Thing 20- Reading and more reading-Print or Online...That is the question...

I agree with the articles about reading, being a former English teacher. Reading novels and reading regularly increase test scores. The question discussed primarily was is reading online just as beneficial as reading print? I think it depends. (Personally, I hate reading online. I now have bifocals and too much computer screen gives me a head and neck ache. I read to relax and reading online does not make me relax.) What should be a factor in comparing online to print reading should be exactly what is being read online. Reading twitters, emails, and blogs do not necessarily promote the correct form of the English language much less correct spelling! However, I have read some books, some being children's books that do not demonstrate the best examples of these things either. I think reading anywhere improves vocabulary. I say if you can only get them to read online, allow it wholeheartedly (being cautious of what's out there, of course).

As far as all those sites you listed, I agree with the comments on the 23 Things page-there are too many, but you wanted us to explore. I hope it's ok that I just picked one or two from each list to explore. I have no interest in book communities or book groups, but I took a look at Overbooked and Booksprouts. (I just don't have time to get involved with something like this.) I looked at Librivox for Audio Books, but again, I don't like listening to books; I love reading books. I clicked on Metacriatic, but I frequently use Amazon for a quick review--I don't know why I would need several sites for the same thing. Besides, that one is not kept updated anymore anyway. I thought the idea of "renting" a textbook would be a good idea for college students in Book Swim. I clicked on "What should I read next?" and thought it would be good for someone else, but I like shelf browsing myself to choose my next book. The one site I did join was Daily Lit. I tried adding the RSS feed to this blog, but it wouldn't work. (I think I need to review RSS feeds.) I'll try to add what it said to copy and we'll see if it works. If it's there, great. If it's not, oh well.