Always lots of discussion here about good books to read on long flights or sunny beaches. Here's a great web site for finding books; Novelist. Their search feature is very specific in matching readers to authors. It is detailed enough to give recommendations if you liked a particular book by a particular author, but didn't like others. For instance, liked an authors early works but not later ones. The search results are more than just a list. There are specific discussions of why the recommended authors are similar to the requested author.

Take a look. I don't think you need a specific password to get in. I found the site through my local library web site and used my library card code to sign in, but it can also be accessed with a Google search.

http://0-novelst3.epnet.com.hpl.plum...%40sessionmgr4

VERY COOL!!!!
Thanks for sharing!
~Laura

Your library is paying for Novelist or getting access through a consortium pay. If you are getting in through a google search, some link from the library was open (already loaded through your library web use) that let you do that.

Access Novelist through your local library or academic library web sites and use the passwords. They pay for these online databases big time, so at least give them input on their "customers" in return. Novelist is part of EBSCO and one of hundreds of databases that academics /libraries buy.

Thanks JJ5. I wasn't sure how it worked. I did find the site as a link from my library web site, but then tried it as a Google search just to see what would happen before posting here. It appeared to work without a password needed.

Novelist is especially great for the pre-teen, high school crowd. It will categorize books by their interests/ age group.

Real volume readers love this database as it will lead you to authors you may never come across by reading reviews in media etc. For example, if you like John Updike, you can look up "read-alikes" and find others in that same vein. Or you could put in a subject- like "time travel" and read a lot of novels or non-fiction on your one interest. It's a great little simplistic database. Not for research. It was featured at "Find-It Illinois" (another good link to government etc.)out of the main Illinois State Library, for awhile.

I did some seaching on Google but the sites I found were only through Libraries. I couldn't find a way to get into the "portal".

I feel sometimes like asking, "did you take the blue pill or the red?"

Matrix...

Hmmmmm...Beachkomer, I don't profess to understand at all how the Internet works. Maybe JJ5 can help. I can't even get my computer to remember me on Fodor's. I have to sign in anew each time now -- when only yesterday it would retain my sign-in. Can you get in through your own local library web site?

Beachkomer, Did you try pasteing the link I gave above? From the home page click on "Start" button.

Way cool. I cut/paste and got right in.

well, gee, that was too easy. I got right into Novelist. thanks!

My computer remember my login on fodors, and i think there is a box you check that says, "remember me on this computer" or something. do you have a "cookie" blocker turned on? If you do, then it can't save your login information.

Sometimes, using the internet is like the blind leading the blind...lol

If in the USA, and I don't know what state you are in, but if you have a library card somewhere in the states, ask them the correct way to enter from your area. At that level, they may not know off the top of their heads (there are a whole lot of databases for library research especially out there), but then they will ask your state library and then relay that information to you, in the process you may get a whole lot more besides. If you are paying for a library (district, county, village etc.) through your taxes, then you will most probably have access somewhere. Not everywhere, but most places that are online and have database purchases in their budgets. Everyone in Illinois has access through the State of Illinois legally.

The way you are doing it will work, but most possibly not for long. There is much murky territory out there, much like the music download saga. It actually is probably illegal and definitely against copyright law if you aren't paying for the database. Little kids can learn to play with this database, as it is so simple. My nine year old grand daughter uses it already.

If libraries are funded by the public and the internet is in the public domain what's with all these accessability issues and problems? Am I asking a lagit question?

Libraries are funded in numerous ways. Databases are not free. Your academic or public library buys them. Just as a network buys or develops/produces a tv show.

Library periodical copyright law and especially internet copyright law is something that I know personally has taken a lawyer/librarian (both degrees)about 12 years of school to understand. I just went to a workshop she gave and I have a 47 page handout that explains most of it. For instance, time frames give older things entry into the public domain at some point. I think it is about 70/75 years. But as far as the internet is concerned there are hundreds of medical, Social Sci.,Educ.etc. databases that house original product now in an electronic form for research etc. etc. Proquest, EBSCO, H.W.Wilson, First Search are a big four right now. All of these are selling a very expensive product. (Sort of like recorded music, but not quite as there are so many "authors".) Downloads of full text may be per page or in many other forms. But you need to pay for them. Pure searching without downloads or just abstracts can also be a per search cost event. When you inter-library loan something physical in a periodical you can only do that to one specific institution 5 times for any 1 title, after that it is a violation of copyright law and they should be buying it themselves.

There is a whole lot more to that internet issue, and to most library sturctures at this time. All of this is a very superficial and incomplete explanation, but believe me, I am not alone right now in trying to understand where all this is going to play out eventually. I believe all the lawyers are going to be winners. I know the bills I get at my university library are immense. I buy all these products and pay all the vendors for the last three years, and whole systems and consortiums are collapsing/combining over this. It is very hard to understand, budget or effect.

jj5, I quess it is far more complicated than thought and you have done a good job in trying to explain it. I also think that the internet is the most empowering resource ever developed.

I just had a flashback to 1996 when I got my first computer, and got onto the internet...now, I cannot imagine living without my laptop. The world is literally at our fingertips! I think that it also gives us more of a "travel bug" because we can easily see what is out there...I can hit all these websites that give me a live feed to my favorite places. I sometimes tune into the beach in Kona, or the Hilton at Waikaloa, just to "be there" for a second...does anyone else do that?

My first Favorite website was Amazon, where I looked up all my favorite authors. Now, this Novelist will be fun, and it will only encourage me to buy more books! Thanks TC!!

This site now "Bookmarked."
Thanks for the link to a great resource.

Wow, that works great. I could have used that last summer. I was looking for recommendations for novels that took place in Germany prior to our trip. I just searched Key West, our upcoming March destination and got gobs of good stuff. Thanks!!!