Around this time of the year I usually start to get a number of requests from our book clubs for suggestions. Before the summer months when they often take a break from their regular book club meetings, many clubs like to put together 6-8 months of choices for the upcoming reading year. I am always happy to help with these lists because I can then order in time for club members to have their next book ready each time they finish one. But sometimes it’s hard to come up with an assortment of choices all at once. I’d like to share with you some of the sources I use when I’m asked for suggestions.
One of my favorite web sites is Reading Group Choices. This site has lots of information for book clubs, including lists of favorites from other book clubs. Book Browse is another web site that has a special section for book clubs. Not only are there suggestions for books, but there is also lots of advice on how to choose books for your group. One of the most comprehensive web sites around, and another favorite of mine, is Bookreporter.com. This site has quite a bit of information about books and authors in addition to a direct link to Reading Group Guides.com.
Westport Public Library has some great resources right on our own website. Novelist is a database filled with information about novels for both adults and children. One of my favorite features is Author Read-alikes. If you like a book by a certain author this feature will help you find other authors that you might want to try. What Do I Read Next? is a database that will also help you find non-fiction books for your book club.
On our Great Web Sites page, I would highly recommend that you check out the Reviews page, which is under the Books and Literature section, for direct links to many book review resources. Also the Reading Lists and More page has links to more book suggestions. And of course, Marta Campbell, head of Collection Management at the library has put together a considerable amount of information on the book club section of our website. Besides our Speaking of Books Collection and Discussion Guides, you will find Best Books of 2007, under Reading Suggestions. There are many more links on this page to other suggestions including Sybil Steinberg’s list which covers the last few years.
I hope this gives you some ideas for putting that book list together. And if you’re still having trouble choosing something, please feel free to e-mail me. I’m always happy to help.