Southeast
Neighborhood Library

Image of Perfect Little World book cover

It Takes a Village?

Fiction that explores communal living experiments

If humanity could restart society from scratch, what would we prioritize, what would we reconsider, and how would we position ourselves to thrive? The following novels all consider these questions via their portrayals of characters whose answers have at their cores a belief in the value of living communally -- and who have created or are taking part in living situations that reflect this belief.

Kids' American History Reads

In coordination with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Read about America with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History! These picture and chapter books are wonderful family reads and are a great tool to help your family develop a sense of home and aspiration for the future of the country. Whether you're a history buff or just avoiding summer slide, these picks will move you, inspire you, and wrap you up in a world that was, so that you can help to decide what the world will become. Picture Books

"Small Acts" Can Make a Big Difference!

Expressing Gratitude for our Social Justice Story Time Donations!

On Saturday, June 23rd and on July 7th we held Social Justice-themed Family story time sessions complete with stories (A is For Activist and

Story Times

The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker

Add a Little Magic

Novels with a pinch (and sometimes a cup) of magic

Much like the rich tradition of magical realism across the Caribbean and the Americas, the literary use of magic of all forms in everyday settings is alive and well across the world.

Image of The Misfortune of Marion Palm book cover

The Con is On

Fiction for the "Summer of Scam"

Con artists, grifters and scammers of all kinds are having a moment this summer, leading this year’s warm weather months to be dubbed the Summer of Scam.

Delicious Fiction

Novels Set Around Kitchens and Food

Novels that feature food often make us put down the book and get in the kitchen...or at least grab a bag of chips. Likewise, these same novels are often hard to put down as they stimulate not only our imaginations, but our appetites as well. Here’s a list of delicious novels to celebrate the brand new Starz series Sweetbitter.

New Life

Fiction about childbirth and new motherhood

A transformative experience, becoming a mother can reshape one’s life and alter one in a variety of ways—physically, mentally, emotionally and more.

Read Around the World: Japan

Japanese literature that isn't by Haruki Murakami

Expand your literary horizons by reading literature from other countries. Haruki Murakami is one of the most well-known authors in Japanese literature. Yet he is only one of many modern Japanese writers whose works are accessible in translation. A wide variety of genres and styles are represented in the selections below (all of which can be accessed through DC Public Library's stellar and diverse collection). Young Readers (Pre-K to 3rd Grade)

"Cite Black Women"

Celebrate Women's History Month

Dr. Christen Smith, former D.C. resident and associate professor of African and African Diaspora Studies and Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, designed T-shirts emblazoned with “Cite Black Women.” The message reminds others to value and accredit the ideas, words and work of black women. Dr. Smith posted five resolutions that define the project: Read black women’s work.

Women's History Month

Mothers Tell Your Daughters

Telling Life Stories in Novels

So many great novels that pass the Bechdel Test (two female characters discussing topics other than men) are about mothers and daughters. Mothers sharing their lives and long lost secrets with their daughters and surrogate daughters. The story describing the bond between two or more women from different generations has been told in many different ways. Whether those women are related by blood or by common experience, each of these novels comes from a different perspective.

Southeast Neighborhood Library