NoveList Plus Your Digital Librarian

What is NoveList Plus, and how is it your digital Librarian? Let me tell you a little bit about how it will serve you as your digital Librarian.

NoveList Plus is an online readers' advisory database that helps you discover new books, authors, and series by providing personalized recommendations. You can access the database on the CMRLS website at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us. Once you are on the website, you will go to the digital library tab. Open the drop-down menu to click the link at the bottom of the virtual reference. Once that link is open, on the right-hand side, you will see several blue links. Scroll down until you see NoveList Plus, and click the link to open the page.

Screenshot of NoveList Home Screen

Welcome to NoveList Plus! Now, everyone has their own criteria for what makes a book great. This is how NoveList Plus will help you in finding the right book for you. Using "appeal terms"(such as mood, genre, setting, story elements, etc.) to match you with books you'll love, making it easy to find your next great read or maybe even explore new genres.

Some key features and uses for NoveList Plus: 

• Read-Alike: Find authors and titles similar to ones you already enjoy.
• Personalized Lists: Get curated book lists for specific genres, moods, or themes.
• Advanced Search: Search by specific story elements(e.g., fast-paced, historical, murder mystery) or plot points
• All Ages & Formats: covers fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and audiobooks, with specific tools for kids.
• Library Integration: Connects to your library's catalog, letting you place holds on recommended books that are available in your library's catalog.

*Here are some important notes to remember. 

NoveList Plus can be used without creating an account; however, it is recommended that you create a free account in order to get a curated list specific to your reading styles.

Not all the recommended books will be available in the CMRLS catalog, and don't forget to look books up in our digital resources like Hoopla, cloudLibrary, and Freading. As always, you can request that your local library purchase any book recommendations that you might be interested in.

My favorite things about NoveList Plus are the read-alike and the media mentions index.

Screenshot of Reese Witherspoon's Book Club Recommendations

With read-alike, you will not only find author read-alikes but series read-alikes. When we have patrons in the library looking for books but have read everything by their favorite authors, we use read-alike to find an author who is similar to the ones they enjoy.

Media Mentions is great for finding books in celebrities' book clubs, such as Reese Witherspoon, Oprah, Jenna Bush Hager, and many more. Screen adaptations are really good for finding the books that have been made into movies or mini-series.

In short, NoveList Plus acts as your digital librarian, guiding you through endless reading possibilities to build your "to-read" list efficiently. It's powered by real people who love books. 

Meet Our Team - Kirklyn Harris (Pearl Public Library)

 

Kirklyn Harris | Circulation Clerk

Pearl Public Library 

Kirklyn is new to our CMRLS team, and we are so happy to have her at our Pearl branch!  

Here's more from Kirklyn:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

The books and the people. I get to see folks from all walks of life and read new stories all the time!

2. Was there a book or experience that made you love reading?

The first book that made me like reading was Dr. Seuss's Big Blue Book of Beginner Books. I was five years old, and from that point forward I was reading enough books to fill a library (or at least the one at home)!

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I wish more people knew about the Freegal app. I've found new artists and saved albums from my favorite singers. All you need is your library card! You can check it out at https://cmrls.freegalmusic.com/home. 

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

More reading and some writing, too. Maybe one day I'll publish a book that'll go on the shelves here.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

A trip to Rio de Janeiro would be perfect for me. I want to see Carnival in person, and meet more people.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! My family makes the best food, and it's not often I get to see them all in one place.

2026 Magnolia Book Awards

 

A CHILDREN'S AND TEEN'S CHOICE AWARD FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

Each year, children and teens of Mississippi are invited to vote for their favorite books in four age categories during the Magnolia Book Award event. The purpose of the Magnolia Book Awards is to introduce Mississippi children and teens to current literature and to instill a love of reading.

VOTING

Mississippi children, Pre-K-12th grade, are eligible to participate in the voting and nominating of books. Voting is held annually in February, with winners announced each April at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Voting is overseen by a designated individual (teacher, librarian, bookstore manager, etc.) at each participating voting location throughout the state of Mississippi.

2026 Magnolia Book Award Nominees!

Pre-K - 2ND Grade

One Day This Tree Will Fall, written by Leslie Barnard Booth, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich in 17 Easy Steps, written and illustrated by Bambi Edlund

Squirrel-ish, written and illustrated by Bambi Edlund

Greetings, Floof!, written by C.J. Hong and illustrated by A. J. Smith

Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A true Story about the Things We (Don't) Throw Away, written by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Welcome to Scare School, written and illustrated by Jarrett Learner

Avocado Magic, written and illustrated by Taltal Levi

100 Chapatis written by Derek Mascarenhas and illustrated by Shantala Robinson

Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramirez, written by Belen Medina, illustrated by Natalie Rojas Castro

Brave Baby Hummingbird, written by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Tiffany Bozic

Jose Feeds the World: How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People in Need Around the World, written by David Unger, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

Little Ghost Makes a Friend, written and illustrated by Maggie Edkins Willis

3RD - 5TH Grade

The Sherlock Society, written by James Ponti

Finding Normal, written by Stephanie Faris

Guts for Glory: The Story of Civil War Soldier Rosetta Wakeman written and illustrated by Jona Lapati

The One and Only Family, written by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao

The Girl Who Figured It Out, written by Minda Dentier, illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin

A Meerkat Diary: My Journey into the Wild World of a Meerkat Mob, written by Suzi Eszterhas

Not Nothing, written by Gayle Forman

Storm Dragons: Lightning Born, written by Julie Kagawa

Genius Ears: A Curious Animal Compendium, written by Lena Anlauf, illustrated by Vitali Konstantinov, translated by Marshal Yarbrough

Search for a Giant Squid, written by Amy Seto Forrester, illustrated by Andy Chou Musser

6TH - 8TH Grade

All the Ways to Go, written by Jessie Janowitz

Breaking into Sunligh,t written by Pablo Cartaya, illustrated by Miguel Diaz Rivas

It Watches in the Dark, written by Jeff Strand

Juniper Mae: Knight of Tyotech City, written by Sarah Soh

Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos, written by Tracey Baptiste

The Mystery of Locked Rooms, written by Lindsay Currie

Who Go Game? Basketball: Amazing, but True Stories!, written by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Jez Tuya

9TH - 12TH Grade

The Revenant Games, written by Margie Fuston

The Dark Becomes Her, written by Judy I. Lin

Conditions of a Heart, written by Bethany Mangle

Where the Dark Stands Still, written by A.B. Poranek

Rise, written by Freya Finch

The Beasts in Your Brain: Understanding and Living with Anxiety and Depression,

       written by Katherine Speller

Reading these nominated books not only provides entertainment but also offers insights into diverse perspectives and experiences. When you participate in the Magnolia Book Awards, young readers can engage with literature in a meaningful way and have a voice in recognizing outstanding works.

Voting takes place annually in February, with winners announced each April at the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mississippi children from Pre-K through 12th grade are eligible to participate. To cast your vote, visit your local library, where we have the voting materials available for you!

We encourage all young readers to explore these exceptional books and make their voices heard by voting for their favorites. Your participation not only supports your favorite authors and illustrators but also fosters a lifelong love of reading.

Happy reading, and don't forget to vote at your local library!

To locate a copy of one of these books, you can check our CMRLS Online Catalog or try one of our online reading options, Cloud Library or Hoopla. When you access one of these services, you will need to enter your library card number and your PIN.