Ever watch a movie or read a book and think, “I love this vibe: the small-town setting with a flawed but theatrically endearing character. Oh, and the eerie undertone really has me hooked. I want more!”? I go through these phases all the time, latching to a specific theme or feeling and absolutely wanting more of it.
With your Hoboken Public Library card, you have access to Novelist, a book recommendation resource available through the New Jersey State Library. It’s a treasure trove of curated reading suggestions organized by theme, genre, author, tone, and so much more — helping you find stories that match exactly what you’re in the mood for.
Login here and click on Discover Novelist on the left.
The Appeals Index lets you search for books based on what kind of reading experience you want. Are you drawn to sarcastic narrators, offbeat humor, or characters wrestling with teenage angst? Maybe you’re on the lookout for a love story with gritty realism or on an isolated beach. How about a time-traveling superhero who plays God.
You’ll be shown a list of titles that fit your selection.
Prefer to explore by theme instead of character? The Theme Index breaks down stories into setups such as forbidden love, coping with death, witchcraft and the occult, exploring faith, or rural noir. These are blueprints of the story, or tropes – the fish out of water hero or the framed protagonist.
This index is your go-to when you say to yourself “I love story like this, but don’t know what to search for.
You can get lost in Novelist. It’s great. Sometimes, just browsing through categories like found footage horror or wistful coming-of-age helps you realize what truly draws you. Once you’ve found your match, head over to the BCCLS catalog to place your hold.
Which Index are you most enjoying in Novelist? Have you found any new themes or appeals that interest you? Comment below.
Novelist is linked above. You need your library card number to enter the site. The BCCLS catalog is linked as well.
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Written by:
Sean Willey
Information and Digital Services Assistant
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 