The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.  

So said Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka “Dr. Seuss,” children’s book author and illustrator of numerous favorite stories such as “The Cat in the Hat,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Born on March 2, 1904, Dr. Seuss died on September 24, 1991 yet his legacy lives on through his stories and characters. Seussville.com offers kids of all ages an interactive and fun experience, while also providing resources for teachers and parents.

Reading is not what it used to be

Reading enhances the lives of everyone at any age, yet how we read has changed dramatically in the past several decades.

Kevin Kelly writing for Smithsonian.com in August 2010 said, lamenting to some degree, that we have changed our reading from books and newspapers to screens on all types of devices – screens on computers and laptops and tablets and smartphones.

He said reading screens encourages utilitarian thinking rather than contemplation that comes from reading books. Kelly predicted that before too long:

Screens will be the first place we’ll look for answers, for friends, for news, for meaning, for our sense of who we are and who we can be.

New ways of reading

Statistics on sales of books-in-print show periods of rise and decline. Meanwhile, technology opened the door to new formats online, the following among them:

Goodreads:  Claims to be the largest online site for readers and book recommendations. Members can catalog their books, share their lists with “friends” drawn from their social media contacts.

LibraryThing:   Members catalog up to 200 books free or upgrade membership for $10 year or $25 life. Early Reviewer and Member Giveaway programs available upon meeting minimum requirements, and more.

Kobo: Access eBooks, magazines for any device at affordable prices.

Bookbub: Access discounted and free eBooks to download to any device under limited time offers.

Overdrive:  Borrow eBooks, audio books from reader’s local library with a valid library card from the particular library.

Audio and talking books…

National Library Service of the Library of Congress serves the needs of the blind and certain other residents of the United States through

…a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.

Anyone may join audio book club services such as the examples below:

Audible.com:  Membership offers first book free during free trial, then $14.95 per month, and 30% discount on future books.

Audiobooks.com:  – Membership with first book free during free trial, then $14.95 per month for one book; also apps for iOS and Android devices.

Coming in 2017

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Reading books the old-fashioned (and still really satisfying) way, or by reading eBooks on a device, or listening to audio-talking books, please take time to mark January 23, 2017 on your calendar because it is National Reading Day!