We Recommend
A year of reading : a month-by-month guide to classics and crowd-pleasers for you and your book grou
Ellington, H. Elisabeth.
Upcoming Events
Adult Book Discussion »
Wed, May 08, 1:00 pm
Despres Family Memorial Lecture Series Presents Author Alice Kaplan »
Wed, May 22, 6:00 pm
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Featured Resource
NoveList » teen pick
NoveList K-8 »
Find recommended reading lists by genre, author read-alikes, book discussion guides, award winners and more in NoveList. In NoveList K-8, find recommended reads by age and genre, book talks, award winners and more.
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Related Databases
A valid Chicago Public Library card is required to use these resources when not using a Chicago Public Library computer.
Booklist Online »
Booklist Online offers expert advice on great reads in both fiction and nonfiction from the editors and reviewers of Booklist. Read the latest reviews, columns and blogs, search for reviews based on a number of criteria (topic, audience, date, “starred review,” etc.) or use the “find similar titles” feature to find recommendations for further reading.
Contemporary Authors »
Contemporary Authors offers information on the lives and writings of current authors as well as those no longer publishing but who were active within the past 50 years.
Fiction Connection » teen pick
Nonfiction Connection » teen pick
Find a new fiction or nonfiction title to read. Type in the name of a book you've enjoyed in the past to find similar titles or search by topic, genre, setting, character, location or timeframe.
Literary Reference Center » teen pick
Literary Reference Center helps users deepen their understanding of literature through a wide variety of information on authors, their works and literary topics. Use this resource to find author biographies, plot summaries, character information, critical essays, book reviews and overviews of literary topics. Search by keyword or browse lists of authors and works.
Search in the Library
Featured CPL Collections and Programs
- Adult Book Discussions
The Library holds Adult Books Discussions at numerous locations throughout the city. Discussions feature a variety of selections and authors, from classics to recent bestsellers, both fiction and nonfiction. The Library hosts World Language Discussion groups in a variety of languages: Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
- Books, Movies and More
Create a personalized reading list using the Library’s compilation of lists, including recent arrivals, bestsellers, award winners, books by genre, most popular titles and staff recommendations.
- Children’s Summer Learning Challenge
Read for fun all summer long during the annual Summer Learning Challenge open to children up to age 14.
- Literature and Language Department
The Literature and Language Department at the Harold Washington Library Center provides a wide array of resources on many of the world’s literatures. Find novels and short stories in the largest English language fiction collection in the Midwest. Additionally, the collection features drama, poetry, literary criticism and more.
- One Book, One Chicago
One Book, One Chicago seeks to cultivate a culture of reading by reinforcing the importance and fun of reading and highlighting the benefits of reading together as a community. Twice annually—once in the spring and again in the fall—a book is selected and promoted to all of Chicago. Events include book discussions and several public programs to further enrich the experience of reading the book.
- Summer Reads for Adults
Sharing its theme and focus with the Children’s Summer Learning Challenge, Summer Reads for Adults provides an opportunity to explore a central theme through a wide variety of suggested readings and participate in related and inventive programming such as lectures, discussions and performances.
Helpful Websites
- Goodreads »
Connect with other readers while creating book lists, writing reviews and finding recommendations.
- LitLovers »
Find resources to enrich reading and book discussions. In addition to reading guides and recommended book lists, the site features online tutorials, tips on thinking and talking about books, and recipes to transport reading groups around the world.
- NPR Books »
Listen to NPR stories including recommended reads, author interviews, book reviews and author essays.
- Oprah’s Book Club »
Oprah Winfrey has selected more than 60 titles since 1996 for Oprah’s Book Club. The site offers author Q&A, reading guides and more for these titles as well as tips for starting a book club and discussion questions for books featured in O magazine.
- Reading Group Choices »
This website recommends titles for book groups; discussion questions are available for many of these featured books. Additional resources include a monthly email newsletter and advice for books groups on everything from selecting titles to planning activities.
- Reading Group Guides
Browse for reading guides by book title, author and genre. Reading guides include features such as discussion questions, author biographies and interviews, and excerpts. The site also includes information for book clubs, such as interviews with book groups and advice for discussion leaders.