Authors & Books

Best of 2022: TV shows, movies, & music

Best of 2022: Movies, music & more text next to a thumbs up icon with sparkles floating above, all on a misty orange orb background

Oak Park’s Best of 2022 returns! Our annual librarian-curated selection of titles features some of the titles most requested and checked out by Oak Parkers. See some of our favorite TV shows, movies, and music on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Mystery, history & sci-fi | Adult nonfiction | Teen fiction | Kids books | Picture books | TV shows | Movies | … Read more

Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance Idea Box display in the Main Library

Extended: ‘Gender Is a Galaxy, Gender Is a Weapon’ This Idea Box exhibit has been extended to hold space for mourning and to honor the victims of the shooting that took place on November 19 at Club Q, an LGBTQ Nightclub in Colorado Springs. One day before Transgender Day of Remembrance, a shooter attacked Club … Read more

National Book Awards & readalikes 2022

WINNERS written in all caps above a collage of book covers

Check out the 2022 National Book Awards winners and our readalike title suggestions, curated by Oak Park’s fantastically well-read librarians! The National Book Awards were established in 1950 to celebrate the best writing in America. Learn more about how the awards work from the National Book Foundation » Winners & readalikes

1619 series was a ‘journey of love, history, learning’

A large group of people sitting in chairs in a large circle in the library's Veterans Room

For the third year in a row, the library was proud to collaborate with local partners to host a Family and Community Discussion Series focused on intergenerational, anti-racist discussion circles inspired by books and other media. “I always look forward to these circles!” said one participant, who told us they’ve participated in this series for … Read more

Fall back—or forward—into time: 8 time-travel books for daylight saving time

Book cover collage on a purple background with a large light burst

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Daylight saving time wreaking havoc with your schedule? Annoyed that it’s dark at 5 pm? Just remember what Einstein wrote: “The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubborn, persistent illusion.” In other words, time itself is an illusion. Perhaps these time-travel novels prove it. Or they can … Read more

A little scary to terrifying: Choose your own Halloween reading adventure!

Ghost icons with text and a ghost background: 1 ghost = a little scary; 2 ghosts = chilling; 3 ghosts = frightening; 4 ghosts = terrifying

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Want to get into the spirit of Halloween, but don’t want to be too scared? We’ve got you! We’ve created a scary rating system from only a little scary () to terrifying ( ). Try it! How much scare do you dare? The Butcher & the Wren by Alaina Urquhart … Read more

Honoring Indigenous People

Indigenous Peoples Day October 10

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy In 2017, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day. This day recognizes that Native peoples were the first inhabitants of North America and celebrates their history, traditions, and stories. Oak Park Public Library acknowledges that Oak Park is situated … Read more

Barbara Ballinger Lecture 2022: ‘The Billboard’ readalikes

Author Natalie Moore with her book The Billboard, the Barbara Ballinger Lecture logo and the Friends of the Library logo

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Each fall we gather to celebrate and recognize former head librarian Barbara Ballinger and her many years of dedicated service to the library and to Oak Park. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, this year’s Barbara Ballinger Lecture features a lecture and Q&A with author and WBEZ Journalist Natalie … Read more

#BookTok: Titles from TikTok

Book cover collage with a cyan and hot pink border

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná TikTok is a social media platform filled with people from all over the world sharing news, culture, and dance trends. It is also home to a community of readers posting book recommendations, sharing reviews, and engaging with authors. Popular & under-the-radar reads curated from the vast algorithm that is #BookTok … Read more

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