Readers Advisory tools.
This page will list some of the more common tools we use to answer readers' advisory questions.
Indyreads - This platform has several books that will help with readers advisory, here are 3 suggestions.
The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction Third Edition - includes everything advisors need to get up to speed on a genre, including its appeal characteristics, key authors, sure bets, and trends; demonstrates how genres overlap and connect, plus suggestions for guiding readers among genres; this guidebook will help librarians become familiar with many different fiction genres, especially those they do not regularly read. https://indyreads.libraries.nsw.gov.au/info/the-readers-advisory-guide-to-genre-fiction-third-edition-00007291
The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Blends - showing how crossover fiction appeals to fanbases of multiple genres. Complete with booklists, summaries, read-alikes, and thorough indexes. Also offers guidance for shelving, displaying, and marketing genre blends. https://indyreads.libraries.nsw.gov.au/info/the-readers-advisory-guide-to-genre-blends-00007337
Conducting the Reference Interview Third Edition - covers the ins and outs of the readers' advisory interview; examines a wide range of contexts, such as children, young adults, parents, seniors, adults from diverse communities, and those with disabilities. https://indyreads.libraries.nsw.gov.au/info/conducting-the-reference-interview-third-edition-00009362
Websites
There are many websites that you can use to find suggestions on what to read. These are some of the most popular ones but you can also find reading lists that are created by other libraries, like this one about Diverse Romance Novels https://sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/746099977/1699867409
Whichbook - helps you pick a book based on your mood or you can create book lists based on character, plot type and setting or best sellers. https://www.whichbook.net/
Goodreads - this website has recommendations for similar books and a huge range of book lists. https://www.goodreads.com/list
Fantastic fiction - has comprehensive information on best selling authors that are broadly categorised by genre and brings up a suggestion of similar items. Can search by author, titles or series. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/
Literature map - the website generates a web of other authors that have similar writing styles and genres. The closer the author’s name is to another, the more alike the authors are. The site only recommends authors and not books. https://www.literature-map.com/
RA for all and Ra for all horror - these are excellent readers’ advisory resources which provide reviews, readers’ advisory skills (mostly on RA for all) and links to training and other resources. Written by Becky Spratford, an experienced readers’ advisory librarian, these blogs will improve your readers’ advisory skills. http://raforall.blogspot.com/ and https://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/
Youtube The state library of NSW has a playlist for readers advisory training. It covers appeal characteristics, using novelist and several other videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP4ac7bINJQ&list=PLX9Ge90k3DMXVxLrJ6oh4Ysi_mnqCH0TB
RA seminars
The readers' advisory seminars are a great resource that cover a wide range of topics each year. You can find all out past seminars on our wiki page https://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/doku.php?id=seminars_and_events_readers_advisory