Objective metadata comparison

Compare 2 or 3 books

Search this site's catalog and put books side by side. The tool compares measurable metadata and text statistics so you can see practical differences without turning them into a subjective quality ranking.

Choose books

Start typing a title or author. You can compare up to three books.

Reading the differences

What this comparison can tell you

The Compare tool lets you look at up to three books side by side, using key metrics like word count, reading time, and average sentence length. This helps you see how books differ in scale and style.

For example, you might compare a short juvenile tale with a lengthy literary history to understand the range of the collection. Use the tool to make informed choices based on your reading preferences.

Word Count and Reading Time

Median word count is 71,050, with median reading time of 309 minutes. Compare a 10,000-word book to a 122,000-word book to see the difference.

Sentence Length

Average sentence length varies from 11.4 words in a pantomime to 27.6 in a novel. This can indicate readability and prose style.

Category and Subjects

Books are grouped by category, but subjects often cross boundaries. Compare books from different categories to see thematic overlaps.