# About NoveList We are passionate about working alongside libraries to create better communities of readers. [ Contact us ](/novelist/contact) # Our Story Elements [ ](#) - [Overview](/novelist/about) - [Our People](/novelist/about/our-people) - [Our Leaders](/novelist/about/our-leadership) - [Our Advisors](/novelist/about/our-advisors) - [Our Story Elements](/novelist/about/our-story-elements) - [Our Curated Content](/novelist/about/our-curated-content) - [Our Recommendations](/novelist/about/our-recommendations) - [Our Story](/novelist/about/our-story) # Our Story Elements Many different aspects of a book may catch your attention. NoveList calls these different aspects “story elements.” Our story elements include appeal factors, themes, and genres. [Our team](/novelist/about/our-people "About NoveList - Our People") tags each book with appropriate story elements, making it easy to see if a book is right for you or your readers and to search for similar books. ### Appeal factors Appeal factors are a signature feature of NoveList, and since their introduction in 2010, they have been helping readers find books based on style and mood. We like to think of appeal factors as the secret language of books, or all the ways a book speaks to a reader and lingers long after it’s been returned to the library. What is **heartwarming** to one reader may be saccharine to another; what is **mildly sensuous** to you may be quite shocking to others. Our appeal factors help you and your readers hone in on exactly what kind of book they are in the mood for. ### Themes Themes are popular and recurring plot elements found in fiction books. Themes frame a story without completely defining “what happens.” For example, you can find literary fiction on the theme **fish out of water**, books on the romance theme **opposites attract**, or books on how to **mind your manners** for young kids. Themes will help you and your readers find *just* the stories they are looking for. ### Genres Most readers have a favorite genre or two, and NoveList maintains an extensive, curated list of genres and subgenres. When combined with appeal and themes, genres are a powerful tool for discovering books. Our genres are not only relevant and up-to-date but also reader-focused. We include new genre trends (such as **romantasy**) and unique search helpers (such as **page to screen** or **adult books for young adults**). ### The power behind story elements: expert curation Our team of metadata librarians brings a level of professional expertise to story elements that is unmatched. They curate both the *creation* of an expert lexicon of terms and the *application* of those terms, resulting in a deep ocean of data about books. ![novelist about danielle borasky quote web image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/novelist-about-danielle-borasky-quote-web-image-780.jpg) "Books are a secret weapon in our struggle to answer big problems. Because reading books is how we learn new information, but also, they are how we learn to become better human beings. The stories found in books can open our eyes to new ways of thinking, give us a better understanding of other people, help us become more compassionate and understanding, and inspire us to think of new ways of solving problems." — *Danielle Borasky, Vice President, NoveList* ![novelist about danielle borasky quote web image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/novelist-about-danielle-borasky-quote-web-image-780.jpg) ![novelist about over story image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/novelist-about-over-story-image-780.jpg) ## You Talk, We Listen We take your feedback very seriously. Every page in NoveList has a feedback button at the top — use it to tell us anything. We also have a thumbs-up/ thumbs-down feature where you can let us know if you agree with our recommendations. We love to hear from our customers. We answer all feedback, so please include your name and the best way to contact you, along with your job title and the library you work at, with city and state. If you have questions or feedback about a specific product, please tell us the product name. [Send us feedback](mailto:novelist@ebsco.com) #### Want NoveList in your library? [ Request information ](/novelist/request-information) ## Recommended Resources Recommended Reading Items [ ![A library setting with a staff member standing behind a wooden service desk, holding an open book and speaking to a group of patrons. The patrons include adults and children gathered around the desk. Books and papers are visible on the counter, and shelves with books are in the background under fluorescent lighting.](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/dd997450-1f1f-4381-919b-cb056dd8eecb/printing.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/printing-novelist-plus) ### Blog [Your Voices Heard: Final Update](/blogs/novelist/printing-novelist-plus) [ ![](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/3b921cd1-a036-4b1a-9ea3-a3f147a06442/Accessibility-blog.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/advancing-accessibility-novelist) ### Blog [Advancing Accessibility at NoveList](/blogs/novelist/advancing-accessibility-novelist) [ ![](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/ce5f850e-add7-44c9-bb71-840285e545f6/Metadata-BTS.png) ](/blogs/novelist/how-novelist-tags-books) ### Blog [Behind the Scenes: How NoveList Tags Books ](/blogs/novelist/how-novelist-tags-books)