Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Classic Horror

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.
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Richland Library Main

Know Before You Share

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. 

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Picks from Levar Burton's Book Club

Check out this list of picks from Levar Burton's Book Club.The latest pick is The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin 
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022: African Authors

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. 
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Stone Cold Thrillers

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.
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LibraryReads for January 2022

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!
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Top Checkouts 2021: Films 🎬

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. 
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2022

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New in Biography and Memoir

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
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Top Checkouts 2021: Teen Audiobooks 🎧

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.  
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Top Checkouts 2021: Adult Audiobooks 🎧

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. 
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Top Checkouts 2021: Teen Fiction 📚

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.  
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Top Checkouts 2021: Adult eBooks 📱

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. 
Staff Picks

Top Checkouts 2021: Adult Fiction 📚

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. 
Staff Picks

Naturalist: E. O. Wilson, 1929-2021

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.
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Richland Library Main

Top Checkouts of 2021

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. 

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Remembering Joan Didion

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
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#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Horror After Lovecraft

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!
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35 Best Romance Books of 2021

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! 
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New Business Books

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.
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New in Science

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.
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Graphic Novel Adaptations

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.
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35 Best Book Club Picks of 2021

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. 
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Richland Library Main

What Exactly Is DHEC?

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

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In Memoriam: bell hooks

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.  
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Richland Library Main

#OwnVoices: The Mistress of Spices (Book Review)

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."

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Celebrating Chosen Family

"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.
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Holiday Mental Health

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.  
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Can't Get Enough Beatles?

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!
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Most Popular Manga of 2021

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

☕ 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!
Staff Picks

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

☕ 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!
Staff Picks

The Queen of the Vampires: Anne Rice

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.
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Richland Library Main

All Her Little Secrets: A Book Review

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.

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Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: The City We Became - A Review

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.

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Richland Library Main

How to Create a Brand Introduction

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. 

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Richland Library Main

The Films of Lina Wertmuller

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

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Manga Debuts of 2021

A lot of manga series kicked off in 2021. Pick up a new favorite across many different genres for teens and up.
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Merry and Bright: Festive Holiday Reads

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.
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Handmade Holidays

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. 
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LibraryReads for December 2021

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!
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Time Travel Adventures

Take a journey with these characters and travel through time for the ultimate adventure!
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New York Times Books of the Year: Biography and Memoir

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.
Staff Picks

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

☕ 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!
Staff Picks

Expand Your Knowledge of the World

🌎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!
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Richland Library Main

A-maize-ing Corn Husk Dolls

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. 

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Book-to-TV In Development: Part IV

As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
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Book-to-TV In Development: Part II

As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
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Book-to-TV In Development: Part I

As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.
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Richland Library Main

Facing Difficult Family During the Holidays

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. 

Staff Picks

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

☕ 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!
Staff Picks

Speedy Reads

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. 
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Who's Your Superhero?

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.
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These Books are on 🔥

These books center around fire 🔥, literal and metaphorical. Find an incendiary read here.  
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Cosmic Horror

Here are some novels of cosmic horror - the horror of the unknowable and incomprehensible.  
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100+ Debut Authors for 2021 📚

Looking for someone new to read?  Give these 2021 debut authors a try - you will find a fine selection of fiction and nonfiction, as well as some of the buzziest books of 2021.
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Soaring Voices

Many First Nation voices, past and present tell us of their worlds, experiences and dreams.  Some of these titles are available as ebooks and other formats. You can also get personalized reading recommendations by email.
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Richland Library Blythewood

A Filmmaker's Journey

“You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks.” – George Lucas, Film Director. 

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Aromatherapy Makes Sense

aromatherapy: inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes broadly : the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being “Aromatherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aromatherapy. Accessed 9 Nov. 2021. Check out these materials to get started with aromatherapy!
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If You Like...Braiding Sweetgrass

📚Below you'll find a variety of books that share a theme or more with Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Enjoy!🌱
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Halloween Hangover Movies

Halloween is over, but the scares don't have to be! Enjoy these nailbiters, some old and some new, but all thrilling. Slashers, ghouls and beasts abound in these horror shows. Each of these titles is scary in their own way, so grab some popcorn and pretend it's still October.
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2021 Booker Prizewinner

South African novelist/playwright Damon Galgut has won the 2021 Booker Prize, England's most prestigious literary award, for his epic novel The Promise, the intergenerational story of an Afrikaner farming family torn apart by an unfulfilled bequest of the family matriarch.  (Galgut has twice before been shortlisted for the prize.)
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Richland Library North Main

Native American Heritage Month

There are 9.7 million Native Americans belonging to 562 federally recognized nations or tribes that live in the US, each with a unique history.

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2021 National Book Award Finalists

The 2021 National Book Award finalists in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature have recently been announced.  While you're waiting to learn who the winners will be (to be announced on 17 November), check out these finalists from our collection. 2021 National Book Awards
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For the Birds

Check out these great reads about our fine feathered friends and those who love to watch them!
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That's So Punny!

If you're looking for a bit of comedic relief, here are a few titles that will either make you groan, or make you laugh out loud and say "that's so punny!"
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Richland Library Ballentine

Native Plants at Ballentine: Crane-Fly Orchid

Native Plant Spotlight: Crane-Fly Orchids

Did you know that South Carolina has several species of native orchids? They're not as flashy as the tropical orchids you typically see for sale in grocery stores or at garden centers, but it is fun to stumble across them when you're walking in the woods. 

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Sandhills Staff Picks

Curious to know what our staff read, watch, and listen to? Well you’re in luck, because we can’t wait to share some of our favorites with you!  Bonus: You can use one of these titles to fulfil the #BroaderBookshelf 2021 prompt to "Read a book suggested by a Library staff member".  
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for November 2021

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in November 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!