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Library Card Sign Up Month

Celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month with these great reads about libraries and librarians.
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LibraryReads for September 2023

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in September 2023, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
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Back to School Titles for Teen Readers

Starting a new school year is filled with so many new adventures and feelings. Check out these titles for teen readers to help prepare for the upcoming academic year!
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Back to School Titles for Younger Readers

Starting a new school year is filled with so many new adventures and feelings. Check out these titles for younger readers to help prepare for the upcoming academic year!
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Social Media in Teen Fiction

Are you addicted to the world of likes and shares? Are comments and connections worth the toxicity and loss of privacy? Or are you keeping your distance and disregarding what the world thinks? Social media can be an all-consuming popularity contest full of posing and fake glamour. It can also be a lifeline, tutor, and rallying cry. The books on this list depict social media as all that and more, sometimes with extreme drama, other times with heart.
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Being You: Body Positivity and Self-Image for Children

Picture books with a body positive message can be great tools for developing healthy self-image in children. When we celebrate and accept all bodies, we embrace diversity. With stunning illustrations that truly capture what makes each of us different and unique, these reads will help you feel free to be you!
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2023 Booker Prize Longlist

The longlist for the 2023 Booker Prize has just been announced.  This major award recognizes English-language fiction published in the UK and Ireland.  The winner will be announced in November; in the meantime, check out the following longlist titles from our collection.
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Big Transitions for Little Humans

Life is full of transitions: big or small, they are all important in the life of a child. Books are a great way to introduce children to new ideas, concepts, and experiences. Transitions including going to a new school--or going to school for the first time--and moving houses, cities, and states are huge milestones in a child's life and can be made more understandable and relatable through this list of picture books at Richland Library. If you have questions or would like to place books on hold, call the Children's Room at Main at (803) 929-3434. We're always happy to help you!
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2023 First Novel Prize Longlist

The longlist for the 2023 First Novel Prize has just been announced.  This prize, created by the Center for Fiction to honor the best debut novel of the year, was first awarded in 2006.  This year's prizewinner will be announced in December.  In the meantime, check out these longlist titles from our collection.
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LibraryReads for August 2023

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in August 2023, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
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"Where are your boy books for teens?" - Fantasy

If you are looking for books with male protagonists across a variety of genres, then this series of booklists has plenty to recommend. This list features books about magic, kingdoms, and supernatural beings.
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"Where are your boy books for teens?" - Contemporary

If you are looking for books with male protagonists across a variety of genres, then this series of booklists has plenty to recommend. This list features books that take place away from spies, spaceships, and superheroes. Sometimes the real world is just more interesting.
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"Where are your boy books for teens?" - Sci Fi & Dystopian

If you are looking for books with male protagonists across a variety of genres, then this series of booklists has plenty to recommend. This list features books about strange worlds, scientific phenomena, superpowers, and surviving the end of the world.
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"Where are your boy books for teens?" - Sports

If you are looking for books with male protagonists across a variety of genres, then this series of booklists has plenty to recommend. This list features books about athletes and the role sports play in their lives.
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2023 Hugo Award Nominees

The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 and presented annually since 1955, are science fiction’s most prestigious award.Check out the 2023 nominees...
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If You Liked...Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry was a GMA book club pick and a TV series is coming out later this year. Check out theses similar titles while you wait for your hold...
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Teen Books for Disability Pride Month

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. 
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Disability Pride for Middle Grade Readers

According to the American Bar Association, July is Disability Pride Month "a time for the disability community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard." These books for middle graders center disabled people's voices and celebrate their experiences. 
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The Selden K. Smith Holocaust Collection, Part 1

Richland Library welcomes items from the personal Holocaust collection of Dr. Selden K. Smith. Housed primarily at Richland Library Main the collection includes over 250 items.
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2023 International Booker Prize

Bulgarian novelist Georgi Gospodinov's Time Shelter has won the 2023 International Booker Prize.  This prize was created in 2004 to recognize works of fiction that weren't eligible for the regular Booker Prize (awarded to books by authors hailing from anywhere in the British Commonwealth).  Check out this prizewinning title, as well as these other nominees for the 2023 prize.
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LibraryReads for July 2023

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in July 2023, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
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The Blurred Line: Magical Realism

Originating in Latin America, Magical Realism is a genre which depicts a setting rooted in realism, but which has elements of fantasy. Magical realism offers audiences the opportunity to look at the world from a different angle. The familiar becomes strange, and the strange in return becomes ordinary. Here are just a few books that blurs the line between fantasy and reality.
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Across the Multiverse

With its incredible animation, soundtrack, and attention to even the most minute details Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a showstopper that left audiences wanting to see more of the spider-verse. This list is for anyone who’s given up on waiting for their own dimensional rift to open up in their backyard. Here are some fantastic titles that will whip you from one world to the next. Just be warned, not all multiverses are full of wise-cracking crime fighting spider people. Some are just filled with spiders.
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Teen Girl Gangs

When a group of girls join together to take on the world, nothing can stop them. Overcoming horrors, villains, battles of the band, and misogyny will require solidarity, a kick-butt attitude, and unbreakable will. These girls have the moxie to assert themselves, stand up for one another, and upset age-old narratives and expectations.
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Books Featuring Black Mermaids & Sirens

In celebration of Disney's release of the live action version of The Little Mermaid, check out these amazing titles that feature Black mermaids and sirens. Mermaids and sirens are fantastical creatures; however, they have religious and historical importance to the Black community. Some of these titles are light-hearted while others explore more complex themes such as grief, racism, misogyny, slavery, and more. What they all have in common is the celebration of the impact that mermaids and sirens have had on the Black community for centuries. 
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LibraryReads for June 2023

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in June 2023, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
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Exciting Adventures & Romantic Reads for Teens

Summer is a time for adventure. Whether it's a search for love, or a battle for survival, summer is an opportunity to travel to rich landscapes and meet extraordinary people. These books have been selected for their diverse characters, thrilling settings, and plots that will have you swiftly turning the pages. 
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Pride Picks for 2023: LGBTQIA+ Teen Reads

June is Pride month! Uplift and celebrate diverse stories and voices of the LGBTQIA+ community by reading a young adult novel with queer representation.
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Level 1 Decodable Chapter Books: Alba Series

This 12-book series follows the adventures of the feisty and determined Anna. She uses her super-sleuthing and problem-solving skills to battle the mighty superbugs who threaten to destroy her father’s scientific work. 
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Level 1 Decodable Chapter Books: Magic Belt Series

Looking for action and adventure? The Magic Belt series follows Zak’s quest to save his grandfather’s life. He sets out on a magical quest to collect hidden gems that will unlock the cure for grandfather illness. Zak races against time as he hurdles through obstacle after obstacle. 
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Decodable Chapter Books: Talisman Series

The night before his 14th birthday, Zak has a strange dream. A mysterious lady appears before him bearing an important message: "The Dark Master is creating a new talisman, even more powerful than the first. All of mankind is at risk. You must resume your quest and stop him!" she tells him. Together with Mim and a skinny, old mule, Zak sets off to Volcano Island to confront the Dark Master. Will he be able to reach him before it is too late? Will he be able to save humanity?
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2023 Pulitzer Prizes

Check out the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists in the categories of fiction, history, biography, memoir/ autobiography, poetry, and general nonfiction.
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AAPI SCI-FI and Fantasy Books Written by Women

Featuring folklore, magic, dystopias, and more, these SCI-FI and fantasy novels are perfect reads for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and beyond.
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Best Friends Forever: YA Reads on Friendship

The bond between best friends is unique and powerful! These YA reads portray the highs and lows of the treasured BFF connection and what it means to have someone through thick and thin.
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LibraryReads for May 2023

Each month, LibraryReads lists the top upcoming titles recommended by librarians across the country.  All these books will be published in May 2023, so stay ahead of the curve and get on the holds list now!
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A Bouquet of Books

Enjoy the floral designs on these YA covers...but beware! Some flowers have thorns!
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YA Verse Novels

April is National Poetry Month! Novels-in-verse use poetry to create unique stories with each stanza. Take a break from typical prose and try a poetic novel that has its own distinct style and flair!
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Books by Trans Authors

Looking for books to add to your #TransRightsReadathon reading list?  This list of books by trans authors has a little bit of everything, from memoir to romance to sci fi to horror! 
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If You Liked Everything Everywhere All at Once

With its incredible visuals and heartfelt story, Everything Everywhere All At Once has captured movie-goers hearts (as well as several awards). If you can't stop thinking about this film, then let one of these novels take you on a wild ride! Get ready to immerse yourself in new worlds and alternate realities, and go deeper to explore your relationships and intergenerational traumas. When you are done reading these books, you’ll realize that the universe is so much bigger than you realize. 
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Courageous Heroines

Celebrate Women's History Month this year with action/adventure novels featuring heroic leading ladies!
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If You Liked... The Last of Us

Trekking across post-apocalyptic landscapes. Surviving in a broken world. Watching morality corrode as infection compromises everything. Never giving up on the one person you can trust. These are just some of the themes evoked by The Last of Us, and you will also find them in the reading experiences below.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Technology (Graphic Novel)

Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a fiction or nonfiction book about technology".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Technology (Fiction)

Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a fiction or nonfiction book about technology".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
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It's the End of the World (as We Know It)

If you are a fan of HBO's The Last of Us, explore these newer apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic fiction titles that will keep you entertained until the next episode drops. Want more? Click here to get your personalized reading recommendations.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Technology (Sci-Fi)

Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a fiction or nonfiction book about technology".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
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Cat Manga To Get Your Paws On

We're not kitten about these manga! Check out the coziest, the creepiest, and the scariest stories featuring librarians' favorite animal--cats.  
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Infectious Tales

Settle in for the thrill rides and action-packed pages of these futuristic narratives.
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Romances to Swoon Over

Are you a romantic that wears their heart on their sleeve? Get in the lovey-dovey mood this coming Valentine's Day with a read sure to give you that butterflies in the stomach feeling!
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Books Written by Japanese Authors

Fulfill the "Read a book written by an author of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese descent" prompt with these titles. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 reading challenge. Find more lists here.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Books Written by Vietnamese Authors

Fulfill the "Read a book written by an author of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese descent" prompt with these titles. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 reading challenge. Find more lists here.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Books Written by Korean Authors

Fulfill the "Read a book written by an author of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese descent" prompt with these titles. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 reading challenge. Find more lists here.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Books Written by Asian Authors

Fulfill the "Read a book written by an author of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese descent" prompt with these titles. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 reading challenge. Find more lists here.
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Tween Books for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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/ 
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day for Teens

"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
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Cozy Fantasy

Looking for a low-stakes and comforting book? A cozy fantasy may be just what you're looking for. Featuring goodhearted characters, supportive friends, magical elements, and often even found family, cozy fantasies are a great palate cleanser between epic fantasy reads, or just when you are looking for a heart-warming book to curl up with.
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#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Read an Author's Debut Title (Romance)

Fulfill the "Read a book written by an author of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese descent" prompt with these titles. This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 reading challenge. Find more lists here.  
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Social Justice Reads for Teen Activists

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:
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Nail Biting Thrillers

These bold, deeply chilling titles will have you on edge through each disturbing twist and turn. 
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Young Adult Women's Wrongs

I support women's rights, and I also support women's wrongs. Anti-heroines are just plain fun! Check out these books for women you love to hate. 
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Mysteries to Keep You Guessing

True Crime stories, Whodunits, and Paranormal Investigations have a way of intriguing many of us. Indulge your inner sleuth with any of these YA Mystery titles. 
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Coming of Age Stories for the New Year

The start of a New Year is a great time to discover new talents or hobbies and define your personality—as they say, “New Year, New You!” Check out these Coming-of-Age stories featuring characters discovering their true selves as you set goals and reflect on what makes you unique! 
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New Superhero Comics of 2022

This year saw its share of fresh superhero stories. Each of these titles could be the jumping-on point that delivers you into a larger universe of heroes and villains or brings you closer to a familiar favorite. Who will you meet next?
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#FinLit Reviews Booklist

The months of #FinLit Book Review blog posts are adding up. Here is a handy list of all of the fiction and nonfiction reviewed for their financial literacy value on the Richland Library blog.
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Can We Book You For Prom??

It's prom season! Get hyped before the big night with these books! 
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2022 Holiday Gifts for Early Elementary

Did you know that reading every day from an early age helps expand your child’s attention span? The early elementary ages are a great time to develop those skills by reading both novels and picture books aloud to your child. Whether reading independently or together, being surrounded by books will nurture their reading and will help them go from beginning to read to reading fluently. 
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2022 Holiday Gifts for Upper Elementary

Children at this age are branching out into longer books.  Novels can echo their real life experiences, but they can also tell new stories, boosting their imaginations and building their empathy.  Books for tweens can be their way of fitting in or standing out.  These books can also offer comfort during this time of transition and help them discover who they might grow up to be. 
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2022 Holiday Gifts for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are primed for discovery and books are no exception. Treating books with loving care is something preschoolers are also beginning to learn.  They will take pride in their growing library when you give the gift of books. Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. 
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2022 Holiday Gifts for Babies & Toddlers

Babies and toddlers are getting an introduction to the world of books.  Reading to them on a daily basis helps them develop a routine where they begin to associate love, interaction, and family with books. Looking for even more good books?  Check out our personalized recommendations or call us at 803-799-9084. 
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2022 Picks for Younger Teens

Check out the titles below for the same thrilling twists and turns you’ve come to love in young adult literature, with gentle romances and bold adventures.  Looking for more great teen books?  Check out our personalized recommendations form or give us a call at 803.929.3470. 
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Screen to Page: Familiar Favorites for Teens

Want to read more about your favorite characters? Check out these media tie-in titles to get more details and depth on familiar faces from movies and comics.  Looking for more great teen books?  Check out our personalized recommendations form or give us a call at 803.929.3470. 
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2022 Teen Series Additions

Your favorite stories continue in these latest additions to popular YA series. From epic fantasies to edge-of-your seat thrillers, you won't want to miss the next books in these addictive teen series.  Looking for more great teen books?  Check out our personalized recommendations form or give us a call at 803.929.3470. 
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Teen Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2022

From mystical worlds to galaxies in deep space, scientific and magical adventures await you between the pages of these 2022 Sci-Fi and Fantasy titles!