In Search of the Perfect Summer Read

It’s officially summer, and many people are looking for the perfect book to read on vacation. You can find many lists of books, but we all have different preferences. One person might want a steamy romance, while another is interested in a fast-paced psychological thriller. Here are two tools to help you find the book that is just right for you and your current mood.

NoveList Plus
NoveList Plus is a database that helps you to find books that are similar to others you have enjoyed. To access NoveList Plus, go to our Electronic Resources page. Scroll down to General Research and select Novelist. You will have to enter a valid library card number to use the database.

When you search for a title or author, you will see a list of read-alikes on the right side of the screen. Hovering over the titles will show you a summary of the book and why it was chosen as a read-alike.

If you can’t think of a particular author or title, you can browse by genre, theme, award winners, or appeal. You can even mix and match appeal factors such as character, storyline, writing style, and more. This will give you a list of books customized to your preferences.

NPR Books We Love

Books We Love is a curated list of books from National Public Radio. Anyone with an internet connection can access this site, whick includes titles going back to 2013! On the left side of the page, you can select a category and even combine multiple categories. For example, if you are in the mood for a “rather long” “eye-opening read” “for history lovers,” you might be interested in The Immortal King Rao by Vauhini Vara.

Of course, you can always fill out a reading recommendation form or come to the library for help. Masks are optional. If you are not comfortable entering the library, you can request items for curbside pickup during our regular summer hours (Monday-Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-5). To reserve a book, place a request in the online catalog, fill out a request form, or call the reference desk at 978-674-4121. If you love these books, you can write a review or place them in the “Awesome Box” at the ground floor checkout desk.