Looking for a Book? Tips

[ray gower]

We get frequent requests to help identifying a book. As far as we can, we are delighted to try and help.
Sadly it is not always easy to do. There are a lot of Sci Fi books and even the most avid readers amongst us has only read a tiny minority.

To help, please provide as much detail as possible:- Plot, guesses as to part of the title or author, even the date you read it. All these little tidbits can help.

There is also a certain amount of self help available.

Most modern books can be found (with patience) using Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Older works are more difficult.
Most of the bigger name authors have websites listing their works. So try a good search engine.

There is also the Locus Index of Science Fiction

If anybody cares to offer anymore tips, we would be most appreciative

 

[Dave]

I've discovered another useful site:

The Internet Speculative Fiction DataBase (ISFDB)

Also if you know any lines from the book just try an advanced Google. Using the wildcard * symbol inside a phrase advanced Google can sometimes be helpful too.

edit:

And this one: Science Fiction and Fantasy Database

 

[ray gower]

Another database worth examining for lost books is www.scifan.com

Not only can you look for your book by name, author and series, but they throw in a theme index as well

 

[greyhorse]

Although competition to this forum, Booksleuth may be another site worth looking at. It seems to have a larger base of people to call on.

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/docs/ReadingRoom/BookSleuth/Unsolved/

I guess someone could go there if they don't have luck here.

 

[Lil]

ray and dave would you please give my post about a book i can't find a quick gander? Thank You!

 

[croussi]

This site might be helpful, because one can search on the plot elements, the setting, the characteristics of the main character, and the style of the writing....

http://www.allscifi.com/BookSearchA.asp?SubjectID=1

 

[ray gower]

I know their site, their search engine has been upgraded quite considerably since I last paid a call. Not neccesarily helpful, the index is far from comprehensive, but sophisticated