And remember that “reading” includes more than wading through 700-page epics like War and Peace (which, in fact, is quite good if you’re looking for a 700-page epic).  Try magazines, graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction), and PlayAways (books you listen to on MP3 players).

Whether your personal “To Be Read” list stretches for pages and pages or you have no clue as to what book to pick up next, it can help to gather ideas from others.  To that end, we’ve listed some ways to find books to read. 

·        The Res Library blog (http://reshslibrary.edublogs.org), especially the Reading Recommendations and New Books in the Library categories, which we try to update on a regular basis.

·        Res Library – there are displays of books around the library so come in and browse.  Or ask Library staff for some recommendations.

·        We subscribe to Booklist, which is an entire magazine devoted to reviewing books.  You can skim current or back issues for ideas.  They review fiction and nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children.

·        Your local public library probably has several ways they publicize good books, both in print and on their website.  Ask at the Reference Desk or poke around on their website.  If your library doesn’t have a book you want, they can probably order it from another library through Interlibrary Loan.  If you don’t know how to find your public library’s website, come and see Res Library staff.

·        Join the community of readers at GoodReads (http://www.goodreads.com).  You can track your own reading (past, present, future) and also see what others are reading and check out their reviews and ratings.

·         Use the NoveList database, available through most public libraries.  It contains book summaries, reviews, lists of award winners, and Author Read-Alikes, which can help you find books based on authors and books you already like.

·        The TeenReads website (http://www.teenreads.com) is chock-full of reviews, news, lists, author interviews, and other features – and it’s not even run by librarians!

·        Almost all newspapers review books, including the Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com), the Chicago Sun-Times (http://www.chicagosuntimes.com), the Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com), and the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com).

·        Ask other people – your family, your friends, your teachers, your best friend’s mom, your boss, your bus driver, your boy friend’s little brother – you get the idea.  They might suggest some very interesting possibilities – be open to new experiences!