Categories
Reading Recommendations

What We’re Reading – April

Are you looking for your next great read? We can help! Visit us in person, explore reading recommendations online, join an in-person or online book discussion, get recommendations on Facebook, tune in to our televised book club segments, and more. Get started here!…

Personalized Reading Recommendations
Whether you are in a reading frenzy or a reading slump, you might just need a short list of title suggestions to support your reading habit or to get inspired. Hoosier Next Read is a personalized book recommendation service from The Indianapolis Public Library. Share your reading preferences, and our Library staff will send you a custom list of 2–5 titles within 7 business days so you’ll always have your next great read ready

Sunday Nights on Facebook
Join us on Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. on Facebook for Currently Reading. Enjoy this hour during which book enthusiasts share favorite books and offer suggestion about what to read next. Find out about the books that have everyone talking.

Indy Now Book Club
Catch book recommendations and Library program highlights from your own local librarians once a month on the Indy Now Morning Show with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59. The show airs at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Browse our past appearances.

In-Person & Online Book Discussions
Do you love talking about books? Join one of our book discussions or book clubs available both in-person and online.

Online Reading Recommendations
NovelList and NovelList K-8 are online services that offer reading recommendations. Browse both fiction and nonfiction, read-alike suggestions, series information, reviews, and lists of recommended and award-winning books for adults, teens and kids. Learn how to start on this video tutorial. Also try Book Connections which includes a “find the right book for you” feature.

Make a selection from one of the book lists below created by our staff of avid readers. You can also follow our staff’s most recently published lists on the library catalog home page. Don’t miss our If You Like… suggestions that cover all the favorite genres like science fiction, graphic novels, romance, and more. Finally, don’t miss What We’re Reading Teens and What We’re Reading Kids.

Staff Picks

If You Liked…Project Hail Mary

these are books that capture the humor, science, survival, cosmic wonder, and big-hearted problem-solving of Andy Weir’s hit novel.

Title - The Kaiju Preservation SocietyTitle - Old ManTitle - The Long Way to A Small, Angry PlanetTitle - A Psalm for the Wild-built

Myth & Magic: A Chinese Zodiac Fantasy Reading List

Spellbinding fantasy books by Asian American authors — one for every sign. From clever Rats to powerful Dragons, this reading list pairs each Chinese zodiac symbol with a book by Asian American authors whose stories echo the traits, themes, and legends of each animal. Whether readers want fierce warriors, hidden magic, quiet wisdom, or shape-shifting creatures, these books highlight the depth, diversity, and imagination of contemporary Asian American fantasy writing.

Title - The Grace of KingsTitle - The Poppy WarTitle - The Ghost BrideTitle - The Burning God

If You Liked…People We Meet on Vacation

Emily Henry’s iconic writing voice will bring you somewhere warm and sunny, where you’ll meet bookish and heartfelt characters along the way. This list is comprised of some of her recent fiction, as well as other notable summer romance novels.

Title - Problematic Summer RomanceTitle - Funny StoryTitle - Happy PlaceTitle - Book Lovers

23 Films to Celebrate 23 Years of Indy Film Fest

The 23rd annual Indy Film Festival takes place April 22-26 at Kan-Kan Cinema & Dance Kaleidoscope. While you wait to see what Indy Film Fest programmers have to share this year, look back at some of the award-winning films featured in past seasons.

Title - Belly of the BeastTitle - Detroit UnleadedTitle - DetropiaTitle - Do Not Resist

A Beginner’s Guide to Houseplants

Bring the outdoors inside on Houseplant Appreciation Day! This list features several beginner’s guides on how to choose houseplants, how to style houseplants in your living space, and how to take care of houseplants. Whether or not you consider yourself someone with a green thumb, these titles offer plenty of guidance and useful information for brand new and seasoned houseplant enthusiasts.

Title - The Green Dumb Guide to HouseplantsTitle - A BeginnerTitle - The Houseplant HandbookTitle - How Not to Kill your Houseplant

23 Films to Celebrate 23 Years of Indy Film Fest

The 23rd annual Indy Film Festival takes place April 22-26 at Kan-Kan Cinema & Dance Kaleidoscope. While you wait to see what Indy Film Fest programmers have to share this year, look back at some of the award-winning films featured in past seasons.

Title - The Decagon House MurdersTitle - The Honjin MurdersTitle - The Aosawa MurdersTitle - Newcomer

Poetry and Lyrics by Musicians

Poetry and lyricism, while being distinct artforms, bear a striking resemblance. Unsurprisingly, many famous songwriters and musicians are also accomplished poets. Explore more of their artistry in this collection of poetry and lyric books by famous musicians.

Title - I Would Leave Me If I CouldTitle - Ani DiFrancoTitle - Now and ThenTitle - The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Spiritual Healing

Spiritual healing involves reconnecting with the Divine or a higher power, which is believed to be the source of life and well-being. It is based on the philosophy that disconnection from this source can lead to various physical and emotional ailments. The practice focuses on harmonizing the spirit or soul, addressing not just physical symptoms but also the underlying emotional and spiritual issues that contribute to overall health.

Title - Spiritual HygieneTitle - The Art & Practice of Spiritual HerbalismTitle - On the Mystery of BeingTitle - The Three Beliefs of Ego

Listen with Liz – April 2026

I love nonfiction audiobooks especially memoir and autobiographies. This is a totally random list of titles I listened to in March 2026. Titles are listed in alphabetical order.

Title - AinTitle - The Best Dog in the WorldTitle - Bibliotherapy in the BronxTitle - Bookish

Poetry by Actors

Celebrate 30 years of National Poetry Month this April by checking out a poetry collection written by an actor. The works by actors on this list explore a variety of poetic themes including the exploitative nature of fame, personal relationships, struggles with mental health, philosophical musings, and even something a little unexpected.

Title - FragmentsTitle - Pretty Boys Are PoisonousTitle - Jimmy Stewart and His PoemsTitle - Poems & Prayers

Google Workspace

Use these recommended titles and online resources to explore the powerful tools the Google Workspace suite of apps has to offer. Some of these resources are video classes available through LinkedIn Learning. You will need your library card number to access them.

Title - Google WorkspaceTitle - Exploring Google DocsTitle - Teach Yourself Visually Google WorkspaceTitle - Google Drive & Docs in 30 Minutes

Japanese Crime and Mystery Fiction

Locked rooms, crooked houses, and last-minute twists keep mystery fans on their toes in these Japanese mystery and crime novels in translation.

Title - The Decagon House MurdersTitle - The Honjin MurdersTitle - The Aosawa MurdersTitle - Newcomer

All About Michael

Explore the story of the late and great King of Pop, Michael Jackson, through a series of memoirs and biographies. From his mesmerizing vocals to his signature dances and style, Michael Jackson changed the landscape of entertainment and music. A true legend, Michael left behind influence and inspiration for generations to come. Let’s celebrate his incredible legacy through literature!

Title - MoonwalkTitle - Remember the TimeTitle - Man in the MusicTitle - You Are Not Alone

Brotherly Bonds in Sci-fi and Fantasy

Check out these SF/F books and media about brothers, either by blood or by choice.

Title - Theft of SwordsTitle - Prince of FoolsTitle - NightlifeTitle - Supernatural

Black Baseball History

The history of baseball is incomplete without recognizing the contributions of the Black players who built the sport, from those that created their own teams and leagues to the people who broke down the MLB color barrier.

Title - Oscar CharlestonTitle - A Pastime of Their OwnTitle - The LeagueTitle - The Indianapolis ABCs

Zines

We’re excited to announce that the E38 Zine Collection is now searchable in the catalog and available to fill requests for pick-up at your favorite branch location! For the last five years, the collection has only been available for check-out from the East 38th Street Branch. Finally we’re able to send them to you! Here is just a small sample of close to 600 titles in the collection.

Title - The Prince ZineTitle - Radical Books That ArenTitle - Hot PropagandaTitle - Strange Fruit