The Library Vault

If you’re like me, when I find a series I love I burn through it in record time and then am left mourning that I have finished the series. Finding a new series can be challenging, so invariably I turn to NoveList for help.

NoveList is an online database available through Russell Library’s website that offers recommended reading lists. But it’s a database with a sense of humor. Their website claims “Yes, we can help you find a book about brushing your teeth while standing on one leg.” And they aren’t kidding.

You can sort by age and genre and even by topics such as “Fast-paced and Funny” or “Sweeping and Dramatic” and even make up your own with NoveList’s Appeal Mixer. Chose a category: Character, Illustration, Pace, Storyline Tone, or Writing Style. Then choose a description. For instance, if you select Tone, you can then pick anything from Amusing to Whimsical, Heartwarming to Heartbreaking, Disturbing to Upbeat. There are currently 47 topics to choose from and you can mix and match them in any way you like. It’s a TON of fun.

By the way, each category has its own list of descriptors. Like your characters complex? No problem. Love awkward heroes? We’ve got ‘em. Prefer twisted, or gentle, or quirky, or relatable? Check, check, check, and check.

NoveList also has several ready-made lists such as to the Best Adult Fiction of 2023, a selection of exceptional titles in a variety of genres. Books like Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, and How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix are on this list in addition to other great titles. It’s perfect for the what-do-I-read-next blues.

However, my favorite part of NoveList is the Read-alikes.

If you type in a book title or author, NoveList will produce a list of results that include three very handy links: Title Read-alikes, Author Read-alikes and Series Read-alikes. You can watch a short video on how to use this feature HERE.

What is a Read-alike?

A read-alike is a book, author, or series that shares some of the basic characteristics of another book, author, or series. It means that if you enjoyed The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand, all you need to do is type the title in NoveList’s search box and click on the title link when it appears. To the right will be a list of book suggestions that you may also love: Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland. I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella. The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser.

I hope that when you clicked on the links (you did, didn’t you?) you noticed that all of the above titles are available in a variety of formats: book, ebook, audiobook, etc. You’re welcome.

For example, type in Lord Peter Wimsey (one of my favorite classic British mystery sleuths) in the series search and you will get a list of recommendations that include the Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood (stories that have also been turned into a wonderful BBC drama Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries )and the Adam Dalgliesh mysteries by P.D. James, among many others.

Bingo! Two more series just waiting to be devoured.

Try NoveList. It works! Russell Library cardholders can link to NovelList from the Russell Online page our website.