 Project Gutenberg, Google Books, and LibraryThing
are worthwhile in their own right, but aside from the fact that they enable you to read, and discuss what you're reading, on the internet, nothing has really changed. Books are still dense. Information within them is still difficult to extract. Titles, Tables of Contents, Indexes, and Keyword Searches are pathetically limited. Organize your thoughts on books (and specific portions thereof). Study. Prepare for a test. Organize your notes. Cite your sources. Discuss books with a lively, intelligent, and thoughtful community. Explain why they just don't get it. Sigh with relief that somebody finally gets it. Ask and answer questions. Instantly find the wisest words ever written related to exactly what you're curious about. Become substantially smarter just by using a web site. |