Recommended Reads Lists Revamped

Since its inception in 2004, Recommended Reads has been our way of helping NoveList Plus customers quickly and easily discover new recommendations across various categories. While the times have changed, our goal remains the same: To provide easy, quick, and enjoyable book recommendations. 

This January, we've streamlined Recommended Reads into seven categories (juvenile materials will have six). This new structure will enable us to update more frequently, keeping the content vibrant and fresh.   

How did we decide which areas to keep and which to delete? We looked at our usage data and focused on retaining the lists and categories that resonated with our customers. For instance, we kept the For Fans Of category because of its popularity (Wicked fans, there's a new list just for you!). We also noted how much people love our Must Reads lists. Instead of keeping them mixed in with other lists, we've now given them their own category, complete with a nonfiction selection. 

Just like our previous lists, the new ones are inclusive and handpicked with care. But rather than repeating information that’s readily available elsewhere in NoveList, we've curated lists that emphasize more unique groupings like lists that focus on what’s happening in the now (check out the Seasonal and Trending Now categories, along with For Fans Of). The category Custom Blends focuses on metadata mixes for fun, engaging, and unexpected lists. 

Here's what you can look for in each category.  

Custom Blends

Like a mixologist for good reads, we have created the lists in this category using a blend of NoveList’s story elements plus our book know-how to create some unique outcomes. Look at these examples to see what I mean: Maternal Horror (Adults), Skinny Books (Teens), Just A Touch of Magic (Older Kids), and Laugh Out Loud (Younger Kids). 

Exploring Identities

Every title in the Exploring Identities category showcases diversity, whether through its characters, authors, or themes. While we aim to be inclusive across all our lists, the Exploring Identities collection only has inclusive titles. Once known as “All Kinds of Lives” (and very briefly as "100% Inclusive"), these lists have expanded in NoveList Plus to include nonfiction titles and genre lists. Some examples include: LGBTQIA+ Lives (Adult fiction or, in NoveList Plus, nonfiction), Autistic Teen Lives (Teens), Own voices: Science fiction and Fantasy (Older Kids), and Latine Family Lives (Younger Kids). 

For Fans Of

Our For Fans Of Lists haven’t gone anywhere! Readers of many fandoms, from movies to music, can find recommendations here. Know a fan of Chappell Roan? We’ve got book recommendations for both teens and adults!  

Must Reads

Everybody loves a shortcut to finding the best of the best. These lists will feature our Best of and Mid-Year Fave lists, targeted best-in-the-genre collections, and other top-of-mind titles. 

Love history? If you have NoveList Plus, try the Must-Read Histories nonfiction list. Prefer to escape into another world? Try Must-Read Fantasy or Must-Read Science Fiction. Or introduce a 21st-century kid to 20th-century literature with Must-Read Classics: 20th Century (Older kids). And don’t forget the Best of 2024 lists available at all age levels. 

Reading Challenge (adult fiction only)

Each month, you can embark on a new reading challenge with our curated prompts and suggestions. These lists are ideal for anyone looking to expand their reading repertoire. It’s not too late to start the 2025 challenge — pick out a genre blend for January! 

Seasonal Reads

Discover lists tailored to holidays (like New Year, New You), history and heritage months (such as African American Historical Fiction for February and Historical Women for March), or even the weather (see the Teen list Cold Weather, Warm Hearts). These lists will change with the seasons, so come back often! We are also keeping our suggestions for the CSLP and iReads Summer Reading prompts in this category. 

Trending Now

Our final category, Trending Now, is for those of you who want titles on the hottest topic of the day. Whether it's a headline-grabbing new release or an older book that's suddenly back in the spotlight, this is where the zeitgeist meets the bookshelf. 

If you enjoy the hygge lifestyle, check out our adult list Cozy Reads which features a variety of genres. Or try Game, Set, Match!, our suggestions for fans of sports romance. And, of course, we have Romantasy recommendations for both adults and teens.