All the books listed here are available at the library. Stop in, give us a call, or use the online catalog to place a hold and check one out. 

Celebrate National Library Week, April 23-29, by reading a book about libraries. Read stories set in libraries, with librarian characters, or just about books!

Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman: Irene works for the mysterious Library that specializes in harvesting books from different realities. She is on a mission to retrieve a dangerous book, and upon arrival finds out it has been stolen. Join her on an adventure full of danger, clues, and secret societies.

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis: With two timelines, The Lions of Fifth Avenue follows two strong-willed women as they investigate stolen books at the New York Public Library while dealing with the intricacies of everyday life. This historical fiction mystery will draw you into the atmospheric library setting and leave you wanting more.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Imagine a library where each book tells the story of how your life would change depending on each choice you’ve made. The Midnight Library explores this idea with Nora exploring all of her choices and trying to find out what makes life worth living.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes: Alice Wright expects life in Kentucky to be different than her stifling life in England was. When she feels the same way that she did before, she jumps at the chance to begin delivering books as a part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library. This is a story of friendship, love and what can happen when you go out of your comfort zone.

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles: The Paris Library follows two timelines and is based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris. A novel that explores the consequences of our choices and how they can shape who we are. 

April is National Poetry Month! Check out one of our many poetry collections. 

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman: This poetry collection from presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman features musical language, and themes of identity, grief, memory, and hope. Her poem The Hill We Climb that was read at the inauguration for President Biden in 2020 is included in the collection.

More Than Meat and Raiment by Angela Jackson: Angela Jackson provides a collection of poems about music, food, and soul as told by Black voices from across the country. Porch stories and folktales take the forefront in this imaginative celebration of culture.

Home Body by Rupi Kaur: A collection of conversations on love, acceptance, family, community, and embracing change. Full of original illustrations, Rupi Kaur walks you through a journey through past, present, and potential of the self.

The Hurting Kind by Ada Limon: The Hurting Kind features thought provoking poems about the interconnectedness of humans and nonhumans, ancestors and ourselves, and more. Ada Limon was named the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States by the Librarian of Congress in 2022.

Illinois Voices edited by Kevin Stein and GE Murray: This collection includes work from more than 75 poets closely associated with Illinois. Full of quirky and multifaceted poems representing the personality and people of the state.

Earth Day is April 22! Learn more about climate change, environmental activism, gardening, and more with these “earthy” titles.

Silent Spring Revolution by Douglas Brinkley: Douglas Brinkley chronicles the rise of environmental activism during the sixties when the nation began witnessing new types of environmental crises due to resource exhaustion and climate change.

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates: Bill Gates shares what he’s learned in his time studying climate change and investing in innovative solutions to the problem. See his vision for how the world can build the tools it needs to get to zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver: Truly embodying the phrase “you are what you eat.” Barbara Kingsolver and her family decided to switch things up and eat locally grown and raised food. Join A Taste of History Culinary Book Club on April 27 to chat about this one in person!

No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg: A collection of groundbreaking speeches from Greta Thunberg, from the United Nations to Capitol Hill to street protests. A call to action to protect our planet, and better our future.

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warning by David Wallace-Wells: David Wallace-Wells brings us information about what we as a species have caused to happen to the Earth, as well as what to expect in the future if nothing is done to counteract climate change. He elaborates on topics that are not always at the forefront of the conversation.