Fantasy
Harry Potter Read Alikes
If you liked Harry Potter, then give these a try:
Stolen by Sarah Prineas; illustrations by Antonio Javier Caparo
The hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff
The lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
Animal Fantasy Fiction
If you liked books like the Warriors series, then try these:
The capture by Kathryn Lasky
Varjak Paw by S.F. Said; illustrated by Dave McKean
Redwall by Brian Jacques; illustrated by Gary Chalk
Warlocks and… Vimanas?
The Warlock, in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott is part of an awesome, intricate fantasy series. You will be shocked and amazed at what unfolds in this book. If you love multi-layered fantasies, and have not yet delved into the worlds, shadow-worlds, and complex characters created by Scott, you must! In this latest installment you will not believe how gullible Josh is. Has Dr. Dee altered his mind somehow? His sister Sophie has no clue whom she can trust anymore. Ancient civilizations and shadowlands, such as Atlantis, are on the brink of chaos and collapse, which would prevent our known world from ever coming into existance.Fantasy Adventure With a Hint of Romance
Have you enjoyed such books as Beautiful Creatures, Gone, and Graceling? If you like creative storylines, adventure, and just a dash of romance, then here's a list for you:
City of bones by Cassandra Clare
Need by Carrie Jones
A great and terrible beauty by Libba Bray
Poison study by Maria V. Snyder
Adventure Awaits You!
Even if you haven't read the prequel, Fly by Night (as I haven't), you will still fly through Fly Trap by Frances Hardinge, staying up far later than you should to find out what happens next. Mosca Mye is one feisty, clever, courageous, endearing super-heroine ready to take on evil and corruption regardless of the danger it puts her in. She has just escaped from the city of Mandelion, where she, her sometimes con-man friend Eponymous Clent, and her goose guard Saracen helped foment a revolution. Now the trio is trapped in the wealthy, but "stinkin', rotten" city of Toll that operates like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.For those who like Percy Jackson…
Here's a list of books for those who like Percy Jackson and are looking for another good series to read:
The ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The merchant of death by D.J. MacHale
Magyk by Angie Sage; illustrations by Mark Zug
If You Like Twilight: Stephenie Meyer
If you are a fan of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, you might enjoy the following authors.
Shades of gray by Amanda Ashley
Dark prince by Christine Feehan
A quick bite by Lynsay Sands
Undead and unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
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Fantasy & Fablehaven Fans Readers' Alert!
Book #1 in Brandon Mull's new Beyonders series is beyond belief. Action, suspense, humor, magic, mystery, plot twists, bizarre portals to alternate realms, epic battles between good and evil — A World Without Heroes has it all. Jason, a regular teenager with no dreams of glory, suddenly finds himself devoted to overthrowing an evil tyrant after slipping through the mouth of a hippo into the realm of Lyrian. Just when you think he must undertake this mission impossible alone, he encounters Rachel, who was also magically ported into Lyrian. These two intrepid teens must quickly learn not only to trust each other, but to recognize honesty and deception in the many bizarre creatures they encounter on their quest.
International Authors
The alchemist by Paulo Coelho; translated by Alan R. Clarke
The tale of the unknown island by José Saramago; illustrated by Peter Sís; translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino; translated from the Italian by William Weaver
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- Adults
- Seniors
- Fiction
- Books
- Fantasy
- Historical Fiction
- Inspirational Fiction
- Realistic Fiction
- Connect Your Summer
- May We Suggest
- 19th. century
- Brazilian authors
- Christianity
- Egypt
- fables
- Genji
- Italy
- Japan
- leprosy
- magical realism
- missionary
- Multicultural Badge
- Nobel Laureate
- Portugual
- samuri
- vengeance
- World War II
Fantasy Floats
The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier — is another must-read for all tween/teen fantasy fans. Fourteen-year-old Trei lost his family to a volcanic explosion and seeks refuge with his aunt, uncle, and cousin in the neighboring, airborn kingdom of the Floating Islands. Upon arriving he sees men soaring in the skies with wings and dragon magic and is consumed with the desire to also be a kajurai. Soon after his arrival his aunt and uncle become victims of a horrid epidemic. Now is cousin Araene is also an orphan and must decide what she will do with her life. The constraints on woman in her kingdom are unbearable, but she is clever and soon finds a way to pursue her love of the culinary arts, as well as to use her gifts in the art of magic - as long as no one discovers her sexual disguise that is.
Funny and Fighting
Enjoy humor? Enjoy Action? If you've read 39 clues, Percy Jackson, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and you're looking for more books that will either make you gasp, or make you laugh, check these out:
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull; illustrated by Brandon Dorman
The day my butt went psycho by Andy Griffiths
Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger; illustrated by Aaron Blecha
Book Club Choices: May 2011
Has your book group tried our Book Club in a Bag kits? Each kit has 8 books, a resource guide with book discussion questions, author information, and articles relating to the book. A complete list of kits is available at: Book Club in a Bag. To reserve a kit for your group, contact the Adult Reference Desk at (734) 397-0999.
An unfinished life [Large print kit] by Mark Spragg
Water for elephants: [kit] a novel by Sara Gruen
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Emerald Atlas — a Gem of a Fantasy
Ready for another fantastic fantasy series? The Books of Beginning is here, beginning with The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens. Meet Kate, Michael, and Emma — siblings who have been ousted from many orphanages ever since the disappearance of their parents 10 years ago. They finally wind up in a very strange home in Cambridge Falls run by a Dr. Pym that has no other children at all. While exploring this run-down mansion, they happen upon a mysterious emerald atlas that has the power to transport them in time. From this point on their lives are filled with fast-paced magical adventures in that age-old struggle between good and evil.More Suggestions for the Urban Fantasy Reader
You're a special kind of reader. You can't get enough of vampires, wizards and things that go bump in the night. However, you like your books set in a city, preferably a big one like Chicago or New York. You also don't want to stop at just one book — more is more! You're an urban fantasy reader and here are some series for you to explore.
Greywalker by Kat Richardson
Marked: a house of night novel by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
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Creepy, Suspenseful and Mysterious
Some books don't fit neatly into genre descriptions. They're creepy, suspenseful and often include complex plots with lots of twists. Despite their lack of definite category, they're always riveting. Give these creepysuspensefulemysteries a try.
Await your reply: a novel by Dan Chaon
Darling Jim: a novel by Christian Moerk
The diviner's tale [sound recording] by Bradford Morrow
Murder Will Out: A Conversation with Charlaine Harris
Charlaine Harris, author of the popular Sookie Stackhouse series AKA True Blood on HBO, will speak at the Michigan Theater on Monday, May 16 at 7:30PM. Ms. Harris will sign copies of her latest Sookie Stackhouse book Dead Reckoning. Tickets can be purchased at TicketWeb.com or by calling (866) 468-3401.Ms. Harris is brought to you courtesy of Michigan Theater and Nicola's Books.
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"A Game of Thrones" Hits the Big Screen
George R. R. Martin's medieval fantasy series Song of Ice and Fire is being made into an HBO television series. If you are a fan of this popular series, be sure watch the clips of the Making Game of Thrones.
A game of thrones by George R.R. Martin
A clash of kings: book two of A song of ice and fire by George R.R. Martin
Book Club Choices: April 2011
The perfect book for a book discussion is one that's not too easy, not too hard, which will hold the interest of a diverse group of readers and will also inspire a lively discussion.
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Plain Kate
One of my esteemed colleagues, whose opinion I value very highly, once gave a presentation illustrating that you can tell a book by its cover. So, when I picked up Plain Kate by Erin Bow to read, I looked at its cover and thought I was in for a fanciful tale about an orphan girl and her cat, probably set in 18th century London; a simple, sweet story about a chimney sweep lass — along the lines of Mary Poppins and Bert. Forget it! Witchcraft, mysteriously sinister magic, gyspies, bigotry, superstition, loss of loved ones, hunger, plagues, death… those are but some of the dark elements behind this light dreamy-looking cover.Paranormalcy
Parnormalcy stands out from the rest of the paranormal romance books out there in that it's got something of an attitude. Yes, romance junkies, you can be sure there's plenty there to make your heart 'a flutter', but it's the tongue in cheek humor — a la Buffy the Vampire Slayer — and the very likable, kick-butt heroine, with her pink taser and sarcastic commentary, that makes this worth reading. This book isn't afraid to poke fun at itself while at the same time dishing out top notch suspense. Definitely worth checking out.