Blog
Richland Library Main

Let’s Talk Race and Justice Playlist

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, September 25

As Racial Justice Week comes to a close, check out these engaging discussions with past guests, thought leaders and community members that encourage honest dialogue on injustices, anti-racism and diversity.

Blog
Richland Library Main

The Intersection of Race & LGBTQI2SA+ Liberation | Celebrating Racial Justice Week

  • Ashley S.
  • Thursday, January 20

Quite often it is assumed that the LGBTQI2SA+ community is exempt from the discussion of systemic racism. Unfortunately, these assumptions could not be further from the truth. Racism and discrimination as it applies to LGBTQI2SA+ community is evident in access to health care, housing, and even social media platforms like dating websites.

Dread Nation
Handling the Undead
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Horror with Zombies

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, January 20
Do you like your books to have brrrrains?  Perhaps a little bite?  This list has all kinds of zombies - fast zombies, slow zombies, disease zombies, magic zombies, any kind of zombie you want. Learn more about the Broader Bookshelf challenge and see more lists here.
Blog
Richland Library Eastover

Flower Pot “Whatever You Want” Dish

  • Kimberly Jones
  • Wednesday, January 19

This project is easy, fun, and enjoyable to make. I made sure to use the phrase, “Whatever you want” because the possibilities of what you can create with this project are endless…believe me.

Blog
Richland Library Main

Publishers In South Carolina

  • Thomas M.
  • Tuesday, January 25

Over 20 publishing and self-publishing contacts representing many genres and formats from across The Palmetto State!

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Staff Picks

RM's Reading List

  • Alison B.
  • Thursday, January 13
Kim Namjoon, also known by his stage name RM, is the leader of the worldwide famous K-pop group BTS. Beyond being a talented rapper, creative songwriter/producer, team mentor, and impressive dancer, he is also an avid reader. Below is a list of reading recommendations he has shared spanning across genres and countries of origin.
My Heart is a Chainsaw
The Shining Girls
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - The Horror of Final Girls

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, January 13
What's a final girl?  In a horror movie, usually in slasher films, the final girl is the last survivor who confronts the killer and usually lives to tell the tale.  Think Laurie Strode from Halloween, Nancy Thompson from A Nightmare on Elm Street, and even Ellen Ripley from Alien.  They exist in books too - and there's a bit of a trend lately of books with characters meta-aware of the trope.  Check out this list of horror books with tough ladies who fight back.  
Blog
Richland Library Main

5 Films for Free: The Music Doc

  • Phillip W.
  • Friday, June 24

This list is only scratching the surface - if you find that these pique your curiosity, take a moment to look around our catalog and see what else you might find!

Collected Ghost Stories
The Exorcist
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Classic Horror

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, January 06
If you want to understand where any genre is going, you have to understand where it's been.  This list of classic horror novels (arbitrary cutoff: pre-Stephen King) includes a little bit of everything: psychological thrillers, sexy vampires, cosmic horror, haunted houses, and of course g-g-g-ghosts! Learn more about the Broader Bookshelf challenge and see more lists here.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Know Before You Share

  • Sara M.
  • Monday, March 14

These days we have access to more information than we've ever had before - which means we have access to more wrong information than we've ever had before. 

Song of Solomon
Americanah
Staff Picks

Picks from Levar Burton's Book Club

  • Megan M.
  • Tuesday, January 04
Check out this list of picks from Levar Burton's Book Club.The latest pick is Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison 
The Girl with the Louding Voice
Black Sunday
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022: African Authors

  • Morgan R.
  • Tuesday, January 04
Fulfill the prompt, "Read a book by an author from an African nation" with one of these engaging books. Find out more information about the #BroaderBookshelf challenge here. Need more suggestions? Fill out a Personalized Reading Recommendation form. It's a quick and easy way to find your next favorite read. 
Moon of the Crusted Snow
No Exit
Staff Picks

Stone Cold Thrillers

  • Kristin A.
  • Monday, January 03
Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a crime book. Whether you’re in the mood for chilling psychological suspense, Nordic Noir, or a good old fashioned detective story, there’s a little something for everyone in this reading list. Check out some of the best snowy page-turners below.
The School for Good Mothers
The Overnight Guest
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for January 2022

  • Sarah C.
  • Wednesday, December 29
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in January 2022, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Bad Boys for Life
The Croods, a New Age
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Films 🎬

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends and neighbors were watching in 2021? Us too!  From animated films to superhero favorites, books-to-movies and beyond, library customers got their fill of films this year. 
Blog
Richland Library North Main

2022

  • Zsuzsanna C.
  • Thursday, December 30
Patricia Highsmith
Redeeming Justice
Staff Picks

New in Biography and Memoir

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, December 29
Notable new releases include Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei’s 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows and Indian economist (and prolific author) Amartya Sen’s Home in the World.  Carole Angier’s
Children of Blood and Bone
Firekeeper's Daughter
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Teen Audiobooks 🎧

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends and classmates were listening to in 2021? Us too!  Series seem to take top marks across teen formats this year--with lots of checkouts of The Grisha Trilogy and A Court of Thorns and Roses Series as well as older favorites like the Twilight series and The Hunger Games.  
Anxious People
The Vanishing Half
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Adult Audiobooks 🎧

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends and neighbors were listening to in 2021? Us too!  No surprises here. The Four Winds, The Vanishing Half, and The Midnight Library took top honors across all adult fiction formats this year but there are lots of other titles to check out too. 
Children of Blood and Bone
Shadow and Bone
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Teen Fiction 📚

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, December 29
Curious as to what your friends and classmates were reading in 2021? Us too!  Series seem to take top marks across teen formats this year--with lots of checkouts of The Grisha Trilogy and A Court of Thorns and Roses Series as well as older favorites like the Twilight series and The Hunger Games.  
Anxious People
Daylight
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Adult eBooks 📱

  • Richland Library
  • Tuesday, December 28
Curious as to what your friends and neighbors were reading in 2021? Us too!  No surprises here. The Four Winds, The Vanishing Half, and The Midnight Library took top honors across all adult fiction formats this year but there are lots of other titles to check out too. 
The Four Winds
Anxious People
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Adult Fiction 📚

  • Richland Library
  • Tuesday, December 28
Curious as to what your friends and neighbors were reading, watching, and listening to in 2021? Us too!  No surprises here. The Four Winds, The Vanishing Half, and The Midnight Library took top honors across all adult fiction formats this year but there are lots of other titles to check out too. 
Naturalist
The Ants
Staff Picks

Naturalist: E. O. Wilson, 1929-2021

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, December 28
In his long and distinguished career, scientist and author Edward O. Wilson, who died on 26 December, wrote as much for a popular audience as he did for his academic peers.  In addition to several books on ants (on which he was a world authority), he published widely on evolutionary biology and conservation.  One of his collaborations with fellow ant expert Bert Hölldobler, The Ants, won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Top Checkouts of 2021

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, December 30

2021 ushered in a year of stellar new releases from old favorites, a barrage of debut authors, and lots of titles that broadened our bookshelves (and minds) and filled up our streaming queues. Here's a look at the top 10 books, movies, and songs by age group and format. 

Slouching Towards Bethlehem
After Henry
Staff Picks

Remembering Joan Didion

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, December 27
Joan Didion, who died at age 87 on 23 December, astutely sized up American culture from the 1960s onward in a series of nonfiction and fiction works that met with both critical and popular acclaim.  The prolific Didion is perhaps still best known for her first two essay collections, Slouching Towards Bethlehem and
The Ballad of Black Tom
Dreams from the Witch House
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Horror After Lovecraft

  • Sara M.
  • Thursday, December 23
H.P. Lovecraft was a brilliant innovator who created a popular horror subgenre and influenced generations of writers.  He was also xenophobic and racist, and his stories are full of prejudice.  In the last few decades, many have wrestled with his legacy through transformative fiction - writing their own cosmic horror as a direct answer to the problems underlying Lovecraft's own work.  If you liked the HBO series Lovecraft Country, these are great readalikes; if you're new to cosmic horror entirely, these are a great place to start!
People We Meet on Vacation
It Happened One Summer
Staff Picks

35 Best Romance Books of 2021

  • Mona Verma
  • Wednesday, December 22
2021 was a great year for Romances. As a romantic at heart, I was happy to see many diverse authors writing books with diverse characters falling in love. Do browse this list which includes holidays romances, hate turning to love stories, friends turning into lovers, finding love in unexpected places and much more! 
Trillions
Get Good with Money
Staff Picks

New Business Books

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, December 22
This batch of new business books features some sharp corporate take-downs, including Peter Robison’s Flying Blind: The 737 MAX Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing and Bartow J.
Super Volcanoes
The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2021
Staff Picks

New in Science

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, December 21
Check out the latest in science writing from our collection.  Notable titles include Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by best-selling author Mary Roach (dubbed "America's funniest science writer" by the WaPo) and Scientist: E. O.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Fairy Tale Comics
Staff Picks

Graphic Novel Adaptations

  • Thomas M.
  • Monday, December 20
How does an artist take the descriptions and inner lives of prose characters and translate them into pictures and poses against backgrounds? This list represents a wide range of stylistic adaptations of prose stories and poems, including manga versions of several classics. Visual elements and speech bubbles can also help developing readers comfortably navigate the text. These graphic novels are great for fresh takes on old favorites as well as gateways for new readers to get hooked.
Intimacies
The Reading List
Staff Picks

35 Best Book Club Picks of 2021

  • Mona Verma
  • Monday, December 20
Book clubs are a great way to spark conversations and connect with people. After reading a really good book, I am always curious to know what other people thought of it. It is interesting to see how each person interprets a book differently and the animated discussions which follow based on how you relate to the book. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

What Exactly Is DHEC?

  • Dusty R.
  • Friday, December 17

DHEC has been in the news a lot lately. Learn more about this crucial part of the South Carolina government.

Homemade Love
Appalachian Elegy
Staff Picks

In Memoriam: bell hooks

  • Sarah C.
  • Thursday, December 16
The inimitable scholar, poet, critic, and activist bell hooks passed away on December 15, 2021 at the age of 69.  Celebrate the life of this groundbreaking thinker with one of her many works -- hooks wrote for all ages on topics ranging from feminism and gender to race and politics.  
Blog
Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: The Mistress of Spices (Book Review)

  • Mona Verma
  • Thursday, June 23

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s bestselling book, The Mistress of Spices is an evocative classic; a magical, mystical tale of a clairvoyant who sells spices that can soothe your soul. The author says that she wrote this novel “in a spirit of play, collapsing the divisions between the realistic world of twentieth century America and the timeless one of myth and magic” in her “attempt to create a modern fable."

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Howl's Moving Castle.
Staff Picks

Celebrating Chosen Family

  • Emily Barber
  • Wednesday, December 15
"Found or chosen families play an important role in the lives of queer people ... For these people, family becomes not a biological happenstance, but a group of supportive people providing unconditional support." — Pallas Gutierrez, GLAAD Campus Ambassador Sometimes family doesn't end up being who you're born with. Celebrate the family you choose with these titles.
Stress Relief for the Anxious Mind
Why Are We Yelling?
Staff Picks

Holiday Mental Health

  • Sarah C.
  • Tuesday, December 14
The holidays aren’t always the joyful experience they’re meant to be; in fact, they can exacerbate feelings of grief, anxiety, and depression.  If you or someone you love is dealing with holiday blues this year, check out some of the titles below for helpful tips to ease the struggle.  You are not alone! If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.  Help is always available.  
The Beatles
The Beatles Anthology.
Staff Picks

Can't Get Enough Beatles?

  • Allison T.
  • Tuesday, December 14
After watching Get Back, Peter Jackson's film that reworks footage from the Beatles Let It Be sessions, are you craving more about the fab four? We have just the thing for you!
Tokyo Ghoul. Vol. 01
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Part 4, Diamond is Unbreakable, Vol. 1
Staff Picks

Most Popular Manga of 2021

  • Thomas M.
  • Monday, December 13
2021 was the year of the great manga shortage, but Richland County found plenty to enjoy from their local library's shelves! Data from every Richland Library location was tabulated to form the list of popular manga series below. Each series is listed by its first volume so that new readers can catch up to the hottest manga. In some cases, volumes from much later in a series ranked highly, which is a great sign that fans stuck around.
Carrie
Carrie.
Staff Picks

Rory Gilmore's Reading Challenge (List #4 - Starting with 'Carrie')

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, December 13
☕ Take a deep dive into all the books seen and referenced on the Gilmore Girls from Season 1 to A Year in the Life.  📚 Just in time for our winter weather. So, grab your books, a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa), and bundle up by the fire. ❄️Smells Like Snow❄️ (except for SC)   Since there are 408 titles, there will be multiple lists sent out over the next few months. Enjoy!
Beloved
Bel Canto
Staff Picks

Rory Gilmore's Reading Challenge (List #3 - Starting with 'Bambi')

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, December 13
☕ Take a deep dive into all the books seen and referenced on the Gilmore Girls from Season 1 to A Year in the Life.  📚 Just in time for our winter weather. So, grab your books, a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa), and bundle up by the fire. ❄️Smells Like Snow❄️ (except for SC)   Since there are 408 titles, there will be multiple lists sent out over the next few months. Enjoy!
Interview with the Vampire
Angel Time
Staff Picks

The Queen of the Vampires: Anne Rice

  • Kristin A.
  • Monday, December 13
Anne Rice, the queen of the vampires and Gothic literature, has passed away at the age of 80. She was best known for her best-selling series, the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches. "Interview with the Vampire" was made into a successful feature film in 1994, helping to reignite interest in the vampire genre, which continues to this day.
Blog
Richland Library Main

All Her Little Secrets: A Book Review

  • Mona Verma
  • Friday, December 17

Wanda M Morris’s stunning debut Mystery/Thriller 'All Her Little Secrets' published on November 2, 2021, is riveting. I cannot stop talking about this book and recommending it to my friends. As an addict of psychological suspense, I am always looking forward to the next adrenaline pumping read. This one kept me up at night, navigating its unpredictable twists and turns and I just had to finish the book in one sitting to know how the story ends.

Blog
Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: The City We Became - A Review

  • Mahogany S.
  • Thursday, June 23

What we are, what we’re made of, is many worlds coming together. Reality and legends. This world where we’re just people, and that world, where we can be miles-wide cities that just happen to be sitting a couple of feet across from each other because the laws of space, physics, don’t work the same way.

Blog
Richland Library Main

How to Create a Brand Introduction

  • Roshanda Pratt
  • Thursday, December 09

You only have a few seconds to make a brand introduction. People’s attention span is getting shorter and shorter because of social media. It is important to understand how to create an elevator pitch or brand introduction that is short and to the point. 

Blog
Richland Library Main

The Films of Lina Wertmuller

  • Leighan C.
  • Friday, December 10

Richland Library cardholders can enjoy the groundbreaking films of esteemed Italian director Lina Wertmuller free, through Kanopy.

Boys Run the Riot. Vol. 01
A School Frozen in Time. Vol. 01
Staff Picks

Manga Debuts of 2021

  • Thomas M.
  • Friday, December 03
A lot of manga series kicked off in 2021. Pick up a new favorite across many different genres for teens and up.
Royal Holiday
The Christmas Train
Staff Picks

Merry and Bright: Festive Holiday Reads

  • Kristin A.
  • Friday, December 03
It's the most wonderful time of the year! What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a festive read. From mysteries to romances, these books are wrapped up with loads of holiday cheer.
Taste of Home Handmade Food Gifts.
Handmade Gifts.
Staff Picks

Handmade Holidays

  • Morgan R.
  • Friday, December 03
Is there anything better than receiving a handmade gift from someone knowing they personalized it just for you and put their time, effort and thought into it? Return the favor by creating something one-of-a-kind for someone who is one-of-a-kind. 
My Darling Husband
A History of Wild Places
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for December 2021

  • Sarah C.
  • Thursday, December 02
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in December 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Life After Life
The Shining Girls
Staff Picks

Time Travel Adventures

  • Ariel H.
  • Monday, November 29
Take a journey with these characters and travel through time for the ultimate adventure!
Now Beacon, Now Sea
The Secret to Superhuman Strength
Staff Picks

New York Times Books of the Year: Biography and Memoir

  • Bland L.
  • Sunday, November 28
The recently released list of the New York Times notable books of 2021 includes a number of compelling biographies and memoirs you won't want to miss.  Check these titles out from our collection.
The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy
Anna Karenina.
Staff Picks

Rory Gilmore's Reading Challenge (List #2 - Starting with 'Angela's Ashes')

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, November 24
☕ Take a deep dive into all the books seen and referenced on the Gilmore Girls from Season 1 to A Year in the Life.  📚 Just in time for our winter weather. So, grab your books, a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa), and bundle up by the fire. ❄️Smells Like Snow❄️ (except for SC)   Since there are 408 titles, there will be multiple lists sent out over the next few months. Enjoy!
Bicycling with Butterflies
Water
Staff Picks

Expand Your Knowledge of the World

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, November 24
🌎Take a look at some titles that will continue to grow and challenge what you think you know about the world. Keep seeking to grow and learn more about the world you live in. These books will hopefully change how you see the world, and may encourage you to help build a better world for all (if you haven't already done so). Take a look below, and enjoy!
Blog
Richland Library Main

A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls

  • Richland Library
  • Monday, November 29

A perfect Fall activity to spice up your holiday; the art of corn husk doll making is steeped in tradition and fun for the whole family. 

The Other Black Girl
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Staff Picks

Book-to-TV In Development: Part IV

  • Ariel H.
  • Tuesday, November 23
As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
Mexican Gothic
Americanah
Staff Picks

Book-to-TV In Development: Part II

  • Ariel H.
  • Tuesday, November 23
As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
The Vanishing Half
The Power
Staff Picks

Book-to-TV In Development: Part I

  • Ariel H.
  • Tuesday, November 23
As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Facing Difficult Family During the Holidays

  • Kate B.
  • Wednesday, December 08

The carols, commercials, and TV shows flooding the airwaves currently want us to believe that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” And yet for many people reality is drastically different. Expectations are high, individuals are stressed, loved ones yell, and blame, and spread guilt. Discover some titles to help you deal with difficult people and learn a breathing technique to manage anxiety. 

1984
1984
Staff Picks

Rory Gilmore's Reading Challenge (List #1 - Starting with '1984')

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, November 18
☕ Take a deep dive into all the books seen and referenced on the Gilmore Girls from Season 1 to A Year in the Life.  📚 Just in time for our winter weather. So, grab your books, a cup of coffee (or hot cocoa), and bundle up by the fire. ❄️Smells Like Snow❄️ (except for SC)   Since there are 408 titles, there will be multiple lists sent out over the next few months. Enjoy!
A Spindle Splintered
That We May Live
Staff Picks

Speedy Reads

  • Morgan R.
  • Thursday, November 18
Are you rushing to complete your reading challenge for the year? Short on time? Check out one of these speedy reads that are under 250 pages and get back to crushing your reading goals. 
Faith. Superstar
The Flash
Staff Picks

Who's Your Superhero?

  • Tuesday, November 16
Some are mutants, some are aliens, some have tapped into the fabric of the universe, and some are just people with money or gadgets - what do they all have in common? They come to the rescue when needed! Peruse this list and see the world from a different perspective - one where superheroes live among us and try to make the world a better place.