Suggested Reading Lists

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Below, you can find original annotated lists as prepared by the Berwyn Public Library Readers' Advisory Staff.  Please let us know if a link is broken or if there is topic on which you would like to see a list.  You can call 708.795.8000 ext. 3005 or email us at ra@berwynlibrary.net.

**Please note, this page is in the process of being reorganized as of 8/8/11***

African American Books - Our annual selections of highlighted titles for 2009, 2010, 2011.

Best Books- Our annual annotated  lists covering a wide array of genres for  2008, 2009, 2010, and the Top 100 of the 20th Century.

Books That Have Been Made Into Movies - Now playing at the Berwyn Public Library.

Christmas Books- Our annual annotated lists of picks for the season.  There is a different theme each year: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.

The Classics and Books Destined to Become Classics - Not just the "classic" Classics but recent titles that we think will be on reading lists for years to come.

Coming of Age Books - Summer Reading Program 2008:  A marked change in appearance, character, condition or function; also known as coming of age.

Cozy Novels - Books with kind hearted characters and happy endings that are sure to warm your heart.

Fantasy for Beginners - These titles provide an introduction to this broad genre.

Faraway Lands - "Worlds Connect @ Your Library" - Celebrate National Library Week 2009 with these titles that are set in faraway lands.

Fast Reads for Slow Days - No matter what genre you read, one of these "page-turners" is sure to please your palette.

First Novels - Check out these "First Novel Facts."

Food Fiction - Make something delicious with these fiction titles that contain recipes.

Graphic Novels for Grownups - Comics are not just for kids anymore.  We have many graphic novels with complex storylines, fiction and nonfiction, all 100% superhero free.

Hispanic Heritage Month - Our annual annotations with a different theme each year for 2008, 2009, 2010.

Horror- Our annual annotated lists compiling the best of each year for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.  As well as these horror related lists: 

• Vampires - Are you swept up in the craze?
• Horror for the Squeamish
• Zombies vs Mummies - Re-animated reads
• Modern Horror Authors
• For even more horror lists, check out Becky's Horror Blog- RA for All: Horror
  

Hot Reads for Cold Times - When the cold winds are blowing, curl up with one of these titles, set in warmer times and places.

Illinois Fiction - We celebrated Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday with these books set in Illinois.

Inspirational Fiction- list from 2011

Lazy Books for Lazy Days - Not up to starting that 400 page book?  Try one of these titles all around 200 pages.

Make 'em Laugh - with these funny books!

Medical Fiction - Books about doctors, hospitals, mysterious illness and disease.

Medieval Times - It's not just King Arthur.

Mystery Fan? Check out these lists:

• Murder With a Foreign Accent - Mysteries that take place in exotic locales.
• Crime Fiction 2011- Try one of these novels that deal with crimes, their detections, criminals and their motives.  And not a one is shelved in our mystery section.

• Sleuth your way around the world, explore novel destinations, and help catch a killer as you go… Around the World in 80 Murders

National Book Award Winners - Check out our selection of past winners of the book prize that celebrates American literature.

Native American Fiction- Annotations of fiction books featuring Native Americans from 2009 and 2010.

Patron Recommendations - Your fellow patrons recommended and annotated their favorite titles.  Think of it as a gift from one library lover to another.

Poe Fest -  Check out these annotations for several of Poe's short stories.

Romance Fan?  Check out these various lists

• Popular Romance Authors - Contemporary and Historical Romance.

• Paranormal Romance - Romance with a touch of Fantasy.

Science Fiction for Beginners - Try these titles that are a good introduction to this fascinating genre.  Expand your horizons!

Series - These featured titles are all the first book in a series.

Spring Green - We celebrated Earth Day all April long!  These titles concerning nature and the environment.

Staff Picks- We provide an ongoing list of Staff Picks at The Browsers Corner.

War Books - A list of books categorized by specific conflicts.

Westerns - Saddle up for new and classic westerns.

Working Women - We celebrated Women's History Month with these titles that we called "The Balancing Act."