People's Network
Reading links
There is so much choice on the web to help get you into the right read, and what's more there are some fun and new ways of matching you to books you may fancy reading.
Many of these sites are managed by library services as staff are experts at helping people to find reading material and several have been created by readers themselves so they do exactly what readers want them to do!
Sites for children and young people
- The Children's Poetry Archive("http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/") is a place where children can listen, read and engage with poetry.
- Mrs Mad's Book-a-rama(http://www.mrsmad.com/) features the best children's books reviewed and rated for young readers, parents, teachers and librarians, with games, stories and jokes.
- My Home Library(http://www.myhomelibrary.org/) is where you can download some fantastic bookplates designed by your favourite illustrators to personalise your own books, plus some interesting reviews by young readers.
- Stories from the Web(http://www.storiesfromtheweb.org) is a very interactive website for 8-11 year olds and 11-14 year olds.
- www.achuka.co.uk(http://www.achuka.co.uk) is a site for up-to-date reviews, opinions and news about children's books.
- Cool Reads(http://www.cool-reads.co.uk/) is a site created and run by 15 and 16 year old Tim and Chris Cross that has reviews of books for 10-15 year olds by 10-15 year old reviewers.
- Book Heads(http://www.bookheads.org.uk/) is a teen area of the Book Trust website.
- Reading Zone(http://www.readingzone.com) for news and updates on your favourite authors.
- Reading Matters(www.readingmatters.co.uk) is an interactive bookchooser to find just the book for you; with reviews, authors and reading lists.
- Seven Storieswww.sevenstories.org.uk/home/index.php is where the rich heritage of British children's books is collected, explored and celebrated.
Sites for everyone
- The Poetry Archive(www.poetryarchive.org) is the world's premier online collection of recordings of poets reading their work. You can read and listen to contemporary English-language poets and poets from the past.
- whichbook.net(www.whichbook.net) is a fun and innovative way of choosing books based on how you want it to make you feel. Options range from funny to sad, easy to difficult, and conventional to unconventional.
- www.enCompassculture.com(www.enCompassculture.com) is The British Council's website for meeting other reading groups online from around the world.
- Lit-Net(www.lit-net.org) is an online literature centre for the West Midlands and beyond. It offers access to a range of services for readers, writers, librarians and literature professionals.
- Storybytes(www.storybytes.com) features a wide range of short stories online.
- First chapter archive(www.usatoday.com/life/enter/books/autindex.htm) to sample the book of your choice.
- Find A Reading Group lets you find all kinds of groups near you.
- Open2.net(www.open2.net/bigread/) has a wealth of ideas and resources for readers, including its own online book club.
- Reading the Game(www.readingthegame.org.uk) links football and fiction and details of schemes with a league club near you.
- reader2reader lets you join up with readers online.
- If You Like(http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Guides/IfYouLike/) books (or music) in a certain style or in the style of a particular author (or composer). Developed by Christchurch Libraries, New Zealand.
- First Choice Books(www.firstchoicebooks.org.uk) links to information about good reads for new readers.
- The Orange prize(www.orangeprize.co.uk) website features ways for readers to comment on and review Orange prize shortlisted authors and winners of this prestigious literary award for women writers.
- The Man Booker Prize(www.themanbookerprize.com/) website features information about those shortlisted to win the award for contemporary fiction and hosts web chats with featured authors.
- Costa Book(www.whitbread-bookawards.co.uk/) Awards website features details information about the award and its five prize winning categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book.
- Ask Chris(http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk/adult/Welcome.asp) is a great website from Essex libraries which allows adult and children readers to find out about recommended reads from other readers, have their say and talk about books with others.
- Speaking volumes(www.speakingvolumesonline.org.uk/) aims to bring the enjoyment of reading and involvement in reading activities to people with a visual impairment through the public libraries in all fifteen local authorities throughout the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
- I Can Read You Like A Book(http://www.icanreadyoulikeabook.org.uk/index.html) is an online book group hosted by East Lothian Libraries.
- London Libraries Recommend(http://www.londonlibraries.org/servlets/llr) is a site for children and adults featuring Read Around the World and Magical Tales for children and for adults there's loads including comic fiction in London, poetry published and performed by black writers and books written in Chinese mother tongue.
Discover more reading links.