Story Tags

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.

Fairy Tales for Adults

New ones, not the ones you know

I love fairy tales. I love the traditional tales, and I like how old characters can be repurposed for new stories like the Fables graphic novels and the Fablehaven series.

I love novels, but a great short story can be so satisfying. Sometimes you want to read something quick; but fast-to-read doesn't necessarily mean that that work will be any less profound or compelling than something that takes much longer to read. This is a list of short stories—some all by one author and some by many authors grouped by theme—with fantastical elements.

A close-up image of honeycombs surrounding the book title

Genre Crossovers for Teens and Adults

Teens who love a particular genre—romance, say, or science fiction—often explore outside the teen section for even more of their favorite stories. Meanwhile many adults have discovered—or re-discovered—that great reads can often be found in the young adult shelves.

an image of a dragon and a girl overlooking a medieval city

Fire-Breathers: Great Dragon Books for Kids

Majestic and fierce, mythical cousins of the dinosaurs, wise or menacing or sometimes both, dragons are creatures with an enduring fascination for fantasy readers of all ages. As a children's librarian, I can testify that "I want a book with dragons in it" is a pretty common request from preschoolers and tweens alike.

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)

Late to the Party

Books I meant to read last year...or longer.

Moving Through Time and Space

Young Adult Fiction With Time and Inter-Dimensional Travel

Some of the most thrilling books involve characters operating in multiple time periods to accomplish a personal goal or rectify a dire circumstance. Whether going backward in history, or forward in time, stories that use this literary device become exciting with each layer of anticipation. The following titles feature teens traveling through time or other dimensions to initiate a chain of compelling events.

Toto, I Don't Think We're in Middle-Earth Anymore

African, East Asian, and Middle Eastern Inspired Fantasy

Look, I love a good ole traditional sword-and-sorcery fantasy story complete with castles, dragons, and sundry knights, but these medieval European-inspired epics have cluttered mainstream fantasy for long enough. From J.R.R. Tolkien’s godfather of modern fantasy The Lord of the Rings to George R.R.

What to Read After Seeing "The Shape of Water"

Books for those who can't get enough of Guillermo del Toro's weird and atmospheric movies

Guillermo del Toro's movie The Shape of Water was released this past December, and people immediately began arguing as to whether it was a romance or a horror film. It definitely has elements of both, being about a mute janitress who realizes a disturbingly humanoid fish monster is being subjected to cruel experiments in the secret government facility where she works.