Staff Picks

7 Books Based on Podcasts You Love

Love these podcasts, but desperate for more content? You and me both! Check out these titles to support your favorite podcasts. 
Staff Picks

New Manga Series of 2020

Here are series that launched or received new editions in 2020, expanding manga shelves for readers to escape into a number of genres.
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Great Recent Manga For Teens

If you know a manga addict who's on the lookout for a great new series to burrow through, give these series a try. From the gentle fantasy of Delicious In Dungeon, Witch Hat Atelier, and Flying Witch to the action/horror of Demon Slayer and The Promised Neverland, there's plenty to stimulate the imagination. Readers looking for something more realistic will enjoy the relationship drama of Blue Flag as well as the cuteness of Tomo-chan Is A Girl and Shortcake Cake.
Staff Picks

2020's Hottest Comics & Graphic Novels For Teens

From superheroes to memoirs to D&D campaigns, the past year was full of great graphic novels for teens. Some are standalone while others lead to series, making gift ideas as compact or stacked as your recipient would like.
Staff Picks

Friendship

Friendships near and far Connecting with friends and family, we are able to listen to each other's experiences.  Let these items show us that we are not alone in how it feels to be human.    Looking for more? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Staff Picks

Comics For Fans of "The Boys"

If you've caught up on the subversive superhero series The Boys and are looking for comics in the same vein, check out the titles below. Whether you're looking for irreverent humor, icons falling from grace, redemption for imperfect heroes, or protagonists who fight dirty to take on dark evils, these series are for you. As an additional recommendation, click here to check out Irredeemable from Hoopla.
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Year of the misfits

Misfits taking the stage   Have you ever felt like a fish out of water?  Have you wanted to step out of your comfort zone? Different people, becoming a family, in every sense of the word.  Ask your local librarian for even more suggestions!
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2020 Harvey Award Winners

The winners of the 2020 Harvey Awards, which are selected by comics industry professionals, have been announced across six categories. Check out some of the best recent comics below. The full list of nominees can be found here.  
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Author Spotlight: Mariko Tamaki

Mariko Tamaki was born in Toronto, Ontario. Her writing often deals with the inner turmoil of teenagers, especially in titles such as Skim and This One Summer, both illustrated by her cousin Jillian Tamaki, as well as Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, illustrated by Rosemary Valer-O’Connell.  Tamaki’s protagonists are marked by her talent for writing authentic flaws and personal conflict.
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Author Spotlight: Nnedi Okorafor

Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor's body of work includes short stories, comics, and books for a variety of ages.  She has won multiple awards--everything from a World Fantasy Award (2011) to a Nebula and Hugo Award (2016).  Most recently, she was recognized by the Eisner Awards for her comic, LaGuardia (2020).  Ms.
Staff Picks

2020 Eisner Award Winners

Check out the winners of the 2020 Eisner Awards, announced at San Diego Comic-Con. You can see a full list of categories, nominees, and winners here, as well as the broadcast of the awards hosted by Phil LaMarr here. Keep in mind that Eisner categories span across various creative roles, formats, and target age ranges.
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Comics Connections For Live-Action Series

A lot of popular shows are inspired by or spun off into graphic novels these days, including the titles below. Explore the comics roots and adaptations of several hot live-action shows via Hoopla. These titles are immediately available for digital checkout with no wait times!
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How To Find Big Comics On Hoopla

Whether you're in the mood for a nice, long comic on Hoopla or are simply looking to maximize your last checkout for the month, here are some search terms that will go the distance in the search field: “Book One,” “Omnibus,” “Complete,” and “Deluxe Edition.” Some great examples of the results are listed below. Settle in and enjoy!
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The Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2019

The following books were all named in the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature's Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2019. This list offers a variety of picture books, novels, and nonfiction for children and teens.
Staff Picks

Graphic Novels In Living Color

In Collaboration with Avery Harrison Enjoy these graphic novels that celebrate African American History Month, as well as the month of March. Make your way down to your local library or personal electronic device to check them out.  Ask your local librarian for even more suggestions.
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STEM-Sational Picks for Kids

Do you have a budding builder in your home? A LEGO lover? A tinkering tot? Let your child's imagination soar with these engineering-inspired books and get to making something amazing!
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Melanin Poppin' Graphic Novels

This list features Graphic Novels that have Black or Brown Protagonists and/or Secondary Characters. 
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AF AM Teen & YA Reads

Explore coming of age with these compelling novels centered around being young and black-- ranging from romance, psych thrillers, fantasy, and much more. 
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These Graphic Novels Will Shock and Horrify You!

These works are not for the faint of heart! These are some of the best of the best of horror comics and manga, each one more horrifying than the last. Readers, beware!   CN: Blood, Gore, Language, Nudity (They're not for kids!)
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If You Liked Saga, Then Try...

End the Decade with some great Image Comics! If you like quirkiness, beautiful art, and/or a little bit of moral ambiguity, give these comics a try. 
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Children's Books for Adults

These works might have been written with children in mind, but there's something for everyone in these classics.
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Sandhills Staff Picks of 2019

It's that time of year again when "Best Of" lists are everywhere you turn. Well, we are jumping on the bandwagon here at Richland Library Sandhills and have curated a very special list just for you of our favorites reads this year (with just a few from last year!)
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Southeast Staff Picks Pt. 3

Have you ever wondered what we're checking out? Take a look at what titles Richland Library Southeast and Lower Richland's staff have picked as their faves. There's definitely a variety to choose from!
Staff Picks

Five Great Comics For Fans of Dungeons, Dragons, and Tabletop RPGs

Whether you've got your own Dungeons & Dragons handbooks or have never rolled 20-sided dice before, we have some great graphic novels for you. Each of these titles puts a unique spin on the imagination, teamwork, and personalities that go into role-playing games. If you're between the ages of 12-18 and interested in joining a D&D group, contact the Richland Library Teen Center at (803) 929-3470 and ask about registering for one of our upcoming sessions.
Staff Picks

Scary Stories to Keep You Up All Night

It's almost fall, the perfect time for dark, eerie, spine-tingling tales! Don't be afraid to pick up one of these horror story collections, full of enough thrills and chills to give you nightmares. 
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Growing Up 80's

If you've finished the latest season of Stranger Things and you're full of nostalgia, check out these books about coming of age in the 1980's!
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Adventures in Road Tripping

If you need some inspiration for your own summer travel plans, or if you want to take a journey without leaving the comfort of your favorite reading spot, check out these novels about road trips. Join characters as they learn more about themselves while they travel across America, throughout the world, and even across dimensions!
Staff Picks

Queer Comics For Teens

Below is a list of graphic novels featuring queer leads for teen readers. They range from realistic to fantastical, but they share a theme of acceptance and pride in who you are.
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Queer Comics For Young Readers

Enjoy this list of books featuring queer characters, great for young readers every month of the year.
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Inspired by Alice

If you can't get enough of the absurd fantasy world and peculiar characters of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice tales, try these modern books, inspired by the magic of Wonderland. 
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Ten Toasty Manga Recommendations From the Teen Anime Club

The teen anime club at Richland Library Main, T.O.A.S.T. (Team Of Anime-Seeking Teens) recommends the following ten titles for anyone looking to give manga a try. You will find romance, fantasy, science fiction, action, horror, and lots of gorgeous artwork in the pages of these series.
Staff Picks

The Many, Many Reading Recommendations From NashiCon 2019

Richland Library was at NashiCon asking attendees what they're reading. The responses available in our catalog are listed below, including plenty of manga and novels for all kinds of readers.
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Women in STEM

Check out these stories of women who thrived in male-dominated STEM fields.
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Flying Higher, Further, Faster With Captain Marvel

Looking forward to the Captain Marvel movie? Take flight with Carol Danvers, noted air force pilot, cat lover, and superhero, across several of her comics adventures listed below.
Staff Picks

Robot Companions

We've all heard the terrifying stories of robot uprisings, but these books explore other potential relationships with technology. Imagine a future with robots as companions, and discover more about what it means to be human.
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Level Up: Non-fiction for Gamers

Be at the top of your game with these books that celebrate the rich history, diversity, creativity, and evolution in video game culture. 
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Great Marvel Comics For Tweens

If you're looking for inventive, exciting Marvel action that lights up the page but isn't too spicy for younger readers, check out the graphic novels below.
Staff Picks

Comics With Black Protagonists

Check out the list below for print and digital comics featuring black protagonists, including superheroes, historical figures, and fiction of all sorts.
Staff Picks

Comics With Black Protagonists

Check out the list below for print and digital comics featuring black protagonists, including superheroes, historical figures, and fiction of all sorts.
Staff Picks

Great Graphic Novels For Teens 2019

If you are between the ages of 12-18 or just looking for great comics, this list is for you. The latest Great Graphic Novels For Teens list, provided by the Young Adult Library Services Association, covers graphic novels of all genres, from science fiction and fantasy to realistic fiction and biography. Check out the titles below available for checkout in print and digitally through Hoopla.
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 11-12-13

Hand selected by the Children's Room staff, these books are perfect for any middle school student looking for a break from reality, a mirror in which to see themselves, or a window into someone else's life. Be sure to ask your local librarian to suggest even more titles. You can check out 60 books with your library card!
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 9-10-11

Hand selected by the Children's Room staff, these books are sure to appease the late elementary students who are wading their way to middle school. Be sure to ask your local librarian for even more suggestions. You can check out 60 books with your library card!
Staff Picks

If You Like Dog Man...

If you love the wildly popular series Dog Man by Dav Pilkey but are craving more titles faster than he can crank them out, try these! Some will have your sides in stitches, others will satisfy the quest for comics. You can check out 60 books with your Richland Library card. Ask your local librarian for even more great suggestions!
Staff Picks

Different from All Other Nights: Jewish Non-Holocaust Historical Fiction

There are many beautiful, moving historical fiction books about the Holocaust.  None of them are on this list!  If you'd like to read some fiction about the many other periods in Jewish history, this list is for you.  (Some of these may have characters with memories of the Holocaust or partially take place in World War II, but the Holocaust experience is not the main focus.)
Staff Picks

Moving Pictures: The Jewish Experience in Graphic Novels

From Superman to Maus, comics wouldn't be the same without Jewish creators.  Enjoy this list of graphic novels about the Jewish experience and nonfiction books about Jewish contributions to sequential art. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf2019 reading challenge.  Find more lists here.
Staff Picks

New Manga of 2018

With 2018 winding down, let's take a look back at all the new manga titles and series that came out in the past year. These debuts range from fantasy and science fiction to romance and drama. Every "Vol. 1" is an invitation to try something new.
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If You Liked: Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse

If Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse made you want to add more Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, and wider Spider-Verse stories to your reading web, we've got easy access to comics and readalikes. No wallcrawling required.
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If You Liked: Aquaman

Would you like to take a deep dive into the world of Aquaman, especially after seeing the new movie? Whether you're just dipping your toe into legends of Atlantis or looking to make a splash into all things Atlantean, Richland Library is your pipeline for good comics.
Staff Picks

4 Manga About Beginning A New Life

Reincarnation. Rebirth. 1-Up. When it comes to these manga, starting over is the name of the game. Check out the manga series listed below to get lost in a story about characters also getting lost in a story. Whether it's a new life as a dungeon spider, a shape-shifting slime, or an immortal avatar, you and the main character are starting on the same page!
Staff Picks

Great Books for Middle School Teens

Looking for a great book for your teen? From historical adventures across the country to fantasy worlds beyond imagination, Richland Library has it all. Check out the list below to find some of our favorites! Don't see what you're looking for? Stop by any Richland Library location for more recommendations.