I’m often asked where I find good books. So, I thought I’d share my favorite venues.
This on-line book club, started and run by Marybeth Whalen and Ariel Lawhon, often promotes debut novelists who are not receiving the attention they deserve. Readers who join She Reads receive a number of benefits, including:
- Connection with other readers on the She Reads blog and forum who are passionate about great fiction.
- Information via the She Reads newsletter that will keep readers up to date on their favorite authors, and books, with a few surprises thrown in for fun.
- Reviews of newly released titles written by a variety of readers, writers, and industry professionals.
- Options to create a She Reads book club or bring an existing club under the She Reads umbrella.
- Free books via contests, giveaways, and publisher promotions.
- Fun planned study guides with activities and interesting facts developed specifically for the She Reads book club.
- Online Community for those who can’t participate in a monthly meeting (or don’t live near an existing club), via the She Reads online book club and Facebook group.
Goodreads is the largest site for readers and book recommendations in the world. Nearly 9 million members have added more than 310 million books to their cyber shelves. A home for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads users recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they’ve read and would like to read, find their next favorite book, form book clubs and much more. This is THE place for readers to hang out!
Kathy L. Patrick, the Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing founder of the largest “meeting and discussing” book club in the world not only offers up some of the best in fiction for her monthly selections, she hosts an annual readers’ convention called Girlfriend Weekend in her hometown of Jefferson, Texas. This annual event features author panels, book give-aways, and the Great Big Hair Ball costume party. Past years have featured Pat Conroy, Jamie Ford, Fannie Flagg and other well-known authors. The Pulpwood Queens is THE place to find great books and have a blast! (tiaras, hot pink and leopard print required).
Happy summer reading! Where do you find your books?
MOTHER OF PEARL is available for pre-order and will be in bookstores on September 1. Hope you’ll make sure to add this one to your TO BE READ PILE!
Comments 4
This is an awesome round-up, Kellie. I find myself thinking “I need to get on GoodReads more often” but so far I just haven’t done much! Technically challenged is what I am!! lol
Is it an addiction when I go on these sites and my heart starts racing?
Wonderful ideas, Kel. Thanks! Right now, I’m reading Stardust, by Carla Stewart, and loving it! Lone Wolf, by Jodi Picoult, is sitting on my coffee table–haven’t gotten into it yet.
Usually, I pick my books from word-of-mouth recommendations. 🙂
Goodreads provides recommendations based on what you’ve read and liked. Every book I’ve found there I’ve loved. And I found some FAVORITE new authors via Pulpwood Queens. Have you read Mark Childress? You would LOVE his Georgia Bottoms. I’m reading Caroline Leavitt’s Pictures of You right now. Great story. Well written.
And, I hope every person who reads MOTHER OF PEARL has a BIG MOUTH! Hee hee.