6 Ways to Find a Good Book
Searching for your next book? The Clermont County Public Library has lots of ways to help you find what you’re looking for! Here are six ways we can help you narrow down the hunt and get you started on your next good book.
1. Chat with our staff.
Readers’ advisory – aka, helping people find books they’ll enjoy – is an essential part of our jobs. We want to talk about books with you! Tell us what you want to read and we’ll suggest a variety of books to suit your interests. Not sure how to express what you want? That’s OK, we know the right questions to ask to get a feel for what you might like.
2. Get the advance scoop on new books.
Did you know that every time the Library orders new materials, we post a list of the items so that you can start placing holds before they even come in? It’s super easy! Find all of the newly ordered materials here. Each list features a different type of item, such as adult fiction, large print, DVDs, kids nonfiction or young adult fiction. Each order list includes the date the order was placed. Check out this page a few times per month and you’ll be in the know about all of our new books, movies and music. In the same place, you’ll also find timely themed lists of materials that our librarians think you might enjoy.
Order Lists & Themed Lists
3. Explore eBooks.
Are you an eBook reader or listen to digital audiobooks? Then check out the curated suggestion lists from Ohio Digital Library and Hoopla. Both services offer tons of themed book lists for you to browse. Once you find a book that looks interesting, it’s simple to either check it out or place it on hold. If you need any help with downloadables, the Library’s staff is happy to assist.
Ohio Digital Library
Hoopla
4. Let Novelist help.
What if you could look up any book you enjoyed and immediately get a handful of suggested readalikes? What if you could quickly look up books to suit your mood, such as “heart-wrenching” and “lyrical” or “funny” and “offbeat?” You can do that, and lots of other things, with Novelist. Novelist is a book recommendation database that the library subscribes to and you can use for free with your library card. Try it out! You’ll discover that Novelist offers so much more than the free book suggestion sites you find online. Connect to Novelist through our Digital Resources page, where you’ll find it listed alphabetically among other great databases like Ancestry and Chilton’s Library.
Here’s a quick tutorial to get you started:
If you’ve ever searched the Library’s catalog, you may have already encountered Novelist there. When you look up a book, scroll down the page and you’ll see suggested readalikes imported directly from Novelist. If the book is part of a series, you’ll see a list of all the titles in order. You can click on any of these suggested books to place them on hold.
Here are some tips on how to take advantage of Novelist through our catalog:
5. Listen to the Booklovers Podcast
Did you know that the library has a podcast? Join host Laura as she and other library staff members discuss new books, staff picks and themed lists. What could be easier than getting a few book suggestions while you cook dinner or commute? You can listed to past episodes of the Booklovers Podcast here.
6. Watch Shelf Indulgence
Vic and Kaity of the Union Township Branch talk books and all things book related on their YouTube show Shelf Indulgence. You’ll find a playlist of all the episodes here. Episode topics include: world building, movie adaptations, fandom and manga vs comics. Check out this episode in which they discuss their most anticipated 2021 book releases.
In conclusion…
So there you have it, six great ways Clermont County Public Library can help you find a good book. If you need help with any of these tools, or if you just want to talk books (we LOVE talking books!), stop by any of our ten locations. Our staff is always eager to help you out.
