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.readon.org.uk
Based in the National Literacy Trust, The National Reading Campaign supports innovative strategies for reader development across the country. This site includes up to date news about their work.

BOOK CHOICES:

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.bookbrowser.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.encompassculture.com/
The British Council's Reading site uses a reader in residence to regularly add new information and engage in discussion. There are some fun reading quizzes as well as useful information to inform reading choices for different ages.

www.nlb-online.org
The library service for visually impaired readers, the NLB site includes a discussion board, Touch Of….booklists and the Read On Magazine which contains readers’ comments

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

READERS GROUP SUPPORT:

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.readinggroups.co.uk
This is Harper Collins' reading site. It includes guides for readers group discussions and a 'what book next' link which gives suggestions according to genre.

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.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.biggayread.com
The site to find out all about this promotion as well as to add your own vote up to 28th February

www.bookmunch.co.uk
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.cheshire.gov.uk
Chesire Readers and Writers website

www.commonword.org.uk
Is a creative writing development organisation and publisher based in Manchester. Together with Cultureword they offer support to writers particularly in the North West and arrange many events and competitions

www.lancaster.ac.uk

The site for a research project based at Lancaster University, looking at how the experiance of migration has informed the work of writers in Greater Manchester from 1960 to the present.

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.nwpassages.co.uk
The first phase of this project is concerned with Manchester city centre, purely because we have to start somewhere. The project involves collecting and mapping text, both published and unpublished, famous and obscure onto a map of the North West of England. People can add their own and other writers' pieces using the Submit page and the project will become a resource for modern and historic writing all over the region.

www.thereader.co.uk/
From Liverpool University, The Reader is a magazine for people who love reading literature and want to extend their horizons. "From Sir Gawain and the Green Knight through Dante and Shakespeare to A.S.Byatt and Elizabeth Jennings. The Reader is aimed at the intelligent but non-specialist reader, which means that you won't need a University degree to enjoy the magazine, only a love of books and reading".

www.topofthetree.info
Top of the Tree is headed up by Helen Robinson who earned her stripes working for Oldham Libraries as Literature Development Officer and is still a Time To Read network member. She has vast experience of running successful projects and festivals. The agency has been set up to link creative writers to schools, libraries, festivals, prisons, hospitals and community settings. Currently Helen is working closely with 3 writers, but through her experience and Time To Read links, she has knowledge of the skills of a great range of others.

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

NATIONAL & REGIONAL AGENCIES:

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

www.nald.org.uk
The National Association of Literature Development. For people involved in all aspects of developing writers, readers and audiences for literature website.

www.nwmlac.org.uk
National Museums, Libraries and Archives agency - NorthWest Regional website.