Help with accessing values from a property file

I am trying to determine the best way to retrieve a value from a property file if my key is stored in a String. The first part of the String will vary depending on input from a user (selected from a dropdown box). For example:

Property file (simple .txt file)
Book1.Title=Some Title
Book2.Title=Some Other Title

User Chooses Book1

String title = (Book1 + ".Title")

Since properties.getProperty(title) will return a null, what are my options?

I'm not sure what the problem is--if you try to get a property named "Book1.Title" why would it return null?

Something tells me you haven't overridden toString for Book. Check out what System.out.println(Book1); prints.

Maybe I am missing something or my example wasn't that clear. Let me try again:

If I use the literal value of the String title, "Book1.Title", to access the property file it works (Some Title is returned as expected).

Book1 is actually contained in a form field, let's call it selection. I created a new String by coding String title = (selection + ".Title");

If I code System.out.println(title), "Book1.Title" is returned

What should I code to get the value of Book1.Title from the property file....properties.getProperty(???)

I hope my question is a little more clear. My apologies if it's not. I am pretty new to JAVA (only a couple months in). I have been a COBOL developer for 16+ years and I am finding this transition to be a little difficult. The above seems like it should be so easy, but I can't get it to work.

??? = title.

If the String value "Book1.Title" is contained in the variable title that's the exact same thing as calling getProperty("Book1.Title").

Okay, nevermind. I went back to my original code and modified the keys in my property file (had a combinaTION of lower case & caps). I guess that's what happens when you look at something for too long. Should have stepped away.

Now I can rest easy for the remainder of the weekend. Thanks for taking time to respond.

properties.getProperty(selection + ".Title");

No problem, and welcome to JavaRanch :)