How to find a book when you don't remember the name and author

Sometimes you can remember the content or character in a book that you have read, but cannot remember the name and the author. This makes you feel very frustrating. Previously, you could ask librarians to know the book's name but today, in the digital age, the Internet is an information store that can beat the paper library. Here are some tips to help you find a book without knowing the name or author.

Use search engines like Google

When you can't remember the name of the book, the author or the characters in it, the search engine will be the first method you think of. To use this method, one thing to note is the keyword.

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In case of forgetting a book title or author, you must remember at least one detail in the book. It could be the character's name, a conversation line, or even the basic plot. If you can remember the specific search terms, the results will be more accurate. You can manipulate all the usual search rules, for example, can use quotation marks for more accurate search results.

1. 13 quick Google search tips that you should know

Use Google Book search tool

As a reading enthusiast, you probably know the Google Books Library Project. This is the largest book classification project and its search engine is like Google Search.

The difference is that the search results page displays in addition to the usual information it also contains other additional information such as book covers, table of contents, common phrases or paragraphs in the book. You can view the sample pages and check if this is the book you are looking for. In addition, you can search for phrases in a book.

Use Google's advanced search page with filters like themes, publishers, languages, publication dates, ISBNs and ISSN numbers.

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You can use keywords and wildcard operators to find information. Even if that book is not found, you may see a reference that may lead to the answer.

Some other search engines

BookFinder.com

BookFinder is an advanced search engine (Click Show more options ) that can access more than 100,000 booksellers worldwide. You can try searching for a keyword or year of publication.

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WorldCat.org

WorldCat is the largest service, content library online. You can search worldwide database of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries. Search for books and then find it at a nearby library. If you are a member of the library, you can check the item online. Try Advanced Search with the only filter like Audience and Languages.

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In addition, you can view WorldCat Genres (or Fictional Finder ) to find books by novel genre with hundreds of titles, authors, topics, characters, locations, ranked by popularity in the letters World Institute.

Library of Congress (Catalog.loc.gov)

Library of Congress (LOC) is the world's largest library and it also contains a huge digital collection. Finding a book through the catalog of 17 million records of books, serials, manuscripts, maps, music, recordings, pictures, and electronic resources doesn't take too long. In addition, LOC has an Ask A Librarian query form so that users can ask the library manager directly.

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Also, check out the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped search engine, which is also a benefit of Library of Congress.

Use the Amazon search engine

Amazon started with online bookstores, and it is still in the top of sales with millions of titles. Someone once said, if Amazon does not sell the book you are looking for, it may not exist anymore. Type keywords on the basic search bar to find books. However, if you want better results, you can search on Amazon's advanced search bar.

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Amazon does not have an official list of advanced search operators, but it will show some search tips on the above page. The API documentation also lists a few powerful searches you can try, review the results by clicking Next .

The secret to finding more accurate results is by using the advanced search engine of Ceyhun Kazel, the developer created Jeviz.com to easily find his book.

If, after doing all of the above tools, you still can't find your book, do a site search with Google.

Example: "Rachel Childs" + newspaper page: amazon.com

Look in the book

When doing a search on Amazon, your keywords are not only used to search for titles and authors, but also to search within the book. You can explore if this is the exact book you are looking for by clicking on the Look Inside link and viewing the preview pages. Use the Search Inside This Book field to search for sentences, key phrases, and even citations.

Ask for help from an online community

Any website you buy books has an online community.

Goodreads.com

Goodreads is part of Amazon, this social network for enthusiasts books discussing a variety of topics.

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You can go to any specific group by category and ask for help. But the first two items can be tried:

1. Book Hunting
2. What's the Name of That Book

Barnes and Noble Lost Books

Barnes and Noble is a famous book seller. This group was created with the clear purpose of helping readers hunt for their favorite books.

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Abe Books (forums.abebooks.com)

BookSleuth is another suitable place to hunt books if you can't remember the title. Use community forums organized by genre and provide as much detail as possible so that members can help you.

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LibraryThing.com

LibraryThing is also the place to get help when looking for books. You should start with a topic and provide as much information as possible.

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Social Network

Facebook.com

Social networking is not only a place where you find long-term friends who have lost contact, but you also call for help from the community to find a book you can't remember. Your social circle may be limited, so expand your search by using book clubs.

Mark Zuckerberg started with the A Year of Book , and now it has nearly 800,000 followers. Even smaller public groups like Books are worth a try.

1. Instructions for searching with Facebook Graph Search

Twitter.com

Twitter is also a place to search for books effectively, start searching on Twitter with hashtag such as #DarkFantasy or #UrbanFantasy to narrow the search results and / or when asking for help.

1. Tricks using the Hashtag on Twitter

Quora.com

This Answers site may be the place where most "experts" are gathered besides Facebook and Twitter. You can look forward to quality answers from this site.

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StackExchange.com

A repository of 168 question and answer communities is Stack Exchange.Stack Overflow may be the most popular forum for programmers but there are communities suitable for Ebooks and Literature . After that, you can also join a specific community for each category and ask questions.

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Reddit

You can't think of a book that is more knowledgeable than Tip of My Tongue. Just sweep your eyes down on answers that have been answered with a green card to understand the power of collective memory. Also, try other sub-categories like What's That Book, Books , and printSF when you can only remember the book cover.

Search the Web based on the kindness of strangers. This shows the spirit of cooperation and enthusiasm of book lovers everywhere, so the next time you can't remember the name of a book, try one of the ways above.

See more:

1. The hidden search engines of Google you don't know
2. 4 websites looking for song titles through extreme melodies or do you know?
3. 15 utility search tools