Story Tags

Lock In cover - depicts many white and a few red figures around the title

Sir, That’s My Emotional Support Wookie

Science Fiction and Fantasy With Protagonists With Disabilities

Science fiction and fantasy worlds show countless possibilities. People can travel to other planets, shape-shift, even alter the universe with magic. All too often, however, these books focus on protagonists who are neurotypical and able-bodied.

Backstagers

Hidden Worlds

Beyond the thin veil separating our reality from all that is or could be exist other worlds. Worlds that are connected to us and affect our lives. The following books depict other worlds or realities, and the people of our world that find themselves part of them.

Cover for the book "Here Comes the Sun"

Almost Like Being There

Fiction with a Strong Sense of Place

Maybe you’ve been itching to take a trip but don’t have the time or the funds; maybe you have a trip on the horizon but need a break from the day-to-day; or maybe you prefer the comfort of your own home or hometown, but love reading about far off places. Sometimes there’s nothing like fiction to paint such a clear picture of a place that it’s almost as good as traveling there yourself.

Loneliest Girl in the Universe cover

What's Out There?

"The stars are like the trees in the forest, alive and breathing. And they're watching me.” -Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

The wide vacuum of space: black, never-ending, mysterious and beautiful. Haven’t you ever wondered what could be lurking among the stars? These YA novelists have a few ideas, and not all of them involve peaceful alien alliances or inter-dimensional romance.   The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

a doorway with glowing lights around it stands open in the middle of the woods

Quick Fiction Listens for Your Commute

I have a confession to make--I love audio books, and I especially love the convenience and flexibility of downloading audiobooks to my phone via Overdrive and listening to them on the go--however, (you knew that was coming, right?) I often find it difficult to finish audiobooks before the end of the 3 week checkout period--A Game of Thrones, which clocks in at a cool 34 hours, I’m looking at you.

Cover of Flinch.

A Bloody Good Time

Graphic novels featuring ghosts, goblins and other ghouls.

If I had my way, Halloween would be a 6-month affair. I especially love all things spooky. Horror as a genre has generated some of my favorite pieces of media out there, including movies, television, video games, books and especially comics.The following are some of the excellent, horrific graphic novels I've found on our shelves. Make sure you have a blanket, a light and your door locked tight. These pieces won't let you go to sleep too easily afterward. A final aside for you too: all of the following volumes are absolutely, 100% recommended for adults.

The Barrow will send what it may

Odd Libraries

Libraries can be interesting places. I know, because I work in one. Thankfully, however, they usually aren't as odd as the ones listed below. I've always enjoyed the idea of libraries that have interesting little things tucked away, such as the archive at the end of the first Indiana Jones movie, where the Ark of the Covenant is sent to disappear. Here are some of the more interesting libraries I've read about in fiction.

Illuminae

The Final Frontier

Teen Sci-Fi Set in Space

Looking for some thrilling, fast-paced science fiction that will leave you on the edge of your seat? Look no further than these six young adult novels, which are also great crossover reads for adults. 

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.

A black man wearing a black superhero suit

Book Recommendations for Fans of Quirky Recent TV

Many would argue that there’s never been a better variety of storytelling available on TV. With a wider variety of platforms, shows can flourish without having to appeal to absolutely everyone. And it can be great, as a fan, to discover that someone else loves a show that’s more of a niche than a giant watercooler hit.  So, as a reader who also loves good TV, here are some quirky recommendations based on my favorite recent, or in some cases recently cancelled, TV shows.

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