A Different Way of Reading

Alternative Formats and Ways of Reading Recommendations from Librarians

Audiobook

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This fast-paced quest novel is great for video game fans and nostalgic 80s babies alike! The audio narrated by Wil Wheaton only enhances the story.

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
The producers of Illuminae brought a whole new experience to listening to audiobooks. With a full cast plus sound effects, you feel like you’re listening to a movie. The story itself is told through dossier of hacked documents--including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more. Plus, this science fiction novel features a space adventure, world-ending stakes, a great cast of characters, and messages that will resonate just as much as the performance. This is book one of a completed trilogy; book 2 is Gemina and book 3 is Obsidio.

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Elise Dembowski has never been popular. After one last attempt to fit in fails, she nearly gives up. But while on a midnight walk with her favorite companion, her music, she stumbles upon a warehouse party. There she meets Vicky, an accepting singer who takes Elise under her wing, DJ Char, who all the girls want, and British party girl Pippa. But most importantly, Elise discovers her talent and passion for DJing. But, Elise is still in high school and cute DJs, late night warehouse parties and older friends don’t always mix with 11th grade. Librarians love this book because of the great soundtrack, and the riveting story of discovering who you are and what you want.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
[Warnings: Rape, CSA]This is a story about Sadie—a missing girl seeking revenge for the murder of her younger sister—and West McCray—the radio personality assigned to investigate her disappearance. Split between Sadie's first person point of view and West's serialized podcast interviews, this heartbreaking novel masterfully deconstructs society’s obsession with true crime by integrating an actual podcast into the audiobook. If you’re looking for an audiobook with a wide cast and an innovative format, then you should definitely check Sadie out.

Graphic Novel

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
The best word to describe this graphic novel is “eerie.” Through the Woods is a collection of five horror stories written and illustrated by Emily Carroll that will terrify and marvel you in equal measure. If you’re looking to branch out from contemporary graphic novels and explore a visual style that really pushes the constraints of sequential storytelling, then this one is for you!

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
This is a memoir focused on the author’s struggles he faced as a child and young adult. His life wasn’t easy. He grew up living with his grandparents because he never knew his father and his mother was a heroin addict. It wasn’t a “picture, perfect life.” But throughout all the challenges he faced, his dream of becoming an artist kept him going, as well as the support and love of his grandparents. What I love most about this story is how personal the author makes it. He fills the pages with beautiful images and powerful text, and also includes artifacts from his childhood. This story will speak to your heart when you read it.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
I often find myself missing fall and the feeling that comes with it; if you’re the same, this is a graphic novel that you need. Our two main characters work together at a pumpkin patch, and this is their last year before going to college. It’s a night of adventures as Josiah and Deja make the most of their last night. We’ve got really gorgeous graphics, expert panel usage, and great representation (Deja is a bisexual, curvy woman of color, and it’s so great to physically see that on the page). Warning: make sure to have a pumpkin pie on hand, you’ll be craving it.

Lumberjanes (series) by Noelle Stevenson (16 volumes so far)
The adventures of five friends attending a mysterious summer camp. Great for fans of Gravity Falls!

More Graphic Novel Recommendations

Titles and Links

Verse

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Will is young. He is lost. He is confused. He is in pain, grieving the death of his brother. He thinks he has to follow the rules to end that pain, rules that have been set by his family and surrounding community, but will Will follow them? Gun in hand, he rides the elevator down, but he has to make a decision that will inevitably change his life as soon as those doors open. What I love about this novel is how this story is told using verse. Reynolds plays with shape and form to tell this raw and emotional story. When you read this novel, you will see Reynolds wield his verse like a weapon, stabbing at your very heart, and I hope you will see we all can make different choices than others before us have made.

Cover Image from LitHub