The books that make up this list all have unconventional formats, combining greatย story-tellingย with eye-catching visualsย or mind-engaging tactics, such as pictures formed by the text, explosions of font to draw your eye, sections of text you need to re-orient the book in order to read, pages styled as different types of documents,ย or a narrative you can read through multiple different ways.ย Although some of these books are available in electronic forms, we suggest reading the hard copies for the full formatting effect!ย Curated by Tabor Millien.ย ย
Books on Journaling
Journaling is a great way to self-reflect and stay organized. The practice has gained popularity in recent years with new methods being used such as bullet or dot journaling and incorporating mixed media art in journals. These books about journaling contain writing prompts and motivation, method guides, art journaling inspiration, instructions for creating your own handcrafted journal, and more. Curated by Samantha Matherne.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
"In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." (US Census Bureau) This list celebrates new books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors. Curated by Ashley Lee.
From Book to Screen: Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse
Recently adapted as a Netflix series, Shadow and Bone takes place in Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse, a multi-series YA fantasy world rich in magic, action, and unforgettable characters. Once you're finished with this series, check out more YA fantasy read-alikes. Curated by Ashley Lee.
May Challenge: Back from the Past
The greatest stories are the ones that last and resonate with new generations of readers. While there are differing opinions about which books should be considered classics, books that were written before you were born can carry a certain nostalgia for a different time period. So, use this challenge to explore the past or share books from your childhood with your children. In May, we challenge you to read a book that was published before you were born. Find recommendations for adults, teens, tweens, and children.
May Challenge: Study Abroad
Although our travels have been limited recently, we can always escape with a good book. So whether you're going on a trip this summer or planning another staycation, we challenge you to read a book set in another country during the month of May. Find recommendations for adults, teens, tweens, and children.
Full Cast Audiobooks
Full cast audiobooks bring dramatic readings to the next level by using multiple voices for character and narration. Check out this mix of adult, YA, and children's audiobooks. Curated by Ashley Lee.
Hidden Gems
Looking for new authors?ย These authors each haveย a short list of publishedย books, making it easy to binge-read their work.ย These authors have burst onto the scene with engaging, thought-provoking, and powerful narratives that are sure to leave you wondering when their next books will hit our shelves. Curated by Tabor Millien.
Poetry Month
โPoetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.โ โย Percy Bysshe Shelley, fromย "A Defence of Poetry and Other Essays." Celebrate National Poetry Month with these selections from our collection. Curated by Isabel Naquin.
National Library Outreach Day
Public libraries have a long history of bringing materials to people who can't come to the library. National Library Outreach Day celebrates the various innovative ways libraries serve their communities. Curated by Ashley Lee.
