I’m going to say something that might sound a little ridiculous at first:
I’m not an avid reader.
There. I said it.
And now that I’m putting that in writing on a library blog… it feels a little… embarrassing.
Because librarians are supposed to be big readers, right? We’re supposed to be carrying around a towering TBR pile, casually rattling off read-alikes, and finishing novels at a pace that would make the rest of the world nervous.
That has never really been me.
I didn’t get into librarianship because I love reading.
I got into it because I love people.
I love helping someone find what they need. I love creating welcoming spaces. I love making sure the library feels accessible to everyone—not just the “book people.”
That’s what pulled me into this work.
Now—to be fair, I do read. I’m a mom of two young kids, so of course I read plenty of picture books. I can talk storytime favorites and early literacy all day.
But personally? I’m often more drawn to nonfiction.
I read about library trends.
I read how-tos.
I read articles and professional journals.
I fall down rabbit holes about community engagement and programming ideas.
And give me a good documentary? I’m in.
I joke sometimes that I read people.
And honestly… that’s not really a joke.
Because so much of youth services—and frankly, so much of librarianship—is reading people.
Reading what someone lights up talking about.
Reading what a parent is really asking when they say, “Do you have something my kid might actually like?”
Reading the patron who says they “don’t know what they want” but gives you three clues without realizing it.
That matters in readers’ advisory more than we admit.
And yet… I still do readers’ advisory.
If that makes you pause—good.
Because there’s a myth we need to let go of:
You do not have to read everything (or even a lot) to be good at readers’ advisory.
You do not need to have every bestseller memorized.
You do not need to be reading 75 books a year.
And you definitely do not need to pretend to be someone you’re not.
You just need the right tools, a little strategy, and a willingness to ask good questions.
Because readers’ advisory isn’t about showing off what you’ve read.
It’s about helping someone find what they’ll love.
First: Shift Your Mindset
Readers’ advisory is not about you proving how much you’ve read.
It’s about:
- Listening
- Translating what someone likes into recommendations
- Connecting them to something they’ll enjoy
You are not expected to know every book.
You are expected to know how to help someone find one.
Start With Better Questions
When someone says, “I’m looking for a good book,” your job isn’t to panic—it’s to dig a little deeper.
Try:
- “What’s something you’ve read recently that you liked?”
- “What did you like about it—fast-paced, characters, setting?”
- “Are you in the mood for something similar or something different?”
- “Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction right now?”
You’re not looking for the perfect answer.
You’re gathering clues.
Use the Tools (Seriously, Use Them)
You don’t have to rely on memory. There are incredible tools built specifically for readers’ advisory:
- NoveList
One of the best RA tools out there. You can search by appeal factors (tone, pacing, writing style), find read-alikes, and explore curated lists. - Goodreads
Great for seeing what readers are actually saying, browsing lists, and finding similar titles. - LibraryThing
Useful for digging into book connections and recommendations based on user data. - Fantastic Fiction
Perfect for tracking series order and finding similar authors quickly. - What Should I Read Next
Simple and effective—type in a book and get suggestions. - Book Riot
Great for curated lists, trends, and diverse recommendations. - Reddit (especially r/booksuggestions)
Surprisingly helpful for real-world recommendations and niche requests. - ALA Reading Lists like this Children’s Summer Reading List from ALSC
You don’t need to memorize titles—you just need to know where to look.
Bookmark these.
Your Secret Weapon: Your Coworkers
Let’s be real—libraries are full of readers.
You don’t have to be one of them to benefit from that.
Start building your own internal “who to ask” list:
- Who loves thrillers?
- Who reads a ton of romance?
- Who is into fantasy or sci-fi?
- Who always knows the latest nonfiction?
Ask them:
- “What are your go-to recommendations?”
- “What’s something people always come back for?”
- “What’s a book you never hesitate to suggest?”
You’re not just learning—you’re building a human resource network.
So when someone asks for:
- A cozy mystery → you know who to go to
- A spicy romance → you know who to go to
- A heavy historical fiction → you know who to go to
That’s readers’ advisory, too.
Build Your Own “Cheat Sheet”
You don’t need to read every book—but you can build familiarity.
Keep a simple running list:
- Popular titles in your library
- Staff picks
- Frequently requested authors
- Books that circulate constantly
Even better—organize it by:
- Genre
- Tone (funny, dark, emotional)
- Audience (adult, teen, middle grade)
Over time, you’ll start recognizing patterns.
Be Honest (and Helpful)
If you haven’t read something, it’s okay to say:
- “I haven’t read this one, but I can help you find something similar.”
- “This one is really popular with people who liked ___.”
- “Let me pull up a few options for you.”
People don’t expect you to have read everything.
They expect you to help them.
It’s About Connection, Not Expertise
At the end of the day, readers’ advisory is just another form of what libraries do best:
Connecting people to what they need.
Relationships. (see, it’s coming up again!)
Sometimes that’s information.
Sometimes that’s resources.
And sometimes—it’s the right book at the right time.
Even if you’re not the person reading 50 books a year.
Final Thought
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not qualified” to do readers’ advisory because you’re not a big reader—let that go.
You don’t need to be a walking book encyclopedia.
You just need to:
- Ask good questions
- Use the tools available
- Lean on your team
And show up ready to help.
That’s what makes a great librarian.
If you enjoyed this post and want to see others like it, check out these popular posts!
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