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.

From Vogue magazine to The Chronicle of Higher Education, everyone agrees that reading is kind of hard right now. Here are some suggestions on how to get back in the habit.

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

There are many wonderful books produced for children and young adults featuring well-known artists. We’ve paired them here with adult titles so that you and your child can all look, learn, and read together. Our list highlights titles at multiple reading levels about different well-known twentieth-century artists, making them perfect for reading together or reading side by side.

HCPL has coordinated with our public schools to support students and their families during the virtual start to the school year. We have pledged to provide educational support to our young people and their families. Through our collaboration with Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS), we have expanded opportunities for ebook access for students, are promoting our new digital cards, and have lots of spaces, including reservable meeting and study rooms, at our many open library locations for educational activities. Read on to learn more about how libraries can help you make the most of virtual learning this school year.

What’s better than a feel-good romance to bring you out of a reading slump? Each of these titles is a delight to read, and we’ve paired them with a food or drink so you can snack while you read. Best of all, everything has a happy ending.

We are excited to announce a new program series, Neighbors, that aims to build connections and facilitate cultural exchange in our growing and diverse community. Neighbors events are inter-generational programs created by library staff in cooperation with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds who live in the Henrico area. We would love for you to join us and connect with your neighbors through engaging programs for all ages at our libraries and online.

So many of the fairy tales that we read are based on folk tales from around the world. Folk tales are a great way to connect with others across time and different cultures. They are fun stories that highlight many beautiful aspects of being human in ways that everyone can find relatable. Providing children with books that highlight a diverse group of characters is important as it promotes empathy and inclusion.

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.