ALL ABOUT BOOKS
Book Search....
....in Libraries
Mark Twain Library catalog (from outside the library)
reQuest -- (part of iCONN.org) This is the combined catalog of more than 300 public and college libraries in Connecticut. Using the keyword search will allow you to search not only all of the library catalogs (results displayed by clicking the "reQuest main catalog" link), but also all the iCONN subscription databases - in one easy step!
all other Connecticut public library websites
Library of Congress All books published in the United States are listed in the LOC catalog.
Novelist Plus - a reference for fiction and non-fiction books. Includes "read-alike authors', book discussion suggested questions, book series searches, and reviews by Kirkus, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, and Library Journal. Library card with 14 digit barcode required for access from home.
....through Booksellers
Amazon.com This is an exceptionally comprehensive resource, listing books both in-print and out-of-print, enhanced by editorial and reader reviews for most titles.
Barnes and Noble.com It includes some textbook or academic titles not listed by Amazon.
Two good websites specializing in out-of-print books are: Bookfinder.com
Reviews
Amazon.com Excerpts from major review journals are provided for most books; extensive reader reviews provide another perspective.
New York Times All book reviews published since 1996 in the daily paper and the Sunday book review are made available in full-text versions; youcan search by title, author, subject, or by special issue.
Washington Post "Book World" Included on this site are daily book reviews dating back to 2000 and frequent "LiveOnline" discussions with prominent authors such as Sue Miller, Elizabeth George, David McCullough, et al.
The New York Review of Books Available here is a selection of full-text articles and reviews from the last four issues.
[The print edition of the influential Kirkus Reviews, founded by the late Redding resident Virginia Kirkus Glick, is available at the Library.]
Recommendations
Novelist Plus - a reference for fiction and non-fiction books. Includes "read-alike authors"', book discussion suggested questions, book series searches, and reviews by Kirkus, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, and Library Journal. Library card with 14 digit barcode required for access from home.
The Booklist Center is an outstanding resource incorporating 347 booklists in 82 categories, including many award lists.
Some of the best readers' advisory sites (offering suggestions for fiction reading) are:
Fiction_L Booklists -- Librarians and avid readers (who participate in the Fiction_L listserv operated by the Morton Grove (Ill.) Public Library) have put together hundreds of creative, diverse, and topical reading lists since 1995.
"If you like..." -- Hennipin County (Minn.) Library has prepared lists recommendations inspired by current bestsellers as well as various subjects and genres. (Includes some nonfiction suggestions.)
Overbooked -- Prepared by a volunteer librarian in Virginia, this site provides information on titles that received starred reviews, featured booklists, themed releases, and hot lists of U.S. published hardcover books.
What do I read next? Available through reQuest/iCONN.org [click on "Display MTL Resources" link, then "clear resources" except for What Do I Read Next?].
Bestseller lists
New York Times Extended lists for fiction, nonfiction, children's and self-help books are available here.
USA Today This list features the top 150 best-selling books; lists are archived back to 1993.