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Have you ever found yourself without a satisfying book just when you crave one, but you can't decide what to bring home from the Library that will be just right? Here are some ideas to guide you quickly to some leisure reading that will appeal to you. Please remember, do not hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance.
If you like a particular genre (e.g. "contemporary romance", "legal thrillers", "horror", or "cozy mysteries", etc.),
take a look at the Library's "read-alike" lists. These lists are available for you to take with you (and they make a handy bookmark), giving you names of many authors who write the type of books you read. Ask a librarian if you do not see these on display. Also, you may search on some of the links listed
on "our Favorite Book Lover's Web Sites"
(such as "Genrefluent", on the Internet at
genrefluent.com).
If you are about to embark on a trip, consider asking about fiction books to take along with your guidebooks, which have a setting that matches your destination. It is fun to see and to be in exactly the same places as where the imaginary action of a novel occurs.
Note the titles on the thematic display at the front of the Library. These displays are changed monthly, so enjoy the diversity of books! (Themes range from A to Z ; it may be anything from "Artic Adventures" to "Zoo Animals"). If the theme sparks your interest, feel free to select a number of the exhibited books to check out. This pre-selection saves you time, if you are in a hurry.
If you are a fan of series characters, ask a Librarian whether there are any new books featuring that character (a helpful book to check is called,
To be Continued, edited by Merle Jacob, or you may search by author on the Internet in lists provided by booksellers such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or on "What's Next?", an Internet site of the Kent District Library in Michigan). Also, the Library has two bookmarks listing "series sleuths", female and male.
The Library owns various books about good reading choices. Some of these circulate and others are for reference use within the Library only. The Library may obtain others for you through the inter-library loan system.
You might ask a librarian to assist you in locating a few, such as:
- 100 Best Books for Children, by Anita Silvey
- 50 Years of Notable Books, edited by the American Library Association
- Anatomy of Wonder-4, published by R.R. Bowker
- Around the World with Historical Fiction and Folktales, by Beth Bartleson Zarian
- Best Books for Children, by John Thomas Gillespie
- Book Lust, and More Book Lust, by Nancy Pearl
- The Fiction Catalog, (annual updates)
- For the Love of Books, (by 115 writers)
- Genreflecting, and Teen Genreflecting, by Diana Tixier Herald
- How Reading Changed My Life, by Anna Quindlen
- The Lifetime Reading Plan, by Clifton Fadiman
- The New York Times Parent's Guide to the Best Books for Children, by Eden Ross Lipson
- Outstanding Books for the College Bound, edited by the American Library Association
- Read Anything Good Lately?, by Susan Allen
- The Reader's Advisor, published by R. R. Bowker
- The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction, by Joyce Saricks
- A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction, by Baird Searles
- Reading Rules!, By Elizabeth Knowles
- Sacred Fire: the QBR 100 Essential Black Books, edited by Max Rodriquez
- Sequels, by Janet Husband
- So Many Books, So Little Time, by Sara Nelson
- To Be Continued, by Merle Jacob and Hope Apple
- The Well-educated Mind, by S. Wise Bauer
- The World's Best Thin Books, by Joni Richards Bodart
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If you enjoy movies, check out one of the books made into popular films that are listed on two bookmarks available to you at the Library. For more information about film facts, visit the Internet site,
reel.com
If you are looking for a suggestion from a Librarian or book reviewer, consult the American Library Association annual "Notable Book" list (ask a staff person to show you where these are on display), or see the annual lists of favorite books of your South Burlington Library staff. Also, click on the links listed under the "Award Winning Books" section of this website.
If you would like to explore new authors by checking out many books to sample a bit of each, try selecting from the Library's paperbacks collection. You will be able to check out several (they are not heavy to carry), and to try them without a deadline (no due back date or fines). These are ideal additions to your vacation luggage. Do bring these paperbacks to the Circulation Desk, so that staff can count the number that you take, and please return them at your convenience.
While you are browsing the bookshelves at the Library, narrow your
choices by identifying what characteristics of a book appeal to you. Thinking about your own, unique, reading preferences will guide you (or a librarian, if you request assistance), in finding titles to try.
Here is a checklist to get you started (ask yourself which of the following aspects of your leisure reading experience you have enjoyed):
- A certain genre of fiction (a mystery, suspense thriller,
romance, historical saga, fantasy, science fiction, western, or
others)?
- A nonfiction book on a specific topic, or a biography?
- A fast-paced, entertaining plot (a "page-turner")?
- A detailed, thought-provoking, philosophical plot that concentrates
the reader's attention?
- A likeable heroine/hero, a villain, or an underdog?
- Many characters (multiple generations, with a family tree for
reference)?
- An accurate context (an historical time period, or a credible setting
in the future)?
- A long, complex plot that unfolds slowly, like a soap opera
(a "pot-boiler")?
- A short, easy book that is a "quick read" (a "beach book")?
- A simple, chronological plot (versus dream sequences, diversions,
flashbacks, foreshadowing)?
- An inspirational story, a moral lesson, a political treatise or a
classic theme of "good over evil"?
- A book for the "gentle reader" (language that is not profane,
explicitly sexual or graphically violent)?
- A literary style of writing (e.g. innovative, poetic, epistolary,
satirical, minimalist, etc.)?
- A narrator or the story told from another point of view?
- A lot of interesting, authentic dialogue?
- A lot of background research supplied by the author?
- A book with language that evokes a mood (e.g. humorous,
introspective, scary, emotional, sensual, magical, nostalgic,
sweet, adventurous, silly, unconventional, etc.)?
- A happy ending or a surprise ending?
- An appealing color or design of the book jacket?
- Any other characteristics that appeal to you?
WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY YOUR READING JOURNEYS, AND TO SEE YOU RETURN SOON
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The following book lists are currently available for you to use and/or keep, compiled by the South Burlington Community Library. These pamphlets include plot summaries to help you make your reading choices.
- Comical Mysteries
- Even More Recent Books to Talk About
- Great Escapes: Tales for the Travelers
- Historical Fiction - U.S.
- Middle East Culture in Fiction and Memoirs
- Mysteries Around the World
- Recent Fiction for Book Discussions (2002)
- Romance with a Humorous Twist
- Women's Friendships in Fiction
- Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
In addition, the following lists of "read-alike" authors are available for you in "bookmark" format, to use and/or to keep, for the following genres:
- A Decade of Edgar Award Winners
- Bon Bons for Your Mind
- Books That Inspired Movies- I
- Books That Inspired Movies -II
- British Suspense
- Brit Wit Chick Lit
- Celebrating African American Writers
- Christian Fiction
- Coming of Age Novels
- Contemporary American Romance
- Courtroom Suspense
- Cozy British Mysteries
- Horror
-
Imagining the
Prehistoric World (fiction)
- Jewish Culture in Literature
- Military Fiction
- Multi-Generational Family Sagas
- Psychological Thrillers
- Regional U.S. Detective Series
- Rogues, Cons and Capers
- Series Sleuths to Track Down (Female and Male)
- Vermont Scenes (Fiction Selections)
- Traveler's True Tales
- Way Out West
The Library also provides an annual list of our favorite books. Copies of these are now available in the following editions:
- Off the Beaten Path, Staff Picks -2007
- Cool Classics, Staff Selections-2006
- Staff Selections-2005
- More Fiction Suggestions from the Staff-2003
- Suggested Reading from the Staff-2002
The staff of your Library enjoys participating in this local "tradition", and welcomes the opportunity to talk about these books with you!
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Click on any of the following links to Internet sites to view lists of books that have won recognition by a variety of organizations, and in different categories. This list is not comprehensive; there are many other literary award programs for all genres of writing.
General Noteworthy Book Lists
Vermont Book Awards
Genre Fiction Awards
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Click on any of the links below to search for fiction books to match your preferences or needs (and please ask a librarian if you would like further assistance):
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Bestseller Lists 1900-1995
Find the books your parents' or grandparents' generation enjoyed
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Bookbrowser
A major bookseller offers upcoming publication dates, book reviews and more.
- BookMuse
A popular bookshop caters to book group participants, with suggestions of titles for discussions and reader reviews.
- Bookspot
This site offers a wide variety of book-related Internet links.
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Cozy Library
The Cozy Library has been designed for readers who
enjoy a good cozy read. It is a place to learn about
cozy books you haven't read or get to know your favorite
cozy authors.
- Fiction DB
Select a fiction genre or author to explore, and note the handy pseudonym search function.
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Genrefluent
Learn here about new fiction genres and sub-genres, and see reviews for fans of Graphic Novels.
- Internet Speculative Fiction Database
Discover the expanding world of Science Fiction and Fantasy literature, including the many book awards presented in this field of literature.
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Juvenile Series
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Mystery Reader
Identify a mystery author, even when you do not know the spelling of their name (use the alphabetical search), or investigate your favorite type of mystery (e.g. "cozies", etc.).
- Overbooked
Try the "If you liked." feature on this site to obtain suggestions for read-alike books to one you enjoyed, and browse various Internet links.
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Reader's Circle
A book club networking site serving the U.S., Canada and
Australia with listings for local groups, author events
and phone chats.
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Romance Reader
Choose a book by category (e.g. time travel romance, Regency era, etc.).
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Soon's Historical Fiction Site
Consult the master list of historical fiction writers, which may be accessed by an alphabetic search, if you are not sure of the author's exact name.
- What's Next?
The Kent District Library in Michigan provides this useful resource about Fiction books in series; you can look up where a book falls in the sequence by series character name, if you don't remember a title or the author.
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Western Writers of America
Look up novels and non-fiction about life in the western United States.
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If you are interested in forming your own book discussion group with co-workers, family or friends, but do not know how to start, a first step might be to attend one of the Library book discussion meetings to observe or participate. This may give you ideas of how to proceed and whether you would like to be a leader or just a member in your own group. Please ask at the Library about the different book discussion series, or look up details on this website.
You may ask a librarian to assist you in locating books at this Library, or through inter-library loan,
about how to start a book group, such as:
- Book Discussions for Adults: a Leader's Guide, by Ted Balcom
- The Book Group Handbook, by Elaine Slezak
- The Mother-daughter Book Club, by Shireen Dodson
- Reading Group Choices, (see updates on the Internet, at
readinggroupchoices.com)
- The Reading Group Handbook, by Rachel Jacobsohn
- So Many Books, So Little Time, by Sara Nelson
- Talking About Books, by Marcia Fineman
- What To Read, by Mickey Pearlman
For ideas of books to select for your group, you may refer also to the books listed in the "What to Read Next"
section of this website. Also, various Internet sites provide tips for book club leaders, such as:
When selecting a book for your group to read, consider their preferences for a particular kind of literature, the length of the book (relative to the scheduled time for the participants to read the book before the next meeting), the availability of multiple copies, and whether the content is likely to evoke a strong response (i.e. to generate thoughtful, abundant discussion).
Reading Guides (containing lists of questions to pose to your group about a book, as well as author biographies, interviews, or bibliographies), are published for free by the major book Press's, and may be copied from their websites for those books that are popular among discussion groups. The largest booksellers (e.g. Amazon and Barnes and Noble), often provide on their websites useful plot summaries of books, excerpts of book and journal reviews, customer reviews and suggested "read alikes", to assist you in book selection for your group.
MULTIPLE
COPIES AVAILABLE
Your group may obtain multiple free copies of various thought-provoking books for discussion from the Library. Generally, these are books that the Library has used in the past for book discussions that were offered to the public. The loan period for these book sets may be arranged to suit your group's needs (i.e. you may reserve a date ahead of time for picking up the books at the Library, and you may keep the book set for an entire month or longer). A list follows of the books sets that you may request to borrow (you may also obtain a copy of this list, which is expanded annually, at the Library).
The following fiction and non-fiction books are available for book discussion groups in sets of multiple copies. They are available for pick up by local librarians, reading groups, individual patrons and their families. Libraries or individuals who are not local and require a book set to be mailed, must request the loan through their home library, using the regular, Vermont Inter-Library Loan process. An additional copy of these books may be available to check out from the regular Library collection.
In order for a reading group to reserve a book set, it is suggested that one designated group member request the title (please specify the number of copies requested), at least a month in advance of the book discussion date. Please be aware that if a book set is reserved for use by the South Burlington Community Library, or on loan to another user, the books may not be available at that particular time for use by your group.
| Book Title & Author |
Number of Copies |
| All Over but the Shoutin', Rick Bragg |
17 |
| All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy |
18 |
| American Childhood, An, Annie Dillard |
16 |
| Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner |
15 |
| Atonement, Ian McEwan |
14 |
| Awakening, The, Kate Chopin |
11 |
| Bean Trees, The, Barbara Kingsolver |
17 |
| Bel Canto, Ann Patchett |
17 |
| Birth of Venus, The, Sarah Dunant |
14 |
| Bookman's Promise, The, John Dunning |
13 |
| Cannery Row, John Steinbeck |
3 |
| Charming Billy, Alice McDermott |
16 |
| Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons |
12 |
| Corrections, The, Jonathan Franzen |
16 |
| Digging to America, Anne Tyler |
2 |
| Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Anne
Tyler |
6 |
| Drowning Ruth, Jane Hamilton |
6 |
| Emma, Jane Austen |
10 |
| Empire Falls, Richard Russo |
14 |
| Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah |
17 |
| First They Killed My Father, Loung Ung |
32 |
| Fortune's Rocks, Anita Shreve |
19 |
| Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Susan Vreeland |
14 |
| Girl with a Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier |
13 |
| Grass Dancer, The, Susan Power |
13 |
| Grass Harp, The, Truman Capote |
13 |
| Hours, The, Michael Cunningham |
10 |
| House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III |
15 |
| How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Julia Alvarez |
8 |
| Inheritance of Loss, The, Kiran Desai |
8 |
| Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman |
21 |
| Known World, The, Edward P. Jones |
12 |
| Leeway Cottage, Beth Gutcheon |
13 |
| Life Estates, Shelby Hearon |
14 |
| Look at Me, Jennifer Egan |
13 |
| Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert |
4 |
| Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear |
15 |
| Mansfield Park, Jane Austen |
10 |
| Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden |
14 |
| Mrs. Caliban, Rachel Ingalls |
19 |
| Naked, David Sedaris |
13 |
| Out of This Furnace, Thomas Bell |
13 |
| Passing, Nella Larsen |
16 |
| Pears on a Willow Tree, Leslie Pietryzk |
16 |
| Persuasion, Jane Austen |
10 |
| Piano Tuner, The, Daniel Mason |
17 |
| Plainsong, Kent Haruf |
18 |
| Poisonwood Bible, The, Barbara Kingsolver |
20 |
| Pompeii, Robert Harris |
18 |
| Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen |
6 |
| Quiet American, The, Graham Greene |
5 |
| Red Tent, The, Anita Diamant |
12 |
| Remains of the Day, The, Kazuo Ishiguro |
16 |
| Rookery Blues, John Hassler |
4 |
| Room with a View, A, E.M. Forster |
18 |
| Secret Life of Bees, The, Sue Monk Kidd |
18 |
| Seedfolks, Paul Fleischman |
99 |
| Shadow Baby, Alison Mcghee |
12 |
| Shadow of the Wind, The, Carlos Ruis Zafon |
6 |
| Stolen Lives, Malika Oufkir |
6 |
| Stone Diaries, The, Carol Shields |
20 |
| Storming Heaven, Denise Giardina |
12 |
| Story of Lucy Gault, The, William Trevor |
15 |
| Summer, Edith Wharton |
14 |
| Summer's Lease, John Mortimer |
16 |
| Taming of the Shrew, The, William Shakespeare |
5 |
| Volcano Lover, The, Susan Sontag |
14 |
| Waiting, Ha Jin |
12 |
| Waiting for the Mahatma, R.K. Narayan |
18 |
| Weight of Water, The, Anita Shreve |
17 |
| When the Emperor was Divine, Julie Otsuka |
6 |
| When We Were Orphans, Kazuo Ishiguro |
10 |
| Winter Wheat, Mildred Walker |
16 |
| Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte |
4 |
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