Stars of the Night
The Story of Bodri
Staff Picks

International Holocaust Remembrance Day for Young Readers

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, January 26
“There will be times when you'll feel lonely and homesick.  Let the stars of the night and the sun of the day be the messenger of our thoughts and love.”― Stars of the Night:  The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson | illustrated by Selina Alko
If then
American Inventions
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Technology (History)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, January 23
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.
All the Gay Saints
Let's All Die Happy
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - Award Winning Authors

  • Mahogany S.
  • Friday, January 20
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Anthropocene Lullaby
Light for the World to See
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - Prosaic & Poetic

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, January 16
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  (These titles are by authors who write novels and articles in addition to poetry). This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Wild Beauty = Belleza Salvaje
Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - Translations

  • Mahogany S.
  • Friday, January 13
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
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:
If They Come for Us
Let's All Die Happy
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - Debut Titles

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, January 09
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Viability
Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - More than 100 pages

  • Mahogany S.
  • Friday, January 06
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010
Collected Poems
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2023 - Poetry After 2003 - Collections

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, January 02
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge prompt "read a collection of poetry published since 2003".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2023 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Saving Main Street
The LEGO Story
Staff Picks

New Business Books

  • Bland L.
  • Thursday, December 22
Notable new titles include Walt Bogdanich’s When McKinsey Comes to Town, about the influential and controversial consulting firm known for the draconian measures it often recommends to its client businesses, and Gary Rivlin’s Saving Main Street, about the re
How to Money
Project Startup
Staff Picks

#FinLit Reviews Booklist

  • Thomas M.
  • Friday, December 16
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.
Before the Big Bang
The Seed Detective
Staff Picks

New in Science

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, December 14
Among the latest science titles are two from award-winning authors whose books regularly appear on the nonfiction best-seller lists.  Unlike most previous books on Covid-19, which have focused on the medical drama of the pandemic, David Quammen’s Breathless takes a purely scientific perspective on the struggle to understand the virus.  Siddhartha Mukherjee’s
Martha Graham
Savor
Staff Picks

New in Biography and Memoir

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, December 12
New and noteworthy titles include You Don’t Know What War Is, the diary of twelve-year-old Yeva Skalietska, who had to flee Ukraine with her grandmother at the outset of the current war, and Neil Baldwin's Martha Graham: When Dance Became Modern.&nbsp
The People Remember
Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls
Staff Picks

2022 Holiday Gifts for Early Elementary

  • Richland Library
  • Sunday, December 04
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. 
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.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide
Python & C++ The Complete Manual /.
Staff Picks

Tech Recs

  • Leighan C.
  • Monday, November 14
It's no surprise that IT careers are booming, and keeping up with the latest and most marketable qualifications is crucial for those looking to re-skill, upskill or explore a new profession.  
LeBron, Inc.
Hunting Eichmann
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Nonfiction with Character Names

  • Mahogany S.
  • Friday, November 11
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book with the character's name in the title".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
What Happened to You?
Codependent No More
Staff Picks

Psychological Family Trauma: Non-Fiction

  • Ariel H.
  • Tuesday, November 01
Below you'll find a curated list on psychological trauma. If you're currently dealing with any domestic violence or in need of immediate assistance, you can speak with one of our social workers. Their contact information is provided below: Email: socialworker@richlandlibrary.com Phone: 803.509.8371 Text: 803.386.8506 Fax: 803.973.788
Windmaker. Volume One
Smoking the Bible
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - African Countries Authors (Western Africa)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, October 31
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book by an author from an African nation".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Girl with Braided Hair
Bird Summons
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - African Countries Authors (Northern Africa)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, October 31
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book by an author from an African nation".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Kintu
Tropic of Violence
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - African Countries Authors (Eastern Africa)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, October 31
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book by an author from an African nation".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Heart of Redness
Afterland
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - African Countries Authors (Southern Africa)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, October 31
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book by an author from an African nation".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Impatient
The Book of Chameleons
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - African Countries Authors (Central Africa)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Monday, October 31
Check out one of these titles and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book by an author from an African nation".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
South to America
Ardennes 1944
Staff Picks

2022 Charleston Literary Festival Authors

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, October 05
This year’s Charleston Literary Festival, taking place November 4-13, will feature a spectacular array of fiction and nonfiction writers.  The fiction roster includes literary-fiction heavyweight Ian McEwan, as well as best-selling authors Geraldine Brooks and Nic Hornby.  Among those representing nonfiction are African American studies scholar Eddie S.
All This Could Be Different
When We Were Sisters
Staff Picks

2022 National Book Award Longlists

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, September 16
The 2022 National Book Award longlists have just been announced.  The finalists will be named on 4 October.  In the meantime, check out these contenders in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young people's literature, and translated literature.
Nickel and Dimed
Bait and Switch
Staff Picks

Remembering Barbara Ehrenreich

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, September 06
Barbara Ehrenreich, who for more than fifty years dissected American culture in a series of perceptive books (many of them best sellers), died on 1 Sept.
Post York
Windows on the World
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Graphic Novels set in NY

  • Mahogany S.
  • Wednesday, August 31
Check out one of these graphic novels and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a fiction or nonfiction book set in California or New York".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Stage Dreams
California Dreamin'
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Graphic Novels set in CA

  • Mahogany S.
  • Wednesday, August 31
Check out one of these graphic novels and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a fiction or nonfiction book set in California or New York".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Murder of Emmett Till
Nelson Mandela
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Graphic Novels with Character Names (Non-Fiction)

  • Mahogany S.
  • Wednesday, August 31
Check out one of these graphic novels and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a book with a characters name in the title".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Witch Please
Staff Picks

Books to Add to Your Witch List

  • Morgan R.
  • Tuesday, August 30
Witchy vibes? Check. Sweater weather? Check. Mug of something hot to drink? Check. If hexes, curses, and cackling laughs are your thing, try one of these reads that is sure to cast a spell on you.
Hear My Voice
Sing, Don't Cry
Staff Picks

Immigration and Refugee Stories: Children's Novels and Nonfiction

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, August 16
Refugee and immigrant stories are American stories. Richland Library has a multitude of beautiful novels and nonfiction books that tell a variety of stories of children and families coming to America in search of a better life. You can place books on hold online or call us in the Children's Room at (803) 929-3434 and we will happily place holds for you to pick up in the CR or at any branch location. 
You're Not Listening
Listen!
Staff Picks

Are You Listening?: Self Improvement Books on Communication

  • Chantal W.
  • Tuesday, August 16
One of the 2022 #BroaderBookshelf Challenge prompts this year is to read a self improvement book.  Are you looking to be a better communicator?  Then these books about mindful listening, communication and how to have hard conversations with family, friends, coworkers and community members might be for you and you get to check off a #BroaderBookshelf prompt at the same time.
Birds
Bateman's Backyard Birds
Staff Picks

Great Bird Books for Kids

  • Jenny D.
  • Saturday, August 13
Tweet! Tweet! Get outside and learn about the birds you see every day and many more. Explore the world of birds and become an expert with this selection of books for kids of all ages.
The Pioneers
1776
Staff Picks

American Biographer

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, August 09
Author David G. McCullough, who died on 7 August, has left a rich legacy of biographies and histories that met with both critical and public acclaim.  The recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Book Awards, among many other literary prizes, McCullough published a series of best-selling books from 1968 to 2019, all still fresh and relevant for their insight and erudition.  Check out these landmark works from our collection.
Dancing at the Pity Party
Be Gay, Do Comics!
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Graphic Novel Memoirs by Non-Celebrities

  • Mahogany S.
  • Thursday, August 04
Check out one of these graphic novels and fulfill the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge prompt "read a memoir by someone who is not a celebrity".  This list is part of the #BroaderBookshelf 2022 Reading Challenge. Find more lists here.
Assignment Russia
The Brink
Staff Picks

The Cold War

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, July 22
The Cold War was famously never a declared “war” but an ideological struggle that unfolded in a decades-long series of proxy conflicts.  Researchers are still uncovering new information from archives and other sources to better explain this strange period, which one historian has referred to as the “Fifty-Year Wound.”  Check out these recent titles from our collection if you’re curious to learn more.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Licorice Pizza
Staff Picks

Sandhills Staff Picks: Summer 2022 Edition

  • Morgan R.
  • Monday, July 18
Not sure what to read, watch or listen to? We can help! The staff at Sandhills love to give recommendations! Here are some of our favorites to talk about. Check out our Personalized Recommendation service here.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities
The Columbia Anthology of Gay Literature
Staff Picks

LGBTQIA Readers' Guide

  • Zita R.
  • Monday, July 18
We have a growing collection of non-fiction titles about The LQBTQ+ experience, history, politics, health, literature, and art. Here are a few that you can check out as a physical book to carry to the coffee shop, and maybe even read! 
Dragons in a Bag
Going Down Home with Daddy.
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 7, 8, 9 | 2021

  • Richland Library
  • Thursday, July 14
Mama smiles sweetly and places her palm against the door. She speaks slowly and politely. “It’s just us, Ma. I called this morning and told you we were coming. Remember?” The woman behind the door barks at Mama, “Course I remember. You called and asked if you could leave the boy with me and I said NO!”--Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Glimmer of Hope
How I Resist
Staff Picks

Your Voice, Your Power

  • Kei G.
  • Wednesday, July 06
Can’t vote? No problem! There are many ways to take action and effect change in your community and globally. Below are some titles that will inspire you to get involved and stay empowered:  
The Friend
Dog on It
Staff Picks

Dog Days of Summer

  • Kristin A.
  • Sunday, July 03
The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of summer, between July 3rd and August 11th each year, around the time the constellation Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun. Beat the heat by staying indoors with one of these doggone good reads. Enjoyed by yourself, or curled up with your furry best friend. 
How to Read a Book
Get Good with Money
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - Non-Celebrity Self-Discovery

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, June 29
The #BroaderBookshelf challenge helps expand your reading habits to discover authors, genres and books you might not otherwise pick up. More #BroaderBookshelf booklists can be found here. Get personalized recommendations 
Below the Edge of Darkness
Bitch
Staff Picks

Nature is Neat!

  • Morgan R.
  • Wednesday, June 22
According to the super reliable and oh-so-scholarly Urban Dictionary, neature is "a combination of the words neat and nature. Best used to describe how neat nature is." I think this is a very fitting term for our wild and wonderful world and all the creatures that live in and on it. If you are a nature lover (and think it's pretty neat, too) or love being outdoors, or maybe just learning about Earth's many environments and ecosystems these titles are right up your alley.   
Who Killed Jane Stanford?
The Ghosts of Eden Park
Staff Picks

Historic True Crime

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, June 21
Many true crime books are roughly contemporary in setting.  But there’s a whole subgenre of nonfiction crime narrative drawn from historical cases, many of them scandalous in their day and some of them still unsolved.  A recent standout in this subgenre is Who Killed Jane Stanford? by respected historian Richard White, which explores the poisoning murder of the widow of Stanford University founder Leland
Isaiah Dunn is My Hero
Unspeakable
Staff Picks

South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees 2022-2023

  • Heather M.
  • Sunday, June 19
The South Carolina Children's Book Award is granted annually by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL).  The nominees represent quality contemporary literature for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders, selected by students, parents, teachers, and librarians.  Below are the 2022-2023 nominees in print, audio, and ebook formats.
An Immense World
Bird
Staff Picks

New in Science

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, June 06
Atlantic staff writer Ed Yong is a rising star in the science-writing world.  He received a Pulitzer in 2021 for his reporting on the pandemic, and his first book, I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life, was a best seller.  Now his second book,
Level Up
The Good Retirement Guide 2022
Staff Picks

New Business Books

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, June 03
Noteworthy new titles include Level Up: Rise Above the Hidden Forces Holding Your Business Back, by Georgia politician (and serial entrepreneur) Stacey Abrams and her business partner, Lara Hodgson; Dade Hayes and Dawn Chmielewski’s Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dol
Family of Liars
Bad Things Happen Here
Staff Picks

Highly Anticipated Teen Reads for June

  • Kei G.
  • Thursday, June 02
There’s always room left on your TBR list! From romances and mysteries to sci-fi and fantasy, there’s something for every reader to look forward to this Summer. Here are some of the most anticipated young adult books to watch out for in June. Reserve any of these titles today by placing a hold with your library card!
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. 
Her Stories
African Folklore in the New World
Staff Picks

A Tale to Tell Thru Time: BIPOC Oral Literature

  • Kenyanah B.
  • Wednesday, May 18
Most people's first experience with oral literature or folk literature was most likely a lullaby, nursery rhyme or an urban legend. Oral literature is handed down orally through the word of mouth from one generation to another and serves to communicate ideas,  knowledge, cultural practices, emotions, beliefs, and the appreciation of life. Oral literature much like oral tradition is preserved by speaking, listening, and remembering.  The following booklist highlights African, African American, and indigenous people oral literature.  
Samira Surfs
The Maps of Memory
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 11, 12, 13 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
Middle school readers are still figuring out the world while trying to figure out themselves.  They may look for books that reflect their experience or give them a window or sliding glass
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Ancestor Approved
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 9, 10, 11 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
"This is Stuntboy. This guy, right here. Him. You can't tell just looking at him, but he's the greatest superhero you've never heard of."  --Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
Too Small Tola
Too Small Tola
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 7, 8, 9 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
"Tola is the youngest in her family. And the smallest. And everybody calls her Too Small Tola, which makes her feel too-too small."  --Too Small Tola by Atinuke
When Lola Visits
I Talk Like a River
Staff Picks

Great Books for Ages 5, 6, 7 | 2022

  • Richland Library
  • Wednesday, May 11
"Summer feels like the last golden hour of the day drifting into an indigo night."  --When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling
Chasing Me to My Grave
Refractive Africa
Staff Picks

2022 Pulitzer Prizewinners

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, May 09
The 2022 Pulitzer Prizes have just been announced.  Check out the following prizewinners and finalists in the categories of fiction, biography, general nonfiction, history, and poetry.
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 One Day House
No Voice Too Small
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Connecting with Our Community

  • Heather M.
  • Wednesday, May 04
"One day," said Wilson. "I will fix the roof on Gigi's house to keep out the wind and snow."--The One Day House by Julia Durango Whether it's helping a neighbor, volunteering or bringing people together to fix a problem too big for any one person, these stories of community let us know that we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
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.”
The Heartbeat of Trees
National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America
Staff Picks

Arbor Day Reads

  • Bland L.
  • Friday, April 22
National Arbor Day is observed annually on the last Friday in April (4/29 this year), although South Carolina marks its own Arbor Day on the first Friday in December, since saplings planted at that time of year will have a better chance of becoming established before the brutal heat of summer arrives.
No More Plastic
Reuse This Book!
Staff Picks

Read All About It: Taking Care of Mother Earth

  • Heather M.
  • Monday, April 18
"She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and decided to make a change."--No More Plastic | Alma Fullerton Discover how pollution and litter damage the air, land and seas and what you can do each day to take care of our planet.  Earth day is every day when you read one of these books.  Find more great stories when you Read All About It:  This Land is Our Land.   
Bellevue
CERTAIN PEOPLE
Staff Picks

True Tales of the Gilded Age

  • Sara M.
  • Tuesday, April 05
Are you all caught up on the HBO series The Gilded Age?  Check out these nonfiction books about the real people and places of New York society in the late nineteenth century.
My Son John
The New Jim Crow
Staff Picks

Help! My Adult Child Talks Like a Communist!

  • Keith B.
  • Tuesday, April 05
In Leo McCarey's Red Scare cult classic, My Son John, John (Robert Walker) comes home from college with a raft of radical ideas. His devout Catholic mother Lucille (Helen Hayes) and American Legion member father Dan (Dean Jagger) become increasingly uneasy, unable to relate to John's leftist views. In one of the best, and most certainly melodramatic depictions of the possible gulf between generations caused by political differences, Lucille begins informing on John to the FBI agent played by Van Heflin. 
Your Money or Your Life
Get Good with Money
Staff Picks

Personal Finance Books By Women

  • Thomas M.
  • Sunday, March 20
The history of money is full of barriers to women. For example, until 1974, American banks could refuse to issue credit to unmarried women and require a husband's signature for married women. Today, many of those barriers have been broken and anyone can attain financial freedom. For Women's History Month, here is a list of personal finance books packed with good advice, all authored by women.
The Girls Who Stepped out of Line
The Unwomanly Face of War
Staff Picks

Her Story: Women Heroes of WWII

  • Kristin A.
  • Thursday, March 03
Women have always served their countries in many ways during wartime, but the sheer scope of World War II demanded more of them than ever — and they answered the call. Around the world, women served as military nurses, pilots, resistance fighters, codebreakers, spies, and served in other roles. For decades, their stories went untold. For Women's History Month, we're celebrating these courageous women and the important role they played during this time. Thrilling and inspiring, these books will shed new light on the women who answered the call to serve their country. 
How to Be Fine
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead
Staff Picks

Mental Health Month

  • Morgan R.
  • Monday, February 21
If you are feeling depressed, lonely, or are just having a bad day, try one of these titles and let reading briefly take you out of reality. Whether you are looking for something to make you laugh, an out-of-this-world sci-fi, or need a little self-help action, we've got you covered. For personalized recommendations, click here. You are not alone. These resources may help you:
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
It's What I Do
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022 - True Travel Tales

  • Sara M.
  • Friday, February 11
Fulfill the "Read a book about a journey" prompt for this year's Broader Bookshelf challenge with one of these nonfiction travel books.  Travel writing can take you all the way around the world from the comfort of your living room! Learn more about the Broader Bookshelf challenge and see more lists here.
Orwell's Roses
A Little Devil in America
Staff Picks

2021 National Book Critics Circle Award Finalists

  • Bland L.
  • Thursday, February 10
The finalists for the 2021 National Book Critics Circle Awards were recently announced.  Given annually since 1976, they are the only major book awards selected by critics.  The winners will be announced in March.  Check out the following finalists from our collection, in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, poetry, and criticism.  (The list also includes the finalists for the NBCC's John Leonard Prize for Best First Book.)
Black Boy Joy
Recognize!
Staff Picks

CSMCL's Best Multicultural Children's Novels and Nonfiction of 2021

  • Caitlin B.
  • Tuesday, February 01
The following novels and nonfiction books were all named in the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature's Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2021. Want to learn more about diverse books? Check out this blog post. Want more books?  Ask your librarian for their recommendations or call the Children's Room at Richland Library Main (803.929.3434).  We can send books to your closest Richland Library location!
The Girl with the Louding Voice
Black Sunday
Staff Picks

#BroaderBookshelf 2022: African Authors

  • Morgan R.
  • Tuesday, January 04
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. 
Patricia Highsmith
Redeeming Justice
Staff Picks

New in Biography and Memoir

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, December 29
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
Naturalist
The Ants
Staff Picks

Naturalist: E. O. Wilson, 1929-2021

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, December 28
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.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
After Henry
Staff Picks

Remembering Joan Didion

  • Bland L.
  • Monday, December 27
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
Trillions
Get Good with Money
Staff Picks

New Business Books

  • Bland L.
  • Wednesday, December 22
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.
Super Volcanoes
The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2021
Staff Picks

New in Science

  • Bland L.
  • Tuesday, December 21
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.
Intimacies
The Reading List
Staff Picks

35 Best Book Club Picks of 2021

  • Mona Verma
  • Monday, December 20
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. 
Homemade Love
Appalachian Elegy
Staff Picks

In Memoriam: bell hooks

  • Sarah C.
  • Thursday, December 16
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.  
Stress Relief for the Anxious Mind
Why Are We Yelling?
Staff Picks

Holiday Mental Health

  • Sarah C.
  • Tuesday, December 14
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.  
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.
Taste of Home Handmade Food Gifts.
Handmade Gifts.
Staff Picks

Handmade Holidays

  • Morgan R.
  • Friday, December 03
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. 
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. 
Buffalo Bird Girl
Child of the Flower-song People
Staff Picks

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

  • Thursday, December 02
Discover the true stories and history of Indigenous and Native people of the Americas in these picture book titles.   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.
Now Beacon, Now Sea
The Secret to Superhuman Strength
Staff Picks

New York Times Books of the Year: Biography and Memoir

  • Bland L.
  • Sunday, November 28
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.
The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy
Anna Karenina.
Staff Picks

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

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, November 24
☕ 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!
Bicycling with Butterflies
Water
Staff Picks

Expand Your Knowledge of the World

  • Ariel H.
  • Wednesday, November 24
🌎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!
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.
The Other Black Girl
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Staff Picks

Book-to-TV In Development: Part IV

  • Ariel H.
  • Tuesday, November 23
As of November 2021, these are the current highly anticipated titles that are being transformed for TV.