my early feedback -- this seems like a natural candidate for using Facebook authentication. you could post to the user's Wall "I just read X" and there'd be a natural viral factor.

driving traffic... most startups have that problem. HN, reddit, digg, email relevant bloggers, tell your friends (that's without spending anything).

making money -- seems like ads would be the way to go. if this took off, i can also see "sponsored content" mixed into the recommendations, ala "promoted tweets".

good luck!