Tag: If You Like

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 IndyPL staff.

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

5. Use your IndyPL 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 historical romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Christian fiction” category from the genre list on the left. Click on a book to read a brief description or see a star rating. Click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

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!

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: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
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 If You Like, Religion

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 offstage 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 IndyPL 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.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find cozy mystery reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, and reviews. Once you login, choose the “Mystery” category from the list on the left and then choose “Getting Cozy.” Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow.

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: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

Find Your Next Romantic Read

Romances are books that feature a relationship between two main characters that have a “happily ever after” ending. They can be a great optimistic escape! There are many sub-genres too, if there is a particular setting or mood you like, such as historical, contemporary, paranormal, or inspirational. Here are some tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of contemporary romance authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. For more romantic reads browse our If You Like Historical Romance reading recommendations.

1. Read an award winner.

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Vivian Award and the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) Rona Award both recognize excellence in romance writing.
The Swoon Awards, or “Swoonies” is a reader-based award celebrating the romance community’s favorite romance novels.
The Emma Awards are the premier award for diversity in romantic literature.
The Lambda Literary Awards, or “Lammys,” celebrate LGBTQ storytelling with category awards for Romance, Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance.
For audiobook listeners try out the Audie Award winners in the Romance category.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

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

Romance Fiction from OverDrive

3. Get reading recommendations from our staff.

2024 Staff Picks Best of Romance

In the mood for a light, fun romance? Check out all the books our staff fell in love with in 2024. For the literary lovers, we have romances involving a children’s librarian and a bookstore. For the fantasy lovers, there are werewolves and fae and dragons (oh my!). Come for the 60’s baseball and shotgun weddings, stay for the swoony romance.

More Romance Staff Recommendations

Click on a featured booklist to get romance reading recommendations, or see all our staff romance lists. For even more ideas tailored to your particular romance taste, one of our staff romance readers suggests trying this book finder. Results are also linked to graded reviews, making it easier to find a book that suits your needs.

4. Make a selection from these contemporary romance authors.

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

Get read-alikes and other “what to read next” suggestions from ovelist Plus. If you like contemporary romance, you’ll find romance reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Romance” category from the list on the left. When you click on a book you can read a brief description, see a star rating, and click “Check Availability” to see if your selection is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to the romance newsletter from NextReads.

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 See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Romance

Here some tips to help you find your next historical romantic read as well as a convenient clickable list of historical romance authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. You might also find reading suggestions at If You Like Historical Fiction and If You Like Contemporary Romance.

1. Read an award winner.

There are a variety of awards given each year for the best in romance writing. Browse the winners from peoples’ choice to the best romance audiobook.

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Vivian Award and the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) Rona Award both recognize excellence in romance writing.
The Swoon Awards, or “Swoonies” is a reader-based award celebrating the romance community’s favorite romance novels of the year.
The Emma Awards are the premier award for diversity in romantic literature recognizing excellence in works featuring diverse and multicultural protagonists.
The Lambda Literary Awards, or “Lammys,” celebrate LGBTQ storytelling with category awards for Romance, Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance.
For audiobook listeners try out the Audie Award winners in the Romance category.

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

Use romance lists from OverDrive and Kanopy to find e-books, audiobooks & streaming movies. Here are some short cut links to easily borrow online with your IndyPL library card. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before, try these Kanopy directions.

3. Get reading recommendations from our staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get historical romance reading recommendations. See also If You Like Contemporary Romance or, if you you are looking for more history, try Staff Picks 2024 – Best of Historical Fiction.

4. Make a selection from these historical romance authors.

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

Use your Library card to login to Novelist Plus. On Novelist Plus you’ll find historical romance reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning historical romance books. Once you login with your Library card, choose the “Romance” category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Regency Rogues,” “Victorian Days,” “Men in Kilts,” and more. Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or choose “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow.

6. Subscribe to the romance newsletter from NextReads.

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 sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Tags If You Like, Romance

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 our staff.

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!

Adults:

Kids:

Use your library card to access NoveList Plus.

Find reading recommendations, read-alikes, reviews, and lists of award-winning books on the book database NoveList Plus, which is free to access with your library card!

On the left side of the NoveList homepage, select “Historical Fiction” to view lists of recommended reads. Or, select “Browse By” at the top of the site and choose “Genre,” then select “historical fiction” from the drop-down menu to browse new and popular picks.

When viewing a title in NoveList Plus, you can read a brief description of the book and see reviews. Click “Check availability” to see if the book is available to borrow.

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: Tween Graphic Novel Book Club
Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 2:00pm
Location: Lawrence Branch
Description: Kids ages 9-12 are invited to join us for discussion, giveaways, snacks and a craft based on this month’s title. Join us each month to discuss our current read, create art inspired by the book, eat snacks and spin for a free book! Stop by the Children’s Reference Desk for this month’s title.
Register Here

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Ad Astra
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Embark on interstellar journeys of imagination with Ad Astra, Central Library’s scifi book group. Our May title is “How High We Go in the Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Tags If You Like

6 Ways to Find Your Next Terrifying Read

1. Read an award winner.

Given out yearly since 1988, The Bram Stoker Awards® are the premiere awards for outstanding writing presented by the Horror Writers Association. To place convenient requests in our catalog, see all of the Bram Stoker Award winners in our collection.

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

Here are some quick links to fiction & films you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available. Additionally, you can watch an OverDrive video tutorial or consult with Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before here are some Kanopy directions and a Kanopy video tutorial.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on our featured lists or browse through all of our horror staff lists.

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 horror authors

5. Subscribe to the horror newsletter from NextReads

Receive 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!

6. Use your IndyPL 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. Once you login, choose the a category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Blood-drenched,” “Creature Feature,” “Creepy Clowns & Bad Seeds,” and more! Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, and “Check Availability” to see if it the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Tags Horror, If You Like

Join our virtual author talks to enjoy conversation with the authors behind your favorite books from the comfort of home. What questions have you always wanted to ask? Submit your questions online. We will also take questions during the event and will cover as many questions as time allows! Browse our archive of past virtual author talks for even more insightful discussions.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 21, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to an online intimate conversation with bestselling author Rachelle Bergstein as she chats about her newest book The Genius of Judy. This book takes an expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic—and controversial—young adult novels.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Extinctopedia
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to grab your family and friends and join us as Smithsonian scientists highlight information found in the Smithsonian’s book, “Extinctopedia: Discover what we have lost, what is at risk, and how we can preserve the diversity of our fragile planet.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Explore Unexpected Twists and Turns
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 10, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to an exclusive preview event with bestselling author Lisa Jewell as she introduces readers to her forthcoming title “Don’t Let Him In” (Out June 24, 2025!). Along with an introduction to her newest bone-chilling thriller, Jewell will chat about her life as a writer.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Living the Otter Life
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 24, 4:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, “Odder”.
Register Here

Event: Charla Virtual del Autor en Español: Dibuja tu mundo
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 08, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer!
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Drawing Your World
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 08, 4:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join author and illustrator Raúl The Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Discerning the Truth
Date & Time: Thursday, July 17, 4:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Illuminating Hope and Grace in the Face of Hardship
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 23, 4:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to join us online with award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book “Free Lunch”.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains
Date & Time: Thursday, July 31, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with neurologist and author Pria Anand to chat about her new book “The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains” (forthcoming June 10, 2025).
Register Here

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!

Sunday Nights on Facebook

Join us on Sunday nights at 8:30pm 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 talkin

Wednesday Mornings – Indy Now Book Club

Catch book recommendations and IndyPL 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.

Would you prefer one-on-one help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email ask-a- librarian.

Tags If You Like, What We're Reading

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: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Religion

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 OverDrive before or used OverDrive’s Libby app, both Overdrive/Libby app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before, you can get Kanopy directions.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL 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

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? Check out our suspense list!

Title - The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain

4. Make a Selection from these authors.

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

Find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books on Novelist Plus. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Fantasy” category from the list on the left.

Here is a sample recommendation. When you click on a book you can read a brief description, see a star rating, and click “Check Availability” to see if it is available to borrow from IndyPL.

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: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Tags Fantasy, If You Like

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 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 OverDrive before, both OverDrive/Libby app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and 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 IndyPL staff.

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

Mysteries for Teens:

Mysteries for Kids:

Staff Picks 2024- Best of Suspense

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

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

Find mystery reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning mystery books on Novelist Plus. First, login, then choose the “Mystery” category from the list on the left. Choose from categories like like “Standalone Mysteries,” “Police Procedurals,” “Historical Mysteries,” and more! Read a brief description, see a star rating, and select “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Look online for more reading suggestions.

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.

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!

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

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 IndyPL 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

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 IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus

On Novelist Plus you’ll find science fiction reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning science fiction books. Once you login, choose the “Science Fiction” category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Alternate Histories,” “Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction,” and more! Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

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: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

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

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 OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and access to Overdrive Support.

Browse Urban Fiction from OverDrive

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

3. Get reading recommendations from our staff.

This Town is Strange…Urban Fantasy Fiction

It’s hard out there for a working stiff. Especially considering all the zombies, wizards, witches, vamps, weres, Fae, and gods taking up room in the shadows.

Urban Cinema We Love

“Urban Cinema describes a wave of city-based, feature-length films by African-American directors that began in the mid-1980s and that were dominated by action movies and youth dramas. In urban cinema, social and economic injustices, along with the conditions and relationships they produce, function as essential elements that directly motivate a film’s characters, plot, dialogue, action, and aesthetics.” – Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History.

Native American Urban Fiction

There’s a lot of great work that falls into the broad category of “urban Native American literature.” Depictions of Native Americans and the urban experience are crucial for understanding Indigenous peoples in the U.S. today. Some of these books deal with the transitions and dissonance that Native people experience between their lives at home and urban settings. There are also books that reflect the great number of Native peoples in the U.S. who do not live on reservations.

4. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: Are you ready to dive into the powerful stories that shape our world? Join us at the Center for Black Literature & Culture for our Soulful Pages Book Club!
Register Here

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove – Chatterbooks
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Irvington
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 6:30pm
Location: Irvington Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program that is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Urban Fiction