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Reading Recommendations

What We’re Reading – March

Are you looking for your next great read? We can help! Visit us in person, explore reading recommendations online, join an in-person or online book discussion, get recommendations on Facebook, tune in to our televised book club segments, and more. Get started here!

Sunday Nights on Facebook
Join us on Sunday nights at 8:30pm on Facebook for Currently Reading. Enjoy this hour during which book enthusiasts share favorite books and offer suggestion about what to read next. Find out about the books that have everyone talking.

Wednesday Mornings – Indy Now Book Club
The Library helps host a ‘book club’ on the Indy Now Morning Show with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59. Tune in at 10 a.m. every other Wednesday. Catch book recommendations and IndyPL program highlights from your own local librarians. Re-watch segments you have missed and see book lists of the books mentioned in each segment.

In-Person & Online Book Discussions
Do you love talking about books? Join one of our book discussions or book clubs available both in-person and online.

Online Reading Recommendations
NovelList and NovelList K-8 are online services that offer reading recommendations. Browse both fiction and nonfiction, read-alike suggestions, series information, reviews, and lists of recommended and award-winning books for adults, teens and kids. Learn how to start on this video tutorial. Also try Book Connections which includes a “find the right book for you” feature.

Would you prefer one-on-one help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email ask-a- librarian.

Recommendations from Our Staff – March 2024

Make a selection from one of the book lists below created by our staff of avid readers. You can also follow our staff’s most recently published lists on the library catalog home page. Don’t miss our If You Like… suggestions that cover all the favorite genres like science fiction, graphic novels, romance, and more. Finally, don’t miss What We’re Reading Teens and What We’re Reading Kids.

2024 McFadden Lecturer Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland, dancer, author, and philanthropist will present the 45th Annual Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture at the Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave, Indianapolis on March 20.

While you are waiting, make a selection from our book lists Precision and Pain: The Fiction of Ballet and Black Ballet Dancers.

What to Read Based on Your Favorite Indy Bookstore

On March 21-24, 23 local Indianapolis-area bookstores are participating in the inaugural Indy Indie Book Crawl. Each of these 23 bookstores has their own distinct flavor and Indianapolis is enriched by their presence. We wanted to put together a guide to help you find your next read based on each bookstore! While we matched each store with a read based on ~vibe~, don’t let this list limit you. Each of these bookstores has plenty of wonderful reads to offer (and sometimes, you really can’t beat browsing the shelves). To learn more about the book crawl, visit bit.ly/indyindiebookcrawl (linked at the bottom of this list) or follow the book crawl on Instagram, @indyindiebookcrawl. Don’t forget, if there’s a library book (or 5) you just can’t seem to bring yourself to return, you can always buy a copy from one of these lovely stores (and return our copy for others to enjoy!)

Title - The Other ValleyTitle - Let This Radicalize YouTitle - The SentenceTitle - Glitter up the Dark

Puerto Rican Authors

On March 2nd, 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act passed, granting Puerto Ricans US citizenship. Puerto Rico was a country colonized by Spain, and then taken by the US after the Spanish-American War in 1898. As a Puerto Rican librarian myself, it’s important to showcase the stories of strength and vibrant culture of my colonized country. Take a look at these deep dives, memoirs, cookbooks, and novels by authors from Puerto Rico and the diaspora.

Title - When I Was Puerto RicanTitle - Ordinary GirlsTitle - Las MadresTitle - The Crazy Bunch

Featured Recommendations for Women’s History Month

Disabled Futures

These novels and nonfiction works discuss or portray how disability is necessary in a thriving world. Join us on March 2 at Fort Ben for a Disability Resource Fair which will feature local resources for individuals with cognitive disabilities and their caretakers including local services, therapy options, and resource awareness. This event is free and open to the public and is made possible in partnership with the Lawrence Advisory Council on Disabilities.

Title - Against TechnoableismTitle - Disability PrideTitle - After Universal DesignTitle - True Biz

Culinary Book Club – Healthy Eating Cookbooks

Sometimes it is a struggle to eat a healthy and nutritious meal. These cookbooks help to alleviate that struggle by providing great recipes that are flavorful and healthy. Register to join us on March 9 at Lawrence to discuss healthy cookbooks.

Title - Cook Smart, Eat WellTitle - Macro Cooking Made SimpleTitle - Eating From Our RootsTitle - 30-minute Meal Prep

A Conversation with Christopher Paolini

Register to join us virtually on on March 14 for a conversation with international bestselling author Christopher Paolini about his return to the World of Eragon with Murtagh, a stunning continuation of the epic fantasy series.

Black Hair

Check out these adult and young adult titles on the history, culture, beauty, and art of Black hair. Register to join us March 23 for My Divine Natural Hair Book Signing with in the Center for Black History & Culture at Central Library. Shelia Burlock and her daughters Sylvia and Melissa are a writing trio from Indianapolis devoted to spiritually healing hair hurt experienced by women of African descent.

Title - Black HairTitle - My Beautiful Black HairTitle - TwistedTitle - The Other Black Girl

Actors On Tops of Trains

From the beginning, Hollywood has been fascinated by trains. The romance, the intrigue, the adventure. Trains carry bandits, secret agents, murderers, and even young wizards. What could make it more exciting? Having someone climb on top of the moving train! Calling all train enthusiasts (and train curious) of all ages! Join us March 30 for Fort Ben’s Model Railroad Train Show to learn about trains and see elaborate model train set-ups!

Title - The Rare BreedTitle - Silver StreakTitle - SpeedTitle - Emperor of the North

Fiction about Baseball

America’s pastime will return on March 28th for its 2024 season! To get you ready, here are all sorts of fiction books about Baseball. You’ll find some romance, some mystery, books for young adults, fantastical books, and a little bit of everything in between.

2024 Libby Awards

Here are some finalists for the inaugural Libby Awards! The Libby Awards recognize titles that are well-acclaimed and popular on their app. Here are some of those titles!

Title - Birnam WoodTitle - When Crack Was KingTitle - The Secret HoursTitle - Shubeik Lubeik

Forgotten Best Picture Winners

The Academy Awards will air on March 10th, and what better way to commemorate than watching past Best Picture winners. Here are some winners that might or might not be on your radar. See also our book lists Let’s Get Animated at the Oscars and A Night to Remember: Historic Oscar Winners.

Title - ArgoTitle - The ArtistTitle - CrashTitle - Out of Africa

Grocery Shopping & Eating on a Budget

When you go to the grocery store, do you get overwhelmed by WHAT those labels mean? And how do you eat well when you’re tight on funds? Join MCPHD Nutrition Services to learn about these things – and pick up a read or stream something awesome to stretch your dollars! Register to join us March 12 at Haughville for the Nutrition Education Class – Label Reading, Where to Start.

Title - Good and CheapTitle - Supermarket HealthyTitle - Cook More, Waste LessTitle - 100 Days of Real Food on A Budget