Southwest
Neighborhood Library

#OwnVoices in Indigenous Picture Books

While there’s a wealth of picture books depicting the Native American experience, many of them are by white authors. The importance of #OwnVoices works, particularly when it comes to pieces for children who may not yet have the skills to determine what is an accurate portrayal of Native life and culture, is clear.

The Wright Stuff

Orville and Wilbur Wright and the quest for human flight

From the earliest days of recorded history, we humans have longed to fly. Although the only known flying mammals are bats, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and other twentieth century inventors, built aircraft that enabled our species to soar through the skies. These titles tell the story of their achievements and the many failures they experienced along the way.

Young Adult Fabulism

7 stories of magic grounded in reality

Fairy tales aren’t just for children. These seven young adult novels will chill teens and adults alike with spooky and haunting bits of magic and fables woven into reality. From a man who moves like corn stalks to a journal that takes its writers to an impossible past in the now, these books will make you want to settle in for the weekend and explore their strange, strange worlds.

Royalty Gone Awry

Hard times for royals in fiction

As Lorde sings, “we’ll never be royals,” and maybe it’s for the best. This list includes stories of the royal life not being all it’s cracked up to be. Although we might have dreamed of running our own kingdoms as kids, now fiction tells us how fraught that experience would be. Enjoy your peasant status while you read about stressful politics, assassination, kidnapping and other trials in the court.

Feels Like Summer

YA and Children's fiction with summer vibes for all ages

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… The weather is starting to warm up, but it’s not quite summer yet. If you’re yearning for those hot-hot days and warm nights around the campfire, visit June, July and August through these stories. These YA and juvenile reads are great for their target audience -- and adults too!

Graphic Novels and Nonfiction to Share with Kids

Connect with little literatis through graphic works

Sometimes, the best way to connect with the kids in your life is over a good book. But you might be wondering what constitutes a good book when it comes to little literatis. Fear not, the Children’s Librarian is here! Below, find six great graphic novels (and two graphic format nonfiction) to share with kids, whether you’re looking to start a conversation or just want a good story.

What to Read after "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Read-Alikes and Contextual Texts

Published in 1892, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman has left a lasting impression on readers interested in feminism and mental health. While Gilman’s is one of the better-known stories about women, mental health and their treatment in western society, many authors have also approached the subjects before and since its publication.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

How to Read Like a Librarian

Peek at our staff's reading list

There are a lot of librarian stereotypes out there: we’re all women (false), we’re all either uptight and impersonal or coding nerds with tattoos (false), we like to shush people (false), and we have either read everything in the library or we only read books you’d find on lists of importance (definitely false and false).

Hey, I Know Them!

A handful of books by authors in the area

The DMV isn’t just about government and politics. We have lots of talented people in the literary world living in and around the city. Some are rare natives to the area, and others are, like many of us, transplants. Whether they’re new here or not, you might be lucky enough to find these authors strolling around DC or, you might even know them personally. Check out their books from your branch and support local talent!

New Year, New You

Nonfiction for Living Your Best Life

It’s the beginning of the new year, so it’s time to start thinking about your goals and intentions for personal betterment (if you’re into that kind of thing). Even if you’re not up to writing down or articulating your resolutions, you may want to pick up a few titles that will encourage personal growth. Here are six titles to get you started toward a more-informed you.

Southwest Neighborhood Library