Prince of Thorns
The Blade Itself
Staff Picks

Fantasy Fiction for Adults

  • Kristin A.
  • Friday, May 21
Looking for an escape? Within the pages of a great fantasy novel, you can step inside magnificent worlds, meet wonderful monsters and creatures, and fight alongside heroes and villains. Check out some of these great fantasy novels and get transported into a whole new world. 
The Newcomer
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes
Staff Picks

25 New Beach Reads

  • Mona Verma
  • Wednesday, May 19
There is nothing better than reading a book by the beach, watching the waves during breaks and enjoying the sea breeze. Here are some new books published in 2021 which you can browse and checkout and pack in that beach bag!
The White Tiger
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2021:Read a Book by a Journalist (Fiction)

  • Chantal W.
  • Tuesday, May 18
One of our prompts for the 2021 #BroaderBookshelf Challenge is to read a book by a journalist, but if nonfiction is not your game then try your hand at these fiction offerings.   There are some great middle grade titles here if you want to try your hand at something different or if you have a kiddo with whom you would like to share the reading experience.
Voyaging Southward from the Strait of Magellan
Prague Pictures
Staff Picks

Travel Writing, Classic to Contemporary

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, May 11
As summer approaches and public health restrictions are eased, the prospect of travel, long denied for many, beckons invitingly.  If you are not quite ready to plan a trip yet, consider some of the best that travel writing has to offer, from classics like William Bartram’s exploration of the Southeast in the 1770s to the latest from best-selling travel writer/novelist Paul Theroux.  The following list leans heavily toward the literary travel-writing end of the spectrum (no Fodor’s or Rick Steves guides here).  Only one title per author is included, although severa
Blog
Richland Library Main

Famously Hotspots

  • Megan M.
    Chantal W.
  • Thursday, May 13

From schools to libraries, community centers and more, here's a list of public Wi-Fi spots in Richland County.

Betrayal
Guantanamo Voices
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2021:Read a Book by a Journalist (Nonfiction)

  • Chantal W.
  • Tuesday, May 11
Here is a list of nonfiction books that will help you complete the 2021 #BroaderBookshelf prompt of reading a book by a journalist.  These were the titles that didn't make it onto the other Read a Book by a Journalist lists...here you'll find books about a host of other subjects including business, food, music, sports and travel.
Aquaman
Battlestar Galactica. Season One
Staff Picks

Art Representing Asian American, Pacific Islanders

  • Helene F.
  • Monday, May 10
Graphic novels and manga, with the aid of movies and anime, have been great ways to bring cultures together.  Here is a list of some of my favorite titles with AAPI characters and artists.  Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy
Our Women on the Ground
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2021:Read a Book by a Journalist (Histories)

  • Chantal W.
  • Friday, May 07
One of the reading prompts for the 2021 #BroaderBookshelf Challenge is to read a book by a journalist.  Here's a list of histories to get you started.  In these offerings you will find intricate plotting, fast and slow pacing, compelling writing, thorough research and rich detail.  Enjoy the challenge!
Bossypants
Talking to Strangers
Staff Picks

10 Books for Graduates

  • Brittany S.
  • Thursday, May 06
When the confetti falls and the celebration ends, what is next? Check out these helpful and inspiring titles as you enter a new chapter of your life. 
Blog
Richland Library Cooper

Being Vietnamese-American

  • Charlotte D.
  • Wednesday, May 05

For Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, representation matters in our books.

Akira.
Cowboy Bebop
Staff Picks

Where to Start Your Anime Journey

  • Bryan B.
  • Saturday, May 01
Anime can be an overwhelming medium, especially for someone new. This collection of anime movies are a great starting point to begin your exploration of the medium. Works range from family friendly works by Hayao Miyazaki to the deep and psychological works of the late Satoshi Kon. Whichever you choose, you're bound to find a new world in anime.
Ladies Get Paid
Humor, Seriously
Staff Picks

Ladies Get Paid (and other new business books you might enjoy)

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, April 30
Check out these business and finance books recently added to our collection.  Popular titles include Ladies Get Paid, a manifesto on workplace equality by Claire Wasserman, and Black, White, and The Grey, a memoir by Mashama Bailey and John O.
The Killing Floor.
10,000 Black Men Named George.
Staff Picks

Movies for Workers' Day

  • Keith B.
  • Thursday, April 29
The first day of May has been celebrated as International Workers' Day since 1889 when labor activists were demonstrating and organizing for the eight-hour-day.  The following list is made up of dramatic features, documentaries, and educational series on the labor movement, unionizing, leftist political activism, economic inequality, and working conditions. Mostly focused on American culture and history, it nontheless includes films set around the globe, helping to illustrate the shared struggles of workers everywhere. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

Celebrating National Bike Month

  • Bland L.
  • Thursday, May 20

May is National Bike Month, and although it may strike you as something that was only recently adopted, it has actually been observed since 1956.

Blog
Richland Library Main

AiR Presents: Local Artist Directory!

  • Ashley Warthen
  • Friday, April 30

Let’s give our local artists as much of the spotlight we can! With the pandemic and other issues facing our community, I’m elated to share that One Columbia’s artist directory now lives here on Richland Library.com

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Staff Picks

Lower Richland Staff Picks

  • Bryan B.
  • Thursday, April 29
Lower Richland is Richland Library's newest location, located in Hopkins! Here are some staff picks to help get to know us better:
Kansas City
All Night Long
Staff Picks

Jazz Appreciation Month: Feature Films

  • Keith B.
  • Wednesday, April 28
Just because Jazz Appreciation Month is drawing a close, it doesn't mean your appreciating of Jazz has to end! Here are some movies to entertain you while enriching your understanding of one of America's finest cultural creations. Sit back, pour yourself a cool drink, and enjoy some swinging horns and moving pictures. 
The Gilded Wolves
Children of Blood and Bone
Staff Picks

For Fans of Shadow and Bone

  • Alison B.
  • Wednesday, April 28
Binge watched your way through Netflix's new number one show Shadow and Bone yet? You can of course pick up Grishaverse creator Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone trilogy or Six of Crows duology to finish the tale.
Blog
Richland Library North Main

#OwnVoices: Between the World and Me

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Thursday, June 23

Angry. Scared. Tired. These are only a few of the words to describe how the Black community is feeling right now and how it has felt for the past four hundred years.

Blog
Richland Library Main

The Profound Poetry in 'The Prophet'

  • Mona Verma
  • Wednesday, April 28

There are twenty poems on topics such as Love, Marriage, Children, Giving, Joy and Sorrow, Work, Laws, Freedom, Friendship, Teaching, Pain, Crime and Punishment, and much more. Each poem is simple yet sublime with a mystical message.

While Justice Sleeps
The Newcomer
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for May 2021

  • Sarah C.
  • Monday, April 26
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in May 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
Our Time is Now
Our Time is Now
Staff Picks

Our Vulnerable Democracy: Past, Present and Future

  • Chantal W.
  • Friday, April 23
One of the many things that we learned in the year 2020 is that democracy is a fragile thing.   How do we as regular citizens combat white supremacy?  How do we go about demanding that the institutions that are the foundation of our democracy and government be fairer and actually represent all of us and not just some of us? 
Blog
Richland Library Main

An Interview with Spoken Word Artist Tammaka Staley

  • Phillip W.
  • Friday, June 24

For this post, I spoke to Tammaka Staley, the library's current Artist-in-Residence, and the tenth AiR at Richland Library. She's a poet, spoken word artist and educator. We discuss her background, her approach to her work, and more.

Thyme of Death
Garden Spells
Staff Picks

Herbal Medicine fiction

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 23
As we cultivate our gardens and spruce up the place, why not entertain yourself with some herbal medicinal reads? Fiction, of course! Let's take a break from the dust, dirt, and heat. Time to grab a glass of ice cold lemonade, tea, or infused water and add just a hint of herbal fun to the mix.   
Blog
Richland Library Wheatley

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

  • Jessica Daly
  • Wednesday, April 21

Resumes need to be customized for every job; there's no one size fits all. Here are some tips on how to make your resume standout to hiring managers. 

The Factory
Atlas Shrugged. Part 1.
Staff Picks

Are There Limits to Human Creativity? (Philosophical fiction)

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, April 21
A list of 30 top philosophical reads--included with these selections are various formats (eAudio, eBook, Blu-Ray or DVD, & Standard or Large print).  Enjoy your journey with these philosophical fiction novels that will make you think and analyze the conditions and nature of humans, and maybe gain a different perspective. Some of these titles have been made into motion pictures or turned into TV shows. Feel free to decide if there are limits to human creativity...
Blog
Richland Library Main

Washington Street's Black Business District

  • Margaret D.
  • Tuesday, April 20

Two downtown blocks on Washington Street were once known as Columbia's Black Downtown. View historic photographs of the district from the Walker Local & Family History Center.

Herb Gardening for Dummies
The Integrative Guide to Good Health
Staff Picks

Herbal Guides from the Ground Up

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Great Weather!  Awesome Temperatures! Spring Cleaning! Now, How About Your Garden? Dig into These Books to Get Your Herbs Up and Growing.
East
The Mission Chinese Food Cookbook
Staff Picks

Food Brings Us Together: Asian and Asian American Cookbooks

  • Morgan R.
  • Friday, April 16
Vibrant fresh vegetables, tangy sauces, savory meats and a kick of heat can serve as the base of many Asian dishes and who can say no to that? Foodie or not, there's something in here for everyone.
Pitch
Bad News Bears
Staff Picks

Batter Up for the Next Season of Baseball

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Whether you watch on TV or attend the games in person, it's time to gear up and get your head back in the game. There's a mixture of books, videos, and eOption material for spectators and the aspiring/training athlete. Batter UP!
Martha Stewart's Organizing
Complete Guide to Natural Home Remedies
Staff Picks

Inspiration for Spring Cleaning

  • Ariel H.
  • Friday, April 16
Need a lot of pick-me-up this year to kick off your Spring cleaning? Try some of this titles to inspire your creative cleaning flow!   NEXT STOP:   
What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat
The (other) F Word
Staff Picks

Health at Every Size

  • Jennifer N.
  • Wednesday, April 14
A revolution in size acceptance is upon us.  The titles below explore the work of the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement and the concepts of fatphobia, weight discrimination, body image, disordered eating, radical self love, and weight inclusivity.  Challenging traditional notions of weight and health, these works may lead you to question what you thought you knew about wellness.
Blog
Richland Library Main

Augusta Baker and the Art of Storytelling

  • Rebecca T.
  • Thursday, March 24

"Storytelling at its best is mutual creation. Children listen and, out of the words they hear, create their own mental images; this opening of the mind's eye develops the imagination." - Storytelling: Art and Technique by Augusta Baker and Ellin Greene

Does My Head Look Big in This?
First Comes Marriage
Staff Picks

Biographies and Novels that Explore the Arab American Experience

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Tuesday, April 13
Let’s take the time to celebrate the history, contributions, and culture of the diverse population of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North African regions and within all those countries, there are various languages, religions, traditions that are now part of the American story. Explore their stories though verse, memories, and more.     
On Fragile Waves
Bestiary
Staff Picks

Recent Magical Realism

  • Morgan R.
  • Monday, April 12
When you need a stretch of the imagination, a break from mainstream fiction and predictable mysteries, and like books that are a little weird but not too weird, give one of these newer magical realism releases a try. 
Red Sparrow
Three Hours in Paris
Staff Picks

Female Spies

  • Kristin A.
  • Monday, April 12
Female spies are more than just the femme fatales shown in moves and television. They must have ingenuity, talent, and more than just a little courage. From tales of real heroines from history, to espionage fiction inspired by the bravery of these women, these stories are full of intrigue, espionage, and thrilling edge of your seat storytelling at its best.
Blog
Richland Library Sandhills

Five Trailblazing Women of Richland County

  • Brittany S.
    Alex B.
  • Tuesday, April 27

Let's look at five amazing women leaders who not only have made a positive impact all across Richland County, but have broken down barriers while they were at it. 

Anansi the Spider
Folk Tales & Fables of Asia & Australia
Staff Picks

Good Folk Tales and Fairy Tales for Storytelling

  • Rebecca T.
  • Friday, April 09
In their well-respected book, Storytelling: Art and Technique, Ellin Greene and Augusta Baker tell us: "A good story for telling is one that has something to say and that says it in the best possible way." Check out some of these books to learn more about the traditional art of storytelling and to find folk tales and fairy tales that have something to say and are written in the best possible way!
Blog
Richland Library Main

April is National Poetry Month: Ode to the Onion

  • Kate B.
  • Friday, April 09

What do an onion, a sock, a hummingbird, and ironing all have in common? Chilean poet Pablo Neruda wrote odes to each of these. Learn more about elemental odes and write one yourself.

Crying in H Mart
The Best We Could Do
Staff Picks

25 Essential Books About Asian American Identity and Experience

  • Mona Verma
  • Tuesday, April 06
It is really unjust and unfortunate to see the sharp rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Books are a great way to educate oneself about the Asian American experience. Racism can be combated by reading these human stories and understanding that we are all more alike than different. 
Ernest Hemingway
Across the River and into the Trees
Staff Picks

One True Sentence

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, April 06
With Ken Burns's highly anticipated three-part documentary on Ernest Hemingway currently airing on PBS, now is a good time to dive into the works of this most celebrated of 20th century American literary masters, whose writing style profoundly influenced (for better or worse) many authors who followed him and whose literary sensibility is still something of a touchstone.  In addition to Hemingway's own fiction, nonfiction, and correspondence, the following list includes the definitive multivolume biography by Michael Reynolds, as well as Mary Dearborn's critically acclaimed 2017 bio.
Blog
Richland Library Main

The Story of the Big Apple Night Club

  • Margaret D.
  • Monday, August 21

The Big Apple nightclub was once a swinging spot in downtown Columbia where the music could be heard for blocks around and the dancers took to the floor and started a national dance craze. Let’s take a look back at the exciting story of the Big Apple.

Billie Holiday
Dianne Reeves
Staff Picks

Jazz Appreciation Month: Women in Jazz

  • Chantal W.
  • Monday, April 05
Jazz is a male dominated field, but women have contributed significantly since it began.  Most of the women of Jazz that are well known to most of us (especially those of us who are not aficionados of the genre) do tend to be the vocalists, rather than the instrumentalists.  Here is a list of books, music and film to help you learn more about both.
Forever Young, Gifted, & Black
Nina
Staff Picks

Jazz Appreciation Month: Nina Simone

  • Chantal W.
  • Friday, April 02
"She was one of the most extraordinary artists of the twentieth century, an icon of American music. She was the consummate musical storyteller, a griot as she would come to learn, who used her remarkable talent to create a legacy of liberation, empowerment, passion, and love through a magnificent body of works...She was who the world would come to know as Nina Simone." ~ Source: Official Home of Nina Simone (https://www.ninasimone.com/biography/) 
Artemis
Reynard the Fox
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2021 - Antihero's and Villains as the protagonist

  • Mahogany S.
  • Thursday, April 01
Do you believe there's always an "other" side to each story?  Well here they are. Read some titles that talk about the perspective of the villain or an antihero. Some are tricksters and some are downright murderers. All are darkly enjoyable.   Learn more about the Broader Bookshelf challenge and see more lists here.
Brazen
Drawing Power
Staff Picks

Women's History Month: Graphic Novels For YA Readers

  • Thomas M.
  • Monday, March 29
Women History Month is a time to celebrate and examine women’s history, issues, and contributions. Our team's contributions this month will be providing a quality booklist every Monday featuring strong female characters, movements, and historical figures. 
Blog
Richland Library Main

She Changed Her Name

  • Helene F.
  • Thursday, May 20

Many generations work together to reveal how Sojourner Truth fits in our history or herstory.

Blog
Richland Library Main

4 Reasons Why Remote Work Will Continue After Covid-19

  • Christopher Barstow
  • Monday, March 29

Millions of Americans were required to work remotely in 2020 due to Covid-19. Although there has been a growing demand for decades for flexibility in how and where people work, it wasn’t until the pandemic forced the widespread use of tools like Zoom, that the public perception of virtual work with its many benefits for both employees and employers was truly understood.

Blog
Richland Library Southeast

Mini-Retreat: Play Birdsong Hero

  • Amy A.
  • Sunday, March 28

Wish you could identify birds by their songs? Try this simple game and turn "someday" into "today" for your bird watching bucket-list daydreams. 

Blog
Richland Library Main

The White Tiger: A Book Review

  • Mona Verma
  • Saturday, March 27

There has been a resurgence of interest in Aravind Adiga’s book The White Tiger as Netflix recently released a movie of the same name based on this 2008 Booker prize-winning exemplary work of fiction. 

Blog
Richland Library Main

COVID-19 Resource Review

  • Ariel H.
  • Thursday, October 14

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, but don't know where to look? Check out these resources!

The Intimacy Experiment
The Music of Bees
Staff Picks

LibraryReads for April 2021

  • Sarah C.
  • Tuesday, March 23
Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in April 2021, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
The Making of Asian America
Internment
Staff Picks

Let's Talk Race: The Asian & Asian American Experience

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, March 19
Reading books is a great way to begin working on becoming more anti-racist, and the words on a page can help provide insight into the thoughts, feelings, fears, pain, hopes, and wishes of another human being. Below is a list of titles about the Asian and Asian American experience, to get you started on having a better understanding of what it means to be of Asian heritage in America and how to be a better and more vocal ally.  Also, take a look at these past Richland Library booklists for more recommendations:
The Paradise Snare
Bloodlist
Staff Picks

Women Authors Who Broke the Mold

  • Helene F.
  • Friday, March 19
Women authors have been writing the best thought-provoking novels since the 1960s on. The genre of these authors ranges from Historical Fiction to Fantasy and Science Fiction, some with vampires, dragons, or aliens from space.  C.S. Friedman's title is coming soon. Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.