It’s almost time for our All Henrico Reads event! This year, we are thrilled to host bestselling author Walter Mosley and hear about his recent release Gray Dawn. We hope you will join us on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. Whether this is your first All Henrico Reads or you are a regular attendee, it never hurts to plan ahead. Read on for our top five tips for attending this year’s event.
Setting the Scene: A Gray Dawn Soundtrack
In this year’s All Henrico Reads title, Gray Dawn, author Walter Mosley transports readers back to 1970s Los Angeles. Historically, we enter a world on the heels of the Civil Rights movement, an era defined by newfound freedoms, cultural pride, and the fight against enduring racism. We also see the rise of Second Wave feminism, more women entering the work force, and a nation still at war. Culturally, Los Angeles had become the music and film capital of the world, attracting big-name actors, musicians, and dreamers alike.
With a setting so rich in history and culture, while reading Gray Dawn we found ourselves wishing for an accompanying soundtrack. What would protagonist Detective Easy Rawlins listen to while driving through Los Angeles, trying to crack the case?
Stories to Celebrate Older Adults
If you’re looking for a mature protagonist in your next read – someone in their golden years who may (or may not!) be ready to retire – then you may want to check out the following books. Romance, friendship, murder, mayhem, and creativity are on offer in these stories featuring older adults.
Fandom Read-Alikes for Teens
Our festival of fandoms — Fandomonium — is just days away! Not sure what a ‘fandom’ is? ‘Fandom’ is simply the term used to describe the community or subculture of fans around a particular interest. These interests can vary from sports teams, to music groups, to television, film, and book series. There’s a fandom for everyone! Read on to learn more about some of the most popular fandoms out there, as well as recommended young adult read-alikes from our collection. We hope you’ll join us this Saturday, June 24 from 1-5 p.m. at Fairfield Library for our Fandomonium event!
Women's History Month: Trailblazers in Virginia & Beyond
March is Women’s History Month! In addition to our All Henrico Reads title, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford, to celebrate, we’re browsing hundreds of inspiring narratives about women, including Virginia’s own female trailblazers, in our extensive collection of biographies, nonfiction, and databases. Read on to learn more!
Women’s History Month 2025
March 1 marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and the library is offering several programs to commemorate the occasion. Attend a book discussion or film, explore the work of female musicians, artists, and writers, and discover history makers from Virginia and beyond. Read on to learn more about all of our upcoming Women's History Month programs.
Women's History Month 2026
Celebrate HERstory at HCPL. This Women's History Month, visit the library to join a book discussion, learn about women both past and present, and put your women's history knowledge to the test. Read on for a list of upcoming programs as well as titles from our collection that highlight trailblazing women and their stories.
Black Voices in Mystery, Crime, & Noir
This February, HCPL is highlighting Black Voices. And with next month’s All Henrico Reads event on the horizon—an evening with author Walter Mosley and his latest novel, Gray Dawn—we thought what better time is there to feature Black mystery writers from our collection. So, if you’re searching for your next detective Easy Rawlins, here’s a selection of mystery, crime, and noir titles to add to your TBR (to-be-read) list.
Greeking Out: A Celebration of All Things Greece
The Winter Olympics are upon us, and we’re highlighting the country where it all began over two thousand years ago: Greece! Often referred to as “the cradle of Western civilization,” Greece is located in Southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula and is known for being a premiere vacation destination with amazing food, famous historical sites, and rich culture. So, in honor of the country that brought us the Olympics (as well as the alphabet, democracy, and gyros…), here is a list of fiction and non-fiction reads related to all things Greece. Opa!