No matter how cold and icy the weather, it’s always a good time to read. Finding new authors can be a bit hit and miss, so this week we look at methods and tools to broaden your reading horizons, and take in some recommended reading from Christchurch City Libraries extensive Good Reads section.
I’m stuck – What do I read next?
If you feel like you need some inspiration, or would like to try some new authors, the answer could be our aptly-named What Do I Read Next? premium web site.
You can access this members-only service free with your library card and PIN. It includes over 100,000 recommended titles, more than 60,000 plot summaries, and awards information from 562 awards, all to help uncover new reading adventures, find long-remembered favourites, and discover new ones. You can search for books by genre, time period, characters, or enter your preferences and get suggestions of the best reading based on your choices.
What Do I Read Next? is one of a number of premium web sites which Christchurch City Libraries subscribes to and provides free access to library users. They include the complete online Encyclopaedia Britannica, millions of news articles, arts, music and science premium sites and lots of unique New Zealand resources.
Be the first to know
If you want to be kept up-to-date with new titles and our librarians’ picks of the best items, subscribe to our e-list newsletters. From thrillers to armchair travel, biographies to DIY, you can get the latest news delivered directly to your inbox. You can also check out the Christchurch City Libraries blog, which has hot-off the-shelf book and library news.
Books and films
The Good Reads section of the library web site has a wealth of information and choices for readers in all genres. It includes Read the book then see the film, as well as the Books into film section. If you’d prefer to watch a movie, we have a listing of the latest AV titles available, which includes CDs, DVDs and talking books. You can also find film and television web sites listed in our Internet Gateway.
Meaningful reading
For those who like to get their teeth into books that will give their brain a workout, there is a list of the 100 most meaningful books of all time, as voted by authors including Doris Lessing, Sir Salman Rushdie, Carlos Fuentes and Norman Mailer. Miguel de Cervantes' tale Don Quixote gained 50% more votes than any other book, eclipsing works by Shakespeare, Homer and Tolstoy.
If you like … recommended follow-on reading
If you Like … is a section of our web site we have developed to help readers quickly and easily find authors and books that have broad similarities to authors they have already read. If you like Catherine Cookson, for example, there are close to 50 other authors to try. Reading choice is also organised by genre, so if you enjoy thrillers and adventure stories or humourous stories, there are listings to match. If you like … is a great tool to find a broader range of authors and titles. There are even children’s versions, such as If you Like Harry Potter.
Next week we dive into the libraries’ art and artists collections – with the aim of getting you ready for the Christchurch Arts Festival later in the month.
