Real places have inspired some really good fiction. Often times, the setting can make or break a story, especially when it is somewhere you have been before. Here are some of our favorite novels for adults, teens, and kids that capture the spirit of a place, each paired with a work of non-fiction so you can keep exploring and learning.

¿Qué recursos me pueden ayudar con la escuela, el trabajo, o para disfrutar de mi tiempo libre?

Summer Reading finished on August 15, and while we are sad it is over, we hope you enjoyed the challenge as much as we did! It was great to see your reviews, connect with you on social media, and read lots of amazing books.

A novel in verse can be free-form, a specific style of poetry, or have poetic structures and devices embedded within. Because of the format, novels in verse can often feel more approachable than traditional prose, using emotion and form to further appeal to the reader. Novels in verse can encompass any genre, and often present a different style of creative expression than is typically found in books. You just might feel inspired to create your own verse too. Happy reading!

There are less than two weeks left for our Summer Reading program, the One Henrico Reading Challenge. If you haven’t already signed up, it isn’t too late! Simply visit henricolibrary.org/summerreading and get started on a bunch of reading fun. If you’ve already completed your reading challenge, prize books are currently available in limited quantities at our Fairfield, Libbie Mill, Tuckahoe, Twin Hickory, and Varina libraries.

Movies and soundtracks are like two peas in a pod, but we’d argue that books and music make a great pair too! What better way to amplify the environment, characters and mood of a story than listening to music while reading? Below you’ll find our picks for YA book and music pairings.

Makerspaces have popped up all over the world in libraries, museums, and on school campuses. Why not have a Makerspace in your own living space? Makerspaces can fuel innovation, critical thinking skills, and problem solving for teens. Depending on the space you have available at home, you can create a pop-up, temporary makerspace, or a dedicated area. What’s most important is having an environment to be creative.

A good book can feature a journey to a distant land, an impossible reality, or sometimes, stories within a story. Authors often include or invent books of great power and importance within their imagined worlds. Our teen librarians created this list of some of their favorite books about books for teens.

Need to escape for a little bit? Dive into a fantasy world and be whisked away by conjured beasts, join in a timeless battle between good and evil, or get lost in fairy adventures. Explore the unknown and meet mystical creatures who may be more relatable than you believe. These reads will excite your imagination, and inspire you to make our world a better place.