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 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.
- OverDrive Fantasy Fiction e-Books & Audiobooks
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Filmss Streaming Movies from Kanopy
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 2025- Best of Science Fiction and Fantasy
In 2025, so many science fiction authors have taken the opportunity to tackle emerging questions around AI and robotics. Silvia Park tackles sibling bonds between organic and robotic people (Luminous), Arkady Martine reimagines the smart house gone awry in (Rose/House), and Nnedi Okorafor explores the limits of technology related to disability and space (Death of the Author).
4. Make a Selection from these authors.
Joe Abercrombie
Piers Anthony
Elizabeth Bear
Anne Bishop
Olivie Blake
Paula Brackston
Patricia Briggs
Terry Brooks
Jim Butcher
Rachel Caine
Jacqueline Carey
Gail Carriger
Zen Cho
Genevieve Cogman
Zoraida Cordova
Stephen R. Donaldson
Neil Gaiman
Nicole Glover
Terry Goodkind
Laurell K. Hamilton
Deborah Harkness
Charlaine Harris
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!
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: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
- Date & Time: Monday, April 20, 6:30pm
- Location: Irvington Branch
- Description: The book to be discussed is “Girl Waits with Gun” by Amy Stewart. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone! *Please note: This book discussion was rescheduled from January due to weather closings*
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Adult Book Discussion at Lawrence
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21, 10:30am
- Location: Lawrence Branch
- Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program. The title for April is “The Day the World Came to Town” by Jim DeFede.
- Register Here
- Event: Virtual Author Talk: Lush Lyricism and Intimate Confessions with Miranda Cowley Heller
- Date & Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2:00pm
- Location: Online
- Description: Award-winning and bestselling author Miranda Cowley Heller takes us on an intimate journey through the life stages of a woman in her new poetry collection, What the Deep Water Knows. Delicate, yet exceedingly raw, these poems will transport you as vividly as any work of fiction.
- Register Here
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.