Blog: eBooks and Audiobooks

Blog! From New York! It’s Saturday Night!

"Saturday Night Live" is fifty years old this year, and if you've been paying attention to the media at all you know nobody's more excited about that fact than "Saturday Night Live." Celebrate by brushing off your catchphrases and reading a few cue cards.

10 Colorfully Quirky Queer Comics

Okay, so they’re technically graphic novels and not comics, but I love alliteration—almost more than I love colorful, queer happy endings!

Swoony Sports Romances

Romances with one or both of the main characters as athletes (or athlete-adjacent) continue to be super popular. Here are some great new/er titles for those who enjoy a great romance with a sporty slant.

Top Thrillers With Neurodivergent Perspectives

Neurodivergent people are those whose brains process information in a way that is not typical of most individuals. There are many wonderful mysteries and thrillers with characters on this spectrum that provide a unique and fascinating perspective in problem-solving and investigation.

Chillax with the Best Books on Pop Culture Life in the 1990s

It's always fun to look back at pop culture from the decades and wonder what the heck we were thinking at the time. Here's a great list of titles on the 1990s sure to make you nostalgic if you were there, or puzzled and amused if you weren't. As if!!

Totally Tubular Books about Pop Culture Life in the 1980s

Living in the 1980s was truly the end of an innocent era when we could take the phone off the hook or just go outside and be completely unreachable by anyone. Seriously: people would dial our number (which they either had to already know or get from something called a phone book), get no answer or a "busy signal" (look it up) and they'd think, "Gosh, I'll just have to call back later." It was AWESOME. Here are some great books on other bizarro aspects of life during that amazing era.

Must-Read Holiday Cozy Mysteries

Is there a better way to get into a holiday mood than to dive into a cozy mystery novel? How about diving into two! Wear your comfy pants, sip a hot beverage, and boom! Holiday self-care accomplished.

Rachel Recommends: Autumn Reads

Autumn means mugs of cider, supermoons, accessories with the color palette of a 1970s kitchen and, of course, a pile of good books.

5 Titles to Start Your Environmental Feminist Journey

Local environmental activist, Angie Fitzpatrick, kicks off our discussion of Feminism and the Environment that will continue at the Sylvania Branch on (Tu) August 20 at 6 p.m. Local sustainability advocates will lead a discussion on their journeys to sustainability and what women in Lucas County can do to help.

Hot Dog!

It's National Hot Dog Day! Here are 10 fun books to celebrate.

Be Transported by the Top 20 Titles for World UFO Day

June 24th AND July 2nd are both referred to as World UFO Day (it's complicated). Whichever one you celebrate, shine up your tin foil hat and Mork up your Nanoo, we have a lot of great books and documentaries on extraterrestrials and unidentified objects to share the wonder.

Commemorating Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrates the official date, June 19th 1865, when all slaves in Confederate states were officially freed. It has become America's second Independence Day holdiay, and we've gathered some great books to learn about this important day.

Babies Need Words: Diversity

To build a positive sense of self, children need to see themselves, their families, and their cultural traditions in the books we read to them.

D-Day for Young Readers

The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings is June 6th. Here are 10 books for curious minds to learn more about it and the war in general.

15 Books for New Dog Owners

To all the dog parents out there, here are some recommendations for you and your kiddos on raising your newest addition to the family!

10 Incredible Real Life Mysteries

May is National Mystery Month! Learn about incredible heists, mysterious places, disappearances, and unexpected discoveries with these books.

What’s Funnier Than 24?

Are you ready kids?! Your favorite sea sponge turns 25! Dive into nautical nonsense in celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th Anniversary.

Who Ya Gonna Call? TLCPL!

In case you're in for spooks, specters, or ghosts-- TLCPL has you covered! Check out our inventory of all things Ghostbusters!

5 Books to Develop Fluency in Young Readers

Fluency is the ability to read with the speed, accuracy, and inflection needed to approximate natural speech patterns. Try these resources as you help strengthen your growing reader's fluency.

9 Television Stars Who Left Us in 2023

Television personalities face the threat of cancellation but also enjoy the possibility of immortality through reruns and binge-watching. In that sense, these nine figures will always be with us.

Brewing Knowledge: 10 Must-Read Books About Kombucha

Dive into the world of kombucha with books that offer a blend of beginner-friendly insights and expert techniques. Uncover the secrets to mastering the art of fermentation and crafting your perfect batch of probiotic goodness.

20 Hockey Books for Kids

It's Hockey Night in Toledo as we welcome the Walleye back to the ice. Before enjoying a little family fun at the Huntington Center, be sure to share a few great hockey books with the young skaters and readers in your life.

5 Books to Help You Knit Socks – The Possibly (Im)perfect Last Minute Holiday Gift

Early Christmas morning / Sneaky as can be / I creep across the carpet / And I peek under the tree / Pick out a gift from Mom to me / And bring it to my ear / Give it a little shimmy shake and what do I hear? / Socks / This is the worst gift I ever got / It doesn't beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box / Hey, why'd you waste the paper on a lousy pair of socks? - J.D. McPherson, 'Socks'

The First: Remembering Sandra Day O’Connor with 5 Books

"Sandra Day O'Connor blazed an historic trail as our nation's first female justice," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. "She met that challenge with undaunted determination, indisputable ability, and engaging candor."

15 New Cute and Cozy Holiday Mysteries

Few things go together like murder and the holidays. Here are the newest cozy mysteries with a chilling holiday theme. And some of the punniest titles ever!

15 Titles to Combat Violence Against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was November 25. These titles lean on personal experience, statistics, and work being done by women worldwide to end this crisis.

World Hello Day

Hi, there! How do you say, “Hello?” Do you sing, “Hello, hello?” Do you yell, “HELLO, HELLO?” What will you do for World Hello Day on November 21?

Found in Translation: Literature in Other Languages

Gifted translators like Edith Grossman break through language barriers to introduce readers to the great literature of the world, so you can finally find out what people mean when they talk about Don Quixote and windmills.

World Nursery Rhyme Week

Help children learn to read by celebrating World Nursery Rhyme week singing or rhyming your favorite rhymes!

100 Years of West Toledo Branch

You may have heard West Toledo Branch is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Read this to drop some historical knowledge at the event (and check out some staff book recommendations too).

Sinéad O’Connor (1966-2023)

The Irish musician Sinéad O'Connor had one massive hit and a lifetime of influence. Regrettably for those of us who were fans, July 26 was the last day of our acquaintance.

Dyslexia-Friendly Books for Juvenile Readers

Fact: Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities to affect children. Here is a selection of juvenile fiction about dyslexia, some even written in dyslexia-friendly typeface.

Meet Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur!

One of Marvel's newer comics, it's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur! Being a girl superhero is already hard enough: fight the bad guys, save the city, basic stuff, right? Well, add in a T-Rex companion and face off a gang of space villains, all before class starts!

15 Tony Award Winners

This Sunday night is the 76th Tony Awards, the biggest night in American theater. Or at least the biggest night in a certain fourteen-square-block section of American theater.

Decodable Books for Young Readers

Learning to read takes a lot of practice. Let the Library's Ready to Read team help you discover a few decodable books to try with early readers at any stage.

10 Best Flash Comics

Get ready for the Flash’s first solo movie with these 10 great comics featuring the Scarlet Speedster.

10 Fractured Fairy Tales for Big Stinking Ogres

Okay, not all of these have ogres, but Shrek is a type of fractured fairy tale, and while the next installment doesn't have a release date, we can still get excited. Read these if you want to get in the spirit.

Super Mario Time!

Whether you want to learn about the origins of the intrepid plumber or want to read stories featuring him, here are 5 super books to prepare you for the Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Elephant on the Screen

The classic children’s author and Newbery award winner Kate DiCamillo has another page-to-screen adaptation out while I’m still recovering from Because of Winn-Dixie.

Knock at the Cabin and 10 Creepy Reads

Did you read the novel "Knock at the Cabin" is based on? Did it leave you feeling unsettled, aghast, consumed with despair about human nature? Here are ten books to keep those feelings flowing.

Top 10 Worst Schools in Books

By now everyone's gone back to school for fall. Which is sad. But at least you're not at one of these schools. So that's something.

Banned Books Week: Anna in the Tropics

A Florida school district decided their high schoolers weren't mature enough to see a Pulitzer-winning play. Was it a pedagogically appropriate decision, or an overcautious curtailing of the students' intellectual development?

10 Fun and Quirky Comics for D&D Nerds

Whether you're a TTRPG veteran, looking forward to your first campaign, or Stranger Things just has you curious, these comic and manga series are sure to get you ready for adventure.

Pride for Quiet Gays: Great Reads

If you find parades and crowds overwhelming, there are still a lot of ways to celebrate Pride! Here are some great ideas for quiet gays (or introverts in general).

9 Books to Read If You Like Better Call Saul

The Breaking Bad saga is wrapping up with the final season of Better Call Saul. If you're looking to recapture the edge of your seat twists and turns that show provides, these are the books for you.

5 Books with Terrible Hotels

Have you ever listened to friends complaining about a disappointing hotel or a vacation spot? Well, the people in these books have entered the chat.

6 Must-Read Ms. Marvel Comics

Ms. Marvel debuts on Disney+ and these are the comics you need to read to get caught up on the adventures of Kamala Khan.

Listen Up!

Audiobook suggestions based on distraction level, humor, length, and ability to pause.

Lady Whistledown Recommends

Let it be known, if there is a scandal, I shall uncover it and share every last detail. These books are sure to be full of them.

Children’s Library & Teen Recommends – Summer 2021

Youth Services Librarians love to read, too! Check out what your favorite Children’s and Teen Librarians at Main Library are reading, whether it be a picture book about penguins, a middle grade adventure in a treehouse, vampires in Louisiana, or a time-traveling phone booth!

Classics Retold

Stories are constantly being retold with new and exciting twists. What's cool about book versions is that they usually don't feel like the subpar sequels or remakes Hollywood often subjects us to.

A Year of Science Fiction and Fantasy

It's been 12 months of titles spanning the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy for this Online Book Club. Come read about our last 12 books and get a preview of the coming titles.

The Godfather of Comedy

Comedy writer Paul Mooney worked with household names without ever quite becoming one himself, but the mark he leaves on American culture is unmistakable.

YA Books Featuring Characters with Mental Illnesses

Struggling with anxiety or any type of mental illness is usually up there with resounding themes of Young Adult Fiction, including first love. That is because our teenage years are often very complicated, especially when mental health issues start to first arise. There are so many other factors that young adults face (besides growing up) that can push anyone over the edge.

Calling All Bridgerton Fans

So you’ve finished binge watching Bridgerton? Now what? To satisfy your need for more romantic rom-com during Regency England, take a gander at these reads below. You may just find something to your satisfaction until the next season comes around.

The Comedy Stylings of Charles Grodin

The actor Charles Grodin left his mark on film, in books, and on late-night talk shows, but if all he'd ever done was irritate Robert DeNiro and romance Miss Piggy that would have been more than enough.

Recs for The Witcher Fans

If you are like us and patiently waiting for the next season of The Witcher on your favorite streaming channel, check out these reads. Here’s hoping that they will help tide you over before the highly anticipated release day!

YA Books for Seekers of the Immersive Gaming Experience

Hello there, Player One. Choose what type of adventure you’d like to go on below. All of these titles feature some sort of Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) or similar environment. What are you waiting for? Pick one of these fabulous books to read today!

To All the Otaku, with Love – April 2021

Are you a manga or anime enthusiast? We are, too! We are constantly looking for new (and awesome) titles to add to our collection. We are happy to share some of our favorites with you, including some light novels! For more suggestions, please feel free to contact your teen librarian at the Library!

Mystery Resources for 4-8 Graders

Are you wishing your middle grade reader is into Nancy Drew or the Boxcar Children as much as you were (or are)?! Check out this list of middle grade novels with a tried and

Graphics and Comics for Grades 6-8

Adventure, magic, and good friends can be found in these books of amazing artwork. Try one of our recommendations for middle schoolers!   A Library card and PIN will be required to access many

Fairy Tales for Adults

Behold, the perfect list for your fairy tale loving heart. Fairy tale stories and retellings for adult readers.

Ohioana Book Festival Books for Adults

Since its start in 2007, The Ohioana Book Festival provides readers opportunities to connect with Ohio writers. Check out this list of adult titles from the 2021 festival!

Beverly Cleary, Age 104

Beverly Cleary, who died March 25 at the age of 104, was once named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, and rarely has such a distinction seemed so well-deserved.

A Plethora of Poetry Books to Celebrate National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives every April.

YA Lit—Not Just for Teens

Highlighted titles for contemporary and realistic young adult literature, that is not just for teen readers. YA Lit is able to cross over to adult audiences and tackle diverse issues in an approachable way.

UFO’s: Out of this World

UFO’s are getting a lot of attention recently. Although I have never seen a UFO, I often look up at the sky hoping one is there! Check out these books, documentaries, and feature movies to open your mind to the world of ufology.

Realistic Fiction for Grades 4-5

Read these fictional inspiring stories that resemble realistic situations, issues or experiences that could have happened in real life.A Library card and PIN will be required to access many of the resources listed. Need

Celebrate Toni Morrison Day!

On December 21, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 325 declaring Toni Morrison’s birthday, February 18, Toni Morrison Day in Ohio.

Helping You Meet Those Reading Goals

Have you started a reading challenge yet this year? Maybe you need a little inspiration to log a few more books for TLCPL’s Winter Read. Maybe you want to challenge yourself to “read harder” this year. No matter what, the team at Kent Branch has you covered! We have curated a list of challenges to diversify your reads this year, and our staff has provided suggestions of some of their faves to match!

A Happiness Reading List

Here are a few books that may help you keep a lookout for the small moments, practices, and words in life to lift spirits and find the wonder in the world around us.

Books About the Trump Administration

Publishers love putting out books about whoever the current president is, but public interest in those titles tends to plummet as soon as the White House changes hands. Which makes sense: people love reading

Award-Winning Books 2020

The transition from an old year to a new one carries with it many benefits. A chance to reflect. A chance to try new things. A chance to pretend that you’re going to start exercising

1920s America: A Decade of Great Change

In the Fact and Fiction department at the Main Library we field a variety of questions. Every day brings new inquiries from people doing research and/or folks simply trying to gain a better understanding

Happy Birthday Philippa Gregory!

This is the author that got me hooked! As a high schooler, I read The Other Boleyn Girl and from then on, couldn’t get enough of British history. This book sparked my undergraduate degree

New Year’s Intention: Get Organized

Want to leave 2020 in the dust? Set an intention this new year to declutter! A home or workspace in disarray can cause added stress and anxiety that chips away at our mental health.

New Year’s Romances

Be inspired to fall in love, travel through time, and set new goals with this list of New Year's romances.

The Spy Who Wrote a Whole Lot of Books

Acclaimed spy novelist John le Carré recently died, leaving some readers nostalgic for his deftly plotted, character-centered espionage yarns and others realizing they've never read a John le Carré book. Time to fix that.

If You Like Fantasy

If you liked any of these five fantasy books, you may like these other titles, too!

Romancing the Streaming Service

Looking for a good dose of onscreen chemistry to set your weekend, right? Check out these romantic comedies for free on Hoopla!

Rachel Recommends: 2019 Spring Edition

The long climb from spring to sandal season requires a little pampering of the spirit. This list should not incite tension or anxiety, but, rather a sense of mellow peace.

4 Episodes to Get You Hooked on Podcasts

If you aren’t already a podcast listener, it can be a little daunting to look at all the podcasts available. Here are 4 great episodes from some of my favorite podcasts to get you started.

Mindfulness and Buddhism 101

Mindfulness, meditation and other Eastern philosophical ideals are everywhere these days. It can be overwhelming to find readable basic information on what true mindfulness really means. Where does one begin? Glad you asked! Start here....

Travel via Mystery Novels

Are you unable to afford the expense or time for a vacation? Try reading one of these mysteries set in exotic cultures and/or locales where the place is just as much a part of the story as the characters and plot.

10 Fantastic Sherlockian Novels

Fans of the television series Sherlock will love these modern stories featuring the infamous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes.

Interesting Stories for Outdoor Enthusiasts

From living secluded in a tent for almost three decades, to climbing a 3,200 foot wall without ropes, this list highlights some of my favorite titles where people do some really incredible (and maybe a few ill-advised) things outside.

Yoga @ the Library

The Library has programs and resources designed to help the entire family on their wellness journey.

The Human-Nature Connection

The Library and Metroparks are great community resources that enrich the quality of life in the communities in which they serve.

Two Librarians, Too Many Books: Summer Reads

We're back! This time, we're obsessing over what we consider the best "summer reads" around. Read on for our lightly-edited-for-clarity conversation about what titles we think you should plop down on a beach with or stay safely-contained within your air-conditioned home with. We don't judge.

Ohio Native Lawn Replacements

Learn more about a wide variety of native Ohio plant species that are perfect for your next gardening or landscaping project.

Great for Grilling

Super helpful cookbooks and recipes sure to appeal to the grill-master in everyone.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We’ve got oodles of gardening books with tips and ideas for growing new and traditional plants, improving designs and what to do with what grows.

Fantasy Felines

Cats are the perfect protagonists, or side-kicks, because even though we know a lot about them, what we don’t know continues to intrigue and mystify us.

Singing Voicemails

Have you ever saved a voicemail for eight years? I have, and I think it's possible that many of us have a saved voicemail or two, it's just not something we talk about. Before my mom passed away, she would call me every morning around 8:15 and we would talk before I left for work. Then, that tradition ended. One of her voicemails lived on...a long time.

Ruth Bader Ginsblog

In her twenty-five years on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become both an influential jurist and a pop culture icon, and the library has books about her that are as idiosyncratic as she is.

Pacific Rim Uprising and the Like

The upcoming release of the Universal Pictures film “Pacific Rim Uprising” on March 23, 2018 inspires a new look into past Sci-Fi gems involving Alien Invasions, Robots and unwinnable struggles.

Aging Gracefully

“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty” – Coco Chanel

A Year Of …

How much can one person accomplish in the span of a year - continue reading to find out.

Hoopla Has Entertainment On The Go

If you don't have time to stop into the Library, you can still enjoy what your Library has to offer. We can help you get setup for reading, watching, or listening to what interests you!

Walk. Listen. Win!

Love going on adventures, but also love curling up with a good book? Why not take the story with you by switching to an audiobook. We're partnering with the Toledo Metroparks on the Walking Audiobook Challenge.

eAudiobooks and eMagazines get easier

One of the Libraries Vendors has combined their different platforms (OneClickdigital and Zinio) into one app - RBdigital. The new app merges the eAudiobooks and eMagazines content so you don't need multiple apps now.

Fabulously Frugal

Explore a variety of resources designed to help you save money and live a fabulously frugal lifestyle.

A Library Card for the Digital Age

Does your smartphone or tablet go wherever you go? Why not take your Library with you too! With our new eMedia card, you can borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, movies & more - without having to visit us in person.

Sports Roundup

Do you have a favorite sport or are you one of those sports-in-general fans? One thing’s for sure, if you’re not playing it, or watching it, there’s always something to be learned from sports books and movies.

Exploring Detroit by Bike

Travelling Detroit by bike, without having to worry about traffic, directions, or parking was a unique and advantageous way to tour the city.