Since fall is in full swing and the cold dark days of winter are approaching, I thought I would share two of my favourite web sites. I love to read and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. I even like reading magazines, although sometimes they get repetitive if you read too many. I tend to read alot more in the winter, since our crappy, cold, dark winters tend to keep me inside more than normal.
The first site is Goodreads – I have to thank OregonSunshine and Stephanie for telling me about this site. Goodreads.com is a fun site (and they have an iphone/ipad app!) to keep track of all of the books you have read, books you want to read and your progress. I can’t tell you how handy this has been when I am out at book stores – I can never quite remember if I’ve read a certain book (unless it was really,really good) and this site/app makes it easy to keep tabs on what you have read so you don’t buy something you have already read! You can also write and share reviews with friends.So far in 2011, I have read 32 books, three of which were horse books. It is kind of fun to keep track of the number of books you read – at least I find that fun. I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to stats and such. I have found the site extremely useful in finding new books to read – sometimes I get stuck reading the same type of stuff all the time and that gets a bit boring.
Anyone have any good book recommendations for me? I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. If you are also using goodreads, let me know in the comments and I'll add you!
The other site (and app!!!) I use alot is zinio.com. This is an online magazine site/app where you can buy subscriptions or single issues of digital magazines. There are several popular horse magazines that are available through this site. I can’t tell you how handy this app was on my ipad while travelling last winter! I had purchased and downloaded a bunch of magazines ahead of time and was set for my whole vacation! You can download magazines on the fly if you have free wi-fi or use of a cell phone network while travelling as well.
I find I like digital magazines a lot – I don’t have that big stack of paper magazines that piles up all over my house. I have spent years reading magazines and then ripping out the articles I wanted to keep. I would then put all of those saved articles into binders. I was always busy “archiving” my magazines and seemed to have papers everywhere. Having all of the past issues accessible online is pretty handy (and it saves me a lot of time!)The only problem with magazines is that I find (well, besides the ads!) if you subscribe for a long time, you start to see the same things over and over again. Buying a few issues at a time online makes it a bit easier to avoid that problem...
Do you guys read magazines? What are your favourites? Do tell... :-)
6 comments:
Ha ha, we both have stats nerd posts ;-)
I used to be a VERY avid reader. I was never without a book on the go. It hasn't really been the same since university though - I read a lot less in my spare time and often fall asleep when I try. It has been my goal to get back in the habit though, I miss it.
I am going to have to get an e-reader one of these days...I guess I could read magazine articles on my computer but not actual books, it would make me crazy.
As for magazines, I get Horse Canada because it costs next to nothing with my OEF license. I find it better than any Horse Illustrated I've picked up over the last few years (usually at airports while traveling).
I do have an online subscription to Horses for Life, which I really like. That said, I forgot/lost my password a few months ago and still haven't managed to sit and email them about it.
Thanks for sharing!
RB - hahaha - you need to post yours soon - don't make me wait! lol
I read e-books alot - easier to haul around, but I have real books at home. I seem to go through phases where I read more then take a break.
I cancelled my horse Canada sub because I was getting bored with it. I'll have to check out the Horses for Life - never heard of it!
Yeah, I didn't mean to imply it was great, that's for sure! I think you'll like horses for life. You get one or two articles free with registration but I found it frustrating not to read the rest. Course,lately I haven't read it at all, so go figure!
I like your "Stuff I Like" idea. I've thought about doing a "Favorite Things" sort of series, but I like your title "Stuff I Like".
I like Goodreads too. In fact, I have my Goodreads "currently reading" list on my blog.
I've cut way down on my magazine subscriptions because they pile up and I don't have time to read them. I'm taking just two now, Equus and Horse & Rider. I wish I could get them in digital format on my Nook. I'm not familiar with the magazine site you mentioned. I will check it out.
I might have to check out that good reads site...
Anyway, book recommendations. Room by Emma Donoghue is one of my recent favourites. Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill is also a good read.
Another book I've read recently that I would recommend is Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson.
None of the above are 'horse books' lol
If you haven't already gotten hooked on Goodreads.com, my friends, then you're far, far behind the times!
I'm not currently reading any horse magazines. I do have a couple on my wishlist as well. (Do you have an Amazon wishlist?)
Good books I've read recently that I think you'll enjoy are Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine, Elantris by Brandon Sanderson, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer. I know, none are horse books, but they're all genres you like!
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