I love my Google Reader, especially for the folders - it suits my little OCD heart perfectly. I have folders for food blogs, writing blogs, reading-related blogs, podcasts etc etc. It's wonderful
I'm already subscribed to Karen's blog (among a few others) but it was more convenient to use the forum, as sometimes I'd see the deals she and others posted here first before they showed up in my Reader, which was very helpful, as some deals/freebies expire very quickly.