How to Find Your Next Great Read

You’ve just finished reading a fantastic book and you want to read another like it, to recapture the feeling of total submersion in a gripping plot with interesting characters. But it was the last book in the series. Or you’ve read everything written by that author. Or it’s an author’s debut. Or you want something in your favorite genre, but fresh and new. What do you do?

Don’t worry, the Library has answers to all of those questions! Let’s take a look at three ways to find your next great read.

1. Book Lists Created by FCPL Staff

Our Recommended Reads lists are a great way to find books in your favorite genre. The Forsyth County Library website offers book lists created by library staff for Kids, Teens, and Adults. 

Looking for your next Horror fix? Browse the Horror recommendations and discover a new author. Has your middle schooler read all of the Harry Potter books? Check out the “If You Like Harry Potter” list and look at read-alikes that also provide magic and adventure. Run out of dinosaur books to read to your voracious toddler? When you find a book that piques your interest, click the link and it will take you straight to the library’s online catalog where you can place a request for the book.

2. NoveList Plus

The NoveList Plus database is available through the Library’s website at any time. Simply log in with your library card number and PIN. You can use this database to search for books, read reviews, or discover read-alikes according to author or title. In the search bar, type the title of a book or an author that you enjoyed. 

Click on “Title read-alikes” or “Author read-alikes” to see a list of similar books or authors. 

Select a book cover or author name to read more about the book and see the similarities between the two titles or authors.

When you find something interesting, check for it in the library’s catalog and place a request.

3. Personalized Reading Suggestions 

If you are looking for more specific, personalized reading suggestions, fill out a brief survey to indicate your reading preferences and you will receive an email with a list of recommendations from our library staff within a few days. 

4. Bonus Option

Visit your local library and ask a librarian for a good reading suggestion! We are always happy to help and love suggesting books that fit exactly what you are looking for.

Melissa Gunter
Outreach Specialist

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: An Unintended Sensation

As you can imagine, library staff occasionally often constantly discuss amongst themselves the books they’re reading. At the Sharon Forks Library, we realized many of us were reading (or listening to) the same delightful series, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Then we discovered staff throughout the entire FCPL system were also reading this sudden, unexpected sensation. Read more to find out why we can’t get enough!

Coming to You Soon: Wacky Winter Portraits

Brooke and Erin are ready for Wacky Winter Portraits!

Halloween is almost over, so that can only mean one thing (unless you are a staunch believer in celebrating the Thanksgiving season): it's time for the winter holidays! Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all coming up (December 25, December 4–12, and December 26–January 1, respectively) and at Post Road, we love to celebrate these holidays with a tradition: Wacky Winter Portraits! You may be wondering: what are Wacky Winter Portraits? Imagine: the super awkward photos you've seen taken at department stores or photo studios in the late 90's and early 2000's, but with funky holiday sweaters and even more holiday cheer than normal. 

If this piques your interest, Post Road Library will be hosting six sessions for Wacky Winter Portraits this year:

• Monday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday November 10 at 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the program, you and your group will be able sign up for a slot of time to take your photos. We recommend coming prepared wearing your wackiest winter outfits! 

Once you sign up for a slot, you will be free to roam around the library until your time; then the magic happens. Our team of librarians will take your photos and gather your information, so we can send them to you. 

After your photos are taken, the photo editing elves will work hard to make your photos as outlandish and fun as possible before sending them off to you! In about two weeks, you will receive your photos. Use them for your holiday cards, post them on social media for your friends to see (and of course, tag us @FoCoLibrary), or keep them hidden away for a fun laugh in a few years. 

Before we leave you to decide which session you will be attending, here are a few highlights from last year's sessions, so you can see what is in store for you this year!

Howling at the moon, together.

A visitor looking in.

Triple trouble!

Sarah Spiller

Information Specialist

Post Road Library