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 talking.
Wednesday Mornings – Indy Now Book Club
The Library helps host a ‘book club’ on the Indy Now Morning Show with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59. Tune in at 10 a.m. every other Wednesday. Catch book recommendations and IndyPL program highlights from your own local librarians. Re-watch segments you have missed and see book lists of the books mentioned in each segment.
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.
Recommendations from Our Staff – September 2023
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.
Make a selection from one of the book lists below created by our staff of avid readers. After that follow featured lists here or check 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.
Culinary Book Club – Basic Cookbooks and limited ingredient Cookbooks
Here are some basic, simple and limited ingredient cookbooks to get you started or restarted on the way to cooking. Also included on this list are a few websites to peruse and find more recipe ideas and cooking techniques.
Learn more about the Culinary Book Club at our Lawrence branch. Get together with us to discuss cookbooks!
History of the Indianapolis Public Library
Since 1873, The Indianapolis Public Library has proudly served the city of Indianapolis. Learn more about the long history of our favorite library system using this list of resources found in Digital Indy, the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Special Collections, and the Indianapolis Public Library Catalog. Join us for some unique history program featuring our branches during the months of September and October.
The Anthropocene Reviewed
Did you find one of the reviews particularly interesting? Do a deep dive into the topic! Some books or movies are cited in the book, others are newer materials that give more information on the things that John Green decided to review.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month along with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. Let’s take this time to provide support to those who struggle and remember those we have loss and loved.
Some Interesting Documentaries
Many people think documentaries are boring, but here’s a list of documentaries that are eye-opening, thought-provoking, and anything but boring.
Books You Can Read in a Day
Do you want something to read but want it to be short and sweet? The books listed here are great for reading in one sitting or in one day. Some of the best, most powerful books can be a quick read. This list consists of classics and some just for fun. I also included a few children’s books that everyone should read. Enjoy on September 6, Read a Book Day – or any day!
Latin American Comics: lighter reading
A list of comics made by people from or have some connection to South America. Some are educational, some are entertaining. A couple of them are both. When it came to more light hearted comics I was surprised at how few countries were represented. With the exception of one creator, almost all the other artists and writers are from Argentina.
Latin American Cookbooks
This Hispanic Heritage Month, learn a new recipe or two from countries all over Latin America! Each country has their own unique cuisine to offer, and these tasty recipes will be sure to please any crowd.
Deafness and Deaf Culture
Each September, the world recognizes the International Week of the Deaf. The World Day of the Deaf marks the end of the week’s celebrations. Here are some materials about Deaf culture that showcase the accomplishments of Deaf people throughout the country. In addition to learning about Deaf culture, I hope you’ll use the resources below to learn some of the basics of American Sign Language.
Adult Fiction Featuring Deaf Main Characters
In honor of World Day of the Deaf (Sunday, September 24, 2023), IndyPL offers the following selection of adult fiction featuring Deaf main characters.
Spies and Private Eyes
Horror isn’t for everyone, but if you’d like some intrigue, these stories will entertain anyone! All are available to check out at IndyPL.
Grocery Shopping & Eating on a Budget
When you go to the grocery store, do you get overwhelmed by WHAT those labels mean? And how do you eat well when you’re tight on funds? Join MCPHD Nutrition Services to learn about these things – and pick up a read or stream something awesome to stretch your dollars!
Black Girl Coming-of-Age Movies
While processing a zine called “Hot Propaganda,” edited by Jada Renee Ford, for the East 38th St. Branch Zine collection, I flipped through and landed on a line in a piece called “Help,” written also by Ford, which read, “I felt like I was in a coming-of-age movie if Black girls had coming-of-age movies.” I had to put it down and think, was that accurate? I thought that there must be some, but off the top of my head I couldn’t think of any, and so, set out to fill that gap. Some of these should have been obvious to me. Several are indie award-winners. Here’s some of what we have in the collection for Black girl coming-of-age movies.
Nick, Where Are They Now?
These are the latest projects in our collection from your favorite Nickelodeon stars now that they are all grown up.
Plantable Paper & Other Fun Seedy-ness
What if you combine love (or curiosity) for growing things with crafty desires? However you enjoy getting your hands messy, we can add to it! Whether you’re a kiddo or a grownie, these resources will help!
What is Blue Beetle?
Blue Beetle is the newest superhero movie to come out. People everywhere are talking….about it under performing. Despite the poor turnout in the box-office, I enjoyed this film because I felt like the creative team knew how to portray a Hispanic family. As opposed to a certain Disney show where the target audience did not like the pandering. Here is some books, music and videos that I saw referenced in the movie.
Nonfiction Books on Bisexuality
Bisexuality is a broad and inclusive term that describes physical attraction, romantic attraction, or sexual behavior that is not limited to one sex. In the scientific language of sexual orientation, bisexuality encompasses both heterosexual (different sex) and homosexual (same-sex) attraction or behavior. Make a selection from this list to learn more. September 23 is Bisexuatlity Day.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of an Hour!
Sure, many of us will sleep through the extra hour we gain when we “fall back” at the end of Daylight Savings Time, but these resources might give you a better idea!
Genre Fiction in Literature
Too often, the distinction between “literature” and “everything else” is drawn with palpable disdain, with special dismissal given to what many have termed “genre fiction”—science fiction, mystery, romance, and anything else that might receive a label based on its content. Yet literature also includes many such works, each characterized not by its subject but by its themes and innovations. Each of the titles below serves to demonstrate literature not as an exclusive selection of works but as a body of stories replete with meaning.
HobbitCore
In celebration of the anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit, you could just roll out your cottagecore decorations and call it a day. But Tolkien wrote a great deal about his inspiration for and distinguishing features of his Hobbits, beyond just their descriptions in his books, drawing many of their characteristics from his own personality and experiences, including his love of simple food, his fondness for the pipe, and the curly hair on his toes. Here is a list of titles to help tip your cottage core aesthetic over into Hobbitcore, so you can feel at home at any Hobbit feast or celebration.
The Lives of Astronauts
Astronauts are extraordinary people. Take a trip with a few of them and learn about their times in space and on earth (before and after they left).
Italian Comics: For Adults
This list will focus on the works that was intended for a much older audience. I had heard of Tex, but I had no idea how violent it was. Mattoti Lorenzo pushes his creativity to appear like madness. Sylviane Corgat and Michelangelo La Neve has worlds you are glad you are not in (even if you still want to follow the characters adventure)!
Upcycled
Upcycling is the process of taking old or discarded materials and turning them into something new and more valuable than the original. It’s not a secret that the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to global waste. The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing every year! Clothing made from common synthetic materials in our clothes like polyester and nylon are especially harmful to the environment because they don’t biodegrade. Check out these titles to revamp your shopping and clothing habits to help save the planet.
Robbie Robertson
Grieving the loss of Robbie Robertson. His contributions to music and culture are rich and complex. They are deeply embedded in his work with The Band and Bob Dylan, but expand outward in many directions.
Which came first, the book or the television show?
Through the years there have been many television shows featuring detectives. Some of these were based on books that were published before the show. In other cases, the television show was so popular that books were written about the character after the show came out. In some cases, the author of those books is the fictional character from the television show, such as Jessica Fletcher or Richard Castle. Listed here are a few of the shows and books to enjoy.
Central Asia: Language Learning, Travel & Culture
After having taken an introductory class in Pashto this summer, I found myself wanting to learn more about Central Asia (a region I know very little about). I drew up this reading list in an attempt to discover more. I hope it stokes your curiosity as well!
Coast-to-Coast Design
Buckle up! We’re going coast-to-coast to explore interior, architectural, and design style in America.
Red, White & Royal Blue
These romances that are about royalty, fame, and scandal will get you ready for the Red, White, and Blue film release!
If You Like One Piece
Adventure, mayhem, and comedy collide to create unforgettable stories. "One Piece" has been a staple of the manga world for over 20 years. These related titles go hand in hand with all the excitement a neverending action series provides. Happy Reading!
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