Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I can’t wait to read everyone else’s lists! Most of the stuff on our list is totally free to use, although some sites do offer a few more features for paid memberships if you’re interested in subscribing.

1. LibraryThing

You can use this site to catalogue your personal library.

2. Urban Dictionary 

I’m guessing that most of you are already familiar with this slang dictionary, but I sure find it helpful when a character uses a term that I’m not familiar with.

3. Bibliomania 

Not only does this site contain about 2000 classic texts, it also includes study guides and summaries f

4. What Should I Read Next? 

This is a great place to go if you’ve just read something romantic, scary, funny, or thought-provoking and want to find a book that’s similar to it.

5. Bookcrossing

Imagine giving a book to a stranger and being able to track where it ends up in the world. I’ve left plenty of books at Little Free Libraries and similar places and wish I could have learned who took them home and if they adored them.

6. The Rare Book Room

These are digital copies of rare books for anyone to read.

7. Black Chick Lit 

This is a podcast about books written by and for black women.

8. Poetry Archive 

Go here to listen to poets read their poems.

9. Scribl 

This site has a long list of podcasts about audiobooks. How cool is that?

10. WikiBooks

Think of this like Wikipedia for textbooks. Anyone can read or edit them!

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!  This week’s topic is favorite book settings.  I wasn’t quite sure how to approach this week’s topic.  I debated between specific places/time periods in books I’ve read versus general settings.  In the end I did a little of both.  Let’s get to the list!

Middle Earth-There is so much to explore in the world J.R.R Tolkien created.  How wonderful to be able to visit places like Rivendell, Rohan, and The Shire all in one series!

Victorian England-I find this time period intriguing.  I’ve read many stories as well as a few really good non-fiction books about this period.  How to Be Victorian by Ruth Goodman is excellent.

Colonial American/American Revolution-Another time period I find especially interesting.  Toliver’s Secret by Ester Wood Brady is one I’ve just recently read with my children.

American Civil War-Little Women is the first example that comes to mind for this time period.

England in the late 9th and early 10th century-I’m about half way through The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell and it quickly become a favorite.  When I finish it, I’ll be on the lookout for more series set in this time period!

The Past-While I’ve picked out a few specific time periods, I have been captivated by historical fiction in general ever since I read Little House in the Big Woods, Anne of Green Gables, and the American Girl series as a child.  I generally prefer historical fiction set before the twentieth century or at least from World War II or earlier.

Small Towns/Rural Areas-I’ve spent most of my life living in small towns and seen their beauty as well as their flaws.  I can easily relate to characters living in that kind of world.

Urban Fantasy-I suppose this is technically a genre rather than a setting, but there is just something about mixing the paranormal with an urban setting.  Of course the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs comes to mind.

I also enjoy stories set in bookstores and bakeries though no specific examples are coming to mind.  If you have any recommendations, let me know!

Do you enjoy these settings?  What sort of settings do you enjoy?