Trouble the Waters
A Nearby Country Called Love
Staff Picks

Hidden Gems

  • Morgan R.
  • Saturday, June 01
Find your next favorite author with one of these hidden gems that have been waiting patiently for you!
Normandy '44
The D-Day Companion
Staff Picks

Remembering D-Day

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, May 31
June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the largest, most ambitious such invasion in military history. Check out these exciting titles from our collection, including books by noted contemporary historians such as Antony Beevor and Alex Kershaw, classics such as Cornelius Ryan’s
Dear Mothman
The Wishing Flower
Staff Picks

The 2024 Lambda Literary Prize Finalists in Youth Categories

  • Adele C.
  • Tuesday, May 28
The Lambda Literary Prize finalists in the children's and young adult categories showcase the profound impact of both fiction and nonfiction storytelling on young minds. These remarkable books offer essential lessons in acceptance, empathy, and self-discovery. Through imaginative tales, relatable characters, and insightful real-life narratives, these works provide young readers with a safe space to see themselves and their peers reflected on the page.
Rosalind's Siblings
A Film in Which I Play Everyone
Staff Picks

The 2024 Lambda Literary Prize Finalists in Adult Nonfiction, Memoir, and Poetry Categories

  • Adele C.
  • Tuesday, May 28
The Lambda Literary Prize celebrates the best in LGBTQ+ literature. This year's list of finalists in the adult nonfiction, memoir, and poetry categories showcases a diverse array of voices and stories, reflecting the richness and complexity of the LGBTQ+ experience. From gripping narratives exploring identity and belonging to poignant tales of love and resilience, these works represent the pinnacle of contemporary queer storytelling.
Big Swiss
The Fiancée Farce
Staff Picks

The 2024 Lambda Literary Prize Finalists in Adult Fiction Categories

  • Adele C.
  • Tuesday, May 28
The Lambda Literary Prize celebrates the best in LGBTQ+ literature. This year's list of finalists in adult fiction categories showcases a diverse array of voices and stories, reflecting the richness and complexity of the LGBTQ+ experience. From gripping narratives exploring identity and belonging to poignant tales of love and resilience, these works represent the pinnacle of contemporary queer storytelling. Celebrate the exceptional talent of these authors, whose books not only entertain but also inspire and challenge societal norms.

Aug 13 10:00 a.m.

Event
Richland Library Ballentine

All Booked Up

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults
Not a River
Simpatía
Staff Picks

The 2024 International Booker Prize Longlist

  • Adele C.
  • Thursday, May 23
Discover a world of literary excellence with these books from the 2024 International Booker Prize longlist. These remarkable works, celebrated for their outstanding storytelling and diverse perspectives, offer you the chance to delve into some of the finest contemporary literature from around the globe. Each book on the list has been recognized for its unique voice and powerful narrative, promising an unforgettable reading experience.
Sandwich
Winter Lost
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for June 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, May 20
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in June 2024, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Brotherless Night
Between Two Moons
Staff Picks

2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction

  • Megan M.
  • Tuesday, May 14
The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction celebrates creativity and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States.The 2024 winner is Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan
Fire Weather
Larry McMurtry
Staff Picks

2024 Pulitzer Prizewinners

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, May 06
The 2024 Pulitzer Prizes have just been announced. Check out these winners and finalists in the categories of fiction, history, biography, memoir/autobiography, poetry, and general nonfiction.
Martyr!
People Want to Live
Staff Picks

Mental Health Awareness Month: Fiction

  • Morgan R.
  • Wednesday, May 01
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out these fiction titles dealing with anything from anxiety, to addiction to gain understanding, relate, or grow your awareness.

Jun 25 6:00 p.m.

Event
Richland Library North Main

Page Turners Book Group

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults
The Valedictorian of Being Dead
Because We Are Bad
Staff Picks

Memoirs for Mental Health Awareness Month

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, April 30
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in the US each May. Inaugurated in 1949 by the National Association for Mental Health (now Mental Health America), it features a different theme each year. For 2024, the theme is Where to Start, “For anyone struggling with the pressure of today’s world, feeling alone, or wondering if they can feel better.” For one good place to start, check out these moving autobiographies and memoirs that explore the challenges of mental i
Purple Up!
Army Brats
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Month of the Military Child

  • Heather M.
  • Monday, April 29
"There's a special day, a thank-you day, honoring kids for their service while the folks are away."--Purple Up!: We Salute Our Friends by Sarah Lynn ScheergerWe often recognize the sacrifice made by people serving in our military--both at home and abroad. We thank them for their service. Military children and their sacrifices are sometimes overlooked.
Beach Cute
Call Me by Your Name
Staff Picks

Perennial Beach Reads

  • Savannah G.
  • Monday, April 29
Jump head-first into this fun and somewhat eclectic list loaded full of beach reads that never go out of style! From new titles to our old reliables, this list has got a little bit of something for every reader!
The Magpie Lord
Pack of Lies
Staff Picks

Romantasy

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, April 25
"Romantasy" might be a new word, but fantasy romances have always been popular! Enjoy this selection of romance novels in fantasy settings.

Jul 09 10:00 a.m.

Event
Richland Library Ballentine

All Booked Up

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession, by Charlotte Lovett.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults

Jun 11 10:00 a.m.

Event
Richland Library Ballentine

All Booked Up

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, Ironweed: A Novel, by William Kennedy.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior
No World Too Big
Staff Picks

Celebrate Earth Day With These Children's Titles

  • Ashley S.
  • Monday, April 22
Happy Earth Day! On April 22nd, people from all over the world demonstrate their support for environmental protection. If you want to learn more about how you can protect the Earth, check out these children's titles.

Aug 28 6:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Ballentine

Bookin' It in Ballentine

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, Prisoners of the Castle: An Epic Story of Survival and Escape from Colditz, the Nazis' Fortress Prison, by Ben Macintyre.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults

Jun 26 6:30 p.m.

Event
Richland Library Ballentine

Bookin' It in Ballentine

Join us for a book group discussion of this month’s title, The Spy Who Came in From The Cold by John le Carré.

Event Type(s):

Clubs and Groups

Audience(s):

Adults
The Last Days of the Dinosaurs
The Complete Dinosaur
Staff Picks

Dinosaur Books for Grown Ups

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, April 18
Kids love dinosaurs, and there are lots of great books for kids about them. But what about the rest of us? Check out some of these fantastic books about thunder lizards for adults - there are memoirs, histories of paleontology, art books, and up to date science on what dinosaurs looked like, how they behaved, and how we know. If you haven't been keeping up with modern discoveries in paleontology, pick up a book from this list and you may be surprised at how much things have changed!
The Last Murder at the End of the World
Summers at the Saint
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for May 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Tuesday, April 16
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in May 2024, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Why Does He Do That?
Not That Bad
Staff Picks

Resources on Intimate Partner Violence

  • Sara M.
  • Saturday, April 13
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. “Intimate partner” refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV can vary in how often it happens and how severe it is. It can range from one episode of violence that could have lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years. IPV can include any of the following types of behavior:
The Hive and the Honey
The King is Always Above the People
Staff Picks

20th Anniversary of The Story Prize

  • Savannah G.
  • Friday, April 05
The Story Prize is an annual book award that honors the author of an outstanding collection of short fiction. 2024 marks 20 years of (something). This year's winner is The Hive and the Honey by Paul Yoon.
Blog
Richland Library Main

The Trans Rights Readathon

  • Savannah G.
  • Friday, March 29
The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to all readers and book lovers! During the readathon readers are encouraged to read and uplift titles centered around trans stories.
The Husbands
The Rule Book
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for April 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, March 25
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in April 2024, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Sing Me to Sleep
Sing Me to Sleep
Staff Picks

Sight-Reading: Music-Inspired YA

  • Alex B.
  • Monday, March 18
Music is an essential aspect of teen culture for any generation so it makes sense there's a lot of books about music-lovers! Check out these music-inspired reads for a harmonious experience.
Shuna's Journey
Nightwing. Volume 1, Issue 78-83, Leaping into the Light
Staff Picks

2023 Eisner Award Winners

  • Thomas M.
  • Saturday, March 16
Check out the winners of the 2023 Eisner Awards, announced each year at San Diego Comic-Con. You can see a full list of categories, nominees, and winners here. Keep in mind that Eisner categories span across various creative roles, formats, and target age ranges. Digital copies of the 2023 Eisner Award winners can also be found on Hoopla.
The Mimicking of Known Successes
Barbie
Staff Picks

2023 Nebula Awards Finalists

  • Sara M.
  • Friday, March 15
Each year, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) votes on the Nebula Awards for outstanding novel, novella, novelette, game writing, and short stories eligible for that year’s award.
Hangman
And then She Fell
Staff Picks

The 2024 Women's Prize for Fiction

  • Adele C.
  • Thursday, March 14
The Women's Prize for Fiction is an annual award that celebrates outstanding, original full-length fiction written by women in English from around the world. Established in 1996, the prize aims to promote diversity and excellence in literature, offering a platform for women's voices to be heard and recognized. It not only highlights the literary achievements of women writers but also encourages a wider readership for their work.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
The Ruins of Gorlan
Staff Picks

Naruto Readalikes for Teens

  • Alex B.
  • Wednesday, March 06
The Naruto manga series has long been popular with teens--and for good reason! It's got magic, friendship, action, and it's a coming of age story. While manga reading still counts as reading, here are some novels with similar themes for fans ready to branch out. Believe it!
Arden High. Vol. 01 Twelfth Grade Night
Saving Hamlet
Staff Picks

Shake it Up: YA Adaptations of Shakespeare

  • Alex B.
  • Monday, March 04
Adaptations and remixes of the Western canon are super trendy in teen literature these days! Here's a closer look at shaken-up Shakespeare retellings.
Tom Lake
Blood Debts
Staff Picks

The Southern Book Prize 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Friday, March 01
Each February, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance awards the Southern Book Prize to the best Southern books of the year. Titles are nominated by indie booksellers and voted on by their customers. This year's winners are:Fiction - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
All That She Carried
Vulture Capitalism
Staff Picks

The 2024 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction

  • Adele C.
  • Friday, March 01
Just as the Women’s Prize for Fiction celebrates and honors exceptional fiction written by women, so too does the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction platform the very best in non-fiction by women. This celebration of women’s voices, resilience, and creativity identifies compelling, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted non-fiction works.
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
What God is Honored Here?
Staff Picks

Women's History Month 2024

  • Megan M.
  • Friday, March 01
March is Women's History Month!The 2024 theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion."
Static
Hardware, Season One
Staff Picks

Black Comics & Creators

  • Thomas M.
  • Wednesday, February 28
Every year brings new and returning black comics creators, and all of them are opportunities to experience great and eye-opening stories. Previous years have seen lists about Black Superheroes, Comics With Black Protagonists, and Black History In Comics.
How to Solve Your Own Murder
The Princess of Las Vegas
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for March 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, February 26
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in March 2024, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Of Time and Turtles
The Underworld
Staff Picks

Smithsonian Magazine Best Science Books of 2023

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, February 20
Check out these recently published science titles that Smithsonian Magazine has singled out for praise. The list includes Of Time and Turtles, by best-selling author Sy Montgomery, and the thought-provoking Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of O
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
Together, Apart
Staff Picks

2024 New Year, New Me: Middle Grade and Teen Books

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, February 19
Recommended by Richland Library staff, this list is what happens when we decide to kick-off the new year with a challenge--reading outside of our comfort zones. From nonfiction to manga, romance to historical fiction, we stretched ourselves and our reading habits to explore new genres and authors.
Goodbye Earl
The Brittanys
Staff Picks

Galentines Day Reads

  • Savannah G.
  • Tuesday, February 13
Happy Galentine’s Day! Show your girlfriends you really care by sharing a good book with them. From thrilling mysteries to heart-warming comings of age tales, this list is all about the power of female friendships.
We Were Once a Family
Tremor
Staff Picks

2023 National Book Critics Circle Award Winners

  • Megan M.
  • Friday, January 26
This year's winners include:Fiction: I Am Homeless if This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore Nonfiction: We Were Once a Family by Roxanna Asgarian Biography: Winnie and Nelson by Jonny Steinberg How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Christmas and Other Horrors
Never Whistle at Night
Staff Picks

2023 Bram Stoker Awards

  • Megan M.
  • Wednesday, January 24
The Stoker Awards have been presented by the Horror Writers Association since 1987.Check out this year's ballot...
Blog
Richland Library Main

Celebrity Book Club Picks

  • Megan M.
  • Saturday, June 01
Whether you’ve been on the Book Club wagon since Oprah or are just looking for a new book and not sure where to start, these celebrity book clubs are great resources for choosing your next read!
The Peacock and the Sparrow
Perplexing Plots
Staff Picks

2024 Edgar Award Nominees

  • Megan M.
  • Thursday, January 18
The Edgar Awards honor the best in mystery fiction and nonfiction.Check out the nominees...
A Fate Inked in Blood
The Warm Hands of Ghosts
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for February 2024

  • Sarah C.
  • Thursday, January 18
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country. All these books will be published in February 2024, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Lost and Found
The Break-up Diaries. Vol. 1
Staff Picks

"Where are your drama books?"

  • Wednesday, January 17
What makes a "drama" book? The Teen Center is used to this question, but the answer shifts from person to person. As best we can tell, "drama" as a teen fiction category includes some combination of the following:contemporary settingflawed main characterbullyinggossipmysterycrimecharacters who are put through a series of ordealsreal consequencesThe list below represents teen fiction that fits these descriptors. One thing's for sure: these books are made to be shared like hot gossip.