Staff Picks

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Overview

Christopher Marlowe: Poet and Spy cover image

Friday Five: Tudor England - Beyond Henry VIII and Elizabeth I

Melissa N.'s Picks for Other Historical Personalities from a Fascinating Age

I might be slightly obsessed with Tudor-era England. It seems at once like another world and yet many of the issues of the time are disturbingly familiar today. Add in outsized, soap opera-like personalities and I find it endlessly fascinating.

Death in the Dormitories

Murder mysteries set at schools and universities

Holden Caulfield describing his classmates (and everyone else in the world) as phonies. The "O Captain! My Captain!" scene in Dead Poets Society. Victorian schoolgirls dipping their rivals' braids in inkpots in A Little Princess.

Picture Books for Adults

Catching up on children's literature

If you are an adult and you don't spend much time with children, it's probably been years since you've even thought about picture books. We all have our favorites from childhood, but as time goes on, so does the world of new children's literature. Here are a few recent books you won't regret spending some time with. They only take a couple minutes to read, and they're great mood enhancers - so don't be embarrassed to read them on Metro!

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle

Some Novels-In-Verse for Kids

Enjoying poetry in a novel format

There’s finally a format that combines poetry and novels. For anyone who loves the lyrical quality of verse, you can now enjoy it in a full length story. The following are some picks that really utilize the format of poetry to its highest ability. Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle

Picture Book Love Stories

For children and grownups alike

The following books were written for children but can be enjoyed equally by adults, who might appreciate the deeper meanings within the pages. For anyone who has been in love, they will tell a familiar story. Perhaps the plot will even remind you of your relationship with your significant other. The books explain love in a way that’s plain enough for children to understand, while avoiding shallowness. Love is simple, and these books get right to the point.

Your Friday Five

Adventure in a foreign land

The summer is almost officially upon us and there is traveling to be done! Being a stranger in a foreign land is always exciting, but needless to say, it does come with its challenges. If you don't have travel plans anytime soon, let one of these books whisk you away. And if you are taking off soon, these books will keep you entertained on the journey. Bon voyage!

Non-Stop Page Turners

Urban Fiction

Urban Fiction are books about street drama, many with characters that are forced into the street life, learning how to survive at a young age. Many of the books feature "mature content." There are three words that I use to describe these books: non-stop page turners.

"No reservations: around the world on an empty stomach" by Anthony Bourdain

Around the World in Ten Books

A summer reading list

If you’ve spent time on the Mall recently, you know: The summer tourist season has begun. Hopefully, your summer reading has, too.

Clever Crafting

Amigurumi Part One: crocheted dolls and creatures

I admit it. I am a librarian and I like to crochet and knit.

It Gives Me the Shivers

YA literature beyond 'Twilight'

The best part about summer is staying up late and reading something fun like a scary story. Nothing like a slasher tale to keep you up, right?

Pages

Bored with your reading options? Feel like you've read all there is to read of a particular subject? DC Public Library is here to help.

You can:

Browse our subject areas and find something you like.
Start your personalized adventure with our questionnaire.
Get book suggestions from library staff where you are online.

Where we hang out online

Want to meet with other like minds but don't want to go somewhere? We have meetups online that all are invited to join.

Twitter

What's Happening @dcpl?	When?
#DCPLnewYA -- Jess shares the best of new YA fiction.	Fourth Mondays, 12 p.m.
#audaciousbooks -- This is the DC Public Library companion to author Roxane Gay's new Audacious Book Club.	Fourth Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
#brownbagdc Book Chat -- A weekly book club to discuss what we're reading and what you're reading, often on a theme.	Every Wednesday, 12 p.m.
#AskALibrarian -- Abigail and other librarians offer recommendations based on what type of book you express interest in reading.	Every Thursday, 12 p.m.
Graphic Novel Friday -- Dish about the best and worst of graphic novels on #graphicnovelfriday	Third Fridays, 1 p.m.

Pinterest

What's Happening?	When?
Various boards of Pin-able goodness: A Book For All Seasons, Advanced Elementary Reads, Contemporary Poetry, Judge Me Not, Multicultural Kids Reads, New Adult Fiction, Read Together, Teen Fantasy and more!	Any time!