Into the Woods: Books About the Scary Things That Lurk in the Woods


From the beginning of time, humans have always seemed to be afraid of the woods. In many ways, dark forests have always represented the unknown, and we have long imagined the various terrifying creatures that may hide there. For some, the beast in the woods is a supernatural terror, while for others the threat of a fellow person in the woods is horror enough. In honor of Halloween, here are fourteen books about the scary things you may find in the woods.

Read more

World War II Fiction: For Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See, and Lilac Girls


Books like The Nightingale All the Light We Cannot See, and Lilac Girls have taken the literary world by storm. If you’ve already made your way through these instant classics and are looking for similar heartfelt, character-driven books that take place during World War II, look no further. We’ve created this list of read-alikes just for you.

Read more

To the Moon and Back: Books to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing

On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy made a famous televised speech at Rice University, where he declared that the United States would put a man on the moon before the decade ended. Seven years later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11 became the first men to set foot on the moon, famously making “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Now, on the fiftieth anniversary of that historic day, we celebrate the achievements of NASA, the space race, and the American determinism that brought us to the moon with this collection of non-fiction books.

Read more

Epic Fantasy: Books to Fill the Game of Thrones-Sized Hole in Your Heart.

Just a few weeks ago, the HBO blockbuster hit Game of Thrones aired its final episode. Over the course of the eighth season, fans attempted to ready themselves for a world where Sunday nights would no longer be spent in Westeros. Regardless of how you feel about the show’s final choices (because we all have a thing or two to say about that finale), you probably are finding yourself looking for the next place to get your epic fantasy fix.

Fear not, because we’ve compiled a list—made by epic fantasy fans for epic fantasy fans—of several different epic fantasy series that will fill that Game of Thrones-sized hole in your heart. Each title listed is the first book in the series.

Read more

Beach Reads: Books to Take With You on Your Summer Vacation

Ah, summer. Whether you’re working on your tan or catching some Z’s, a good book is always a great addition to throw into your beach bag. If you’re looking for something to read as you lounge on the sand, here are some great choices! And if you’re stuck at home this summer, worry not! These books also do well on solid ground!

Make sure you sign up for our Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 10 to August 10, for a chance to win some amazing prizes!

 

Read more

Memorial Movies: War Films to Check Out for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day, previously known as Decoration Day, is widely thought to have begun after the Civil War as a means of remembering fallen soldiers. Over the years, the holiday has evolved, and is now widely considered the beginning of summer vacation. However, the holiday’s true meaning remains the remembrance and honoring of those who have died in the United States Armed Forces. In honor of those who have lost their lives protecting their country, here are a collection of films that offer tribute to these soldiers, and give an important glimpse into our past.

Read more

Pocket Poetry: Poetry Books for Poem in Your Pocket Day

Originally started in 2002, Poem in Your Pocket Day occurs every year during April, which is National Poetry Month. This year Poem in Your Pocket Day is April 18 (today!), and participants are encouraged to carry a poem with them all day to share with others.

Here are some great poetry books at the Sewickley Public Library in which to find your poem for Poem in Your Pocket Day.
Read more

Famous Voices: Audiobooks Read by Celebrities

Audiobooks have had somewhat of a renaissance in the past ten years, especially since the development of streaming audiobooks through library resources like Overdrive. Typically read by either the author or a voice actor, some books are able to secure some major star power for their audiobook narration. Here are some spectacular works of fiction narrated by Hollywood’s best and brightest actors.

Note: this list does not include audiobooks of celebrity memoirs, which are almost always narrated by the celebrity (as they are also the author of the book).

Read more

Rainy Day Reads: April Showers Bring Book-Filled Hours

What makes a good rainy day read? For some, it’s the sort of beautiful, introspective novel that reflects the feeling of finding a comfy place to read and enjoying some alone time. For others, it’s a book that grabs your attention from the first line and refuses to let go until the very last page, engrossing you in its world and letting you forget the dreary weather.

With plenty of rain in the forecast, here are some great rainy day books to for all manner of readers.
Read more