DP - Fiction
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The Library Book (2018) by Susan Orlean investigates the 1986 fire that devastated the Los Angeles Public Library, blending true crime, history, and personal narrative. The book explores the history of libraries, their cultural significance, and the ways they serve as centers of community and knowledge. Orlean also examines the mystery surrounding the fire, the people involved, and the impact on librarians and patrons. The narrative highlights the importance of preserving knowledge and the resilience of public institutions.
Susan Orlean is an acclaimed journalist and author known for her in-depth reporting and engaging storytelling, often focusing on cultural and human-interest topics.
U FIC ARD 14+
The Winternight Trilogy (2017–2019) follows Vasya, a young woman in medieval Russia who can see spirits of folklore, and must navigate the clash between ancient magic and the rising power of the Orthodox Church. Across three books, she battles dark forces, political intrigue, and her own destiny, becoming a bridge between the human and spirit worlds.
Katherine Arden is an American author best known for the Winternight Trilogy and the Small Spaces Quartet, blending folklore, history, and fantasy in her storytelling.
Fantasy U FIC SCH
Louder Than Hunger (2020) follows teenage Jake as he battles anorexia and the internal "Voice" that urges him to shrink himself. Inspired by Schu’s own experiences in residential treatment, the book offers a raw and authentic portrayal of mental illness, recovery, and resilience. Through free verse poetry, it highlights the importance of self-acceptance, support, and hope, giving a much-needed male perspective on eating disorders.
John Schu is an American children's book author, librarian, blogger, and literacy advocate known for his popular blog, "Mr. Schu Reads," and his work as an Ambassador of School Libraries.
Historical Fiction U FIC SHA 18+
Three Daughters of Eve (2016) is a novel that delves into the complexities of identity, faith, and belonging. The story follows Peri, a wealthy Turkish woman living in Istanbul, who, on her way to a dinner party, is confronted by a beggar, triggering a series of memories from her time at Oxford University. Through flashbacks, the narrative explores her relationships with two friends—Mona, a devout Muslim, and Shirin, a secular Iranian—and the philosophical debates that shaped their bond.
Elif Shafak is a British-Turkish author and public speaker known for her novels exploring identity, feminism, and cultural politics.
Fiction U FIC ZEH 18+
New Year (2018) follows Henning, a middle-aged father experiencing panic attacks, who embarks on a solitary New Year's Day bike ride in Lanzarote. As he struggles physically, Henning confronts repressed childhood memories, leading to a psychological unraveling that challenges his identity and relationships
Juli Zeh is a contemporary German author, known for her thought-provoking literary and political novels that explore ethical, social, and psychological themes.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) is a contemporary science fiction novel that follows April May, a young woman who becomes an overnight internet sensation after discovering mysterious giant sculptures appearing around the world. As she navigates fame and the public’s reaction, April confronts questions about human connection, courage, and the impact of social media on society.
Hank Green is an American entrepreneur, author, and science communicator, holding a B.S. in Biochemistry from Eckerd College and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, best known for co-creating popular educational YouTube channels like Crash Course and SciShow.
The Bookseller's Tale (2016) In 1353 Oxford, just after the devastating Black Death, Nicholas Elyot, a young bookseller and widower, discovers the body of a promising university student in the river, uncovering a dangerous murder mystery intertwined with rare books and academic secrets. Alongside his scholar friend, Nicholas risks everything to unravel the truth, bringing him face-to-face with powerful enemies and exposing the hidden tensions between the town and the university.
Ann Swinfen was an American-English author educated at Oxford University, known for her historical fiction novels set in medieval and early modern periods, and for her diverse career including university lecturer, translator, and technical writer.
The Sellout (2015) a satirical novel about a young black man, known as Bonbon, who lives in the fictional town of Dickens, California, which has been erased from the map; to restore the town and confront racial issues, he attempts to reinstate slavery and segregation, leading to a Supreme Court trial. The book vividly explores themes of race, identity, and social justice with sharp humor and biting critique.
Paul Beatty is an American author and professor known for his satirical and provocative novels exploring race and culture.
Ebook 14+
Fly on the Wall (2006) is a young adult novel that delves into the turbulent experiences of adolescence through the eyes of Gretchen, a sixteen-year-old girl grappling with identity, friendships, and self-acceptance. Combining humor and emotional honesty, the book offers a poignant exploration of teenage struggles with body image, bullying, and mental health.
E. Lockhart, the pen name of Emily Jenkins, is an American writer known for her children's picture books, young-adult novels, and adult fiction. She was born in New York City and holds a doctorate in English literature from Columbia University.
U FIC LAR 18+
Millennium series (beginning with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, 2005) follows investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and brilliant but troubled hacker Lisbeth Salander as they uncover corruption, abuse, and hidden crimes in Swedish society.
Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and author, best known for writing the internationally acclaimed Millennium crime trilogy beginning with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
U FIC LAR 16+
The Da Vinci Code (2003) follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he uncovers a secret society and a hidden truth about the Holy Grail after a murder at the Louvre. The novel combines art, history, and religious conspiracy in a fast-paced thriller that challenges conventional beliefs.
Dan Brown is an American author best known for his thriller novels that blend history, art, and conspiracy, including The Da Vinci Code.
U FIC LAR 18+
Fight Club (1996) follows an unnamed narrator struggling with insomnia and dissatisfaction with his white-collar life, who forms an underground fight club with the charismatic Tyler Durden, spiraling into chaos and anarchy. The novel explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the destructive nature of modern masculinity.
Chuck Palahniuk is an American novelist known for his transgressive fiction, gaining fame with Fight Club (1996) and later works like Choke (2001) and Invisible Monsters (1999), which often explore dark, satirical themes of society and human behavior.
Parable of the Sower (1993) is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Lauren Olamina, a young woman with a unique empathic ability, as she navigates a fractured and violent future America devastated by climate change and societal collapse. Through her journey, Lauren develops a new belief system called Earthseed, emphasizing adaptability and change as essential for survival and hope in uncertain times.
Octavia Butler is an American author and professor known for his satirical and provocative novels exploring race and culture.
U FIC ROW
The Stories of Eva Luna (1989) is a collection of interconnected short stories centered on the life of Eva Luna, a young woman in Latin America with a gift for storytelling. Through her tales, the book explores themes of love, politics, injustice, and resilience, blending magical realism with vivid social commentary.
Isabel Allende is a Chilean author renowned for her novels blending magical realism, historical fiction, and social commentary, including The House of the Spirits and The Stories of Eva Luna.
U FIC RUS 18+
The Satanic Verses (1988) is a novel blending magical realism and historical fiction, following two Indian expatriates who survive a terrorist attack on a plane and grapple with questions of identity, faith, and transformation. The book sparked international controversy for its critical portrayal of Islam, leading to widespread protests and a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s assassination.
Salman Rushdie is a British-Indian novelist and essayist renowned for his magical realism and controversial works, including Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses.
Realistic Fiction U FIC RHU 16+
Woman at Point Zero (1975) tells the story of Firdaus, a woman in Egypt who recounts her life of oppression, abuse, and exploitation at the hands of men. She rises from a childhood of neglect to a life of independence through prostitution, ultimately choosing to assert control over her fate by committing murder. The novel explores themes of gender inequality, social injustice, and the struggle for personal autonomy.
Nawal El Saadawi was an Egyptian feminist writer, physician, and activist renowned for her outspoken advocacy for women's rights, challenging patriarchy, and addressing issues like female genital mutilation and social injustice.
U FIC AND
The Bridge on the Drina (1945) chronicles the history of the town of Višegrad and its inhabitants through the lens of the iconic Ottoman-era bridge over the Drina River. The novel explores themes of cultural coexistence, historical change, and the passage of time in Bosnia.
Ivo Andrić (1892–1975) was a Yugoslav writer and diplomat, notable for his works on Bosnian history and culture, including The Bridge on the Drina (1945), and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961 for “the epic force with which he traced themes and depicted human destinies drawn from his country’s history.”
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