TIME TO READ

Key web links

READING AGENCIES:

www.branching-out.net
For everyone working in reader development, this site includes key contacts nationally, training ideas and toolkits and lots of practical support for projects and staff development.

www.readingagency.org.uk
The site for finding out about the work of The Reading Agency. It includes a lot of archived material about all the projects the agency has developed.

www.readingforlife.org.uk
Based in the National Literacy Trust, Reading For Life is the National Reading Campaign following on from the National Year of Reading 2008.

BOOK CHOICES:

www.tvbookclub.co.uk
Site of the more4 tv book club. Includes reading notes and author profiles for the chosen books.

www.richardandjudy.co.uk
The Book Club is run exclusively with WHSmith. Richard and Judy provide their own reviews of every book in the list, giving an insight into why the books were chosen. They also interview authors to discuss the books.

www.lovereading.co.uk
Uniquely on Lovereading, you can read the Opening Extract of every Featured Book. This could be the first chapter; less if the chapters are long, more if they're short. The aim is to give enough of a book to really get a taste for the author. Site also includes special features, category lists, competitions and prize draws.

www.librarything.com
For wannabee librarians. A place to "catalogue" your own book collection, find people with similar tastes and discover new books to read. Excellent place for finding lots of readers reviews.

www.fantasticfiction.co.uk
Well populated, easy-to-navigate information about books and writers.

www.goodreads.com
More than 5,000,000 members who have added more than 150,000,000 books to their shelves. A place for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads members recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they've read and would like to read, form book clubs and much more.

www.allreaders.com
American site with tons of information about current publishing and popular writers. Information is divided into genre and the site encourages reader feedback

www.amazon.co.uk
The online bookselling site which includes invaluable information and reviews of a huge range of titles.

http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk/
Compiled by Essex Library service, this site for adults and children has lots of ideas for new reading, using recommendations from readers groups as well as library staff.

www.bloomsbury.com
The Bloomsbury publishing house site has a magazine section as well as general information about their own authors/books including children's books.

www.bookbrowse.com
An American bookshop site which includes lots of information about writers, genres, new titles and forthcoming publishing.

www.bookgrouponline.com
A lively site which invites discussion and the sharing of opinions about books. Seems to stick to books rather than wandering off into general chat.

www.findmeagoodread.com
This new site recommends books for yourself, a friend or relative. Answer a simple questionnaire to enable recommended books to match your reading profile. Its fun to do and might yield some surprises.

The site also includes quizzes and book links. You can find details of your local library service if you want to borrow your recommendation, or use a direct link to Amazon if you prefer to buy.

www.booksunlimited.co.uk
The guardian's book review site. Contains features on reviews and top 10s.

www.chickLit.co.uk
Features more than chick lit. Highlights new books in various genre though obviously with a chick-lit bias. Does feature 'Lads Lit' as well.

www.poetrysociety.org.uk
This is the official site of The Poetry Society which supports poetry in the UK, Very useful for finding out about poetry events, competitions and new key poets, as well as what goes on around the country on National Poetry Day.

www.readysteadybook.co.uk
ReadySteadyBook is an independent book review website coming from Stockport, devoted to reviewing the very best books in literary fiction, poetry, history and philosophy.

www.twbooks.co.uk
Updated weekly, the site is dedicated to Crime, Mystery, SF and Fantasy genres. Includes lots of information about writers.

www.whichbook.net
An innovative site that starts with the reader and helps them find books to match their mood and reading preference

www.bookseer.com
A very easy to use site which invites you to answer the question I've just finished reading... By...What should I read next? Results are linked to Amazon and LibraryThing

READERS GROUP SUPPORT:

www.theshortstory.org.uk
A site which "champions" the short story. From here you can download stories, find competitions to enter and information about new publications, broadcasts and lots more.

www.readinggroups.org
A one-stop shop for information about reading groups, run by The Reading Agency. Aims to be the place where anyone can come to find information about reading groups in their area. Where people who are running reading groups can find support, resources and evidence, plus offers and events their group can benefit from and where everyone can learn more about the many ways reading groups can make a difference to people and their communities.

www.bookdrum.com
Book Drum is an exciting companion to books, bringing them to life with pictures, videos, maps and music.

http://www.bbc.co.uk
The site linked to the BBC Radio 4 Book Club programme. The site includes details of the current book as well as future titles. There is opportunity to send the current author a question as well as other reader recommendations

www.penguin.co.uk
Lots of information about readers groups, including how to start one. Features include author and book of the month.

www.randomhouse.co.uk
The site for finding downloadable readers guides to help your readers group discussions, as well as tips for joining or starting a group. Also an opportunity to send questions to selected writers.

www.you-reading-group.co.uk
Linked to the Mail on Sunday's You magazine, this easy-to-use sit features a book of the month and includes discussion notes and author information as well as reader reviews.

WRITERS & READERS IN THE NORTH WEST:

www.cultureword.org.uk
A creative writing development organisation and publisher based in Manchester. Together with Commonword & Crocus Books they offer support to writers particularly in the North West and arrange many events and competitions.

www.facebook.com
Time To Read wants people to try making a reading choice in the same way they choose what music to listen to. This link takes you to Time To Read's NOW that's what I call READING promotion on Facebook.

www.artscouncil.org.uk
This link takes you to the North West page of the Arts Council England's website. Here you can see details of the region's board members as well as find links to all other information such as funding and forthcoming events and activities.

www.bookmunch.wordpress.com
A site from Manchester for readers and reviewers. This site includes lots of up to date and thought provoking information about a wide range of new titles. There are also opportunities to contribute and prizes to be won. It works - I won one!

www.brodiepress.co.uk/
News from Liverpool about the launch of The Brodie Press which aims to give new writers from Merseyside a chance to see their work in print.

www.carcanet.co.uk
One of Britain's foremost publishers of poetry is based in Manchester. The site includes poetry features, lists of all Carcanet publications as well as a good list of links to other poetry sites.

www.litfest.org
The site for Lancaster Lit Fest, you can also find information about publishing in the North West as well as Lancashire Readers Groups

www.murdersquad.co.uk
7 Crime Writers from the North of England who are available for readings, workshops, discussions and many other projects. Find out more about them here.

www.oldham.gov
The website provides a permanent platform from which to promote contemporary literature and provides a means to support reading promotions taking place throughout the Borough. Every library is encouraged to submit details of special events taking place, in order to maintain a feeling of ownership by library staff and users alike.

www.literaturenorthwest.co.uk
The website of Index, the newly formed NW independent publishing consortium. As well as listing all small press and independent publishers in the region it also has a listing of book related events across the region. Time To Read is working with Index to make available information about libraries and readers’ groups.

www.thereader.org.uk/

The Reader Organisation is a charity dedicated to bringing about a Reading Revolution - we are making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy and engage with books on a deep and personal level. Our successful Reaching Out programme, which includes our innovative social outreach project Get Into Reading and Liverpool Reads, is one way we are making this happen. We also publish The Reader magazine, do Research and Development into reading and health and run a series Reader Events each year.

www.writingonthewall.org.uk
Liverpool's WOW Festival site includes opportunities for submitting writing and discussion

www.readingsight.org.uk
Launched in 2009, a site to support librarians, teachers, voluntary workers and anyone interested in helping people with sight loss get access to reading and reading services.

NATIONAL & REGIONAL AGENCIES:

www.authonomy.com
If you want to recommend somewhere for writers to try "exposing" their work, you could recommend this site from Harper Collins. authonomy is the place to show your face - and show off your writing on the web. Whether you're unpublished, self-published, looking to get published, or just getting started, all you need is a few chapters to start building your profile online, and start connecting with the authonomy writing community.

www.mla.gov.uk
National Museums, Libraries and Archives agency.

www.bookcrossing.com
More an international movement, than just a website. This site invites you to release books you have read into the world for others to find and enjoy. Register them on bookcrossing.com and you may be able to track their progress.

www.britishcouncil.org/arts-literature.htm
The British Council co-ordinates literature events in the UK and around the world, providing advice and guidance to the overseas offices of the British Council on a wide range of literature activity including conference and seminar visits, and writing residencies and readings. They also compile a comprehensive listing of UK Literary Festivals.

www.literaturedevelopment.co.uk/
The site for the National Association for Literature Development which links up and supports literature professionals across the UK.