Bookish Resources
We love helping people find the books they're looking for, and we're always looking to add more books to our reading lists! These are some of the best book-related websites, lists, and blogs that we've discovered, and we're passing them along to you. Happy reading!
Contact Information
Need help finding a book?
Contact the Reference Department by phone or email, or stop by the desk while the library is open!
847-623-2041 x238
wkgnref@waukeganpl.info
Your Next Read
Need a recommendation for a new book? Look no further than Your Next Read! If you can’t make it in to the Library to talk in person, this form is the next best thing! Fill out each section – the more information you give, the better – and a librarian will send you a personalized list of recommendations in one to two weeks.
See Something We Don't Have?
If you have a Waukegan Library card, we may be able to order an item from another library and have it shipped over for you to check out! Click here to search for an item within our library network, or contact the Reference Desk at 847-62-2041 x238.
Items typically take a few days to a week to arrive, and we will notify you by phone or email once the item is ready for pickup.
Make a Purchase Suggestion!
Would you like to check out something that the Library does not have? Do you think the Library should own a certain item? We’d like to hear about it. Click here to fill out a purchase suggestion form for the Library's collection!
Library Reads
LibraryReads.org
The Top 10 books published each month, as voted on by librarians. And best of all, the Waukegan Library makes sure to order a copy of every book mentioned on the Library Reads list! So if you see something that catches your interest, let us know so we can place a hold for you.
Indie Next List
Indie Next List
Indie Next ListSimilar to the Library Reads list, this is a list of favorite books published each month, as voted on by independent booksellers. You'll see a lot of overlap between the two lists, but you'll also find a wider range of literary and diverse authors here as well.
NoveList
Do you have a favorite author, but you’ve already read everything he or she has written? Maybe you love a certain style of writing? NoveList can help you find the new read you’ve been waiting for.
Favorite Websites
Book Riot.com
Book Riot.comIf you like your reading diverse & exciting, this is a great blog. Lots of interesting book lists and articles posted daily. Content warning for some adult language and mature subjects.
We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse BooksNonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity in children's literature. Website contains fantastic resources and book lists for children's lit fans!
Booklist Reader
Booklist ReaderA series of blogs run by professional librarians and publishing employees...find information on everything from book groups to audiobooks to children's literature to readalikes for hot new titles!
NPR Books
NPR BooksWhat can we say? It's NPR and it's about books! Plus, they release the NPR Book Concierge every year, which highlights the staff's favorite books of the year in a fun, interactive format.
FantasticFiction.com
FantasticFiction.comType in the name of an author or book, and off you go! Great for questions about series ("What order am I supposed to read these in?!") or getting a complete list of everything an author has written in their career.
All Readers.com
All Readers.comInformation on a book's plot, characters, and potentially sensitive content. This is a great resource if you want to get a sense of what the book is like before you read.