Tag: If You Like

Join our virtual author talks to enjoy conversation with the authors behind your favorite books from the comfort of home. What questions have you always wanted to ask? Submit your questions online. We will also take questions during the event and will cover as many questions as time allows! Browse our archive of past virtual author talks for even more insightful discussions.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 01, 3:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us as we chat with New York Times bestselling author, Douglas Brunt, about his instant bestselling debut non-fiction work “The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: A Murder Mystery, Family Story, & Love Letter to Strong Women Everywhere
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 08, 7:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to join Nina Simon online as she chats about her lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths, “Mother-Daughter Murder Night.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Asian American Representation in Literature
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 21, 7:00pm
Location: Online
Description: We welcome you to register for a thrilling conversation with Rebecca F. Kuang (R.F. Kuang) as she chats with us about her bestselling novel, “Yellowface.” “Yellowface” grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: For the Love of Mars
Date & Time: Monday, June 03, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to come learn alongside Matt Shindell, National Air and Space Museum curator, as he introduces viewers to historical figures across eras and around the world who have made sense of the mysterious red planet Mars.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists
Date & Time: Thursday, June 13, 8:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Get your popcorn and take a seat as we pick the brain of the queen of twists herself, Freida McFadden! McFadden will join us to chat about writing psychological thrillers, her mega-bestselling hit The Housemaid series, in particular her forthcoming 3rd installment, The Housemaid Is Watching.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Unpacking a History of Systemic Racism in American Education
Date & Time: Thursday, June 20, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us as #1 New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Jewell highlights the inequities Black and Brown students face from preschool through college as she presents lessons and knowledge from her new book “Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: A Visit to Deckawoo Drive
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 09, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a visit to Deckawoo Drive with everyone’s favorite adventure loving pig, Mercy Watson! Newbery Medal winning author Kate DiCamillo will be sharing the stories behind the creation of her early chapter book series, the original Mercy Watson, and the follow up series.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 16, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Would you survive a zombie apocalypse? Join us to talk with New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier about The Last Kids on Earth, both the book series and the animated series on Netflix.
Register Here

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 talkin

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.

Tags If You Like, What We're Reading

If you like mysteries, browse these tips and tricks for finding your next mysterious read. There is a huge amount of variation within the genre from true crime to the supernatural, thriller or romance. A mystery fits any reading taste!

1. Read an award winner.

The Agatha Awards celebrate traditional mysteries, a genre defined as mysteries that contain no explicit sex, excessive gore, or gratuitous violence. To place convenient requests in our catalog, browse all of the Agatha Award winners in our collection browse all of the Agatha Award winners in our collection.

The Anthony Awards for mystery writers are announced at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. To place convenient requests in our catalog, browse all of the Anthony Award winners in our collection browse all of the Anthony Award winners in our collection.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Use mystery lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on a featured book list to get mystery reading recommendations. Browse all our staff mystery lists or see our If You Like Cozy Mysteries recommendations.

IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Suspense, Mystery, and Horror

IndyPL Staff members have compiled their favorite suspense, mystery, and horror novels of 2023 for those who prefer a book that will unsettle them. These books feature cults, funeral home models, creepy puppets, true crime podcasts, mermaids, phone scam revenge, and more. Find new books from your favorite authors or add a new favorite author to your shelf.

Title - Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!

4. Make a selection from this list of mystery authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

Find mystery reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning mystery books on Novelist Plus. First, login, then choose the “Mystery” category from the list on the left. Choose from categories like like “Standalone Mysteries,” “Police Procedurals,” “Historical Mysteries,” and more! Read a brief description, see a star rating, and select “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Look online for more reading suggestions.

Our staff suggests these sites for mystery readers.

Novelsuspects.com is great for fans of mysteries, thrillers, and true crime. There you’ll find book lists, essays, reviews, and more.
On Mysteryfile.com read daily reviews of both books and media.
On Stopyourekillingme.com browse reviews or thousands of authors sorted by series or explore by setting or the sleuth’s occupation.
Crimereads.com really lets you drill down to your mystery flavor of choice: noir, suspense, legal thriller, etc.

7. Subscribe to the mystery newsletter from NextReads.

Receive mystery reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

8. Find a book discussion near you!

You are invited to join in one of our many in-person or online book discussions that take place several times each month. In our book discussion groups we read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books. We express our opinions (both likes and dislikes!) with other avid readers in the city.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

6 Ways to Find Your Next Terrifying Read

1. Read an award winner.

Given out yearly since 1988, The Bram Stoker Awards® are the premiere awards for outstanding writing presented by the Horror Writers Association. To place convenient requests in our catalog, see all of the Bram Stoker Award winners in our collection.

2. Borrow e-books, downloadable audiobooks, or movies.

Here are some quick links to fiction & films you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available. Additionally, you can watch an OverDrive video tutorial or consult with Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before here are some Kanopy directions and a Kanopy video tutorial.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on our featured horror lists or browse through all of our horror staff lists.

IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Suspense, Mystery, and Horror

4. Make a selection from this list of horror authors

5. Subscribe to the horror newsletter from NextReads

Receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

6. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. Once you login, choose the a category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Blood-drenched,” “Creature Feature,” “Creepy Clowns & Bad Seeds,” and more! Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, and “Check Availability” to see if it the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Tags Horror, If You Like

Find Your Next Romantic Read

Romances are books that feature a relationship between two main characters that have a “happily ever after” ending. They can be a great optimistic escape! There are many sub-genres too, if there is a particular setting or mood you like, such as historical, contemporary, paranormal, or inspirational. Here are some tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of contemporary romance authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. For more romantic reads browse our If You Like Historical Romance reading recommendations.

1. Read an award winner.

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Vivian Award and the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) Rona Award both recognize excellence in romance writing.
The Swoon Awards, or “Swoonies” is a reader-based award celebrating the romance community’s favorite romance novels.
The Emma Awards are the premier award for diversity in romantic literature.
The Lambda Literary Awards, or “Lammys,” celebrate LGBTQ storytelling with category awards for Romance, Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance.
For audiobook listeners try out the Audie Award winners in the Romance category.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Use romance lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support.

Romance Fiction from OverDrive

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get romance reading recommendations, or see all our staff romance lists. For even more ideas tailored to your particular romance taste, one of our staff romance readers suggests trying this book finder. Results are also linked to graded reviews, making it easier to find a book that suits your needs.

IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Romance

Looking to add a touch more romance to your 2023? Check out these swoony recommendations from IndyPL Staff Members, featuring a queer farm commune, drunken emails, and sweet kindergarten teachers.

Title - That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Human

4. Make a selection from these contemporary romance authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

Get read-alikes and other “what to read next” suggestions from ovelist Plus. If you like contemporary romance, you’ll find romance reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Romance” category from the list on the left. When you click on a book you can read a brief description, see a star rating, and click “Check Availability” to see if your selection is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to the romance newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Romance

Here are tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. See also If You Like Amish and Mennonite Fiction.

1. Find award winning Christian fiction.

The Christy awards are presented annually to recognize novels of excellence written from a Christian worldview. See Christy Award winners in our collection here.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse our OverDrive Christian Fiction Collection of e-books amd downloadable audiobooks you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

4. Make a selection from one of these Christian fiction authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning historical romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Fiction A-Z” category from the list on the left and then choose “Christian fiction.” Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, and then click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to a Christian fiction email newsletter.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a Christian fiction sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Tags If You Like, Religion

Cozy mysteries, often referred to as “cozies,” are a gentle subgenre of crime fiction or more hardened mysteries. The stories are often set in small communities and feature unlikely amateur detectives like letter carriers, inn keepers, teachers or librarians. Explicit sexuality and graphic violence take place offstage and any profanity is mild. If you like cozy mysteries you can browse a wide variety of titles in our catalog, or take a look at these tips and tricks to make your next selection!

1. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Use a mystery list from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both app directions and browser directions are available as well as a video tutorial and Overdrive Support.

Cozy Mystery Fiction from OverDrive

2. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get cozy mystery reading recommendations. See also our If You Like Mysteries recommendations. You might also try Cozymyster.com for a one stop shop for all matters cozy. It provides recommendations, booklists, and announcements of upcoming entries in all your favorite series.

3. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus to find more cozy mysteries.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find cozy mystery reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, and reviews. Once you login, choose the “Mystery” category from the list on the left and then choose “Getting Cozy.” Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

4. Subscribe to the cozy mystery newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive cozy mystery reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads here!

5. Make a Selection from these cozy mystery authors.

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Tags If You Like, Mysteries

Here some tips to help you find your next historical romantic read as well as a convenient clickable list of historical romance authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. Also, browse our If You Like Contemporary Romance reading recommendations.

1. Read an award winner.

There are a variety of awards given each year for the best in romance writing. Browse the winners from peoples’ choice to the best romance audiobook.

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) Vivian Award and the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) Rona Award both recognize excellence in romance writing.
The Swoon Awards, or “Swoonies” is a reader-based award celebrating the romance community’s favorite romance novels of the year.
The Emma Awards are the premier award for diversity in romantic literature recognizing excellence in works featuring diverse and multicultural protagonists.
The Lambda Literary Awards, or “Lammys,” celebrate LGBTQ storytelling with category awards for Romance, Gay Romance and Lesbian Romance.
For audiobook listeners try out the Audie Award winners in the Romance category.

2. Borrow e-books, downloadable audiobooks, or movies.

Use romance lists from OverDrive and Kanopy to find e-books, audiobooks & streaming movies. Here are some short cut links to easily borrow online with your IndyPL library card. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before, try these Kanopy directions.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get historical romance reading recommendations. See also If You Like Contemporary Romance.

4. Make a selection from these historical romance authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus. On Novelist Plus you’ll find historical romance reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning historical romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Romance” category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Regency Rogues,” “Victorian Days,” “Men in Kilts,” and more. Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or choose “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to the romance newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Tags If You Like, Romance

That’s it… the geeks have finally won! No longer relegated to drug-store paperback spinner racks, the science fiction genre is undergoing a huge cultural surge right now, and we have the books, movies, television shows, and graphic novels to prove it! If you like science fiction, we have the content at the Library to keep you satisfied and Indianapolis has several unique resources and conventions to keep you entertained all year round. You might also like If You Like Fantasy.

Science Fiction Book Group at Central Library

Embark on interstellar journeys of imagination with Ad Astra, Central Library’s new science fiction book group. Explore distant galaxies, encounter alien civilizations, and unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. Join us for an out-of-this-world reading experience! See the schedule.

Reading Recommendations from IndyPL Staff

Click on a featured booklist to get science reading recommendations or see all our staff science fiction lists.

In addition to books of science fiction and fantasy, the library also has many great works about science fiction and fantasy. This list of general reference science fiction resources will help you find your next series, keep you up to date on the latest short fiction, or help you while away the hours learning about the books and movies you love.

IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Enjoy our staff members favorite scifi and fantasy reads of 2023. In between dragons and pirates and faeries, you’ll also find tales of grilled cheese and talking cats. We hope you find a new favorite magical read.

Title - The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi

Title - The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (a Graphic Novel)

Science Fiction Authors

Indianapolis Science Fiction Resources

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is in the process of renovating their new building, and is currently operating a pop-up shop in the Circle Center Mall downtown.
The Center for Ray Bradbury Studies is another extraordinary resource we are lucky to have in our city. The Center contains tons of Bradbury resources, including manuscripts, drafts, notes, correspondence, recordings, personal artifacts such as his personal typewriters, photographs, and more.
If you don’t mind a short road trip, head southwest to hit up the Who North America store in Camby, Indiana. Not only do they sell Dr. Who related merchandise, they have a museum of Dr. Who memorabilia, some items dating from when the show began in the UK over 50 years ago. There is a rumor that they even have a Dr. Who pinball machine. A must for any Whovian!

Science Fiction and Fantasy Conventions

Looking to have some fun and meet other fans of science fiction and fantasy? Indianapolis is home to many gatherings of fans from all over the globe.

If you are purely interested in fiction you might want to try InConJunction, a local science fiction and fantasy convention put on and run by fans. Past guests include George RR Martin, Timothy Zahn, Tobias Buckell, and Mercedes Lackey.
GenCon hosts some amazing authors thanks to their Writer’s Symposium series. Robin Hobb, Cherie Priest, Scott Lynch, Elizabeth Hand, Patrick Rothfuss, John Scalzi, Jo Walton, and Brandon Sanderson have all made appearances there.
If you are more interested in science fiction and fantasy television and movies, then save up for Indy Popcon and the Indiana Comic Convention! Both conventions feature panels about varied topics and includes visits from some of your favorite actors and creators.

Online Science Fiction and Fantasy Resources

If you would rather stay at home there are luckily several places on the internet (beyond Goodreads and Twitter) that encourage reasoned discussion on all things fantastical or futuristic.

Tor.com is the place to go if you are looking for places on the web to learn more about science fiction and fantasy books, join a community of readers, or read original short fiction by well-known authors for free. Browse commentary of beloved series, essays by fiction luminaries, tons of original short fiction, and a free monthly e-book if you sign up for their e-book club.
Locus magazine is considered the trade magazine for the science fiction, fantasy, and horror field. It has everything from exhaustive lists of new releases, to author interviews, reports on conferences, writing workshops, industry events, and award ceremonies. Pages and pages of book reviews every month ensure you will never miss out on the best new thing.
Fantastic Fiction is the perfect site if you are looking for the full bibliography of an author you are reading. With lists organized neatly and easily into series and links from author to their pseudonyms, it is an easy and quick way to find that next book.
Lastly, Novelist is the place librarians go to help someone find their next favorite book to read – and you can use it to! You will just need a valid Indianapolis Public Library card number. Type in an author or book you enjoy and the database will generate lists of similar books or authors you may enjoy, based either on expert recommendations or similar appeal factors.

Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus

On Novelist Plus you’ll find science fiction reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning science fiction books. Once you login, choose the “Science Fiction” category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Alternate Histories,” “Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction,” and more! Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, or click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

Science Fiction Newsletter from NextReads

Receive science fiction reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need more help?

These are just some of the many resources available to Nap-town residents. Be sure to check the library’s website periodically for events, author signings, and new titles. And may the nerds continue to reign supreme for a long time to come!

Tags If You Like, Science Fiction

Urban Fiction, or Street Lit, share the socio-economic realities and culture of its characters in a city landscape. Profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit and it is common that authors of this genre draw upon their own past experiences to inform their stories. Here are several ways to easily find and check out urban fiction reading recommendations with your IndyPL library card.

1. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse urban fiction lists from OverDrive to find e-books and downloadable audiobooks. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before, both app directions and browser directions are available as well as a video tutorial and Overdrive Support.

Urban Fiction from OverDrive

2. Make a selection from this list of urban fiction authors.

3. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

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Tags If You Like, Urban Fiction

e-Books & Audiobooks

Browse OverDrive’s Amish and Mennonite fiction collection of e-books and downloadable audiobooks you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

Amish & Mennonite Fiction Authors

Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

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Tags If You Like, Religion

1. Read an award winner.

If you like fantasy here are several awards that are good sources for finding outstanding novels, short stories, or anthologies.

The Nebula Awards are presented each year for the best science fiction or fantasy published in the United States during the previous year. Browse Nebula Award winners in our collection.
The Hugo Awards are presented each year by the World Science Fiction Society. Browse Hugo Award winners in our collection.
The World Fantasy Awards are presented annually by the World Fantasy Convention to writers of fantasy fiction. Browse World Fantasy Award winners in our collection.
The Ignyte Awards are presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and are intended to celebrate excellent Speculative Fiction written by people of color.

2. Borrow e-books, downloadable audiobooks & movies.

Here are some short cut links to easily borrow materials online with your IndyPL library card. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before or used OverDrive’s Libby app, both Libby app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available as well as an OverDrive video tutorial and Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before, you can get Kanopy directions.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Click on a featured booklist to get fantasy reading recommendations or see all our staff fantasy book lists.

IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

4. Make a Selection from these fantasy authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

Find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books on Novelist Plus. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Fantasy” category from the list on the left.

Here is a sample recommendation. When you click on a book you can read a brief description, see a star rating, and click “Check Availability” to see if it is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to the Fantasy newsletter from NextReads.

Receive fantasy reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a ample issue or Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Monday, April 22, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: Join us as the group discusses the book “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion.
No Registration Required.

Event: Zine Salon
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm
Location: East 38th Street Branch
Description: Join us for this special-interest book club focused on zines. Select from our collection, or bring your favorites. We’ll spend the first hour reading, and then share and discuss what we’ve read.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, April 26, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Tags Fantasy, If You Like