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.

Many books have been made into fabulous film adaptations. So what is the best option… read it and then watch it? Watch it and then read it? The choice is for you and your family to make. You could even listen to the audiobook first. Here are some of our favorite book and film pairings for you to discover (or rediscover) beloved characters in literature.

Increased diversity in children’s literature has been a welcome and growing phenomenon over the past few years. Thanks to the work of organizations like We Need Diverse Books- a non-profit started in 2014 by a diverse group of children’s and YA authors including Virginia residents Meg Medina and Lamar Giles- more children’s books have been written and published featuring a wide variety of racially, ethnically, ability and gender diverse characters, allowing all children to see themselves and their experiences within the books they read. Here are some of our favorites.

It’s hard to maintain balance in your life when you are experiencing stress and anxiety, but that is often when it is most important to take the time to care for yourself. Whether you are looking for a little inspiration, some sage advice on achieving inner peace, or a step-by-step guide to self-care practices, we have books that can help.

June is Pride Month, and in celebration, we wanted to share some of our favorite memoirs and autobiographies from the LGBTQIA+ community. Reading about other people’s experiences can help us make connections and build empathy. The authors featured here come from a wide variety of backgrounds and lead different lives with unique experiences, occupations, and perspectives.

In stressful times, children as well as adults can benefit from interacting with nature. According to a study by the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment & Human Health, spending a minimum of 2 hours per week in nature reduces stress hormone levels, decreases heart rate and anxiety, and reduces feelings of social isolation. Nature can also be a platform for teaching children about the environment, and inspire young ones to love the world around them. For tips on how to integrate nature into your family’s schedule, check out these resources on Hoopla.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of the institution of slavery in the United States, commemorating the date a Union general issued an order to free all enslaved persons in Texas on June 19, 1865. If you are interested in celebrating Black lives this Juneteenth through literature, we have created a list of excellent Black authors for adults and young adults, whose work you can explore free at the library. If you are interested in learning more about anti-racism, we have also included a list of recommended resources. We hope you all find a way to celebrate and contemplate this Juneteenth, and because we know reading has the power to change the world, we hope that this literature will inspire you.

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.

A great deal of research has been done concerning how young children become aware of race. It all points to a very clear fact: kids pick up on racial differences during the very first years of life. Our librarians have pulled together a list of books that are helpful for having conversations about race and culture. They are a starting point and will hopefully be a support for our Henrico families.