Recommended Reads

Follow the links below to see the previous booklists that have been highlighted on the Virtual Library.

Fiction | Non-Fiction

Fiction

SF and Fantasy - Some of the best science-fiction and fantasy books around.
A.K.A - Another fabulous Pinterest board Pseudonyms of some popular authors that might surprise you! Why not try one?
The Faces of Fiction - Which one will you choose?
Book Vs Film - Which was better?
Loving Libraries - A celebration of books, reading and storytelling. Another fabulous Pinterest board.
Characters Reinvented - Classic characters from fiction reinvented and reimagined. Check out this Pinterest board - why not share it and Pin it?!
LGBT - Books to celebrate Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans History Month.
Cosy Crime - Deliciously traditional mystery stories.
Historical Fiction - If you've enjoyed 'The White Queen' on television, why not try some or our great range of historical fiction?
Word of Mouth - Here are the recommendations from our wonderful readers who attended Bedfordshire Libraries Readers Day earlier this year.
On Your Bike - Books to help you get out and about on your bicycle, some practical, and some inspirational.
Summer Books - Our selection of summer books
Coming of Age - Books which wonderfully describe those life defining times from adolescence to adulthood.
Try Something Different - These novels are a different sort of read
Science Fiction Classics - Great science fiction novels
Short and Sweet - Are you looking for a quick literary fix? Here are short stories and some very short poems for when you're running out of time
Fifty Shades of Grey - What Next? - Have you finished the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and are wondering what to read next? Here are some of our suggestions.
What were you reading in 1972? - Forty years on and some titles have stood the test of time. If you didn't read them in the nineteen seventies why not try them in the 21st century
Tales of Mystery and Suspense - Classic novels filled with action and adventure, mystery and suspense, pirates, spies, detectives and criminals.
Readers Day 2012 - Our Reader's Day is an opportunity to listen to authors, ask questions, buy signed copies of their books and meet members of book groups across the county. Here's a selection to whet your appetite.
Sun-Lit - Holidays, leave, hit the beach, time off, long weekends, vacations are those magical words of anticipation and here is some literature to accompany your time in the sun. Enjoy a summer with books wherever you are or wherever you go.
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans-sexual Books and DVDs - Here is a collection of books and DVDs with LGBT themes.
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2012 - The shortlisted titles and a selection of long listed titles
Celebrating 1952 - What were people reading in the 1950s?
Roma Aeterna - Novels using the Roman Empire as a backdrop
The Language of Flowers - Flowers have been used as a means of communication for centuries. Will you be tempted to choose any of these titles?
Adaptation - Books that have been adapted into major films
Dickens Spin Offs - Read all that Dickens has to offer? Then why not try one of these homages to the great man and his works.
Reader's Day Recommendations - Recommendations from those who attended the Reader's Day in October 2011
Villains in Literature - Here's our choice of some of the vilest villains in literature.
Tyger, Tyger - Books with tigers stalking through their pages, fictional, real and metaphorical
A Shoe Affair - Which shoes will you choose to find the next book to read? You'll find some terrific storytelling from this wide selection of authors
Banned Books - Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Read? You decide! Should these books have been banned?
Legally Bound - "Law's the only game when the best players get to sit on the bench"
After Austen - Take another glimpse into the lives of Jane Austen's characters
Re(a)d, White and Blue - Books with a read, white and blue theme for you to read
KnitLit - Like to knit and like a good read? Here are some books which combine both!
Quick Reads - Brilliant short books by best selling writers and celebrities
Faraway Fiction from 'Down Under' - Explore 'down under' with these books set in Australia
Vampires and Werewolves and Mermaids! Oh My! - Paranormal Romance for grown ups
Secrets and Lies- Stories of deception and intrigue from Victorian times to modern Nigeria
Inspector Norse - Great crime writers from Sweden, Norway and Iceland.
Round the World - A selection of fiction from around the world during Black History Month.
Cities - These books all have cities at their core, some real, some imagined.
Reach for the Stars - A selection of titles with 'stars' in the title.
Sporting Fiction - If you don't 'do' sport - read about it instead with books about tennis, running, canoeing and of course 'The Beautiful Game'.
A Dozen Daughters - These books will take you on journeys around the world following the stories of the girls and women in their titles.
Feast and Food - Dining in literature - sample some of these recipes in reading.
Graphics Classics - Get into the graphics genre with this selection of classics.
Books That Make Us Smile - These titles have been smile-tested by library staff. Why not try some?
The Long and the Short of It - Invest some time in these large novels
Having a Laugh - A few books to make you laugh (hopefully)
A Classic Introduction - Introduce yourself to some of the greatest books ever written with this selection of classic novels
SF UK - Some of the best British science fiction from the last few years
Happy New Year Happy You - Fiction and Non-fiction with a happy theme
Read Anything Everywhere - Books from different genres
Hollywood - Seen the film now read the book

Non-Fiction

Inspiring Science - Some great recent science books to get you inspired
Cracking Cooking - A selection of great recent cookbooks from our stock, for inspiration and enjoyment
Vintage Vibes - Take a retro look at life with this selection of books, all with a vintage theme.
Life Inside - Read about what life is really like inside prison.
London 2012 and the Olympic Legacy - Read about the athletes, the history behind the Olympic torch and discover more about the life of Bedford born athlete Harold Abrahams, the 'Chariots of Fire' hero.
The Way I See it... - The writers on our list all have something to say about life, from how to eat out or get ahead in business to being yourself.
The Diamond Queen - a celebration in books for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
The Sinking of the Titanic - 15th April 2012 sees the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Find out more about this infamous ship with one of our great books.
Living with Disability - Some insights into the world of the disabled both in stories and in life
Christmas Cookery - Get some hints for the kitchen at Christmas
Bereavement - Books to help you deal with grief and loss
Mental Health - Books to help you understand
Tastes from Around the World - We have chosen some tasty cookery books from far and wide to whet your appetite...
Making History - A selection of great recent history books
Weird Science - Get a better view of the world and the universe with our selection of the best popular science books.
Books to take you away - Get in the holiday spirit with our selection of books chosen to take you away
Travel guides - We have a comprehensive range of travel guides, weve picked a few destinations to give you a taste
Help with Job Hunting - Tips and advice on getting the job you want.
Food - Get some kitchen inspiration with these cookbooks
The Lady with the Lamp - 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Florence Nightingale. Find out more about her life and work
Sow It, Grow It, Eat It - With a little help you too can grow and enjoy your own produce from seed to plate
Balancing the Books - A collection of books to guide you through different ways of saving money.
Credit Crunch Munch - Books to inspire you to budget friendly cooking.
Decline and Fall - The history of the Roman Empire.
New Beginnings - Try something different - these books may inspire you to enjoy new experiences and activities
Refugee Week - Books to celebrate Refugee Week in June
British History - Books about British history, from the Civil War to the Victorians
Discovering Darwin - Books to celebrate Darwin's anniversaries
The Weather - Learn more about the nation's favourite topic of conversation!
Prison Stories - Read about life on the inside from the comfort or the outside!

Page last updated: 23rd April 2014