3 Ways to Find Recommended Books Based on Other Books You Love
Finding a book to follow up your new favorite read can be a struggle. How can any author fill Leigh Bardugo’s shoes? How can your heart ever make room for more characters outside of Narnia? Well, reading books that are similar to the ones you love definitely helps. Other readers and companies clearly understand what you are going through because they’ve created sites and services offering recommended books based on other books you already know you love.
Here are three helpful ways you can find your next favorite book.
1. Sign up for Personalized Recommendations
Tailored Book Recommendations, also known as TBR, is Book Riot’s personalized recommendation service. If you’d like a person on the other end, carefully curating titles for you, then TBR is a dream come true. Sign up for TBR and you’ll receive thoughtfully selected titles specifically for you.
Goodreads is also immensely helpful in generating suggestions. After signing up, you can create personal bookshelves and then view recommendations in response to what you place on each bookshelf. (Warning: Your “Want to Read” list may grow dangerously long once you begin spending time on Goodreads. There are just too many good books.)
Another resource is libraries. Libraries are magical to begin with, but did you know your public library might also be the perfect place to electronically gather book recommendations? Many of the larger, public libraries have their own personalized book suggestion programs. This includes the Newport Public Library, the Provo Library, and the Denver Public Library. Ask your librarians the next time you’re visiting (which is undoubtedly tomorrow, if you’re anything like me.)
2. Take A Few Quizzes
Book recommendation quizzes are not only fun to take, but they are also super helpful.
Buzzfeed has a magical quiz that asks you to select your various favorites and then gives you a new book to check out. The quiz pulls from the classics, nonfiction, children’s books and more to find the book you simply must read.
RJ Julia, a beloved bookstore in Connecticut, also has a quiz to help you choose a book. Considering your choice in magazines, ideal vacations, and the one author you simply cannot resist reading, the quiz narrows down which story you should dive into next.
For those of you who want young adult recommendations specifically, Penguin Teen has some quizzes lined up. If you are a fan of Shakespeare plays, select your favorite in this Penguin Teen quiz and find a young adult book recommendation that aligns with it.
3. Check out Similar Reads
Goodreads has a collection of read-alike book lists. For those unfamiliar with read-alikes, the idea is this: if you are passionate about a series such as—for example—Harry Potter, the readers of Goodreads have voted on the books they best think are similar and enjoyable.
NoveList is a fantastic resource that functions through EBSCOhost for libraries. The site includes read-alikes for every title clicked. Simply select or search a title you enjoy; then check out the read-alikes on the right hand panel of the page.
There are also a few sites that require no registration and little work to find recommended books based on other books.
After selecting a book you very much like, Your Next Read branches out into titles that are close matches. Literature-Map works similarly: after typing in your favorite author, a map will pop up that shows other authors enjoyed by those who like reading your favorite author. According to the site, the closer the authors’ names to the one you originally chose, the more likely you are to adore their work as well. Gnooks uses a simple way to suggest a new author: type in three authors you like and it will suggest one in response.
Discovering new books to read can seem intimidating, but these quizzes and services can make the process much more approachable. Let us know what site pairs you with your new book love. Looking for even more options? Explore 15 of the Best Book Recommendation Sites to Find Your Next Book.
