Book Websites

Apparently one post isn’t enough for today. Maybe I’m trying to make up for lost time :-)

Even though I was complaining in the last post that I couldn’t find any books to read, there are a lot of interesting websites devoted to books.

AllReaders.com
Yes, the interface is awful. However, their advanced search for books is interesting. To skip the pain of trying to find their advanced search (which they call “Detailed booksearch”), choose one of the genres listed:
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Thriller/Action
Literature
Romance
Biography
History

whichbook.net
This site helps you find books based on “mood and style” or “plot, character and setting.”

Internet Book List
Very new to me. I just discovered this site today. Aims to provide “comprehensive and easily accesible database of books.” While it currently only has around 35,000 book entries, every book I’ve tried searching for has been found. Information can be found on authors, individual titles and series. In addition, users can browse by genre and subgenre. This site is a little unusal in that it clearly states the order a particular book comes in a series (why is this so rare?). After registering, users have the ability to rate books and write comments. If one decides to buy the book, instead of linking to the ubiquitous amazon.com, users can click to visit Powells (the best real life book store located in Portland, OR) or Abe Books.

Amazon.com
Why am I listing Amazon? Certainly not for the “Customers who bought this book also bought” feature. However, Amazon allows its users to create “Listmanias” and “Guides” for their favorite books. Search Amazon for a favorite book and then scroll down to the very bottom and try out one of the Listmanias or Guides. Some are awful but occasionally I’ve found a new book this way.

Novelist
Novelist is a Reader’s Advisory Database. It is probably available through your local public library (find their website and look for links to databases, reference, or reader’s advisory). You can search for books by title, author, series, and plot. In addition, Novelist sometimes has “Read-A-Like” lists for famous authors and users can browse book suggestions by genre. The main disadvantage of this service is sometimes I’ll find the perfect book and then discover my library doesn’t have it. However, most libraries have an intralibrary loan program where you can borrow from other libraries through them. Unfortunately, this takes time.

Enough links for now. I think I should go be useful :-)