whichbook.net
How to use whichbook.net
What is whichbook.net?
Whichbook is a completely new way to find books you might like to read. Whichbook lets you build a description of the kind of books you like and then matches that description against the books in the database. Your description can be built either on a choice of moods, or on specific plot elements. The books that most closely match your requirements are then returned as a list.
How to use whichbook.net
Setting Your Search Criteria
Your first step is to decide whether you want to search for specific plot elements, or the mood of the book. Select either the 'Mood and Style Selector' link or the 'Plot, Character and Setting Selector' link.
You will then be given a list of options; the list depends on the sort of search you have chosen. The first link on both of the search pages gives a full explanation of the options available for that search.
The options are all presented as drop-down menus; select them in whatever method is appropriate for the browser or screen-reader software you are using.
The options can all be reset to their start values by selecting the 'Reset Form' link.
When you have made your selections, select the 'Continue' link.
The summary page provides a list of all the options you have selected.
If you have changed your mind about your choices, select the 'Modify Search Criteria' link to return to the previous page.
If you are happy with your choice, select the 'Perform Search' link.
Search Results
You will get the results of your search graded as Best match, Good match or Fair match, depending on how close they are to your requirements. All the best matches will be listed first, then the good, and, finally, the fair matches. Within each group, the order of display is random, so repeating the same search may produce different results. If there are more than 10 matches, they will be displayed on more than one page.
The title and author of each book suggested is given as a single link.
If you select the title and author link, you will get a reader comment from someone who has read the book. You then have 3 further options:
A link allowing you to access a short extract from the book
The titles and authors of three books or films considered to be parallels to the book on this page.
Parallel titles have some kind of connection or similarity to the book on this page and are there to help you identify its flavour. If the Parallel book is also in the whichbook.net database, there will be a link to it.
A 'Borrow this book' link.
All the book detail pages have links allowing you to 'Return to search results', make a 'New search', or 'Modify search criteria'. The final link on each page is a same page 'Return to Top'.
If you select the 'Borrow this book' link, you will be given a page with a menu from which you can select your region of the United Kingdom. After selecting a region, a second page will allow you to choose a library service within your region. Selecting a library service will produce a page with links to the website for that library service. Members of the NLB should select 'National Library for the Blind' from the regional page.
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