Constructing a Search in NoveList

Describe a Plot and Guided Boolean Search both require you to enter words that describe the kind of books you are seeking. NoveList takes the words you enter and searches its database for title records that contain those words.

NoveList's title records contain a variety of information about books (descriptions, subject headings, reviews, links to book discussion guides and lists). The exact parts of the title record that are searched will vary depending on which search strategy you choose or how you implement your search. While you can enter any word you like, you will be more successful if you think about entering the words that you use when you talk with patrons or students about books, in your lessons (if you are a teacher), or the types of words and terms you see on book jackets or read in reviews.

NoveList uses over 36,000 subject headings to describe the titles contained in our database. We also have over 50,000 reviews and descriptions. You can access the subject headings used in NoveList by using the Subject Heading List found when you select the link at the Describe a Plot Search page. (Just under the SEARCH button, you will see a phrase: "To browse the list of all subject headings, click here" where "here" is a link.) You can search through this list of 36,000 headings alphabetically or through relevancy.

For more information and examples, click any of the following topics.
(Note: Each of the following topics is formatted to be printed [as a reference] using your Browser's print button, if desired.)

Finding Similar Books - How to find more books like your favorites using either the clickable subject headings at the title record or using the "Find Similar Books" feature also at the title record.

Searching Strategies and Templates - Suggestions for how to search by author style, popularity, reviews, as well as a few other "tricks."

Using Subject Headings (Examples) - Suggestions of types of subject headings that you can enter when using Describe a Plot or Boolean searches (including examples for time, genre, setting and more).

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