LibGuides: SPL Reading Corner: External Reader's Advisory

Book Advisory Websites

Books for Adults
Books for Kids

American Library Association-Challenged/Banned Books List
The ALA Challenged and Banned books list is compiled by the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Banned Books week occurs every year and a new list of books is released.
Based On the Book Database
This database is a product of the Mid-Continent Public Library. “Based on the Book is a compilation of over 1,250 books, novels, short stories, and plays that have been made into motion pictures".
Book Page-Discover Your Next Great Book
“BookPage is a monthly book review publication distributed to more than 450,000 avid readers through subscribing bookstores and public libraries. Founded in 1988 and located in Nashville, TN, BookPage serves as a broad-based selection guide to the best new books published every month. The tone is upbeat and literate, focusing on bestsellers as well as new discoveries. All of the content from the print edition is posted on BookPage.com each month".
BOOK RIOT
Book Riot is the largest independent editorial book site in North America, and home to a host of media, from podcasts to newsletters to original content, all designed around diverse readers and across all genres.
Fantastic Fiction
Fantastic Fiction is maintained by a small family run company based in Lancashire, UK. The information on this web site is current, and they have included features like books “Coming Soon". This site is very user friendly!
Goodreads
World’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. See what books your friends are reading.
Hennepin County Library’s “If You Like” Author lists
The Hennepin County Library in Minnesota created this great tool that allows you to enter an authors name and it will offer suggestions for other read-alike books.
KDL What’s Next Database
What’s Next™: Books in Series Database of Kent District Library will help you find out what book is next in a series. You may search by title, author, series, or genre.
NPR Books
NPR Books brings you news about books and authors along with our picks for great reads.
What Should I Read Next?
Enter a book you like and this site will provide book recommendations and suggestions for what to read next.

Books for Children
Find all kinds of books, author websites, crosswords and more at Hennepin County Library’s kids’ page.
¡Colorín Colorado!
A bilingual site for families with booklists, activities and more.
Harper Collins Childrens
Play games with your favorite book characters including Amelia Bedelia, Fancy Nancy and Purplelicious. Other games includes Septimus Heap, Warriors and Molly Moon. Also print activities and do quizzes.
International Children’s Digital Library
A collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world.
Juvenile Series and Sequels
Database containing over 36,000 books in 4,900 series titles that are classified into three audiences: Juvenile Easy [JE] – for birth through 2nd grade readers, Juvenile [J] – for 2nd through 6th grade readers and, Young Adult [YA] – for 6th through 12th grade readers.
Magic Tree House
An interactive space for fans to play games, read excerpts, and watch videos.
A Mighty Girl
The world’s largest collection of books and movies for smart, confident, and courageous girls.
James Patterson - Books
James Patterson’s site full of great books and more for kids of all ages.
Scholastic Kids
Interactive games galore with your favorite book characters. Join in the fun with Goosebumps, 39 Clues, Bone, Secrets of Droon and more.

Top Book Lists

Amazon - Best Sellers
"Discover the best books in Amazon Best Sellers. Find the top 100 most popular Amazon books".
Barnes and Noble - Best Selling Books
Explore Barnes & Noble's top 100 bestselling books.
The New Yorker - Best Books of 2024
"Each week, our editors and critics recommend the most captivating, notable, brilliant, thought-provoking, and talked-about books".
The New York Times - Best Sellers
"Authoritatively ranked lists of books sold in the United States, sorted by format and genre".
USA Today - Best Selling Booklist
Explore best-selling books, reviews, and recommendations at USA Today's Best-selling Booklist.

Social Media Book Communities

BookTube (YouTube)
YouTube has a vast community of book lovers! Looking for good recommendations? Upcoming anticipated releases? Book collection and library tours? No matter the topic, there is something for all book lovers on YouTube.
Bookstagram (Instagram)
Bookstagram on the app, Instagram, specializes in photo and short form video content related to all things books! If you love looking at photos other readers took of books they love or their collections, this is the place to be!

Reading Tracker Apps

StoryGraph
StoryGraph is best for readers who are interested in their personal reading statistics. Similar to Goodreads, people can share their ratings and reviews for their reads, track reading progress, and log reading history. However StoryGraph focuses more on giving insightful statistics of your reading habits and preferences.
Goodreads
Goodreads is the hub for all readers who want to connect with other readers and share book ratings and reviews. With a focus on community, readers can share their reading lists, reading history, and reading goals for the year.

Book Reviews

Booklist Online - Reviews
"As the book review journal of the American Library Association, Booklist connects library and education workers to the books and resources needed to support and enrich their communities".
Common Sense Media - Book Reviews
"Read age-appropriate book reviews for kids and parents written by our experts".
Kirkus Reviews
"Our lists focus on diversity in adult, children’s, and young adult literature and are the result of a process that builds on the diverse voices of Kirkus’ reviewers, and the work of the editors of Kirkus Reviews, with input from diversity experts, ensuring that our selections meet current standards of accuracy, sensitivity, and respect".
The New York Times - Book Reviews
"Reviews, essays, best sellers and children's books coverage from The New York Times Book Review".
NPR - Book Reviews
Book reviews provided by contributing writers for NPR.