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September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Take a look at one of these books on suicide, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

National Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.

More featured collections

ICPL Recommends

Godfather Death book cover
Godfather Death book cover

Godfather Death

Sally Nicholls

j398.20943 Grimm
Classics, Kids, Picture Books

A retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale in which a poor fisherman chooses Death to be a godfather to his son.

Júlia Sardà's illustrations shine in Sally Nicholls's retelling of a classic Grimm Brothers tale. It's a beautiful and chilling read, just right for the start of fall. -Casey

Interview with the vampire book cover
Interview with the vampire book cover

Interview with the vampire

Anne Rice

FICTION Rice, Anne
Horror

Here are the confessions of a vampire. Hypnotic, shocking, and chillingly sensual, this is a novel of mesmerizing beauty and astonishing force—a story of danger and flight, of love and loss, of suspense and resolution, and of the extraordinary power of the senses. It is a novel only Anne Rice could...

This is one of my favorite childhood books. A great start to an amazing series. -Mykle

The Haunting of Hill House book cover
The Haunting of Hill House book cover

The Haunting of Hill House

Shirley Jackson

FICTION Jackson, Shirley
Fiction, Horror

Past the rusted gates and untrimmed hedges, Hill House broods and waits. Four seekers have come to the ugly, abandoned old mansion: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of the psychic phenomenon called haunting; Theodora, his lovely and lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a...

This book is a classic for a reason. It details a particular horror experienced by women and other caregivers; the horror of giving and giving until there's nothing left. Eleanor is so achingly lonely that she jumps at any chance of connection. She wants to be loved and taken care of. She wants to belong, and Hill House offers her that, at a price. This book has made a home inside my brain, and I will continue to walk its twisting halls for some time. -Chelsea

Spear book cover
Spear book cover

Spear

Nicola Griffith

FICTION Griffith Nicola
Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+

"The girl knows she has a destiny before she even knows her name. She grows up in the wild, in a cave with her mother, but visions of a faraway lake come to her on the spring breeze, and when she hears a traveler speak of Artos, king of Caer Leon, she knows that her future lies at his court....

Nicola Griffith has queered the Hero's Journey, and it is delightful. This is not a quest for glory, or power, or salvation; this is a quest for connection, and joy, and a life worth living. Spear is a lovely, lyrical retelling of Arthurian myth with an interest in historical accuracy and the attendant diversity. Like all Arthurian myth it is haunted by the sorrow of its own promised ending. The sorrow does not spoil any of the moments of sweetness or triumph, but it adds a weight to the story like the air before a storm. -Chelsea

Kingdom of the planet of the apes book cover
Kingdom of the planet of the apes book cover

Kingdom of the planet of the apes

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Kingdom
Science Fiction

Generations in the future following Caesar's reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species -- and humans are living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question the past and make...

I absolutely love the modern reboot trilogy of Planet of the Apes movies that began with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." It was one of those rare trilogies where the entries kept getting better. I was intrigued when they announced another sequel. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" takes place generations after the events of the previous three movies, and it's just as good: It features amazing special effects and a heartfelt story. I really hope they make more! -Brian

The perfect couple book cover
The perfect couple book cover

The perfect couple

Elin Hilderbrand

FICTION Hilderbrand, Elin
Fiction, Chick Lit, Mystery

It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at...

Anyone else watching the Perfect Couple Netflix series? They did a great job staying true to the book set on beautiful Nantucket, which soon becomes more tarnished with every page turn (or scene). Elin Hilderbrand and the producers of the show do a good job of developing the characters and bringing the book characters to life on the screen all of which will keep you guessing in this Agatha Christie style whodunit. -Angie

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Family Night: Paint a Pumpkin Contest for Grades 1-6. Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Meeting Room A. Registration required. Iowa City Public Library.
Intellectual Freedom Festival 2024. Iowa City Public Library. Link: icpl.org/iff
Chess Butterflies. Sundays 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Storytime Room. Iowa City Public Library.
Community Writing Center. Iowa City Public Library. Coralville Public Library. Kirkwood Community College. Iowa.
The Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass Program
Get Making with Creativebug.
Staff Picks Just for you - get recommendations on what to read next
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