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Cover of Zinky Boys

Russian Literature Beyond the Classics

Perhaps you’re already familiar with (and maybe you've been put off by) Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, and the other great 19th-century Russians. Or you want to find out what Russian writers have been writing during the past fifty years. Or maybe you simply want to read something different. This list contains a sample of works by Russian writers from recent decades; in them they examine the weight of history, the boundaries of the soul, and the oft-hidden dimensions of the world with the irony and depth of vision that we have come to associate with Russia's greatest writers.

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

Sci-fi Mysteries

Two great genres combined

I love “genre fiction”. Specifically, I love mystery, romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. I would estimate that about 98% of my reading in the past year has been in one of those genres, so it’s safe to say that I really love genre fiction. So much so that sometimes I like to add a little more genre to my genre fiction - I’m talking about sci-fi mysteries. That’s right, there’s nothing better than putting two of my favorite genres together in one delicious package.

The Dispossessed book cover image

Political Science Fiction

It’s overwhelming sometimes to be in Washington, DC; everyone’s political voices can start to ring in the ears like a cacophony. But, even with the inundation, it's often still rewarding to seek out books that portray political ideals and ideas in a subtler, even obfuscated way. If you're interested in engaging with political thought, but not necessarily the feedback loops that come with it, the below titles are well considered and may be enjoyable!

Poster Detail from Summer of Sci-Fi Display at the West End Library

2021 Summer of Sci-Fi Book Display

Visit the West End branch library to view the current items on offer

Make this your Summer of Sci-Fi at the West End Neighborhood Library. Staff have selected a number of mind expanding titles for your exploration and enjoyment, Items on display now through Labor Day weekend: SUMMER OF SCI-FI, by Brandon Minson   Fancy a Techno-horror thrill?  Prefer a Techno-thriller chill? Bewildered by the Multiverse?  Might a Space Opera reveal the secrets of the universe?

Patternmaster

My Baby Step into Science Fiction

Trekking along with my goal of branching out and reading different genres, science fiction was next on my list (after poetry). With every genre I read I always seek out authors of color/Black authors so the following books on this list are Black science fiction authors, talented voices that are not at the forefront of the genre.  

Dark Archive cover

March Staff Picks

Two ladies in London are back with a new mystery or challenge to solve. Travel to alternate worlds or out to the English countryside in these two novels. Copies are available to check out and download from the library system.

An image of the profile of a young, dark skinned Black woman with large stone beads around her neck and fossil balls in her curly black hair.

Black Future Month Happy Hour

Join our Community Read & follow up with a fun chat

It is both Black History Month and Black Future Month at DC Public Library, so don't miss our Black Future Month Happy Hour! Join our Community Read of author N.K. Jemisin's How Long 'Til Black Future Month? On Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., we'll chat and share insights as we explore the worlds within Jemisin's short stories together.

Cloud Atlas

Super Rooster

A Bracket of Past Winners of the Tournament of Books

Every year, I like to play along with The Morning News’ Tournament of Books.

A Peoples History

Banned Books

Banned Books Week is observed at the end of September each year, celebrating our ability to freely and openly access information! Here's a list of books that have either been challenged and/or banned due to content. Though challenged, these titles offer diverse ideas and perspectives.

Walkaway

Solarpunk Fiction

Maintaining justified optimism for the future

Solarpunk is a new literary and aesthetic movement that encourages its proponents to face increasingly dire forecasts of environmental degradation and its political ramifications with optimism, envisioning futures that use emerging knowledge and technologies of today in ways to build a more sustainable and equitable world.

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