Book Recommendations

Never Forget, Never Again: Honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day

Books to Honor Holocaust Remembrance Day

The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Around the country and the world, Holocaust victims are mourned and remembered by the reading of their names, by the lighting of candles, and by learning about the Holocaust.

Books for Your To-Be-Read Pile or Your Next Reading Challenge

Book Blitz Month

What's your to-be-read pile looking like in 2025? Are you placing holds on the Library's Forthcoming Books so you're first in line for the next chapter in your favorite series? Or do you still have a ton of books on your list from 2024 that you've been meaning to pick up? January is a great time to take stock of your TBR and set reading goals for the year. That's why this year, we're celebrating "Book Blitz Month" along with you! 

Staff Picks for Jax Stacks 2025: Recommendations to Get You Started!

Jax Stacks Staff Picks

We've got 16 new categories for 2025 - along with some great book recommendations to get you started. Start with the categories that interest you most and see how far you get! If you read just one book this year, you're a Jax Stacks reader! To officially complete the challenge, read at least 12 books from 12 of the categories listed below. If you need help keeping track, pick up a Jax Stacks Reading Challenge bookmark - available at your local library.

Witchy Read-alikes and Fairy Tale Retellings for Fans of Wicked

Wicked movie read-alikes

Whether you're a fan of L. Frank Baum's classic Oz books, Gregory Maguire's Wicked series, the much-beloved (and long-running) Broadway musical, or the brand-new film adaptation: You'll be tickled practically pink with all the Wicked read-alikes on the shelves at the Library! Between "Popular" and fun witchy read-alikes to gravity and genre-defying fractured fairy tales, we've got something for old fans and new (even if you're really green). 

For the Book Lovers: Celebrating National Book Lovers Day

Books for Library Lovers

At Jacksonville Public Library, we celebrate book lovers every day! Not only do we have all the best books - available in hardcover, paperback, large print, and audiobook formats - but you also have access to digital formats through Libby, hoopla, Tumblebook, and Biblioboard Library. We also have a year-round reading challenge for adults designed to expand your reading horizons and we participate in Mayor Deegan's River City Readers city-wide literacy challenge. If you want to interact with other book lovers outside of big events like Jax Book Fest, you can also join a Library Book Club and get even more book recommendations from readers just like you! 

Books to Celebrate Juneteenth Freedom Day

All libraries will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth Freedom Day. Digital Library open 24/7.

We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us this month! Considered the longest-running African American holiday, Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the 1800s and became a federal holiday in 2021. A combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth," it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.  

Books for Kids and Dads to Celebrate Father's Day

Father's Day Books for Kids and Dads

Jacksonville Public Library has a great collection of books about fatherhood that kids and their dads are sure to love! Of course, summer is a great time to spend time reading as a family. Not only does it help prevent learning loss while the kids are out of school for the summer, it gives kids and dads an opportunity for quality time and connection. You can listen to an audiobook together in the car on your next road trip. Or grab a book of spooky ghost stories to read around the campfire! 

If You Like Our "Live from the Library" Shows, You'll Love These Books

Live from the Library June - July

Ready for something magical, inspiring, and a whole lot of fun? Live from the Library is a series of engaging and educational performances - happening all summer long at your local libraries! Designed for children ages 5-12 and their families, you'll meet and learn from exciting musicians, clever scientists, caring animal handlers, crafty magicians, and more!

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