The ARRT Steering Committee has put together helpful resources for readers' advisory. Resources are broken down into different categories. Resources are listed in multiple categories when appropriate.
Have a great resource you'd like to share? Send it to info@arrtreads.org for review.
Bookclubs App - App for organizing book clubs complete with scheduling tools, poll functions, reading history, message boards and direct messaging. Free with ads, some functions locked until subscribed, with plans starting at $5/month.
Edelweiss - Request and review excerpts or pre-pubs with sorting by publisher, curated lists, and digitized catalogs. Account holders can use personalization like tags, shelves, and even keep notes.
LibraryReads - ARCs do not come from LibraryReads but are required for participation, and usually labeled by publishers.
Libro.fm - Librarians can receive pre-published audiobooks for free with library email address -- NO LONGER requires ALA#. Audiobook reviews contain blurbs from independent booksellers, and sells individual titles and subscriptions. Profits benefit local sellers. Partners with bookshop.org but independently owned.
NetGalley - Librarians and booksellers request and review pre-pubs; digital display lists and suggestions can be used in the future.
BookRiot - Media outlet run by self-described "amateurs and pros [...] sometimes silly, sometimes not." Partnership with ThriftBooks provides purchasing links. Lists, quizzes, giveaways, newsletters, reviews, and news, with much article content provided over audio and podcast format. Known for being offbeat, click-bait-style, and a fun timekiller, but the newsletters are authoritative and especially useful for RA. Also aggregates all bestseller lists in a weekly article, rating each book by how many lists it appears on.
Electric Lit - A nonprofit website with reading lists, recommendations, author interviews and original fiction.
How Readers Find Books - Collaborative book blog run by author Debbie Ridpath Ohi focused on discovering books and how readers find their next reads.
LitHub - Literary website which features original content, exclusive excerpts, and at least one editorial feature from its extensive list of literary partners -- the linked list of which could be its own Readers' Advisory Resources page. Their articles cover a breadth of topics of interest to readers, including writing advice, interviews, news of the literary world and beyond (even to sports!), podcasts, and reviews. Membership benefits include ad-free site, exclusive newsletter, giveaways, personalized book recommendations, and swag.
Passively Recommending Books - Run by a Floridian librarian focused on intellectual freedom and best practices for creating book displays.
RA for All - Horror hero Becky Spratford focuses on teaching library workers how to improve Readers' Advisory skills, especially regarding shelf-diversity. Also includes industry news of interest, giveaways, interviews.
Read Your Color - Readers' Advisory meets personality sorter through a quiz and twelve different "types" ; newsletter and substack provide in-depth articles and explorations of what appeals and how to break out of your comfort reads. Library workers find it to be applicable, if difficult to use for in-the-moment RA, but the free subscription still gives 6 weekly recommendations sorted by appeal terms, so still worthwhile. Print book based on the methodology forthcoming. Some premium content reserved for patreon supporters.
She Reads - Digitized magazine focusing on reading and watching recommendations for women of all identities. Reviews, booklists, author interviews, and unique features like "What authors read".
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - A romance themed site known for its irreverant approach, includes reviews, personalized recommendations/bookfinder, podcast, and knitting patterns. Comment sections and a paywall community provide reader interactions.
ALA Award Lists - Every book award presented by the American Library Association to any book; functionality is not intuitive -- choose the award and scroll to the bottom for award lists separated by year. Not every award is current and some are updated sporadically.
Fantastic Fiction - Series books in order, mostly by publication date unless noted. Brief descriptions of series and individual titles. Author profiles include awards and nominations and books they recommend, and readalike map. Searchable by title, author, and series. Free account allows for tracking author/series releases, and making lists of TBR and completed works. Following authors/series also creates auto-generated recommendations and email notices.
KDL What’s Next - A library-maintained database of series, individual book order is noted. It's searchable with fields and sortable with filters, linked data helps with multiple-author series and leads users to their OPAC.
Novelist - Suite of EBSCO recommendation tools available to all Illinois libraries; patrons have access through the OPAC or website links with library card verification. Provides blurbs, summaries, and reviews to ipage and library OPACs. Novelist Plus is a subscription upgrade that some libraries will have access to that provides additional content.
BookBrowse - Run by amateurs-turned-pro through decades of work, providing reviews of books, with several-page excerpts. Fun and social aspects include a community board for posting news articles, quizzes, trivia, discussions. Readalikes, genre browsing, author interviews, and more. Premium content is behind a subscription paywall with levels for individuals and libraries.
BookMarks - Like Metacritic for books, the employees of LitHub compile industry reviews and divide them into 4 categories -- Rave, Positive, Mixed, and Pan -- averaging them into a rating for most new releases. They also compile LitHub review articles and provide genre-based links for elements of both fiction and non-fiction, as well as offering email updates.
BookPage - Independently-sourced reviews of new releases, classified with genre and appeal terms, readalikes, series reviews and newsletters. Some content blocked unless subscribed with tiers for individuals, libraries, or bookstores.
BookRiot - Media outlet run by self-described "amateurs and pros [...] sometimes silly, sometimes not." Partnership with ThriftBooks provides purchasing links. Lists, quizzes, giveaways, newsletters, reviews, and news, with much article content provided over audio and podcast format. Known for being offbeat, click-bait-style, and a fun timekiller, but the newsletters are authoritative and especially useful for RA. Also aggregates all bestseller lists in a weekly article, rating each book by how many lists it appears on.
Electric Lit - A nonprofit website with reading lists, recommendations, author interviews and original fiction.
Fantastic Fiction - Series books in order, mostly by publication date unless noted. Brief descriptions of series and individual titles. Author profiles include awards and nominations and books they recommend, and readalike map. Searchable by title, author, and series. Free account allows for tracking author/series releases, and making lists of TBR and completed works. Following authors/series also creates auto-generated recommendations and email notices.
Friends and Fiction FB page - Run by authors, includes podcast interviews of other authors and readers discuss current reads.
Jewish Book Council - The nonprofit dedicated to promoting books that reflect the Jewish experience, presents awards and holds a writer's conference. The website provides resources for Book Clubs, reading lists, a daily newsletter, original writing, and in-person and digital events.
Library Journal Book Pulse - Book Pulse is a feed of daily brief announcements and notables. Emailed or browseable on the website.
LitHub - Literary website which features original content, exclusive excerpts, and at least one editorial feature from its extensive list of literary partners -- the linked list of which could be its own Readers' Advisory Resources page. Their articles cover a breadth of topics of interest to readers, including writing advice, interviews, news of the literary world and beyond (even to sports!), podcasts, and reviews. Membership benefits include ad-free site, exclusive newsletter, giveaways, personalized book recommendations, and swag.
NetGalley - Newish website section called "Bookish" provides recommendation lists, review-writing tips & tricks, book club training, author interviews, and swag shop
NPR Books - Book segment of esteemed public media outlet. Professional and reader-sourced lists, occasional reader polls, author interviews and audio content as well as readable articles.
Publishers Weekly - Focused on all publishing, targeting entire book trade, includes international. News, reviews, job listings, and podcasts.
ReacTor Magazine - Tor's culture magazine covers not just their publications, but media releases of interest to science fiction and fantasy readers. Article comments through Disqus provides reader interaction. Weekly newsletter supplies featured summaries and a monthly report of anticipated releases. High-profile authors contribute original short stories monthly.
Read Your Color - Readers' Advisory meets personality sorter through a quiz and twelve different "types" ; newsletter and substack provide in-depth articles and explorations of what appeals and how to break out of your comfort reads. Library workers find it to be applicable, if difficult to use for in-the-moment RA, but the free subscription still gives 6 weekly recommendations sorted by appeal terms, so still worthwhile. Print book based on the methodology forthcoming. Some premium content reserved for patreon supporters.
Romance.io - Straightforward website listing new romance releases with industry reviews and ratings, extensive searchable tags of tropes and content warnings. Site login shows readers who are currently active and commenting, users can follow favorites.
BookBrowse - Run by amateurs-turned-pro through decades of work, providing reviews of books, with several-page excerpts. Fun and social aspects include a community board for posting news articles, quizzes, trivia, discussions. Readalikes, genre browsing, author interviews, and more. Premium content is behind a subscription paywall with levels for individuals and libraries.
Fantastic Fiction - Series books in order, mostly by publication date unless noted. Brief descriptions of series and individual titles. Author profiles include awards and nominations and books they recommend, and readalike map. Searchable by title, author, and series. Free account allows for tracking author/series releases, and making lists of TBR and completed works. Following authors/series also creates auto-generated recommendations and email notices.
Literature Map & Gnook - Literature Map is an algorithmic database which plots authors on a map, proximity determined by how many readers share the authors in common. Gnook is an algorithmic database which analyzes three input authors and suggests a fourth. Both are powered by user input and the database from Gnod. Using Gnook more often will improve Literature Map.
Goodreads - The best-known reader-driven database of books reviewed by regular folks; create a profile to track books you own, have read, and want to read. Social media aspects like commenting on others' reviews creates a community feel. Known for its year-end, user-voted Best of the Year election by genre. Now owned by amazon, so contains purchase links.
StoryGraph - Aside from reviews, socials, & tracking, provides analytics and infographics showing users' reading habits & preferences. Users can submit content warnings and tag with appeal terms to help readers decide about next reads. Runs reading challenges, giveaways from publishers and authors, and offers the ability to "log" reading with minutes or pages.
Booklist - The industry standard, ALA's online offerings include digital access to its print magazine, a searchable database of past reviews and featured content, free webinars, blogs, and newsletters targeted to library professionals. Some content is blocked unless subscribed, but it can usually be accessed through library credentials.
BookMarks - Like Metacritic for books, the employees of LitHub compile industry reviews and divide them into 4 categories -- Rave, Positive, Mixed, and Pan -- averaging them into a rating for most new releases.
BookPage - Independently-sourced reviews of new releases, classified with genre and appeal terms, readalikes, series reviews and newsletters. Some content blocked unless subscribed with tiers for individuals, libraries, or bookstores.
Bookshop.org - Online retailer which splits profits with local independent bookstores, chosen by user. Book descriptions contain brief reviews from booksellers.
Edelweiss - Request and review excerpts or pre-pubs with sorting by publisher, curated lists, and digitized catalogs. Account holders can use personalization like tags, shelves, and even keep notes.
Five Books - Experts recommend the five best books in their subject; archived over 8,000 recommendations and searchable. All age levels, every subject and genre imaginable, yearly "top" lists.
Indie Next List - Reviews and recommendations sourced from independent booksellers published as a monthly list. Archived back to 2008; not incredibly searchable; not every Indie Next recipient is noted in the book's detail description. Part of bookshop.org and links to IndieBound retailer. Marketing materials are free and full-color, downloadable or via email.
Jewish Book Council - The nonprofit dedicated to promoting books that reflect the Jewish experience, presents awards and holds a writer's conference. The website provides resources for Book Clubs, reading lists, a daily newsletter, original writing, and in-person and digital events.
Kirkus Reviews - Industry magazine and review site with resources for readers, book professionals, and authors; some content blocked unless subscribed. Known for their blunt review style covering adult, teen, and children's lit.
Library Journal/School Library Journal - The trade magazine for all types of libraries, providing news, ProDev, book reviews, podcasts, job listings and more. Some content requires a subscription.
SLJ is focused on children's literature and tools for school and youth librarians, provides reviews, interviews, newsletters, and blog articles.
LibraryReads - Monthly list of librarian picks, created through a collective, crowdsourced review process. Picks are shared through industry outlets and on website. Includes searchable spreadsheet of past picks dating back to 2013 and author "Hall of Fame" for writers with a hat-trick of picks. Also provides grants to support Readers' Advisory continuing education for public librarians.
NPR Books - Book segment of esteemed public media outlet. Professional and reader-sourced lists, occasional reader polls, author interviews and audio content as well as readable articles.
Publishers Weekly - Focused on all publishing, targeting entire book trade, includes international. News, reviews, job listings, and podcasts.
ReacTor Magazine - Tor's culture magazine covers not just their publications, but media releases of interest to science fiction and fantasy readers. Article comments through Disqus provides reader interaction. Weekly newsletter supplies featured summaries and a monthly report of anticipated releases. High-profile authors contribute original short stories monthly.
Romance.io - Straightforward website listing new romance releases with industry reviews and ratings, extensive searchable tags of tropes and content warnings. Site login shows readers who are currently active and commenting, users can follow favorites.
She Reads - Digitized magazine focusing on reading and watching recommendations for women of all identities. Reviews, booklists, author interviews, and unique features like "What authors read".
Washington Independent Review of Books - A nonprofit website determined to rectify the disappearance of professional book reviews in newspapers and common culture. Includes reviews, blogs, culture articles, interviews, and book-related events in Washington, D.C. with a searchable database of custom tags.
BookBrowse - Run by amateurs-turned-pro through decades of work, providing reviews of books, with several-page excerpts. Fun and social aspects include a community board for posting news articles, quizzes, trivia, discussions. Readalikes, genre browsing, author interviews, and more. Premium content is behind a subscription paywall with levels for individuals and libraries.
Friends and Fiction FB page - Run by authors, includes podcast interviews of other authors and readers discuss current reads.
Goodreads - The best-known reader-driven database of books reviewed by regular folks; create a profile to track books you own, have read, and want to read. Social media aspects like commenting on others' reviews creates a community feel. Known for its year-end, user-voted Best of the Year election by genre. Now owned by amazon, so contains purchase links.
How Readers Find Books - Collaborative book blog run by author Debbie Ridpath Ohi focused on discovering books and how readers find their next reads.
StoryGraph - Aside from reviews, socials, & tracking, provides analytics and infographics showing users' reading habits & preferences. Users can submit content warnings and tag with appeal terms to help readers decide about next reads. Runs reading challenges, giveaways from publishers and authors, and offers the ability to "log" reading with minutes or pages.
Common Sense Media - A ratings website which considers multiple factors of both positive and negative content when recommending media (books, movies, TV, videogrames) focused on appropriateness for children and families. Reviews are divided between "expert", parent, and child provided. The site is known for its religious/conservative bias, and premium features are behind a paywall. Additional features of the site are blog articles on parenting and education, recommendation lists, and a recently added section focusing on diversity.
Does the Dog Die? - Crowdsourced reviews and trigger warnings database, searchable by media title and specific trigger, which is geared more toward adults but useful for any sensitive consumers. Warnings for specific media can get very granular, and new triggers can be suggested by users. A no-cost login in required to rate or suggest, but searching and reading is free.
Romance.io - Straightforward website listing new romance releases with industry reviews and ratings, extensive searchable tags of tropes and content warnings. Site login shows readers who are currently active and commenting, users can follow favorites.
ScreenWise - A free service created after Common Sense media created their paywall, but functionality is more limited and ratings are less flexible.
StoryGraph - Users can submit content warnings and tag with appeal terms to help readers decide about next reads.
Fantastic Fiction - Series books in order, mostly by publication date unless noted. Brief descriptions of series and individual titles. Author profiles include awards and nominations and books they recommend, and readalike map. Searchable by title, author, and series. Free account allows for tracking author/series releases, and making lists of TBR and completed works. Following authors/series also creates auto-generated recommendations and email notices.
Goodreads - The best-known reader-driven database of books reviewed by regular folks; create a profile to track books you own, have read, and want to read. Social media aspects like commenting on others' reviews creates a community feel. Known for its year-end, user-voted Best of the Year election by genre. Now owned by amazon, so contains purchase links.
KDL What’s Next - A library-maintained database of series, individual book order is noted. It's searchable with fields and sortable with filters, linked data helps with multiple-author series and leads users to their OPAC.
Booklist - The industry standard, ALA's online offerings include digital access to its print magazine, a searchable database of past reviews and featured content, free webinars, blogs, and newsletters targeted to library professionals. Some content is blocked unless subscribed, but it can usually be accessed through library credentials.
Genreflecting books - Industry textbook explaining Readers' Advisory then describes common genres and currently significant titles and core examples. Link is to the full text of the 2013 edition as found in the Internet Archive Books collection, also displays other books in the series focused on alternate age ranges and older editions. Check your OPAC for the current edition!
Learn with Novelist - Subscription service, institutional login required. Guided and independent webinars & coursework.
RA for All - Horror hero Becky Spratford focuses on teaching library workers how to improve Readers' Advisory skills, especially regarding shelf-diversity. Also includes industry news of interest, giveaways, interviews.