Ben-Hur
Bridge to the Sun
Staff Picks

Just Checked In

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows some of the latest items that have been checked in at the library.
Bluey Season 3
The Shaggy Dog
Staff Picks

Coming Soon for Children

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows items that have been ordered and will soon be available for checkout.
The Black Girl Survives in This One
Four Eids and a Funeral
Staff Picks

Coming Soon for Teens

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows items that have been ordered and will soon be available for checkout.
5 Centimeters Per Second
47 Days With Jesus
Staff Picks

Coming Soon for Adults

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows items that have been ordered and will soon be available for checkout.
5 Centimeters Per Second
47 Days With Jesus
Staff Picks

Coming Soon

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows items that have been ordered and will soon be available for checkout.
The Women
The Meaning of Marriage
Staff Picks

Most Popular

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows 500 of the most popular items being checked out at the library.
Staff Picks

Just Checked In for Teens

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, April 26
This list is regularly updated and shows some of the latest items that have been checked in at the library.
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.  
She is a Haunting
The Dream Weaver
Staff Picks

2023 Best Middle Grade and Teen Books featuring Diverse Characters or Experiences

  • Richland Library
  • Friday, November 17
Selected by Richland Library staff, these books represent some of our favorite stories (and non-fiction) featuring diverse characters published in 2023--plus a few older titles that we wanted to make sure you didn't miss.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. 
Seoulmates
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces
Staff Picks

Gift Guide: Books for Your K-Pop Obsessed Teen

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, November 10
In a same vein as the "British Invasion" cultural phenomenon of the 1960's, Korean culture has significantly influenced Gen Z's tastes and trends . From K-dramas (Korean soap operas), K-beauty (Korean beauty products), to K-pop (Korean pop music), Korean cultural influence has been all the rage with the youth. If you have a young person in your life who loves K-pop, these might be some good titles to extend that interest into reading. 
Barbie
Barbie.
Staff Picks

Barbie Party!

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, July 14
It's her DreamHouse and we just live in it. Check out these nostalgic and Barbie-inspired books before the big movie. 
Love from A to Z
Love from a to Z
Staff Picks

Teen Books for Disability Pride Month

  • Alex B.
  • Saturday, July 01
According to the American Bar Association, July is Disability Pride Month which "celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are." Teens can enjoy these books centering and celebrating the experiences of disabled people. 
Number the Stars
Hitler Youth
Staff Picks

Tween Books for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, January 27
The United Nations observes January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day as it's the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Six million Jews died through systemic persecution under the Nazi regime 1933-1945. Now more than ever, it's crucial to talk to kids about important events in history. Check out these books for kids aged 9+ for age appropriate fiction and nonfiction books about the Holocaust.   Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website for more information: https://www.ushmm.org/ 
To Look a Nazi in the Eye
The Light in Hidden Places
Staff Picks

International Holocaust Remembrance Day for Teens

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, January 26
"Oskar Groening, the man accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of more than three hundred thousand Jews in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, was about to enter the German courtroom."--To Look a Nazi in the Eye:  A Teen's Account of a War Criminal Trial by Kathy Kacer with Jordana Lebowitz
All the Days Past, All the Days to Come
Kneel
Staff Picks

Social Justice Reads for Teen Activists

  • Kei G.
  • Tuesday, January 10
Each year, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his activism and legacy within the civil rights movement. This year for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 16) learn more about historic and modern experiences with racial injustice and get inspired to effect change with any of these YA #OwnVoices titles:
Rising Troublemaker
The Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs
Staff Picks

2022 Teen Nonfiction Favorites

  • Jennifer N.
  • Thursday, December 01
Great books on finances, social issues, history, literature, sciences, and so much more has been added to our list of favorite nonfiction titles for teens this year. Pick up one of these illuminating titles today.  Looking for more great teen books?  Check out our personalized recommendations form or give us a call at 803.929.3470. 
Urgent Message from a Hot Planet
The Chosen One
Staff Picks

Issue-Driven Teen Titles of 2022

  • Kei G.
  • Thursday, December 01
Issue-driven and thought-provoking topics have become mainstays within contemporary teen books. Check out these selections that tackle subjects like race, gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and environmentalism for titles that will inspire you to take action and stay conscious. Access even more information on these topics and other perspectives using the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database.
The Diviners
Truly Devious
Staff Picks

11 YA Books for Adults

  • Alex B.
  • Thursday, October 27
Of course anyone can read YA! Here's a few books to get you started if you've never read anything in the YA genre as an adult. From dystopian fiction (Scythe and The Grace Year) to romance (Instructions for Dancing) to fantasy (This Woven Kingdom and Strange the Dreamer), there's a little something for every reader.  
Body Talk
Disability Visibility /.
Staff Picks

Celebrating Every Body: Teen Body Positivity & Self Image

  • Kei G.
  • Wednesday, June 01
Body positivity encourages us to challenge how society views the body and promotes the acceptance of all bodies regardless of weight, complexion, skin texture, height, and disability. These teen titles invite us to embrace everything that makes us different and unique.
Ace of Spades
Kings, Queens, and In-betweens
Staff Picks

Teen Books for Celebrating Pride Month

  • Alex B.
  • Wednesday, June 01
Great news: June is LGBTQIA+ month! Better news: queer representation in young adult literature flourishes year round. From gay time travel romance to LGBTQ+ history, queer representation can take many forms so there's something for everyone in the rainbow. Reading's a great way to feel affirmed in your identity. There's nothing so magical as seeing yourself represented in media. 
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Code Name Verity /.
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 16, 17, 18

  • Jennifer N.
  • Friday, May 06
The transition of the late teen years can be both joyful and confusing. Reading about someone like yourself or escaping into someone else’s shoes are both great ways to learn about the world around you. Check out some of our favorite reads for older teens in the list below.  Happy exploring!
Akata Witch
The Poet X
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 13, 14, 15

  • Jennifer N.
  • Friday, May 06
Looking for some great fiction for younger teens and don’t know where to start? Check out the list below for an overview of some of our favorites. With mysteries, romances, fantasies, nonfiction, and more there’s something for every reader! 
The Beauty That Remains
Freaking out
Staff Picks

Teen Books for Mental Health Awareness Month

  • Lily W.
  • Monday, April 25
A recent study from the CDC found that 37.1% of teenage students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, often due to issues such as “school closures, social isolation, family economic hardship, family loss or illness, and reduced access to health care.” However, the report also found that “poor mental health, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors were less prevalent among those who felt close to persons at school and were virtually connected with others during the pandemic.”
Ikigai for Teens
You Don't Have to Be Everything
Staff Picks

New Teen Nonfiction of 2021

  • Thomas M.
  • Friday, December 03
Teens will run the world someday, and there will be plenty for them to build, change, and maintain as they come of age. Teen nonfiction throughout 2021 instructed readers on representation and social change, including room for teen impact.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Clap When You Land
Staff Picks

2021 Teen Award Winners

  • Jennifer N.
  • Thursday, December 02
Get to know a recent award winner with this list.  Compiled from Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) award lists and the South Carolina Book Awards, these titles encapsulate the best of what young adult literature has to offer this year, and the breadth of talent among YA authors. 
This Indian Kid
#NotYourPrincess
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Indigenous and Native Biographies & History for Older Readers

  • Thursday, December 02
Discover the true stories and history of Indigenous and Native people of the Americas in these titles for middle grade and teen readers.   Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Feminist Af
Every Body Shines
Staff Picks

Issue-Driven Teen Titles

  • Richland Library
  • Tuesday, November 23
Issue-driven and thought-provoking topics have become mainstays within contemporary teen books. Check out these selections that tackle subjects like race, gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and environmentalism for titles that will inspire you to take action and stay conscious. Access even more information on these topics and other perspectives using the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database.
#NotYourPrincess
Native American Voices on Identity, Art, and Culture
Staff Picks

Soaring Voices

  • Helene F.
  • Friday, November 12
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.
The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens
Other Boys
Staff Picks

Anxiety is overwhelming. These books can help.

  • Thomas M.
  • Monday, October 11
Anxiety comes in many forms, all of them personal. Recognizing and describing anxiety is an important step in learning how to manage it. The books below include fictional stories where characters struggle with and confront their anxiety, as well as nonfiction books that deal directly with causes and solutions regarding anxiety.
Antiracist Baby
The Talk
Staff Picks

Let's Talk Race (as a Family...)

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, August 27
Having "The Talk" can feel daunting.  Whether it's sexuality, staying safe or race--it can be difficult to know where to begin. By talking about these important topics early and often, parents and caregivers can increase the whole family's comfort and skill in conversation, making these discussions part of their family culture.  
Start Now!
Be the Change!
Staff Picks

Make Every Day a Mandela Day: Children's, Middle Grade, and Young Adult Books That Take Action and Inspire Change

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Saturday, July 17
International Nelson Mandela Day is July 18th and celebrates Mandela's legacy as a  human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.  The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the U.N ask that you spend 67 minutes of your time helping others in honor of Nelson Mandela 67 years of public services.
Best of Japan.
Seeing Kyoto
Staff Picks

Japan 2021 for Olympics 2020

  • Helene F.
  • Wednesday, July 14
We now get to see Japan, her culture and history after seeing China and Korea present their cultures in previous Olympic Games.  What do you want to learn about first, anime, manga, the language, the food, and the places they all come together in?  Looking for more, and in different formats? Check out our personalized recommendations here or call us at 799-9084.
Girls Like Us
Accused!
Staff Picks

SC Young Adult Book Award Nominees 2021-2022

  • Heather M.
  • Wednesday, June 23
"Since 1976 when sixteen schools participated, the South Carolina Book Award program created by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians has expanded to include almost 64,000 participating students.
My Brother's Husband, Vol. 01
Stonewall
Staff Picks

Out and Proud Young Adult Books

  • Alex B.
  • Friday, June 18
From joy to heartbreak and LGBTQ+ history, these YA books explore many facets of queer life. 
Black Panther
The Black Panthers
Staff Picks

YA and Middle Grade Reads for Juneteenth

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Tuesday, June 15
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. The books recommend below showcase the continued fight for freedom.
A Different Pond
The Best We Could Do
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Historical Asian & Asian American Titles for Children and Teens

  • Jocelyn T.
  • Friday, April 30
Read the historical fiction and nonfiction titles below to learn more about the Asian and Asian American Experience! Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. Find more resources on race, equity, and inclusion, here.
Flesh & Blood So Cheap
The Nazi Hunters
Staff Picks

Page-Turning Nonfiction for Teens

  • Jennifer N.
  • Saturday, March 13
Who doesn’t love a great true story?  These nonfiction titles will transport you to different time and place, leaving you racing toward the end of the book to see how it all turns out while devouring every detail.  Scale a mountain (No Summit Out of Sight), survive the wild (Marooned in the Arctic), win the game (Attucks!; Games of Deception), or dig into history’s gruesome side (The Borden Murders; Flesh & Blood So Cheap; The Family Romanov) in these fast-paced reads. 
Standing on Her Shoulders
Because I Was a Girl
Staff Picks

Women Making History for Tweens & Teens

  • Heather M.
  • Monday, February 01
From Vice President Kamala Harris to Michaela Goade, the first BIPOC woman to win a Caldecott medal, these are just a few of the women making history in 2021.  Let's be clear.  Women have always made history.  Sadly, they have been overshadowed, overlooked or just plain erased from many history books.  But no more. 
All out
Because You Love to Hate Me
Staff Picks

Anthologies for Teens

  • Alison B.
  • Tuesday, January 05
Anthologies are a unique format that can bring together a wide array of voices, both new and familiar, on a variety of genres and topics. In recent years, young adult anthologies have been on the rise in number and popularity.
Pet
Clap When You Land
Staff Picks

Award Winning Books for Teens

  • Jennifer N.
  • Wednesday, December 02
Culled from state, national, and professional awards, the titles below were chosen by teens, teachers, librarians, and reviewers as the best in young adult literature.  From memoirs and biographies (Hey Kiddo, The Great Nijinsky, Ordinary Hazards) to literary and inventive fiction (Pet, Clap When You Land, Dig) and popular titles (Frankly in Love, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me), you’re sure to find something you lo
Tree
Wishtree
Staff Picks

An Arbor Day Celebration

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, November 19
Arbor Day (the first Friday in December) is the beginning of tree planting season in South Carolina.  Celebrate safely by finding moments to walk among the trees and appreciate their quiet majesty. Reading can also deepen our knowledge of even every day subjects. This curated selection of books offers titles for everyone - stories about the importance of trees, the science and even hands-on activities. 
With the Fire on High
With the Fire on High
Staff Picks

YA Books about Family and Self Discovery

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Wednesday, November 18
Blood bound, blended, or chosen family can get complicated. Delve into the family secrets, rivalries, and, time honored traditions in the following novels. Looking for more?  Check out our personalized recommendations form or call us at 803-799-9084.
Firefly. The Complete Series
Stranger Things.
Staff Picks

Friendship

  • Helene F.
  • Saturday, November 14
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.
Votes of Confidence
Glimmer of Hope
Staff Picks

Elections and Issues Information for Teens

  • Jennifer N.
  • Tuesday, October 27
Every vote matters and every voice counts. Make sure your voice is heard by learning more about the political process, political figures, and challenging issues in the titles below.  Access even more information on these topics using the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database, or dig into some fantastic fiction on important social subjects.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Staff Picks

Challenged!

  • Kimberly Jones
  • Sunday, September 27
This year we celebrate Banned Book Week September 22-28. What’s that? Well, since the 1980s libraries all over the world celebrate challenged titles and spread awareness about the freedom to read each year at the end of September. Why these books? Some people feel like the content of these titles is not appropriate and should be censored and taken off bookshelves. No worries though, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom works tirelessly to advocate for our right to have access to these titles.
I Dissent
American Women Activists' Writings
Staff Picks

Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, September 21
From The Notorious RBG to I Dissent, explore the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with these books and movies that span all age ranges.
Kamala Harris
Almost Zero
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Nikki Grimes

  • Heather M.
  • Friday, August 21
Born and raised in New York City, Nikki Grimes has earned several accolades for her writing and poetry. Ms. Grimes has said that reading and writing helped her get through her darkest times as a child.  Helping children process grief through stories is a significant part of her writing. She wants children to see themselves in literature. 
Between the World and Me
The Water Dancer
Staff Picks

Thought Leaders to Read

  • Morgan R.
  • Wednesday, August 19
Thought leaders are the go-to people that we turn to to get inspiration for a movement; their ideas and actions are influential and substantial.Here are a few folx who are leading the charge of race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Give their books a read, follow them on social media and then feel free to share key takeaways, interesting articles, or your personal experiences on our Let's Talk Race padlet.
A Step from Heaven
The Lines We Cross
Staff Picks

Immigration and First Generation Stories for Teens

  • Jennifer N.
  • Thursday, August 13
Explore the lives of teens through the lens of these immigration and first generation stories.  Focusing on characters who are straddling two worlds and two cultures, these stories explore the richness of the immigrant experience, the challenge of naturalization, and the complexity of living within two communities simultaneously. 
The Poet X
The Poet X
Staff Picks

Let's Talk Race for Teens & Adults

  • Children's Room
  • Friday, June 05
Talk about race and the black experience in America with these #OwnVoices titles for teens and adults.
Black Enough
With the Fire on High
Staff Picks

AF AM Teen & YA Reads

  • Rachel
  • Thursday, January 23
Explore coming of age with these compelling novels centered around being young and black-- ranging from romance, psych thrillers, fantasy, and much more. 
The Age of Adaline
Django Unchained
Staff Picks

Southeast Staff Picks Pt. 2

  • Brittany S.
  • Thursday, November 07
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!
Radioactive!
The Madame Curie Complex
Staff Picks

Women in STEM

  • Rebecca K.
  • Saturday, March 09
Check out these stories of women who thrived in male-dominated STEM fields.
Chainmail Bikini
Woke Gaming
Staff Picks

Level Up: Non-fiction for Gamers

  • Rebecca K.
  • Tuesday, February 12
Be at the top of your game with these books that celebrate the rich history, diversity, creativity, and evolution in video game culture. 
Famous Last Words
The Crossover
Staff Picks

Great Books for Middle School Teens

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, May 03
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.