Recommended Reads

Recommendations from Our Staff

Person browsing library shelves

Librarian Picks

Get personalized picks for books or DVDs with our Librarian Picks service. Answer a few questions about your likes and dislikes, and we’ll select five items just for you. We’ll even place those items on hold for you for a one-stop “personal shopper” experience.

RIPL staff member helping person at desk

Contact Us

Ask our staff for great ideas! We can help you find new authors, read-a-likes for books you already love, or the next book in a series. Or, read our staff blogs to get ideas for your next read. Visit, chat online, or call the library for expert help in finding your next read.

Children's Reads

Teen Reads

Teen Reads (Graphic Novels)

Adult Reads - From Page to Screen

Online Reading Recommendations

Novelist K-8

Novelist K-8 Button

The readers tool. Find titles in series, authors, audiobook narrators, or books that are suitable for readers ages K-8. Fiction & nonfiction.

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Novelist Plus

Novelist Plus Button

The readers tool. Find titles in series, authors, audiobook narrators, or books that are like your favorites. Fiction & nonfiction.

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Looking for Something Specific?

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Can't Find It?

Looking for a specific title and can’t locate it in our catalog? You can suggest a purchase or ask us to borrow the title from another library.

Person checking out book club kit at RIPL front desk

Book Kits & Clubs

Interested in joining one of our library book clubs? In a book club, and wondering if you can check out multiple copies of the same title? We can help!

Person holding Karen Kingsbury's Someone Like You in front of library shelves

Bestsellers Club

Select your favorite authors from the list, and we’ll automatically place a hold on new titles for you. You’ll be notified when they are available to pick up.

Woman reading book to toddlers

Reading Challenges

Participate in one of our reading challenges to earn digital badges and goal-based rewards for reading the books you already love. We host challenges for all ages all year long! Register  through Beanstack.

Vision Issues?

The library offers a number of resources for patrons who may have issues reading standard print. These include large print books and an extensive collection of audiobooks, in both physical and digital formats. And if you can’t get to the library, we offer a homebound delivery service!

The  Illinois State Library also provides a talking book and braille service. The service provides audio and braille books via mail or digital download to any Illinois resident who is unable to read standard print material due to a permanent or temporary visual or physical disability.

Illinois State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Service