Book Recommendations

Every February, Black History Month prompts us all to learn from and about our history. It is also a time to celebrate the historical, artistic, culinary, scientific, and other achievements of Black Americans. Throughout the month, the Library will highlight books in our collection by and about people in the African American community including here on our blog, through book displays in your local library, and via reading challenges for all ages on Beanstack. The Library and our Friends Groups also have several events and programs planned, starting on February 1.

Do you like exploring strange new worlds with your favorite away team? Do you dress up as one of those space wizards with laser swords from a galaxy far, far away? Do you like time travel, alternate universes, steampunk, and robots? National Science Fiction Day is celebrated (unofficially) every January 2 by fans across the U.S. If you're looking for your next escape into fantastical, futuristic worlds filled with advanced technology, we've got some great recommendations to get you started!

Has your to-be-read list gotten a little thin? Need a few more books to complete the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge? Looking for the perfect gift idea for that bibliophile in your life who's read everything else? Do you like to venture off the bestseller list to discover those rare literary gems that fell through the cracks? We've got some great books for you this month that, for whatever reason, you might have missed in 2023.

Are you a Lifetime or Hallmark holiday movie fan? Can't wait to get your hands on the next cozy mystery or holiday romance? You're in luck! Not only do we have a large selection of books with amateur sleuths, meet-cutes and other holiday treats... you can curl up with classic holiday movies or even top-rated shows or movies on the hoopla Digital and Kanopy apps without the subscription fees. Keep reading to learn more!

National Native American Heritage Month acknowledges the many historical contributions and present-day achievements of America's indigenous people. This celebration also pays tribute to their rich ancestry and traditions, many of which are still observed by nations and tribes across the United States. Jacksonville Public Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. 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 and all year long!

The Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us! Between September 15 and October 15, we are highlighting books in our collection by and about people in the Hispanic and Latine/Latinx communities. 

Shiver me timbers and batten down the hatches! September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you're looking for some inspiration, the Library has some great books about our favorite scallywags and seadogs. No need to raid Davey Jones' locker. The best part: these books won't cost you a single doubloon! So, check out a book, sing your favorite sea chantey, and "yo ho ho" the whole day long!

Summer is almost over... and while that means an end to summer reading, there are several, genuine reasons for everyone to get excited about going back to school! So, make sure you have your library card (the most important back-to-school supply) and check out these book recommendations and all of the awesome events at a library near you!

Okay, so technically, National Book Lovers Day is an "unofficial" holiday... but it is officially one of the Library's favorites! Celebrated on August 9 every year, it's the perfect opportunity for librarians, book clubs, and your everyday bibliophile to talk about their favorite books with other, equally-excited book lovers.

Make the Library - and reading - part of your summer from June 1 through August 12! Our theme this year, All Together Now, invites you to read, play and explore together with fun shows, programs, hands-on activities and, of course, all kinds of books!