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The Killer of Little Shepherds by Douglas P. Starr

After Ted Bundy

Non-fiction Books about True Crime

True crime has been a pop culture trend lately, with lots of people finding themselves glued to their Netflix account watching Making A Murderer and Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy

Essex

To See the World in a Grain of Salt

Microhistory Books Looking at Small Things With Big Impacts

Naturally, it’s important to study the grand, sweeping moments of history and analyze why they were so eventful—they were grand moments for a reason, after all. But it can be equally enlightening to practice microhistory, the study of a smaller unit of research, often a single person, family, event or village in excruciating detail so as to extrapolate larger questions about history, humanity and social change during a particular period.

poisoner's handbook

How (Not) to Get Away With Murder

Nonfiction About Forensic Science

It’s the age of the true crime fan! Everywhere you look, there’s a new documentary, podcast, or book about true crime. Internet communities have sprung up to try solving famous unsolved crimes themselves, or just to discuss infamous cases like the Black Dahlia murder or the Zodiac Killer. And there’s plenty to talk about. As forensic science continues to evolve and advance, more and more cold cases are being solved. Genealogy and DNA tests and other methods have brought about the arrests of multiple killers, including the infamous Golden State Killer just last year.  

Are You Sleeping

BOO!ks

A Halloween Prep Course of Eerie Reads

What pairs well with pumpkin spice lattes? Spooky reads to get you in the mood for Halloween, of course! From slightly scary to totally terrifying, these recent titles should prove just as hair-raising as any old Stephen King or Lovecraft story, and earn their place amongst those hallowed masters of the macabre. Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber

Jaws

Sinister Summer

Beach Books with a Terrifying Twist

Do you like your frolicking to be a little frightful? Your picnics with a dose of panic? Your travels to have a touch of terror? Then fear no more, because here is a list of books for the reader who likes their summer scary—on the page, at least. Whether it’s something from the Master of Horror or an '80s exorcism throwback or a true crime account whose culprit just made headlines, each of these titles is sure to give you a chill on all those hot, muggy days we have ahead of us; happy Summer Challenge!  

The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior cover

Nonfiction that Seems Like a Soap Opera

Reality television stars have nothing on these real historical figures

The adage is that truth is stranger than fiction and these books certainly show that to be true. These nonfiction books feature historical figures with personalities that would put reality television stars to shame—and the antics that go with such larger-than-life personalities.  

Cover of Alias Grace.

Netflix's Best Book Binges

Great books that made great shows

Cover _ Rescue Artist

The Underworld of Art

Books That Take You Into the Secret World of Criminals, Con Artists and International Detectives

Did you hear news of the recent price a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat sold for at auction? Reaching a record for a painting by an American artist, the final sale price was for more than $110 million dollars. The incredible value of art makes it the frequent target of criminals and scam-artists. While there are hundreds of books devoted to the life of famous artists and art history, here are some books in the DC Public Librar

Angus, Thongs, and full frontal snogging cover

Challenge Accepted: Read Harder 2017

Challenge #9: Read a book you've read before

A new year means new year resolutions and challenges. One reading challenge that I love to do is Book Riot’s 2017 Read Harder challenge . Instead of having people focus on a specific number of books, Read Harder challenges people to read different genres or authors that they may overlook. This year, there are 24 prompts for readers, and a complete list may be found here on the Book Riot Goodreads page.

How to Be a Victorian

So You Want to Be a Victorian?

Nonfiction Books on Life in Victorian Times

There's something about the Victorian era that so many people - myself included - find enchanting and idyllic. I feel like every time that old cocktail party question "If you had to live in a different time period, which would you choose?" comes up, several people always gush "Ohh, Victorian London, definitely." Full disclosure: I have for sure been one of those gushing people at times. But then I thought Ehhh, would I really want to?

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