Off the Shelf: Reading Recommendations
By Angela Spatafore on April 08, 2026
Do you have a favorite author or book and ever wondered if there is anything else out there that scratches that same itch?
Do you stare helplessly at the library shelves, wanting to read but feel overwhelmed by all the choices?
The library is not only your place to find the books you know you want to read but also your place to discover books you may never have picked up otherwise.
The first service I want to highlight is our electronic resource, NoveList Plus, which can be found on our website: https://www.bplwv.org/read-next
You can look up the summary of most books, find curated reading lists, and even find read-alike titles for specific books and authors.
You can also look at lists of books that all have a specific element or trope in common, so if you’re a fan of plots with a friends to lovers storylines, you can search for books by that exact trope.
My favorite part about the read-alike feature is that they explain the reason why each book was added.
There is also a K-8 version of NoveList Plus, so you can help your child find books that they want to read!
Just please note that the library does not have every title listed in NoveList Plus, but if you need help finding a specific book, our Help Desk staff are available to assist.
NoveList Plus also offers a service called BookChat.
BookChat offers personalized reading suggestions as a live chat service, Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. EST.
Just look for the purple bubble at the bottom of the page! T
his service is perfect for when you are at home, on the go, or the library is closed.
Otherwise, our staff is also available to help you find your next read.
