I have about a thousand books and a burning desire to reorganize them. [more inside]
posted by sugarfish on Nov 19, 2009 - 26 answers

Book recommendation filter: Can you point me to a book about purity of self/ respect for self/ self improvement through interactions with nature? Possibly with discussions on eating healthily/ exercising and/or with emphasis on gaining clarity of thought. [more inside]
posted by thewestinggame on Nov 19, 2009 - 3 answers

Middle School book club for adults! A group of friends and I have recently started a book club featuring middle school literature. The first book we read was The Giver and the resulting discussion was amazing. I am looking for more books like this - young adult literature with larger themes. We have also considered Island of the Blue Dolphins and A Wrinkle in Time. What other books would you recommend?
posted by koselig on Nov 18, 2009 - 83 answers

I am looking for all kinds of fiction, especially for children, featuring a protagonist named Scarlett or Scarlet. Children's stories, novels, poems, movies, songs etc etc are all of interest. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by beniamino on Nov 18, 2009 - 15 answers

[Bookfinder filter] Help me identify a weird book about black magic from my childhood. [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 on Nov 18, 2009 - 6 answers

I am looking for a large picture book on anatomical differences of humans around the world... [more inside]
posted by alice_curiouse on Nov 17, 2009 - 7 answers

In search of something to read to my ill grandmother. [more inside]
posted by pised on Nov 17, 2009 - 17 answers

A bereaved work-mate is looking for escapist literature that does not treat with death, dying or human tragedy - in short - 99% of the english language canon is off limits. Can anyone suggest good books? [more inside]
posted by tabubilgirl on Nov 16, 2009 - 30 answers

I'm looking for academic novels from the student's perspective (apparently this is a subgenre of campus novels called varsity novels). Bonus for books considered "young adult." [more inside]
posted by alicat on Nov 15, 2009 - 28 answers

Books recommendation for an industrial engineer [more inside]
posted by Carius on Nov 14, 2009 - 13 answers

Book Collectors: Is my new signed collector's edition book more or less valuable with a cutting machine error? [more inside]
posted by trixare4kids on Nov 11, 2009 - 3 answers

Anyone know the name of that handy little red grammar book? It's digest sized and I think it was published by Harcourt and Brace.
posted by zzazazz on Nov 11, 2009 - 4 answers

As a writer trying to press into the next stage of my career, how can I emphasize in my publishing history that "small press" isn't always a euphemism for "vanity press"? [more inside]
posted by 256 on Nov 11, 2009 - 17 answers

Have you read an informative, engaging book on German history? If so, what is it? [more inside]
posted by bluishorange on Nov 10, 2009 - 17 answers

What did you get out of reading How to Be An Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving? It's recommended here all the time and I just can't slog through it. [more inside]
posted by heatherann on Nov 10, 2009 - 25 answers

What are some good books about the history of China, up to say the Qing dynasty? I am particularly interested in the Warring States period up to the first empire. Extra credit for discussions of the spread of Buddhism.
posted by shothotbot on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Pulp Filter: I'm looking for books (fiction or non) that read like the recent Bond films: dark, thrilling, brutal, and glamorous.
posted by roger ackroyd on Nov 6, 2009 - 25 answers

Looking for an out of print children's book entitled Prince _________, about a dog. Help? [more inside]
posted by samsarah on Nov 5, 2009 - 7 answers

They shouldn't let people like me attend used book sales, but now that the damage is done: how and where to begin reading Sartre? [more inside]
posted by notquitemaryann on Nov 4, 2009 - 20 answers

What books can I read that will give me some idea of what it might take for me to make my living as a writer or journalist? [more inside]
posted by AAAA on Nov 3, 2009 - 19 answers

Recuperating from a head injury. How can I entertain myself with brain damage as a motif? [more inside]
posted by infinitewindow on Nov 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Which books can a physicist and a liberal arts type trade to gain a deeper appreciation of literature and science, respectively? Ideally, these would be books we could both read and enjoy. [more inside]
posted by Diagonalize on Nov 2, 2009 - 40 answers

Innovative Books: I am looking to compile a list of the most innovative uses of the book format. Books that break the mould in their layout and design, perhaps books that use online systems to extend their content value or push their form into new places. I am most interested in narrative and theory, but any book that is interesting (artist books etc.) would be really appreciated. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Nov 1, 2009 - 29 answers

Does anyone know of some good reads on conversation and social skills? I'm not suggesting that you can learn these subjects entirely by a book, but what I'm looking for is some methods to make communication a little bit easier when meeting someone or groups of people. [more inside]
posted by Garden on Oct 30, 2009 - 8 answers

I am looking for recommendations for a sequence of novels that might lead an adult fan of very trashy action to the real gold. [more inside]
posted by hifimofo on Oct 29, 2009 - 11 answers

What have you heard about werewolves? [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Oct 28, 2009 - 59 answers

Okay, fantasy novel ID two-fer. Book One: people live in villages that are suspended on the side of an enormous cliff and a girl is born who has wings. Book Two: set in a world made up of bits of earth suspended in a void, cape-fighters, a spider-god.... [more inside]
posted by otolith on Oct 28, 2009 - 7 answers

I loved the plot of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Any recommendations for similar books, shows, or movies? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Oct 28, 2009 - 10 answers

Where can I learn more about the theory behind The Long Tail? I've read the book but want something more than just examples. [more inside]
posted by nam3d on Oct 25, 2009 - 6 answers

Library of the future? [more inside]
posted by fifilaru on Oct 23, 2009 - 25 answers

Is it legal to sell books, magazines and other items found in a bookstore dumpster on eBay? [more inside]
posted by meggie78 on Oct 23, 2009 - 16 answers

BookSuggestionFilter: I need to learn about R (and statistical modeling) in a hurry. [more inside]
posted by kenliu on Oct 22, 2009 - 5 answers

I am looking for a certain type of non-fiction book. These books are very often instructional with the words handwritten (or typed with a font that imitates handwriting) and the illustrations hand-drawn giving the book the appearance of a photocopied notebook. [more inside]
posted by wannalol on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on Oct 22, 2009 - 26 answers

Which author comes closest to Cormac McCarthy? [more inside]
posted by Bacillus on Oct 21, 2009 - 19 answers

What are the most well-written (i.e., enjoyable to read) textbooks and/or books written for an academic audience? I'm not looking for the "best" textbook on any given subject, but textbooks on any topic that are compelling to read because of the wit and lucidity of the writing style. [more inside]
posted by crLLC on Oct 21, 2009 - 30 answers

BookFilter: I'm looking for a novel that I read several times in the early '90s; despite having read and enjoyed it several times, I've forgotten the title and author! [more inside]
posted by Skoloxia on Oct 21, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm trying to remember the name of a book I read as a kid in the early '80s. I believe it was published in the mid-to-late '70s. It was about some children watching telephone wires and thinking they could actually see the conversations as they were transmitted from home to home. It culminated with the kids trying to race their own conversation between two homes. I think it's called something like "The Spaghetti Telephone Race" but google offers zero in the way of help with that. Does anyone know what book I'm talking about?
posted by mprove on Oct 21, 2009 - 1 answer

Looking for a computer book I read in the 80's.... [more inside]
posted by rtodd on Oct 20, 2009 - 2 answers

When I was a kid, I remember a series of biographies in the library, either in the kids or YA section. They were short biographies of American figures, and I'm sure I read all the ones with female subjects. Can anyone help identify this series? I'd love to have some of these books for my niece when she's old enough. [more inside]
posted by whitearrow on Oct 19, 2009 - 12 answers

BookClubfilter: I'm tasked with picking the next book. I have some ideas, but could use the Hive's help. [more inside]
posted by indiebass on Oct 19, 2009 - 41 answers

I was once shown how to prepare a brand new book before reading it– it had something to do with opening the book at various places and smoothing down the pages. Supposedly it would make the binding last longer. Does this actually work, and if so, could anyone describe the process clearly? Any other advice on good book care and repair for this new librarian would be greatly appreciated.
posted by carterk on Oct 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there any great books about surfing or skateboarding?
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion on Oct 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Recommend some great literature in the Steinbeck tradition. [more inside]
posted by Go Banana on Oct 14, 2009 - 18 answers

What software would you recommend for a book project that needs to utilize a large amount of art from different mediums, including reproducing pictures? I am trying to emulate Paul Arden's 'It's not how good you are; it's how good you want to be", if that helps as a reference point... [more inside]
posted by the foreground on Oct 14, 2009 - 1 answer

I saw a graphic novel in a store today - the sequel to an earlier work, about a female high school student's adolescence, and written by a woman. Any ideas on what it could have been? [more inside]
posted by mippy on Oct 14, 2009 - 3 answers

Name This Book: Help me figure out the title of a YA novel I read in middle school before I go bonkers! [more inside]
posted by santojulieta on Oct 13, 2009 - 8 answers

Copyright filter: Do publishers of books like Richistan, Microtrends and The Ascent of Money—all of which use stories from newspapers, magazines and wire services as source material—have to pay the periodicals for the use of their material? Thanks!
posted by quidividi on Oct 12, 2009 - 2 answers

What is a good book to read about late 60s early 70s England? Non-fiction preferred but well-researched fiction is fine too. [more inside]
posted by AbsoluteDestiny on Oct 10, 2009 - 14 answers

What's the best single book to read about the American Civil War? I have only time and interest for one book, a fondness for historical fiction but desire to be informed about the background, history, politics and social/cultural significance of the war.
posted by NorthCoastCafe on Oct 10, 2009 - 19 answers