
I use GoodReads.com and so do a lot of my friends.
Watch these instructional videos, then try it out yourself.
Websites to Help You Find New Fiction Authors:
I have found these sites to be very helpful.
Feel free to submit a website that you have discovered.
Vote for your favorite by clicking it up or down on the blue arrows.
You can then explain why you like a particular site in the Guest book at the end of this page.
What Should I Read Next?
Just type in the book title and the author's name. more...0 points
Story Circle Book Reviews: reviewing books by, for, and about women
Reviews of books by, for, about, and of interest t more...0 points
Overbooked: a resource for readers
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Bookreporter.com
A site dedicated to book lovers and writers. We pr more...0 points
The Good Book Guide - Fiction Recommendations from the Online Bookseller
Independent UK online book seller offering exclusi more...0 points
Lovereading UK - For online book reviews, books and free opening extracts
You loved your last book, but what are you going t more...0 points
Social Sites For Book Lovers | TechGerm.com - tech news/reviews/tips/guides/info
I love books - always have; always will. That's wh more...0 points
Authors On Air--On the Radio, that is!
If you like to hear your favorite authors speak
Authors On Air: Listen to Tune in and chat with bestselling authors and publishing industry pros.Check out some of the great shows on this website!
Top Shelf is the place to find exclusive interviews and compelling discussions with today's bestselling authors-and to discover new talent that everyone will be talking about tomorrow. Want to know what's hot? Listen in and find out. Past authors include John Grogan, Gregory Maguire, Kevin Nealon, and more.
Book Club Girl invites the author to your book club! Join us with your group and chat with authors like Ann Patchett and Wally Lamb.
The Beyond is a show for the Science Fiction / Fantasy community. We'll be hosting live talks with the hottest authors in the genre like Neil Gaiman, Neal Stephenson, Kim Harrison, and Melissa Marr.
Romance Radio brings you the hottest authors in romance like Meg Cabot, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and many more!
Library Love Fest brings you lively conversations with authors, librarians, editors, and other interesting personalities on all subjects of interest to librarians, academics, and readers of quality fiction and nonfiction. on internet talk radio.
Reading a really good book is like being on the very best vacation you ever had!
Quote: Mickie_G
Sources for Buying or Trading Books
Click on the blue links to find great books.
I will attempt to keep this list of resources up to date. If you have a site to recommend, send it to me or add it to this list!
Thanks!
My comments are in the yellow boxes below the links.
- BookMooch: exchange books and trade them, like a book swap or book barter
The link above takes you to the Home page for this book exchange.
I have joined this book mooching site and have been pleased.
Most books are given a description for their condition. If you don't want a beat-up copy, don't mooch it.
It is really neat to get a package in the mail! Especially if it has a book in it.
BookMooch is in need of help to keep running. Consider helping out Give a Little! Thanks!
- Half.com / Shops / orleanbooks / Books
Orlean Books is owned by a gentle man who is an intellect and absolutely adores books. He is also a very gifted poet and artist. Purchase on Half.com from orleanbooks.
- Green Publishing, Kedzie Press, Books, Publisher
Kedzie Press is an independent publishing house based in Seattle, Washington.They publish books with socially conscious and/or environmentally friendly ...
- Yellow House Books
The brick and mortar store is located at 252 Main St. Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230 United States. It has well-developed specialties in children's illustrated books, collectibles, art and photography, and music.
I have purchased from YH, and received rapid, caring service.- BookSense
Find an independent bookseller by clicking the Indie Banner above. Thanks!
- Paperback Swap
Click the banner for Paperback Swap to find out more.
This swap site also has audiobooks.
BLOGS about Reading!
Click on the blue links!
- Mystery File
Blog about Mystery fiction. My favorite genre!
- Paper cuts
From the NY Times
My Very Own Squidoo Pages for Readers
Click on the blue links to find a New Fiction Book or Author!
- Sharyn McCrumb Fiction
NASCAR fiction by southern author Sharyn McCrumb.
- Mickie's 2007 Summer Reading
I sometimes have trouble remembering what books I have read or listened to in the past. I attribute this lapse to the computer-like nature of my brain. If a file has not been used recently or used often, my brain deletes it to create more space. Here is my recorded list for 2007.
- You Need to Read These Authors: Adrian McKinty and Lee Child
Both Lee Childand Adrian McKinty have an honored place in my little red wagon.These two authors, McKinty and Child, have created characters that I find extremely likeable. The two leading characters, McKinty's Michael Forsythe and Child's Jack Reacher, have a lot in common.
- My 2008 Summer Reading List
Lists of books and reviews of the books I read in 2008. Just because it was a few years ago, it does not mean you cannot use this list now. Go on! Find a new book to read.
- CLASSIC SOUTHERN NOVEL - Down River - by John Hart
On this lens, please find several reviews of the novel Down River by John Hart. Some of these reviews come from book review sites, professional magazines, or Book Review Blogs. You will also find a synopsis of Down River.
- Lee Child Author Extraordinaire!
learn about the author Lee Child thru video! He is one of my favorites. His character, Jack Reacher, began as a mystery in the first novel. With each novel in the series, Reacher is revealed. Kind of like an onion, with each layer that is peeled away, we are getting to the heart of him.
- Audio Book: L.A.Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker
On this lens you will find various reviews of the audio book L.A. Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker.
I downloaded the audio version from my public library website.
Was I surprised to find I was listening to a drama! What fun! With two readers, listening to this book was a real pleasure.- Laura Lippman & Tess Monaghan: Women Detecting In Fiction
Years ago I began reading the Kinsey Millhone series by Sue Grafton.
Searching for similar books, I discovered V.I. Warshawski created by Sara Paretsky. Then I found out that there are tons of female detectives out there in bookland!One of my favorites girl detectives is Tess Monaghan who is created by author Laura Lippman.
Is this the BEST Fiction Readers Site?
Share your favorite site for Readers!
Don't be stingy!
Help to make this the best site--EVER!
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Reply
- Laddoo Laddoo Dec 10, 2009 @ 2:56 am
- Another wonderful lens Mickie. Rated, faved and lenrsolled to my lens on The Importance of Reading
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Reply
- spunkyduckling spunkyduckling Nov 3, 2009 @ 10:00 am
- Thank you for this lens. You sound so much like me. Smile. Can't waste our time on a poorly written work unless we are critiquing or proof reading.. haha..and when I'm bored I scan the library. I'm glad to be referred to someone with hands on information as to where to go for some of the best online places to read. 5* and I favorite!
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Reply
- science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk science_fiction_novels_cyberpunk Nov 3, 2009 @ 8:09 am
- Interesting and helpful collection of sites. I will use some of them very soon. 5*
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Reply
- tandemonimom tandemonimom Oct 2, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
- Love this list! Lensrolled to The Reader's Shop: T-shirts, Book Bags, Gifts for Book Lovers.
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Reply
- thebookaddict thebookaddict Jul 14, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
- I like your lens! I also love to read. Hope you'll check out my Confessions of a Book Addict lens too!
- Load More
Need your book repaired or mended?
Here is a link to someone who can do this.
Click on the blue link:
- Repair that Book! I Dare You!
- Hopefully, my lens will help you decide if you want to trash your book, repair it yourself, or pay someone to fix it.
This lens is my contribution to the environment and the efforts to go green.
A Short List Of Fiction Books That I Personally Recommend:
My Personal FAVORITES that you can buy NOW. Plus, a portion of the money earned by my site goes to NPR.
As I find new novels or books, I will add to or change the choices.
My comments about each title is in orange.
Cimarron Rose (Billy Bob Boy Howdy)
I love the "Billy Bob Holland" series. Cimarron Rose it the first. You can read some of this book here: Cimarron Rose
It is my understanding that these books are somewhat autobiographical.MG
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $7.99
Used Price: $0.01
The Tin Roof Blowdown: A Dave Robicheaux Novel
An absolutely heartbreaking work of fiction set in Katrina battered New Orleans. My husband and I listened to the audio version. The inspired writing in this novel made me want to cry. Highly recommended.MG
Amazon Price: $41.46 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $8.00
Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1)
Sookie Stackhouse--an unforgettable and unusual heroine. Do try to read them in order! Reading the books will not keep you from enjoying the fabulous HBO series.MG
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $7.99
Used Price: $0.75
Darkly Dreaming Dexter
I LOVE the books in this series by Jeff Lindsay. The subject is gruesome, but the humor more than makes up for it! Darkly is the first in the series. Read them in order. Watch the mini series on Showtime, too.MG
Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $14.00
Used Price: $1.95
The Well and the Mine
This is a superbly written book. If you love literature with a southern flavor, you will adore this novel. The novel is told from the perspective of individual family members with wonderful dialects.
And of course, there is a mystery: who threw a baby in the well? It wasn't Billie Joe McAllister, either!
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $1.44
by Mickie_G
I am a wife, mother, & grandmother who also happens to be a "Baby Boomer". I guess that means I have loads of "life experience".
I am also trying to...
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