Friday Favorites

Two new favorites this week. I discovered, a few weeks back, Learnoutloud.com while searching for free online books to listen to. This site has links to all of the Librovox books as well a many other sites for classic books and a lot of great links to author speeches. So far I've been listened to Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome," Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer," William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet, and an wonderful speech by Isabel Allende among others.

Since the fall, I've been reading more and more book blogs, hence the inspiration for me to start my own. I've now lost track of the number of blogs I'm following. There are some really great places to get book reviews, learn about new books, read author interviews and even make new friends. Coming in September, there will be a whole week devoted to book bloggers. For more information, check out http://www.bookbloggerappreciationweek.com. Here's some information from the site:

Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week! I am so pleased to announce that the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18.
WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!
WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.
WHEN September 14-18, 2009
WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)
WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!