Outside the Library Box

April 18, 2012

Once you’ve been coming to the Library for a while, it’s very easy to get stuck in a reading rut. You always check the Young Adult section for interesting reads, then maybe you move on to the Feature Films section, or you look for the new books released by your favorite author. But, what do you do when you can’t seem to find anything new?

My first suggestion is to look behind you. Though you may think you’ve outgrown our Juvenile Fiction collection, I’d encourage anyone of any age to give a few old classics a second chance. There are plenty of books in JF that captivate both young and old; the Harry Potter series might be an obvious example, but there are others as well. Don’t forget about the Chronicles of Narnia. And if you’ve read that series already, check out Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising sequence (one of my all-time favorites). Some authors of adult and young adult fiction can also be found here. If you enjoyed the Claidi collection, you might like Black Unicorn by the same author.

The same logic applies to other media as well. Moving on to our Juvenile DVDs section, who doesn’t love old Disney classics? We may even be your best bet for watching your old favorites, since many Disney films are difficult to find elsewhere due to limited releases. I’d also personally recommend the TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender to any teen who enjoys anime (avoid the recent movie adaptation, though--it’s terrible). The recent remake of My Little Pony has also been a smash hit among viewers of all ages and has gone on to become an Internet sensation. Though we don’t have any copies of the series on DVD yet, you might want to place a hold now to avoid a long waiting list when it comes out.

But if you really want to think outside the box, you should consider browsing our Adult Nonfiction section as well. You might be surprised what you find there. In the 808s, we have a wonderful short story collection that even includes an anthology or two written specifically with young adults in mind. Our mythology section in the 398s is also fascinating, especially since so many popular books and recent TV shows draw from old folk tales and myths.

Just remember, our collection here at the Library is more diverse and interesting than you might think. Step out of your comfort zone from time to time; I promise, you’ll find something new to love.

-Lizzie B.
Parkville Branch