What should I read next?!

You know that sinking feeling that sets in when you've caught up with your favorite author's works and have to wait impatiently for the next one to come out? Or, even worse, your favorite author is no longer living? What to do? 


I spend a fair amount of my readers' advisory time comforting and coaxing die-hard fans of into trying something different. 


But if you need more reading suggestions and aren't able to rush to the nearest library for in-person help, here are some things you can do instead:

• Do a web search for the author, title or series plus "readalikes" or "read alikes." Very likely you'll get a number of results.
• Check out the database Novelist through the public library. It's full of fabulous suggestions!
• Take advantage of Seattle Public Library's Your Next 5 Books service. You describe what you like; their librarians generously suggest more reading matter!
• Goodreads is a social networking site for readers. Use it to keep track of your reading wish list, rate books you've read, and find more titles. I have an account where I put books on virtual shelves by genre and age level.
• There are also a number of websites designed to fill this role, such as YourNextRead, What Should I Read Next? and Whichbook.

Happy reading!