From whimsical picture books and heartwarming middle-grade tales to festive YA adventures and cozy romances or chilly thrillers, these stories capture the excitement of the season. Whatever your age or reading interests, these winter and holiday books promise entertainment, inspiration, and stories that will keep you turning pages all winter long. Curated by Katie Rivers.
Saddle up for the strange! This genre mashes up the grit of classic westerns with the mind-bending possibilities of science fiction. Grab your hat and let's explore the wildest frontier of all. Curated by Jessica Schiefelbein.
Slavic countries of Europe have their own mythologies, beliefs, and rituals that still appear in literature today through characters, names, practices, magic, and the brutally cold winters the region is known for. Slavs were historically spread across Europe in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, and as far south as Croatia and Bulgaria, among other places. Today, Slavs can be found around the world but still with a high concentration in Central and Eastern Europe. Enjoy these YA books that share their roots with the Slavic people. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Looking for your next great read or listen? Check out these top picks for kids, tweens, and teens on cloudLibrary and let the page-turning (or earbud-plugging) begin! Curated by Katie Rivers.
With 2025 coming to a close soon we asked around for our staff member's favorite books they read this year. Here's a few of their picks, what's yours?
Where autumn leads, fans know Gilmore Girls will follow. This year is the 25th anniversary of the show! While you begin your annual rewatch, check out these books set in small towns with similar vibes. If you're lucky, you might even smell snow. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
From the beginning, literature has been a way for humanity to reflect on itself. Reading a beautifully written book with relatable characters can teach you things you didn't know about yourself and life in general. These biographies give you a closer look at the masters of literature who shaped the way we write and interpret novels. Curated by Tabor Millien.
From laughs on the playground to unlikely animal pals, these friendship stories for kids celebrate the magic of having a best buddy. These books are great for bedtime or classroom reading. Curated by Bonita Bignar.
Step into the shadowy landscapes of the north, where long winters breed darker tales. Dive deep into the world of Nordic Noir -- the crime fiction genre that pairs bleak, atmospheric settings with complex characters and haunting mysteries. Curated by Jessica Schiefelbein.
Elevated Horror, also known as Art House Horror, is described as "psychological films that prioritize complex, dramatic themes like trauma, grief, or social issues over conventional scares like jump scares or gore." Below are lists of both movies and books that fit this description. Curated by Tabor Millien.
Shelf Analysis 