Here’s a new tool that I found out about on a library-related blog called Library Stuff. It’s a website called Literature-Map. The basic principle is simple: you enter the name of an author and then you get a graphical representation of similar authors. It may take you a minute to get used to the names moving around like they do, but they actually do settle down before too long.

Looking for something new to read? Enter the name of an author you like and you’ll see a graphical representation of other authors who are similar. The closer two names are, the more likely someone will like both of them. Click on any name on the map to draw another map for that author.

Instead of getting a list, you get this information provided in a unique way. For those who are more visual-spatial in their processing of information, this is a great way to see “what’s out there.” I HAVE found duplicates listed (such as C.S. Lewis with and without the space between the initials, or Lemony Snicket with one or two T’s) and there are some authors who only have their last names listed. I hope this is just a sign of the Literature Map growing as a complete resource and that they’ll get those things fixed soon.

Still, it’s another example of how technology is providing information to us in new ways.