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Happy National Reading Day!
Posted by Cybil on January 23, 2017
Posted by Cybil on January 23, 2017
Happy National Reading Day, fellow readers! This is our kind of annual event, celebrating reading and encouraging young children to pick up a book.
Want some ideas for finding a good book today? Here's a list of stories for book lovers, or perhaps you can get your friends involved with these best books for book clubs.
For those of you looking to get your kids to fall in love with reading, how about this thick list of best children's books, stories for young science fiction readers, or these 100 young adult books.
How do you plan to observe National Reading Day?
(Top image credit: Matilda by Roald Dahl)
Want some ideas for finding a good book today? Here's a list of stories for book lovers, or perhaps you can get your friends involved with these best books for book clubs.
For those of you looking to get your kids to fall in love with reading, how about this thick list of best children's books, stories for young science fiction readers, or these 100 young adult books.
How do you plan to observe National Reading Day?
(Top image credit: Matilda by Roald Dahl)
Readers Share the First Book They Read on Their Own
Posted by Cybil on January 20, 2017
Posted by Cybil on January 20, 2017
We recently asked our fellow readers: What's the first book you remember reading all by yourself?
More than 1,800 of you shared those memories with us on Facebook. Below are some of your 'first' books—many of them the beloved childhood classics.
Join the conversation: Tell us about the first book you read and why that memory stays with you.
Inspired? Check out this list of books that made you fall in love with reading.
More than 1,800 of you shared those memories with us on Facebook. Below are some of your 'first' books—many of them the beloved childhood classics.
Join the conversation: Tell us about the first book you read and why that memory stays with you.
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Inspired? Check out this list of books that made you fall in love with reading.
15 of the Greatest Lessons You Learned from a Book
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 19, 2017
From the silly to the profound, the lessons we discover in books have a habit of sticking.
We don't fault the Chronicles of Narnia fan for still checking the backs of wardrobes…just in case. (Book lesson #4,552,134: Magic exists.) And we understand when an Austen enthusiast gives a bleak fellow a chance. He could be her tragically misunderstood Mr. Darcy, right? (Book lesson #1,329,827: Prejudice is bad.)
So what book lessons have stuck with you? We asked for your favorites on Facebook and Twitter, and we were not disappointed. Check out some of the best below.
A lesson from To Kill a Mockingbird
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
A quote submitted by Alona
A lesson from The Sandman
"That dreams and ideas are truly the strongest power in the universe and that one should never stop dreaming."
Submitted by Donald
A lesson from The Brothers Karamazov
"The biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves."
Submitted by Deborah
A lesson from Tuesdays with Morrie
"Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel."
A quote submitted by Fatima
A lesson from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
"A towel is the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."
A quote submitted by Scott
A lesson from God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
"There's only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you've got to be kind."
A quote submitted by Shannon
A lesson from A Song of Ice and Fire
"If you betray someone, don't accept any wedding invitations from that person."
Submitted by Leo
A lesson from Siddhartha
"Searching means: having a goal. But finding means: being free, being open, having no goal."
A quote submitted by Karina
A lesson from The Giving Tree
"The value of true and lasting friendships. They will enrich your life and break your heart at times…but they are so valuable."
A quote submitted by Alisha
A lesson from almost every series
"Things usually turn out okay in the end. If not, there's probably a sequel."
Submitted by Aruna
What's the best lesson you've learned from a book? Share it with us in the comments!
(Top image credit: To Kill a Mockingbird)
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 19, 2017
From the silly to the profound, the lessons we discover in books have a habit of sticking.
We don't fault the Chronicles of Narnia fan for still checking the backs of wardrobes…just in case. (Book lesson #4,552,134: Magic exists.) And we understand when an Austen enthusiast gives a bleak fellow a chance. He could be her tragically misunderstood Mr. Darcy, right? (Book lesson #1,329,827: Prejudice is bad.)
So what book lessons have stuck with you? We asked for your favorites on Facebook and Twitter, and we were not disappointed. Check out some of the best below.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
A quote submitted by Alona
"That dreams and ideas are truly the strongest power in the universe and that one should never stop dreaming."
Submitted by Donald
"The biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves."
Submitted by Deborah
"Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel."
A quote submitted by Fatima
"A towel is the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."
A quote submitted by Scott
"There's only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you've got to be kind."
A quote submitted by Shannon
"If you betray someone, don't accept any wedding invitations from that person."
Submitted by Leo
"Searching means: having a goal. But finding means: being free, being open, having no goal."
A quote submitted by Karina
"The value of true and lasting friendships. They will enrich your life and break your heart at times…but they are so valuable."
A quote submitted by Alisha
"Things usually turn out okay in the end. If not, there's probably a sequel."
Submitted by Aruna
What's the best lesson you've learned from a book? Share it with us in the comments!
(Top image credit: To Kill a Mockingbird)
Read with Kindle on Your Android or Fire Device? Now It's Easier to Share Your Reading on Goodreads! (U.S. Members)
Posted by Cybil on January 18, 2017
There are no faster or firmer friendships than those formed between people who love the same books.
—Irving Stone, Clarence Darrow for the Defense
Talking about books with friends and discovering new books to read is the reason why Goodreads was created. And today, if you read with the Kindle app on your Android device or Fire tablet, we've made it even easier to add books to your Goodreads shelves and share what you're reading with your Goodreads friends! This follows the launch earlier this year of the same feature for members who read on Kindle for iOS.
You do the reading, we'll shelve it for you
With the latest update to the Kindle app for Android devices and Fire tablets, you'll have the option to automatically mark each book as "Currently Reading" when you start it and as "Read" when you finish. Just switch it on, and your Updates Feed will show your friends each time you start and finish reading a book in Kindle on Android and Fire devices. We believe books are better with friends, and this feature is another example of how we're making it easier for Goodreads members who read on Kindle to share and talk about the books they're reading.
Switch on, switch off—you decide
As always, we give you full control. Every time you start or finish a book, you have the ability to toggle this on or off. So it's easy to keep on for most of the books you read, switch off when you start a book you'd prefer to keep private, and turn back on whenever you're ready.
Use auto-update to nail your Reading Challenge!
Auto-update ensures that every Kindle book you read counts towards your challenge, so all you have to do is watch your progress bar move closer to your goal.
How do I switch this on?
This feature is part of the latest update for the free Kindle for Android app (download here), and Kindle for Fire tablets (device will update automatically when connected to a network). To automatically add the books you read to your Goodreads shelves, follow these three steps:
1) Download the latest version of the free Kindle for Android app, to your Android device. Fire customers can check their Fire tablet is running the latest software by going to Settings > Device Options > System Updates, and then selecting "Check Now."
2) If you haven't already, link your Goodreads account to the app. To do this, click here and scroll to the Amazon section.
3) The next time you open a new book to read, a prompt will appear in About This Book asking if you would like to automatically mark your books as "Currently Reading." Set this to "On" and let the app update your bookshelves for you! You have the option of switching this off every time you start a book.
Can I add my book to custom shelves in Kindle for Android?
Not yet—today's launch allows you to add books to the three primary exclusive shelves (Want to Read, Currently Reading, and Read) from inside the Kindle for Android app and Kindle on Fire tablets. You can always add a book to one of your custom shelves in the Goodreads apps or on the desktop site.
What about people who read on Kindle outside of the United States?
Today, this feature is only available to US members. Our goal is to make this available to all Goodreads members who read on Kindle, but we don't have specific timing to share.
Posted by Cybil on January 18, 2017
There are no faster or firmer friendships than those formed between people who love the same books.
—Irving Stone, Clarence Darrow for the Defense
Talking about books with friends and discovering new books to read is the reason why Goodreads was created. And today, if you read with the Kindle app on your Android device or Fire tablet, we've made it even easier to add books to your Goodreads shelves and share what you're reading with your Goodreads friends! This follows the launch earlier this year of the same feature for members who read on Kindle for iOS.
You do the reading, we'll shelve it for you
With the latest update to the Kindle app for Android devices and Fire tablets, you'll have the option to automatically mark each book as "Currently Reading" when you start it and as "Read" when you finish. Just switch it on, and your Updates Feed will show your friends each time you start and finish reading a book in Kindle on Android and Fire devices. We believe books are better with friends, and this feature is another example of how we're making it easier for Goodreads members who read on Kindle to share and talk about the books they're reading.
Switch on, switch off—you decide
As always, we give you full control. Every time you start or finish a book, you have the ability to toggle this on or off. So it's easy to keep on for most of the books you read, switch off when you start a book you'd prefer to keep private, and turn back on whenever you're ready.
Use auto-update to nail your Reading Challenge!
Auto-update ensures that every Kindle book you read counts towards your challenge, so all you have to do is watch your progress bar move closer to your goal.
How do I switch this on?
This feature is part of the latest update for the free Kindle for Android app (download here), and Kindle for Fire tablets (device will update automatically when connected to a network). To automatically add the books you read to your Goodreads shelves, follow these three steps:
1) Download the latest version of the free Kindle for Android app, to your Android device. Fire customers can check their Fire tablet is running the latest software by going to Settings > Device Options > System Updates, and then selecting "Check Now."
2) If you haven't already, link your Goodreads account to the app. To do this, click here and scroll to the Amazon section.
3) The next time you open a new book to read, a prompt will appear in About This Book asking if you would like to automatically mark your books as "Currently Reading." Set this to "On" and let the app update your bookshelves for you! You have the option of switching this off every time you start a book.
Can I add my book to custom shelves in Kindle for Android?
Not yet—today's launch allows you to add books to the three primary exclusive shelves (Want to Read, Currently Reading, and Read) from inside the Kindle for Android app and Kindle on Fire tablets. You can always add a book to one of your custom shelves in the Goodreads apps or on the desktop site.
What about people who read on Kindle outside of the United States?
Today, this feature is only available to US members. Our goal is to make this available to all Goodreads members who read on Kindle, but we don't have specific timing to share.
Here Are the National Book Critics Circle Finalists
Posted by Cybil on January 17, 2017
The National Book Critics Circle announced its finalists Tuesday for outstanding books of 2016.
The NBCC is made up of 1,000 book critics and editors from across the United States. Its finalists in six categories—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, criticism, and autobiography—are selected by a 24-member board, which also picks the winners.
The prizes will be awarded March 16, which gives you some time to add these books to your Want to Read list! The five finalists for the NBCC's fiction list are:
Moonglow
by Michael Chabon
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chabon follows up his bestselling Telegraph Avenue with this book focused on a terminally-ill grandfather sharing his lifetime of memories with his grandson. Average member rating: 4.06.
LaRose
by Louise Erdrich
The author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House brings us the tale of a tragic accident and an act of atonement with roots in Native American culture. Average member rating: 3.87.
Imagine Me Gone
by Adam Haslett
In this novel, a woman must make the choice to go through with her plans to marry her fiancé who is hospitalized with depression. What follows is a novel about love and faith. Average member rating: 3.74.
Commonwealth
by Ann Patchett
Spanning five decades of two branches of a stepfamily, this book by the author of Bel Canto delves into the the far-reaching ties of family and love. Average member rating: 3.91.
Swing Time
by Zadie Smith
The writer who burst onto the literary scene with White Teeth brings us this story of two girls who dream of being dancers, their friendship, and how our roots shape who we become. Average member rating: 3.78.
In addition, the book critics announced that the Sandrof Award for Lifetime Achievement will go to Margaret Atwood and the John Leonard Prize for a first book to Yaa Gyasi for her novel Homegoing.
See the complete list of NBCC finalists including picks for biography and nonfiction.
Posted by Cybil on January 17, 2017
The National Book Critics Circle announced its finalists Tuesday for outstanding books of 2016.
The NBCC is made up of 1,000 book critics and editors from across the United States. Its finalists in six categories—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, criticism, and autobiography—are selected by a 24-member board, which also picks the winners.
The prizes will be awarded March 16, which gives you some time to add these books to your Want to Read list! The five finalists for the NBCC's fiction list are:
by Michael Chabon
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chabon follows up his bestselling Telegraph Avenue with this book focused on a terminally-ill grandfather sharing his lifetime of memories with his grandson. Average member rating: 4.06.
by Louise Erdrich
The author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House brings us the tale of a tragic accident and an act of atonement with roots in Native American culture. Average member rating: 3.87.
by Adam Haslett
In this novel, a woman must make the choice to go through with her plans to marry her fiancé who is hospitalized with depression. What follows is a novel about love and faith. Average member rating: 3.74.
by Ann Patchett
Spanning five decades of two branches of a stepfamily, this book by the author of Bel Canto delves into the the far-reaching ties of family and love. Average member rating: 3.91.
by Zadie Smith
The writer who burst onto the literary scene with White Teeth brings us this story of two girls who dream of being dancers, their friendship, and how our roots shape who we become. Average member rating: 3.78.
In addition, the book critics announced that the Sandrof Award for Lifetime Achievement will go to Margaret Atwood and the John Leonard Prize for a first book to Yaa Gyasi for her novel Homegoing.
See the complete list of NBCC finalists including picks for biography and nonfiction.
What's New This Week: 7 Great Books Hitting Shelves Today
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 17, 2017
Need another excuse to go to the bookstore this week? We've got seven! Bulk up your Want to Read shelf with these brand-new standalone titles.
Carve the Mark
by Veronica Roth
You should read this book if you like: YA science fiction, the Divergent series, superpowers, teens with the fate of the galaxy in their hands
Roth shared her resolution to "fight for a better world, a better story, a better self" with us. Read it here!
My Life, My Love, My Legacy
by Coretta Scott King
You should read this book if you like: Autobiographies, civil rights heroes, women who change history, getting inspired
The Winter in Anna
by Reed Karaim
You should read this book if you like: Literary fiction, tender "almost romances," meditations on life, North Dakota, haunting memories
A Merciful Death
by Kendra Elliot
You should read this book if you like: Mystery, serial killers, living off the grid, survivalists who aren't good at surviving, FBI special agents
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
by Steve Sheinkin
You should read this book if you like: Nonfiction, Native American history, "America's favorite sport," superstar athletes, underdogs
History Is All You Left Me
by Adam Silvera
You should read this book if you like: LGBT fiction, young love, honest portrayals of teen mental health issues, tearjerkers
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, "love letters to city life," very long walks, stories that alternate between the past and the present
BONUS: The wait is over—check out three of the buzziest sequels coming out today!
Feversong
by Karen Marie Moning
The conclusion to the Fever urban fantasy series
(Start off the series with Darkfever)
The Nowhere Man
by Gregg Hurwitz
The second book in the Evan Smoak thriller series
(Start off the series with Orphan X)
Fidelity
by Aleatha Romig
The conclusion to the Infidelity contemporary romance series
(Start off the series with Betrayal)
What are you reading this week? Let's talk books in the comments!
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 17, 2017
Need another excuse to go to the bookstore this week? We've got seven! Bulk up your Want to Read shelf with these brand-new standalone titles.
by Veronica Roth
You should read this book if you like: YA science fiction, the Divergent series, superpowers, teens with the fate of the galaxy in their hands
Roth shared her resolution to "fight for a better world, a better story, a better self" with us. Read it here!
by Coretta Scott King
You should read this book if you like: Autobiographies, civil rights heroes, women who change history, getting inspired
by Reed Karaim
You should read this book if you like: Literary fiction, tender "almost romances," meditations on life, North Dakota, haunting memories
by Kendra Elliot
You should read this book if you like: Mystery, serial killers, living off the grid, survivalists who aren't good at surviving, FBI special agents
by Steve Sheinkin
You should read this book if you like: Nonfiction, Native American history, "America's favorite sport," superstar athletes, underdogs
by Adam Silvera
You should read this book if you like: LGBT fiction, young love, honest portrayals of teen mental health issues, tearjerkers
by Kathleen Rooney
You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, "love letters to city life," very long walks, stories that alternate between the past and the present
BONUS: The wait is over—check out three of the buzziest sequels coming out today!
by Karen Marie Moning
The conclusion to the Fever urban fantasy series
(Start off the series with Darkfever)
by Gregg Hurwitz
The second book in the Evan Smoak thriller series
(Start off the series with Orphan X)
by Aleatha Romig
The conclusion to the Infidelity contemporary romance series
(Start off the series with Betrayal)
What are you reading this week? Let's talk books in the comments!
Top 100 Romance Novels on Goodreads
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 17, 2017
Romance Week is coming to Goodreads! From February 6 through Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the sweet and oh-so-sexy stories that make us believe in—what else?—happily ever after.
To whet your appetites, check out our list of the top 100 romances of all time. We narrowed the field by limiting our results to books aimed at adult audiences and books with at least a 4.0 average rating (sorry, Fifty Shades of Grey). Contemporary romance is read in the greatest numbers, but we also included results in popular sub-genres like historical and paranormal romance.
What's your "number"? How many have you read? Tell us in the comments!
Save the date: February 6-February 13 is Romance Week on Goodreads! Don't miss out on the fun—follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Posted by Hayley Igarashi on January 17, 2017
Romance Week is coming to Goodreads! From February 6 through Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the sweet and oh-so-sexy stories that make us believe in—what else?—happily ever after.
To whet your appetites, check out our list of the top 100 romances of all time. We narrowed the field by limiting our results to books aimed at adult audiences and books with at least a 4.0 average rating (sorry, Fifty Shades of Grey). Contemporary romance is read in the greatest numbers, but we also included results in popular sub-genres like historical and paranormal romance.
What's your "number"? How many have you read? Tell us in the comments!
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Save the date: February 6-February 13 is Romance Week on Goodreads! Don't miss out on the fun—follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Exorcist Author William Peter Blatty Dies at Age 89
Posted by Cybil on January 13, 2017
Posted by Cybil on January 13, 2017
William Peter Blatty, the author best known for his novel The Exorcist, has died at age 89, The Guardian and other news outlets report.
Beatty's 1971 novel about a young girl possessed by a demon was a bestseller, staying on the New York Times bestseller list for 57 weeks and at No. 1 for 17 of those weeks. Beatty also wrote the screenplay for the horror movie classic based on this book and won an Oscar for his work on the film.
On Friday, fellow writer Stephen King and movie director Edgar Wright took to social media to remember Blatty:
Read more of Blatty's work and add his novels to your reading list.
Beatty's 1971 novel about a young girl possessed by a demon was a bestseller, staying on the New York Times bestseller list for 57 weeks and at No. 1 for 17 of those weeks. Beatty also wrote the screenplay for the horror movie classic based on this book and won an Oscar for his work on the film.
On Friday, fellow writer Stephen King and movie director Edgar Wright took to social media to remember Blatty:
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Read more of Blatty's work and add his novels to your reading list.
The Books Martin Luther King Jr. Taught
Posted by Cybil on January 13, 2017
Posted by Cybil on January 13, 2017
This Monday, Americans will observe the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, celebrating the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. In honor of this event, we have collected the books King taught as part of a social philosophy course at Morehouse College in 1961-1962.
Below are some of those books on the course's syllabus (which is among the documents in The King Center's digital archive). From Aristotle to Henry David Thoreau, King's reading list concentrated on classic philosophy and made for some serious reading.
Inspired by the list? Read the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
(Top image credit: A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches)
Below are some of those books on the course's syllabus (which is among the documents in The King Center's digital archive). From Aristotle to Henry David Thoreau, King's reading list concentrated on classic philosophy and made for some serious reading.
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Inspired by the list? Read the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
(Top image credit: A Call to Conscience: The Landmark Speeches)
