Leisure reading is a great pastime. And the Gustavus Library has a lot of leisure reading materials. There are countless benefits to "reading for fun" - both individual and social - of reading. We know from our own research, however, that Gusties don't have a lot of time to read outside of class. We know many of you love to read, though.
Here are ideas, tips and suggestions for connecting with books and authors, including books at our library & at the St. Peter Public Library. Between these collections, you'll find a ton of recreational reading materials in a variety of formats.
Finally, it will come as no surprise that the Gustavus Library is filled with people who love books and reading. Stop by and chat with any staff member about what we're reading and to ask for recommendations. Happy reading!
Caste
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Gender Queer: a Memoir Deluxe Edition
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My Heart Is a Chainsaw
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A Psalm for the Wild-Built
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Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition)
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A Gentleman in Moscow
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We Solve Murders
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Olga Dies Dreaming
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A great way to find new books is to connect with authors, reviewers and other readers on social media platforms. You can like author pages on Facebook and follow authors and bloggers on Twitter and Instagram. BookTok is its own phenomenon. Here are some popular hashtags:
We have a large & growing collection of novels in our library. Here is where you can find fiction:
If you need help finding books on the shelf, we have a guide for that - and feel free to ask at the Info Desk if you need help finding things on the shelves.
We encourage you to diversify your reading, exploring a wide variety of voices and perspectives. As you read, please also remember that the publishing field isn't level. Statistics compiled annually by the Cooperative Children's Book Center reveal that the representation of diversity within children's publishing is, frankly, dismal.
The freedom to read is also under attack. In the past few years, we've seen a surge of well-organized movements to ban books. We believe everyone should have the right to read what they want, free from censorship. We encourage you to keep up with the book banning news (we recommend Unite Against Book Bans, the American Library Association, and Book Riot's Censorship News Roundup).
Also of note! Several large public libraries are offering free cards to teens and young adults across the nation. The mission is to provide readers with access to books that may have been banned in various areas. These are amazing and inspiring examples of how libraries protect and promote the freedom to read through the Books Unbanned initiative. Here are some of the participating libraries; some offer cards just for teens and some expand to offer it to young adults (early 20s):
Lots of book lovers, like celebrities and other personalities, have book clubs. It's a great way to see what others are reading and expand your to be read (TBR) list. Here are some to check out:
Minnesota boasts an incredibly rich literary tradition. From independent book stores to top-name authors to respected presses, Minnesota has it all.
There are a lot of great independent bookstores in Minnesota - here's a list!
| Presses | Awards |
The Saint Peter Public Library is a great community resources and it's located only a few blocks from campus. Best of all, if you live on campus or in St. Peter, you can get a card! Here's more info about library cards, including how to register for one online.
Once you have a card, you can borrow materials from the public library, request books be sent to you from other public libraries in the area, and access ebooks and audiobooks! Your St. Peter Public Library gives you access to services like Libby and Hoopla, which provide ebooks and audiobooks.
We encourage you to take advantage of this fantastic resource in our town!
There are lots of sites and apps that help you keep track of what you've read. These resources also often feature recommendations, reviews and opportunities to connect with other readers. Here are some of our favorites:
There are a lot of book bloggers and book sites, including reviewers who get advanced copies of books and publish reviews before the books even hit the shelves. Bloggers and sites often have specific genres they review, so if you like to read a certain genre, try a Google search to find bloggers. Here are a few of our favorites:
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