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Closeup view of fallen brown, red, orange, and yellow maple leaves.

Looking for something fun to do or the perfect book to curl up with on a dark and stormy night? If so, join us for some exciting fall activities at the Library! If you need a reading recommendation, our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you. With a variety of engaging events and expert book suggestions, we are excited to help you find the ideal activity or book to make your fall enjoyable and memorable.

Programs

Event: Plant-Based Cooking
Date & Time: Saturday, December 06, 3:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: As the weather cools, warm up by mastering plant-based soups and desserts that boost health and save money. Learn how beans and legumes create flavorful, budget-friendly meals like Lentil Artichoke Stew, Mushroom Wild Rice Bisque, African Stew, Ambrosia Fruit Salad, and Wacky Chocolate Cake.
Register Here

Halloween Storytime Online

A small child dressed in a fleece bear costume reaching into an orange bowl to select trick-or-treat candy.

Here are some fun stories to help calm typical Halloween fears—complete with laughter! You can listen to a variety of these stories right now. For instance, in Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies, Mo is a zombie who loves gardening and growing his own vegetables. He enjoys cooking and eating them, but his parents insist he needs to eat “finger” foods instead—though they don’t mean snacks! They firmly say, “zombies don’t eat veggies!” However, Mo, being a zombie who eats veggies, tries to convince his parents to give them a try. Enjoy Halloween storytime online and explore more books at the Library that turn Halloween fear into Halloween fun!

If You Like Horror

Stacks of old books and a skull sitting on a table with eerie lighting.

If you’re specifically seeking extra-terror, we can help you find your next horrifying read. First, explore our list of horror award winners. Additionally, check out recommendations from your favorite authors. For ongoing inspiration, subscribe to our horror book newsletter, delivered right to your inbox every month. With these options, you’ll have plenty of ways to discover chilling reads that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Fall Reading Recommendations

A stack of three books sitting outside on a sunny day with pumpkins and falling leaves.

Looking for some mysterious or spooky fun? Start by exploring our curated book lists that feature popular fall and Halloween reading genres, TV shows, and movies. Additionally, enjoy a variety of fall-themed activities at The Library every day. With these resources, you can immerse yourself in the seasonal spirit and discover new favorites to enjoy throughout the season.

Fiction

AhOoooooh – Werewolves of Fiction – IndyPL_KaseyP

Why do shapeshifters fascinate us so? Maybe it’s the transformational quality, or the idea that we’ve all got a little beast hidden inside of us. These stories of lycanthropy promise fear, fascination, and maybe a few howls at the moon!
Clowns: Scary or Not So Scary? – IndyPL_ChaseM

Read through this list of clown related books and movies, to determine on a case-by-case basis if the clown or clowns are scary…or not so scary!
Crime-solving spooks – IndyPL_SarahS

Sometimes, having been murdered is the best preparation for solving crimes. It’s a weirdly popular trope among cozy mysteries.
Deadly Games Movies & Books – IndyPL_RyanL

Horror and thriller movies/books about deadly survival competitions and games that will leave you hearing the eerie phrase “Do you want to play a game?”
Dolls: Scary or Not So Scary? – IndyPL_ChaseM

Pediophobia is the fear of dolls or inanimate objects that appear human, Examine these books and movies on a case-by-case basis to determine if dolls are scary…or not so scary!
Graphic Novels To Die For – IndyPL_ShainaS

Within this spooky list, you’ll find some lesser known graphic novel gems spotlighted. But beware, their shadows are long and twisty. Muahaha!
The Little House Down the Lane – Haunted House Stories – IndyPL_KaseyP

Be it a decrepit mansion, busted apartment complex, or secluded hotel, beware the building that looks back at you with hatred in its grubby windows! And never ever set foot inside…
Mysteries with a Paranormal Twist – IndyPL_MicheleP

Things such as Tarot Cards, Angels, Psychics, Ghosts, Seances, Crystal Balls, and Talking Skeletons can be found in these mystery series. Throw off your disbelief for a short time and enjoy!
Sweet and Spooky Romances – IndyPL_RachelNW

Celebrate the start of fall by reading these sweet and spooky paranormal romances. Read about werewolves, witches, ghosts, and vampires as they carve pumpkins and fall in love.
Witchy Mysteries – IndyPL_JessicaM

Love mysteries and want to get in the mood for the spooky season? Enjoy these mysteries with witch protagonists and magical twists.

TV & Movies

A History of Horror Films – IndyPL_ChaseM

October, more specifically the Halloween season, is a great time to celebrate horror movies and what scares us. This list explores how the definition of what scares us has changed and how culture and society influenced it.
If You Like Camp Upside-Down: If you like Stranger Things – IndyPL_KaseyP

If you love this nostalgic horror phenomenon from Netflix, you know it makes 80s pop culture references galore! Here are some of the gems referencee, as well as Hawkins, IN adjacent goodies for all seasons.
If You Like Shaun of the Dead – IndyPL_KaseyP

Horror Comedies can be done well. (Fair warning: Almost all of these carry an R-Rating. Please giggle responsibly.)
Octoberween // Books & Movies to Die For Part 2: The Spookening – IndyPL_ShainaS

20 beloved favorites! OoooOoooooooo OOOOOOOoooooooooo
Terrifying Horror Films – IndyPL_JessicaL

Beware, these films are not for the faint of heart. Perfect for having a fright night anytime of the year.
Zombie Comedy Films – IndyPL_TimothyV

Some of these movies are classic. Others are classically bad. Either way, zombies can make us laugh even as they terrify us.

Extras

Halloween Cooking Fun – IndyPL_KathyH

Whether you’re having a Halloween party or just want some fun treats to make for your friends or family, check out these fun Halloween cookbooks.
Halloween – It’s Not Just for Kids! – IndyPL_KathyH

"There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch." Robert Brault #IndyPLAdults
Mr. & Mrs. Shelley: The Original Goth Couple – IndyPL_DanA

When Percy was killed in a boating accident, Mary kept his petrified heart on her person and in her desk until the day she died. Learn more!
Spooky Scores – IndyPL_MarianneK

Tingle your spine while tinkling the ivories with these classic chillers.

For Kids & Teens

We can assist you in finding delightful Halloween reading for both kids and teens. Our collection features a range of engaging books tailored to young readers of all ages, ensuring that they can enjoy the spooky season with captivating stories. Whether you’re looking for thrilling adventures, spooky tales, or festive Halloween-themed books, we offer a variety of options to suit every interest and reading level. As a result, you can easily discover the perfect Halloween read to match your mood and interests!

Fall Into Autumn with These Wonderful Books – IndyPL_ShannonO

Fall is here! Time to get into the spirit with some autumn-themed picture books! These are great titles for story times, displays, and more!
Spooky Graphic Novels for Kids – IndyPL_RyanL

A small sampling of some spooky and fun graphic novels for kids. Just in time for Halloween.
Octoberween // Picture Books – IndyPL_ShainaS

Here’s a third batch of creepy cute Halloween-y picture books to warm your chilly autumn nights!
Books to Turn Halloween Fear into Halloween Fun! – IndyPL_Recommends_Kids

Many small children don’t find Halloween fun at all! The masks, the jumping out surprises and all the ghosts, vampires & scary looking pumpkins can be too many surprises for little trick-or-treaters. Here are several stories that can help kids turn their Halloween fears into Halloween fun!
If You Like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – IndyPL_CarrieS

These books offer the same kind of suspense and thrills. This is a list of middle grade books for future Stephen King fans. If you get a thrill out of wondering what lurks in the closet after dark… These stories are for you!
Monsters Aren’t Scary – IndyPL_JessicaNS

Not all monster books are scary! If your little one is afraid of monsters, these are some good choices to help with their fears. They’ll be laughing at monsters in no time.
Wholesome Halloween – IndyPL_JessicaL

Enjoy the fun of Halloween with this family-friendly collection of videos!
Witchy Reads for Halloween – IndyPL_ShannonO

Get into the Halloween season with these witch-themed books and graphic novels for kids and teens.

Tags Holidays & Seasons

If you like mysteries, browse these tips and tricks for finding your next mysterious read. There is a huge amount of variation within the genre from true crime to the supernatural, thriller, or romance. A mystery fits any reading taste!

1. Read an award winner.

The Agatha Awards celebrate traditional mysteries, a genre defined as mysteries that contain no explicit sex, excessive gore, or gratuitous violence. To place convenient requests in our catalog, browse all of the Agatha Award winners in our collection browse all of the Agatha Award winners in our collection.

The Anthony Awards for mystery writers are announced at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. To place convenient requests in our catalog, browse all of the Anthony Award winners in our collection.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Use mystery lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

3. Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

Click on a featured book list to get reading recommendations. Browse all our staff mystery lists or see our If You Like Cozy Mysteries recommendations.

Mysteries for Adults:

Mysteries for Teens:

Mysteries for Kids:

Our staff suggests these sites for mystery readers:

Novelsuspects.com is great for fans of mysteries, thrillers, and true crime. There you’ll find book lists, essays, reviews, and more.
On Mysteryfile.com read daily reviews of both books and media.
On Stopyourekillingme.com browse reviews or thousands of authors sorted by series or explore by setting or the sleuth’s occupation.
Crimereads.com really lets you drill down to your mystery flavor of choice: noir, suspense, legal thriller, etc.

Staff Picks 2024- Best of Suspense

In the mood to freak yourself out? Check out our staff’s favorite horror, mystery, and thriller novels from 2024.

We’ve got stories of missing children that span decades (The God of the Woods and The Middle of the Night, All the Colors of the Dark), lots of haunted houses (Incidents Around the House, We Use to Live Here, and Model Home), and indigenous suspense (The Angel of Indian Lake and Where They Last Saw Her).

4. Make a selection from this list of mystery authors.

5. Use your Library card to login to NoveList Plus.

On NoveList Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. All you need to open NoveList Plus is your Library card. There are several mystery categories to choose from including:

7. Subscribe to the mystery newsletter from NextReads.

Receive mystery reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

8. Find a book discussion near you!

You are invited to join in one of our many in-person or online book discussions that take place several times each month. In our book discussion groups we read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books. We express our opinions (both likes and dislikes!) with other avid readers in the city.

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

Cozy mysteries, often referred to as “cozies,” are a gentle subgenre of crime fiction or more hardened mysteries. The stories are often set in small communities and feature unlikely amateur detectives like letter carriers, inn keepers, teachers or librarians. Explicit sexuality and graphic violence take place off stage and any profanity is mild. If you like cozy mysteries, you can browse a wide variety of titles in our catalog or take a look at these tips and tricks to make your next selection!

1. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Use a mystery list from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both app directions and browser directions are available as well as a video tutorial and Overdrive Support.

Cozy Mystery Fiction from OverDrive

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

2. Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get cozy mystery reading recommendations. See also our If You Like Mysteries recommendations. You might also try Cozymystery.com for a one stop shop for all matters cozy. It provides recommendations, booklists, and announcements of upcoming entries in all your favorite series.

3. Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus to find more cozy mysteries.

Browse the Novelist Plus cozy mysteries list find cozy mystery reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, and reviews.

4. Subscribe to the cozy mystery newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive cozy mystery reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads here!

5. Make a Selection from these cozy mystery authors.

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

Fairy tale classics like The Princess and the Pea change when set in new locations or told from unique perspectives. La Princesa and the Pea retells this classic tale in Peru. Here, a princess proves her authenticity by sensing a single pea hidden beneath a pile of mattresses.

There are lots of stories like The Princess and the Pea that kids can rattle off without even thinking very much. The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, and Cinderella are so widely known that children everywhere recognize them. When told in different locations, these stories take on unique variations that reflect the local land and culture.

Juana Martinez-Neal, the illustrator of La Princesa and the Pea, won the 2018 Pura Belpré Award for her exceptional portrayal of cultural identity through illustration. This award recognizes the best work depicting Latino cultural experiences. In La Princesa and the Pea, Martinez-Neal’s illustrations feature authentic Peruvian weaving, similar to the artifacts at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

As you read the story, examine the illustrations to discover the weaving process. Meanwhile, the tale of the princess unfolds alongside the depiction of a Peruvian setting and the experiences of a young lady there. In addition, classic tales told in this manner offer a chance to see your own culture reflected or explore a different culture. Check out more from the list below!

Use your Library Card to check out fairy tale classics at any of our locations, or check out e-books and e-audiobooks from home right to your device. Need help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or text a librarian at 317 333-6877.

Hispanic Retellings of Classic Tales

Here are some favorite classic tales and traditional stories told with details and cultural traditions of the American Southwest, Mexico, Central or South America.

Title - The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

Tags Hispanic/Latino, Holidays & Seasons

Choose one of these outstanding books by authors whose writing is made unique and compelling by the ancestry they trace to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American or other Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean. Read one, listen to one, suggest one for your book club, or read one to your child or class!

Download and stream books by Hispanic and Latino authors.

Choose e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, or e-comics on Hoopla from their Hispanic Heritage Month Collection. Hoopla is one of our digital borrowing platforms. It includes materials for all ages. You can borrow 10 Items each month from Hoopla using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Hoopla before, Hoopla directions are available as well as a Hoopla video tutorial.

You can also stream movies from Kanopy’s Hispanic American Collection. Kanopy is one of our streaming movie platforms. It has movies and TV shows for all ages. You can borrow 20 Items each month from Kanopy using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before review these Kanopy directions or watch a Kanopy video tutorial.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Check out a book by a Hispanic or Latino author.

Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

For adults:

For teens:

For Kids:

Read an award winner.

Find many books to share with children in our collection of Pura Belpre Medal winners. This medal is awarded each year for both writing and illustration to recognize literature that best celebrates the Latino cultural experience. Try one of the winners:

2024 Author and Illustrator Winner Mexikid a Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin
2024 Young Adult Author Award Winner Saints of the Household by Ari Tison.
2023 Author Winner Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
2023 Illustrator Winner Where Wonder Grows by Xelena Gonzalez
2022 Author Winner The Last Storyteller by Donna Barba Higuera
2022 Illustrator Winner Come On! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third
2021 Author Winner Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
2021 Illustrator Winner Come On! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third

Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books by Hispanic and Latino authors. Browse the Latine category in Novelist Plus.

Subscribe to a Spanish newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly for help finding books in Spanish by Hispanic and Latino authors. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

Tags Authors, Hispanic/Latino

Here are several ways you can visit the Library or use your library card to explore the achievements, contributions, and influence of Hispanic people and culture.

Read books by Hispanic and Latino authors.

See our to guide Finding books by Hispanic and Latino Authors. Enjoy this convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog. Easily place requests or check out e-books or audiobooks. Find award books, check out an e-book or downloadable audiobook, and find reading recommendations from our staff.

Choose a book written by an author whose writing is made unique and compelling by the ancestry they trace to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American or other Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean. Read one, listen to one, suggest one for your book club, or read one to your child or class!

Explore Hispanic history and culture.

Use your Library card to explore the history and culture of Latinos. Explore hundreds of primary source documents like maps, images, audio clips, interviews, music, and more at The Latino American Experience.

Receive an email newsletter featuring popular Spanish titles.

Receive reading recommendations of recently added Spanish materials. Subscribe to our monthly Spanish email newsletter or view the most recent issue.

Stream a movie with your Library card.

You can also stream movies from Kanopy’s Hispanic American Collection. Kanopy is a streaming movie platform. It has movies and TV shows for all ages. You can borrow 20 Items each month from Kanopy using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before here are some directions and a video tutorial.

Begin learning or practice Spanish on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can take a self-paced lesson in Mango anytime, anywhere. Each lesson combines real scenarios and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. Fun, interactive courses help you practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Additional segments share an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application. Watch this video tutorial or learn more about Mango.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins annually on September 15th and continues through October 15. The time is set aside to recognize the achievements, contributions, and influence of Hispanic people and culture.
Originally signed into legislation as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the celebration was expanded to a month by legislation in 1988 and signed into law by President Ronald.

Tags Hispanic/Latino

Cuando estás de vacaciones, haciendo mandados, o fuera de casa, leer historias convierte las horas de espera en momentos de diversión. ¡Es la hora del cuento en línea! Nuestra biblioteca de cuentos está disponible las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Disfruta de tus historias favoritas en cualquier momento. Haz clic en la portada de un libro para leer o escuchar cuentos en español. Sumérgete en la magia de la lectura.

Para fomentar el gusto de los niños por las historias, explora más recursos. Consulta la International Children’s Literature Database: Los Libros en Español. Este recurso ofrece una rica colección de literatura infantil en español. Además, Uniteforliteracy: Los Libros en Español proporciona una selección de libros con narración en español, ideales para que los niños disfruten mientras desarrollan sus habilidades de escucha. También puedes visitar Plaza Sésamo en Español. Presenta cuentos y actividades educativas en un formato atractivo. Estos recursos mantienen a los niños entretenidos y comprometidos con la lectura.

No te pierdas la Hora del Cuento Bilingüe – Español. Únete a la Señora Laura para una sesión de cuentacuentos en inglés y español. Los preescolares disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos que fomentan el amor por la lectura y el aprendizaje de nuevos idiomas. Esta experiencia bilingüe es una oportunidad para que los niños se sumerjan en historias cautivadoras y desarrollen habilidades en ambos idiomas. ¡No te lo pierdas!

¿Necesitas ayuda? Llame o pregunte a un miembro del personal de la biblioteca en cualquiera de nuestras ubicaciones o envíe un mensaje de texto a un bibliotecario al 317 333-6877.

title - Jorge el Curioso monta en bicicleta

title - Martí's Song for Freedom/ Martí Y Sus Versos Por La Libertad

title - Mike Mulligan y su maquina maravillosa

title - Silvestre y la piedrecita magica

Historias en Español – Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe

Event: Bilingual Storytime at Wayne – Baby and Toddler
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 10:30am
Location: Wayne Branch
Description: Babies and toddlers up to age 2 with an adult are invited for an active class featuring stories, songs, and rhymes followed by socialization and playtime with age appropriate toys.
No Registration Required.

Event: Bilingual Storytime at West Perry – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 10, 10:30am
Location: West Perry Branch
Description: Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
No Registration Required.

Event: Bilingual Storytime at Eagle – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
Date & Time: Thursday, December 11, 11:00am
Location: Eagle Branch
Description: Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
No Registration Required.

Event: Bilingual Storytime at College Avenue – American Sign Language (ASL)
Date & Time: Saturday, December 13, 10:30am
Location: College Avenue Branch
Description: Join us for a storytime with a Deaf presenter and American Sign Language interpreter! This program is fully accessible and enjoyable to both Deaf and hearing individuals.
No Registration Required.

Event: Bilingual Storytime at Garfield Park – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 17, 10:30am
Location: Garfield Park Branch
Description: Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
No Registration Required.

Tags Hispanic/Latino

collage of historical fiction book covers including "Sacrificio," "Lavender House," "Siren Queen," "The Rib King," and more.

If you enjoy reading about characters living in a different time or navigating real historical events, here are some tips to help you find your next historical fiction read! Browse award winners, get recommendations from our staff, or make a selection from our list of historical fiction authors linked directly to our catalog, so you can conveniently place holds and check item availability. You might also find reading suggestions at If You Like Historical Romance.

Find award winners.

The Walter Scott Prize recognizes historical fiction novels published in the last year. Browse the Walter Scott Prize award winners.
The Society of American Historians awards a Prize for historical fiction every other year. View the Society of American Historians award and past winners.
The Crime Writers’ Association awards the Historical Dagger for a historical crime novel published in the last year in the UK in English.
Make a selection from the Goodreads Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction of 2024.

Awards for Young Adult and Children’s Historical Fiction:

Get reading recommendations from library staff.

Adults:

Kids:

Staff Picks 2024 – Best of Historical Fiction

Here are a few of our staff members’ favorite historical fiction selections of 2024– covering a span of hundreds of years. Read a trippy reimagining of Montezuma and Cortez’s meeting, see how an 18th century midwife handles being on trial for murder, or experience Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of James, the enslaved man at the center of the narrative. Looking for epic narratives that deal with the present as well as history? Take a peek at our Best of Fiction list.

New this year: we’ve included some recommendations at the bottom of the list that were our favorite reads from previous years. Hopefully, these will have a shorter hold list for you!

Use your Library card to access Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. There are several historical fiction categories to choose from including:

Subscribe to the historical fiction newsletter from NextReads.

Receive a monthly list of historical fiction books in your email. Listed books are linked to the Indianapolis Public Library catalog, so it’s easy to place a hold on anything that catches your eye. See a sample issue of the historical fiction list or sign up for NextReads newsletters.

Make a selection from one of these historical fiction authors.

Upcoming Author Talks & Book Discussions

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Fort Ben
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 6:00pm
Location: Fort Ben Branch
Description: We will be discussing your book choice. Bring a copy of what you are reading, share your thoughts with the group and get new book-read ideas.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Pike
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 6:00pm
Location: Pike Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program. New members are always welcome!
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Tags If You Like

If you need help finding books by LGBTQ+ authors, we can help! Here are some tips to help get you started as well as a convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books and audiobooks.

Read an award winner.

Make a selection from some of the most distinguished honors in literature.

Awarded since 1971, The Stonewall Book Award goes to books of exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience. See the Stonewall Award winners in our catalog.

The Lambda Literary Awards (or “Lammys”) have been awarded for more than 30 years. The Lammys are given in 24 categories celebrating LGBTQ storytelling. See the Lambda Literary Award winners in our catalog.

Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse OverDrive’s LGBTQIA+ collections of e-books and downloadable audiobooks.

If you have never borrowed from OverDrive or the OverDrive Libby app before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.

Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

Browse through one of our featured lists or see our full listing of LGBTQ+ staff created book lists.

LGBTQ+ Graphic Novels

Graphic novels where LGBTQ+ characters and themes are relevant to the plot.

Title - My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness

Use your Library card to login to NoveList Plus.

On NoveList Plus you’ll find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books by LGBTQ+ authors.

Subscribe to the Rainbow Reads newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly for help finding books by LGBTQ+ authors. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

LGBTQ+ Adult Authors

LGBTQ+ Teen Authors

LGBTQ+ Childrens Authors

Carlos Aponte
Christine Baldacchino
Kacen Callender
Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Deborah Ellis
Brian Farrey

Alex Gino
James Howe
Liz Kessler
Arnold Lobel
Ann M. Martin
Hannah Moskowitz

Leslea Newman
Gayle Pitman
Maurice Sendak
Ken Setterington
Cory Silverberg

Tags Authors, LGBTQ+

We want all children to grow up without fear, but know that even while they are still very young, children will experience stressful and traumatic situations. Events in the news can cause children who are aware of them anxiety or fear. It is comforting and empowering to know that there are skills children can learn to help them cope. And there are experts who can help us teach them. These experts can support us helping children cope with tragic events.

The books and resources listed below are designed by early childhood experts to help you talk through fear and anxiety with your child. It is clear from the resources we have gathered that one of the best things we can all do is simply reassure children that many people – their family, their teachers, their neighbors, the people at daycare or church, or the library, love and care about them and are looking out for their safety.

Favorite stories can also be steadfast old friends to count on in times of trouble. Open a book. Start to read. Hold them close and revisit old friends together; Curious George, Arthur, The Little Engine That Could. Find the books in the bookcase with the dog-eared pages and the tell-tale bite marks on the spine; the ones you can probably recite without looking at the pages. Choose the one with the coffee ring on the cover for having been on the bedside table every night. Take advantage of the comfort and security that time spent with you and a good book can provide.

Helping Children Cope with Tragic Events: Professional Advice

NPR: How to talk to children about the violence in Israel and Gaza
Colorín Colorado: 15 Tips for Talking with Children About Violence (This page has been updated with information specific to the shootings in both Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York. Colorín Colorado offers bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families.)
PBS Kids for Parents: Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News
Colorín Colorado: Talking About Racism and Violence: Resources for Educators and Families
EmbraceRace: Nurturing Resilience in a World of Racial Aggression and Violence
KidsHealth: How to Talk to Your Child About the News
Greater Good Science Center: How to Talk With Kids About Scary News
Peace Learning Center: Ukraine Guidance This is an informative, printable .pdf with many helpful resources.
American Academy of Pediatrics: How to Talk With Your Child About the War in Ukraine Dr. David Schonfeld offers his thoughts including a helpful FAQ of commonly asked questions from kids with ideas for how to answer them.

Helping Children Cope with Tragic Events: Sesame Street Traumatic Experiences Guide

The experts at Sesame Street have put together an online coping guide called Traumatic Experiences to help adults explain community violence to young children. The guide includes a variety of helpful videos that show familiar Muppet characters modeling various coping strategies. The guide also provides practical ideas for helping children cope with tragic events. Related tools include storybooks, activities, and printables.

Violence in Communities

Violence in Communities (también disponible en español: Violencia En La Comunidad) In this video, Rosita comes to Allan upset after hearing that somebody hurt a lot of people. Allan’s skilled responses are shared in the printable guide Troubling Times that provides helpful advice for answering some of the most challenging questions children ask. What happened? Why did these people do bad things? Will the bad people come to hurt us? Will this happen again?

Stand Tall Together

Stand Tall Together (también disponible en español: Con la cabeza erguida) In this video Big Bird learns how movement can help focus a person’s mind when it is overwhelmed with big feelings. Big Bird learns the tree pose to help himself feel steady and confident. You can follow along with the video and use this tree pose printable to model this self-calming technique.

Super Grover’s Super Pose

Super Grover’s Super Pose (también disponible en español: La pose de poder de Súper Grover) In this video Super Grover shows how holding his body in a confident manner and saying encouraging things to himself can help ease his worry and anxiety. Even Super Grover doesn’t always feel super, but doing these self-care techniques helps him remind himself, “I am super!”

Big Bird’s Comfy Cozy Nest

Big Bird’s Comfy Cozy Nest In this video Big Bird is feeling lots of things all mixed together and he doesn’t know what to do with them. He feels sad, angry, confused, and anxious. Big Bird learns a self-calming technique imagining a safe place in which he can feel calm and peaceful. Big Bird’s Nest includes helpful conversation prompts and Let’s Play Activity Book offers several ideas to help children explore their emotions as well as a storybook version of “Imagine a Safe Place with Big Bird” in both English and Spanish.

Count, Breath, Relax

Count, Breath, Relax Learn a simple self-calming technique with the Count and Cookie Monster by slowly blowing out pretend birthday cake candles.

Care, Copy & Connect

Care, Cope & Connect is a printable online guide to help adults comfort and support kids going through community stress. It includes ideas to help kids feel safe and secure, activity pages, and self-care tips for parents and caregivers. It is available in Korean and Arabic.

Books

When children are afraid, it is common for them to fear being separated from their trusted adults. Three stories that are particularly good for talking about coping with separation anxiety are Owl Babies. Llama Llama Misses Mama, and The Kissing Hand. Just click on one of the book covers to watch the story in a video read aloud. I Am Peace a Book of Mindfulness and Bee Calm the Buzz on Yoga also might be helpful for practicing self-calming techniques.

More Books You Can Check Out to Help Children Cope

When young children are feeling scared, it can be helpful to read a book together that helps talk with them about their anxious feelings; or helps answer questions about difficult topics like violence or tragic events children hear about on the news. Below are several sensitive and insightful children’s stories that address separation fear, anxiety, and grief. These stories can help children learn to recognize and name these emotions, they can offer reassurance, and they can provide ideas for helping children (and you) cope.

Title - What to Do When the News Scares You

Title - Pig and Horse and the Something Scary

Tags Mental Health

Here are some tips for finding books by Black authors, including a convenient list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books and e-audiobooks. Find compelling fiction and nonfiction by both contemporary and classic Black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to romance, to science fiction to personal memoirs, whether you are looking for a thrilling page turner are recognized prize-winner!

Visit the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library.

The Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) is home to our largest collection of materials by Black authors. Take as long as you’d like to browse this collection that features authors whose work impacts local, national, and global culture in literature, sports, business, politics, science, and music. Also don’t miss the CBLC’s website, The Power of Black Voices. This online collection includes artifacts, photographs, and articles across many categories including Black Literature and The African Diaspora. The CBLC can provide both in-person and online help finding books by Black authors.

Read an award winner.

Make a selection from some of the most distinguished honors in literature. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Literary Award, the NAACP Image Awards for Literature, and the Earnest J. Gaines Literary Award all recognize excellence in writing by Black authors. To place convenient requests browse the winners in our catalog:

Borrow e-books and e-audiobooks

You can use your Library card to use OverDrive, our e-book and e-audiobook lending platform. Browse OverDrive’s African American Fiction or OverDrive’s African American Nonfiction collections. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive’s Libby app before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Screenshot of four book covers that display from a search in the Libby app.

Get reading recommendations from Library staff

Click on a featured booklist to get reading recommendations or see all our staff book lists featuring Black authors.

Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus

On Novelist Plus you’ll find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books by Black authors. Browse the Black Authors category in Novelist Plus.

Subscribe to the Black Literature Newsletter from NextReads

Receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly for recent novels featuring stories by Black authors. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to Next Reads today!

Black Authors

Tags Authors, Black History

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to the Pew Research Center, “Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, each with unique histories, cultures, languages and other characteristics.”

Heritage months like this one are annual reminders to acknowledge the experiences of various marginalized people and to elevate their contributions that are too often ignored. These months are also celebrations of their culture. This year, you can use this time to immerse yourself in the diverse histories, cultures, and traditions of people of Asian-Pacific ancestry.

Graphic Novel Memoirs Featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander Authors

A memoir is a narrative book, written from the perspective of the author, that tells about a particular portion of their life. Memoirs give individual perspective and share what a person felt during a particular experience. A memoir may or may not begin in childhood as an autobiography often does, whose purpose spans the author’s life time. Memoirs instead focus on a particular moment or influential experience that has shaped the author. Memoirs create empathy and understanding at a deeper level beyond the facts. The story is told as the author remembers it. The author is the only one who can tell the story. Our staff have selected several graphic novel memoirs to recommend during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

For even more reading ideas see our guide to Finding Books by Asian and Pacific Islander Authors.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is made up of three seemingly unrelated stories blending modern day issues with a beautiful old Chinese myth to tell a story about racism, identity, and acceptance. It won the 2007 Best Book Award from The Chinese American Librarians Association, the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, and the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album. In addition, it was a finalist for the 2006 National Book Award. IndyPL_KristenF

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui

In the graphic novel memoir The Best We Could Do, Thi Bui tells the story of her family, starting with the birth of her son and then working back in time. She chronicles the lives of her parents through the ever shifting turmoil in Vietnam and their escape to the United States. Through it all, she questions whether or not she will be as strong as her parents and if she is worthy to even be a parent. Bui’s book was an American Book Award winner, a National Book Critics Circle finalist in autobiography, and an Eisner Award finalist in reality-based comics. IndyPL_MarianneK

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

Finally, you may know George Takei from his performance as Sulu on the TV show Star Trek and from his wonderful social media presence. What you might not now is that when he was a child during World War II Takei spent time in an internment camp for people of Japanese descent. Takei sheds light on this dark part of American history in his emotional memoir They Called Us Enemy. It’s a story of legalized racism, the love of family, and perseverance. Takei’s book won the 2020 Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Literature Award, the 2020 American Book Award, and the 2020 Eisner Award. IndyPL_KristenF

Browse More Asian American Memoirs

This is a list of memoirs celebrates the unique and varied voices of Asian American authors. It provides representation for the different countries and cultures that make up the Asian American experience.

Movies

Set aside an evening or two to enjoy a movie feature from one of our streaming movie services. Kanopy features collections of Chinese Cinema, Indian Cinema, Japanese Cinema, Korean Cinema, and Thai Cinema. In addition, Hoopla feature an Asian Cinema collection.

Poetry

Enjoy the online National Poetry Foundation portal Asian American Voices in Poetry. This collection is intended to introduce readers to Asian American poets. Simply click on a poet’s name to learn about them and read selections of their work.

Online Sources

Yamato hasedera digital file from original print

To take a deep dive online, visit the PBS site, Ancestors in the Americas, which provides a comprehensive list of resources related to Asian American heritage or explore this comprehensive web portal that is a collaborative project of the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

For a look at local history, explore the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis articles featuring Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Asian Indian histories in Indianapolis. You can also browse the Indianapolis Sister Cities International Digital Collection which features the Sister Cities Taipei, Taiwan, and Hangzhou, China and Hyderabad, India.

Especially for Kids

Enjoy these online read alouds featuring stories by Grace Lin, Demi, Ji-li Jiang, Virginia Loh-Hagan, Minh Lê, and more. You can also listen to stories read aloud in Mandarin brought to you be Scholastic Treasures.

To find even more great titles for kids, children’s book author Linda Sue Park has created and manages a site called KiBooka that highlights kids’ books by Korean Americans.

Tags Asian & Pacific Islander

Here are tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. See also If You Like Amish and Mennonite Fiction.

1. Find award winning Christian fiction.

The Christy awards are presented annually to recognize novels of excellence written from a Christian worldview. See Christy Award winners in our collection here.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse our OverDrive Christian Fiction Collection of e-books and downloadable audiobooks you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

3. Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

4. Make a selection from one of these Christian fiction authors.

5. Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. There are several horror categories to choose from including:

6. Subscribe to a Christian fiction email newsletter.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a Christian fiction sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Religion

Child wearing a backpack going to school for the first time.

In The King of Kindergarten, a little boy’s parents encourage him and fill him with confidence in the time leading up to his first day of school. He can be the King of it, even if he doesn’t know everything yet! “It sounds like a lot, but you’re the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake.” This joyful attitude about how to welcome new experiences helps him have a great first day of kindergarten! The parents in The King of Kindergarten help by passing on the excitement of learning and the perspective that even if something is difficult at first – there will be a classroom of friends and a teacher to learn with. Learning will be fun! You can listen to The King of Kindergarten right now, read by Alvin Irby from Barbershop Books. Its starting school storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

What did the boy eat for breakfast? What is your favorite breakfast?
What did the boy in the story do that was very brave?
How was the boy going to get to school?
What did the father use to measure how tall the boy was?

Read!

Another great idea to get ready for the first day of school is reading books about other kids and favorite characters who are ALSO worried about the first day of school. Stories featuring the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George and more can help your child practice what it might feel like to be anxious about school and learn great strategies for having fun instead!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about starting school at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about starting school from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about starting school right now! It’s starting school storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

Kindergarten Jitters – More Books to Check Out

Starting school for the first time can be scary or overwhelming! Covering topics from leaving parents and siblings at home, to riding the school bus, to meeting new classmates and eating lunch in the cafeteria, these picture books help new students understand what to expect on their first day, and teach them to cope with nervousness or anxiety.

Title - Butterflies on the First Day of School

Sing!

This sing-a-long will help you get excited to go to school! Watch Marshall, Skye, Chase, Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Molly, Gil, Bot, and Geo reimagined as fuzzy felt friends singing about school.

Write!

Find a pencil or pen, some crayons or markers to color a school picture, practice writing the letters , or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Here are nine classic preschool games your new student is bound to play at school. Give them a heads up by pre-playing some of these crowd pleasers together!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: College Avenue Branch
Description: Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
No Registration Required.

Event: Underwater Explorers
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 11:00am
Location: Central Library
Description: Sharks, mermaids, and pirates–oh my! Explore creatures of the deep through stories and activities led by Clint Kowalik of Go Fishin’ with Clint. Come as yourself or as your favorite sea character or creature! Perfect for children ages 3 to 6.
Register Here

Event: Storytime at Nora – Move and Groove
Date & Time: Saturday, December 06, 10:30am
Location: Nora Branch
Description: A story time that incorporates songs and dance, and will help start a great day. Encourages language development and physical activity. For toddlers and preschoolers, and their caregivers
No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Tags Storytime Online

Urban Fiction, or Street Lit, share the socio-economic realities and culture of its characters in a city landscape. Profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit and it is common that authors of this genre draw upon their own past experiences to inform their stories. Here are several ways to easily find and check out urban fiction reading recommendations with your IndyPL library card.

1. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse urban fiction lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.

Browse Urban Fiction from OverDrive

2. Make a selection from this list of urban fiction authors.

3. Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

4. Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. Browse the Novelist Plus Urban Fiction category.

5. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Urban Fiction

e-Books & Audiobooks

Browse OverDrive’s Amish and Mennonite fiction collection of e-books and downloadable audiobooks you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

Amish & Mennonite Fiction Authors

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Religion

That’s it… the geeks have finally won! No longer relegated to drug-store paperback spinner racks, the science fiction genre is undergoing a huge cultural surge right now, and we have the books, movies, television shows, and graphic novels to prove it! If you like science fiction, we have the content at the Library to keep you satisfied and Indianapolis has several unique resources and conventions to keep you entertained all year round. You might also like If You Like Fantasy.

Science Fiction Book Group at Central Library

Embark on interstellar journeys of imagination with Ad Astra, Central Library’s science fiction book group. Explore distant galaxies, encounter alien civilizations, and unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Join us for an out-of-this-world reading experience! See the schedule.

Science Fiction Book Awards

Explore the best of science fiction and fantasy by checking out the Hugo and Nebula Awards. The Hugos are voted on by fans, while the Nebulas are chosen by authors, offering a unique blend of popular and professional recognition. Discover groundbreaking novels, short stories, and novellas that have shaped the landscape of speculative fiction and are celebrated by both readers and creators alike.

Reading Recommendations from Library Staff

Click on a featured booklist to get science reading recommendations or see all our staff science fiction lists.

In addition to books of science fiction and fantasy, the library also has many great works about science fiction and fantasy. This list of general reference science fiction resources will help you find your next series, keep you up to date on the latest short fiction, or help you while away the hours learning about the books and movies you love.

Staff Picks 2024- Best of Sci-Fi/Fantasy

2024 is the year of subverted tropes and plot lines. Fantasy villains wake up with amnesia to grapple with their crimes (Dreadful), magical girls must grapple with purchasing decisions (A Magical Girl Retires), a scholarship student destroys the academy (The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain), and adults must return to their fantasy worlds (The Lost Story).

Of course, if you’re looking for something entirely original, there’s plenty of that too! A cannibalistic demon makes an Indian food documentary (Rare Flavours), a woman is trapped in the body of a wooly mammoth (Tusks of Extinction), and futuristic reality show sees couples raising virtual babies for the chance to have a real child (The Family Experiment).

Looking for speculative horror? Looking for speculative horror? Check out our suspense list!

Title - The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain

Science Fiction Authors

Indianapolis Science Fiction Resources

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is in the process of renovating their new building, and is currently operating a pop-up shop in the Circle Center Mall downtown.
The Center for Ray Bradbury Studies is another extraordinary resource we are lucky to have in our city. The Center contains tons of Bradbury resources, including manuscripts, drafts, notes, correspondence, recordings, personal artifacts such as his personal typewriters, photographs, and more.
If you don’t mind a short road trip, head southwest to hit up the Who North America store in Camby, Indiana. Not only do they sell Dr. Who related merchandise, they have a museum of Dr. Who memorabilia, some items dating from when the show began in the UK over 50 years ago. There is a rumor that they even have a Dr. Who pinball machine. A must for any Whovian!

Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions

Looking to have some fun and meet other fans of science fiction and fantasy? Indianapolis is home to many gatherings of fans from all over the globe.

If you are purely interested in fiction you might want to try InConJunction, a local science fiction and fantasy convention put on and run by fans. Past guests include George RR Martin, Timothy Zahn, Tobias Buckell, and Mercedes Lackey.
GenCon hosts some amazing authors thanks to their Writer’s Symposium series. Robin Hobb, Cherie Priest, Scott Lynch, Elizabeth Hand, Patrick Rothfuss, John Scalzi, Jo Walton, and Brandon Sanderson have all made appearances there.
If you are more interested in science fiction and fantasy television and movies, then save up for Indy Popcon and the Indiana Comic Convention! Both conventions feature panels about varied topics and includes visits from some of your favorite actors and creators.

Online Science Fiction and Fantasy Resources

If you would rather stay at home there are luckily several places on the internet (beyond Goodreads and Twitter) that encourage reasoned discussion on all things fantastical or futuristic.

Reactor Magazine (formerly Tor.com) is a go-to hub for science fiction and fantasy fans. It offers insightful commentary on beloved series, essays by prominent authors, and a vast collection of free original short fiction. You can also connect with a community of like-minded readers.
Locus magazine is considered the trade magazine for the science fiction, fantasy, and horror field. It has everything from exhaustive lists of new releases, to author interviews, reports on conferences, writing workshops, industry events, and award ceremonies. Pages and pages of book reviews every month ensure you will never miss out on the best new thing.
Fantastic Fiction is the perfect site if you are looking for the full bibliography of an author you are reading. With lists organized neatly and easily into series and links from author to their pseudonyms, it is an easy and quick way to find that next book.
Lastly, Novelist is the place librarians go to help someone find their next favorite book to read – and you can use it to! You will just need a valid Indianapolis Public Library card number. Type in an author or book you enjoy and the database will generate lists of similar books or authors you may enjoy, based either on expert recommendations or similar appeal factors.

Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. There are several science fiction categories to choose from including:

Science Fiction Newsletter from NextReads

Receive science fiction reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

Need more help?

These are just some of the many resources available to Nap-town residents. Be sure to check the library’s website periodically for events, author signings, and new titles. And may the nerds continue to reign supreme for a long time to come!

Tags If You Like, Science Fiction

1. Read an award winner.

If you like fantasy here are several awards that are good sources for finding outstanding novels, short stories, or anthologies.

The Nebula Awards are presented each year for the best science fiction or fantasy published in the United States during the previous year. Browse Nebula Award winners in our collection.
The Hugo Awards are presented each year by the World Science Fiction Society. Browse Hugo Award winners in our collection.
The World Fantasy Awards are presented annually by the World Fantasy Convention to writers of fiction. Browse World Fantasy Award winners in our collection.
The Ignyte Awards are presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and are intended to celebrate excellent Speculative Fiction written by people of color.

2. Borrow e-books, downloadable audiobooks & movies.

Here are some short cut links to easily borrow materials online with your IndyPL library card. If you have never borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before, you can get Kanopy directions.

3. Get reading recommendations from Library staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get reading recommendations or see all our staff fantasy book lists.

Staff Picks 2024- Best of Sci-Fi/Fantasy

4. Make a Selection from these authors.

5. Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. There are several fantasy categories to choose from including:

6. Subscribe to the Fantasy newsletter from NextReads.

Receive fantasy reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a ample issue or Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, December 05, 10:30am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at West Indianapolis
Date & Time: Monday, December 08, 5:00pm
Location: West Indianapolis Branch
Description: This is a call-out meeting for our 2026 Adult Book Discussion Club at West Indianapolis. We will be voting and deciding on the titles we will be reading for the 2026 year.
No Registration Required.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 09, 2:00pm
Rescheduled Date & Time: Tuesday, August 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.
Register Here

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Tags Fantasy, If You Like