...
There are only so many hours in the day and, as much as we strive for it, not all books can be read in their entirety. CataList now displays samples and excerpts of books that can give users a strong sense of whether or not the book is right for your library. And the best part? They're instantly available. When provided by the publisher, the first few chapters of a book or an entire section can be displayed in a pop-up viewer the user can enlarge, click-through, download, or just sit back and enjoy through a browser or tablet.
...
3) Tables of contents:
For further insight, the contents of the book will be revealed ahead of time. This is especially handy for academic books, as it reveals the scope of the book and how deeply it delves into any given topic.
...
4) Reading guides:
Book club, anyone? These reading group or teacher guides help users evaluate whether or not books should be included in certain collections or schools.
...