Story Tags

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

Book Club Tea and Jane Austen Action Figure

The Pride and Prejudice Book Club: Truths Universally Acknowledged

Over 200 years old, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most beloved novels in the English language. The first line of the novel, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife," sets up our expectations and the plot immediately, and we know that there will be some single, well-off men who will fall in love. Or marry, at the least.

"Winter" by Melissa Meyer

I Feel Crazy

Mental Illness in YA

Mental illness can be hard to read about, but there are some great young adult books on the subject. This list comprises a few stellar reads with main characters who deal with mental illness, while embarking on their other adventures.   

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Twice upon a Time...

Young Adult Fantasy Series

As the colder months approach, you'll want plenty of good books to keep you busy indoors. Why not dive into a new series? And, while you're at it, why not try some fantasy to escape the doldrums of the dark reality of winter? Below, find the books that kick off seven great young adult fantasy series. Some series are complete while others are still in the works, so take your pick and, like a drifting snowflake, get carried away by these immersive stories of the fantastic.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Witch, Please

YA Novels about Witches to Enchant You

As you prepare for the Halloween season, you might get a hankering for some witchy young adult treats. Give one of these a try, from novels that revisit the Salem Witch Trials to stories relying on new world building and books that reinvent old favorites.

Sis

My Sisters' Keeper

Teen Book Club

Sisters!  Come to the Anacostia Library to read and discuss a great book. Our book club will meet the first and third Wednesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. to discuss chapters and have free talk. Teen girls. ages 15-17, will have an outlet to talk and express themselves in a comfortable environment with their peers. Light refreshments will be provided. The goal of the book club is to encourage self-love, build confidence and healthy relationships.   

Atonement by Ian McEwan Cover

John Dies at the End

Spoiler alert: The main character might bite the dust

Not every book has a happy ending so don't get too attached to the main character in these, they might not make it. Major spoilers ahead, so if you don't want to know the fate of the main character, stop reading now. Atonement by Ian McEwan 

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. 

art

Five Books That Got Me Interested in Reading

Reading used to be a chore for me. I used to cringe every time I had English/Literature class through my elementary/middle school years. I sat in the back and rarely raised my hand. I had done the reading required for that day. I had pretty good "reading comprehension" skills even though I didn't know it was even called that at that age. That wasn't the problem. I just was never interested in the books they had us reading at that time.

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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