I believe we have something in common, you and me - the love of reading. You are here, after all. I'm one of those people that will read almost anything. I have a few limits, I've possibly mentioned them before (I'm not one to enjoy the bodice-ripping genre). As an avid reader I'm always looking for another book to read, a new author to discover.
Feinberg School of Medicine: Nutritionwww.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutritionIt's a new year and time for a new diet. Before you jump on the Atkins Diet Revolution bandwagon, however, check out the solid and dependable diet and nutrition information provided by the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Not only can you learn more about assessing your weight, portion control, weight-reducing sample menus, vitamins and supplements, you can link to patient education brochures and medical journal articles with even more information. Be sure to check out the fact sheets, especially the one on fad diets, before starting your New Year's resolution. -- K.G. |
I'm a reader and a list maker. I think I must have some ancestral archivist blood flowing through my veins. I enjoy having a list of things to do, or in this case read. Instead of shuffling you off to several different sites for just a few writers I'd like to direct you to some of the best compilations of authors on the web - a few of which have the text online for your reading pleasure.
While Amazon is a great site for book shopping, it isn't exactly the site I want to surf when looking for a new author - the ads and the poorly written reviews are enough to make anyone want to sit down in front of the brain-sucking-television for a few hours of non-cognitive fun.
Bartleby.com - The preeminent Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse providing, students, researchers and the intellectually curious with unlimited access to books and information on the web, free of charge. This site is one of the best on the web. In addition to being an extremely well organized site and huge database, Bartleby is free. Yes, free. Don't you just love that phrase. Equipped with a fabulous search engine you can find just about anything. The best part is the Author index. I recommend this for those of you who already know which authors you like, and are looking for something they've written you haven't read yet. If nothing else you can always click on the Subject link. Great Science Fiction and Fantasy Works - This site is exactly what its title states - a list of science fiction and fantasy works. In addition to being a database site it also provides a rating system and sub-sections like Overlooked Gems. Reviews and external links are provided for almost every work mentioned - I highly recommend this site for the reader looking for a little bit more when choosing a new book to read.
Today in Literature - This site is more of a Biographical index of writers than anything - but the great thing about that is you get a list of their works within the bio. Some sections are members only (free registration, unless you need a site license). Another simple aspect of this site that I enjoy are the pictures of the authors - in some cases old paintings. Who knew Leo Tolstoy was so somber looking? I guess his works should have given me a clue, but wow, could he look any tougher? I think any reader that enjoys knowing more about the authors of their favorite works would enjoy this site with its bios, essays and bibliographies.
The Children's Literature Web Guide - While I don't have any children of my own I do harbor a love of children's literature. The CLWG provides web surfers with commentaries, recommended books, and resources for writers.
Classic Authors - This site was a real find. With a quick click of the mouse any visitor has complete access to the entire texts of works like Louisa May Alcott's An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving, or Jules Verne's The Field of Ice. While nothing can quite replace the soft texture of a paperback, or the gloriously musty smell of an old leather bound book, easily accessible information is always pretty neat.
Storytellers - Native American Authors Online - The core of what makes me a reader, someone who reads for pleasure and knowledge, is the love of the story. Fairytales, Legends, Myths and Yarns - they all intrigue my imagination and take me to worlds full of the wonderfully impossible. This site is a portal into fantastic storytelling. You can read about its goals here. And then you might want to mosey on over to find some traditional storytelling. (The Spokane and Menominee links are broken.)
Rediscovering Literature - This is a good guide for those of you not quite sure how to find a classic book at your local library. It also provides links to literature on the internet and a site just for booklovers. I honestly haven't spent as much time on this site as I would like, but it seems to be a great resource for literature buffs. Bibliomania - Directing you to this site is leading you a bit off the path, but I wanted to include it because I found it interesting. You can learn How Books Are Made, where the next Book Fair is going to be held, and how to care for your books. A few of the links provided are broken, but the majority are reliable and just waiting to be read. (There is even a section on building web pages.)
The Locus Index to Science Fiction - This is an index created to archive the books mentioned in the Books received column in Locus Magazine. A great resource for you SciFi lovers out there.
The last site I want to mention is Michigan's eLibrary's link list for Books, Authors and Literature. I found this accidentally and was pleased to discover some of the sites I've mentioned above included. It is a large compilation of wonderful resources on the web - much better than this little list I've thrown together here.
I hope you find a new author to read today, or at the very least, you've been intrigued enough to visit a new site.
That's all for now.
--A.M.
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