Our staff read a wide range of Teen titles this year including bone-chilling thrillers, adventure-filled fantasies, inspiring and educational nonfiction, heartwarming romances, historical fiction, coming of age tales, and so much more.

It's the end of the year, which means it's time to share our staff's favorite recently published titles. We're kicking this week off with our favorite Children's books, but stayed tuned as we share our Teen and Adult lists over the next few days! What are some of your favorite titles from this past year? 

Short Story Day always takes place on the shortest day of the year (of course!). This year it falls on December 21^st. Why celebrate short stories? According to Edgar Allen Poe, they leave the reader with “a sense of the fullest satisfaction.”

Whether you know it as a remix, retelling, or reimagining, stories that incorporate elements from classic tales or well-known legends provide ways for us to explore the “what if.” Retellings, reimaginings, and remixes all provide us with a somewhat familiar set-up, but have a modern twist, be it setting or otherwise. From retellings of Greek mythology to remixes of Jane Austen, the books below provide an example of the wide range of retellings we have in our teen collection. Happy reading!

Ever wondered what a Krusty Burger tastes like? What about Buddy the Elf’s Breakfast Pasta?

Luckily for our taste buds, creative chefs have compiled, created, and in some cases re-created, recipe collections of famous foods from cinema and television. From The Simpsons’ fast food to Downton Abbey feasts, from Hogwarts feast hall to The Sopranos’ New Jersey family table, our library cookbook collection has titles for any fan’s delectation.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) gifting is a creative alternative for those wishing to avoid the hassle of crowds and online shopping this holiday season. Should you opt for a more hand-made holiday, be sure to check out our Digital Media Lab resources for project ideas and support! 

As days get shorter and nights get longer, many of us will spend more time at home to escape the growing darkness and chill of autumn as it transitions into winter.  How can we make our time at home more comfortable and relaxing?  Make hygge like the Danes do!  

Whether you’re ready to visit the theatre or love watching from your couch, there are television and movie adaptations of some of our favorite titles to look forward to this fall and into 2022. Despite some productions being delayed, it’s never too early to start keeping tabs and looking for news to build up the anticipation. Take a look at just some of the options below, and make sure to check out their book counterparts at any Henrico library location!

November is Picture Book Month.  We are celebrating these powerful stories, when an engaging text is paired with art that both enhances and elucidates the story line.  Keep reading for some expert tips on getting started with reading picture books together with the little ones in your life, plus some recommended titles!