Reviews and Blog Posts: readers advisory

Personalized Reading Lists: Behind the Scenes

Submitted by Brett on February 15, 2013 - 9:43am

Over 150 people have used our Personalized Reading List service since we launched in December and we've received a lot of positive feedback. If you've wondered what to expect from a personalized reading list, here's your chance to peek behind the scenes! These recommendations come directly from lists our librarians have made for customers based on their reading preferences.

"Because you liked the intergenerational family connections in Robinson’s Gilead, you may enjoy The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Díaz. Spanning the entire 20th century, Díaz follows a family through a curse that’s passed from generation to generation. Really interesting characters, and though there are tragic aspects to the story, it is not a depressing read."

Introducing Personalized Reading Lists

Submitted by Brett on December 3, 2012 - 5:40pm

Looking for a great book to read? We're here to help! Connecting readers with books to love is something we’ve been proud to do for a long time. And this week, we’re pleased to introduce a new online service that makes it easier than ever to request a personalized reading list.

Click here to access the request form. Let us know a little bit about your reading tastes – your favorite (and least favorite) books and authors, and what kinds of books you’re in the mood to read. A readers’ advisory librarian will create a custom booklist for you based on your responses. Your list will include up to five titles and will arrive by email within a week.

While you’re waiting for your list to arrive, you can take advantage of the other resources we offer for readers:

Serendipity of Browsing

Submitted by Laurie. on May 12, 2011 - 1:40pm

Sandra visits the Central Library for serendipitous browsing: scouting new authors and reigniting intellectual passions.

Sandra enjoys wandering the stacks at the Central Library on Sundays when her neighborhood branch library is closed and parking is free at the downtown meters. "If anyone ever asks me the most valuable item in my purse," says Sandra, "It's my library card."

We Read

Submitted by Laurie. on April 27, 2011 - 6:00pm

Yi-Ting, Brian, and Nancy (left to right)

Meet Yi-Ting, Brian and Nancy, three shelvers who help support the shelving team at the Library. While library shelvers locate books that may have roamed and groom bookstacks to invite browsing, they also are avid readers. Don't know what to read next? Grab a few recommendations from the book stacks!

Yi-Ting enjoys cooking and believes you'll enjoy the cookbooks of Jacques Pépin even if you aren't a gourmand. (Take a peek at his DVDs which highlight his screen presence and c-h-a-r-m.)