![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Cold Blooded," "The Coldest Winter Ever" and "Queens."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-11/Check%20These%20Out%20Urban%20Fiction.png?itok=W8tEmCbg)
Check These Out: Urban Fiction
Nov. 27, 2023 – As part of the collection moves the library undertook this year as part of our strategic plan, the library has a new Urban Fiction collection.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Burnout," "Everything Happens for a Reason," and "The Book of (More) Delights."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-11/Check%20These%20Out%20Books%20We%20Are%20Thankful%20For.png?itok=79RPgspY)
Check These Out: Books We're Thankful For
Nov. 20, 2023 – In honor of Thanksgiving, library staff shared books they are thankful for. From a children's book with stories of Zen enlightenment to poetry to self-help, there are a variety of topics and genres. All are available in the library's catalog.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Woman of Light," "The Berry Pickers," and "There There."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-11/Copy%20of%20Check%20These%20Out%20Musical%20Memoirs.png?itok=Qp3odbl5)
Check These Out: Books for Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 16, 2023 – November is National Native American Heritage Month, so our librarians curated a list of adult fiction and nonfiction featuring Native voices.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Buffalo Bird Girl," "We Are Grateful" and "Jingle Dancer."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-11/Copy%20of%20hispanic%20heritage%20month%20kids%20books%20%281%29.png?itok=BMG38FFp)
Check These Out: Picture Books for Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 6, 2023 – For Native American Heritage Month, we're highlighting children's books by and about Indigenous people in the United States. Browse the titles by scrolling through the list below, then find these books at the library, or put them on hold in our catalog now.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "I'll Never Write My Memoirs" by Grace Jones, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey" by Marian Carey and "Me" by Elton John.](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-11/Copy%20of%20Check%20these%20out%20Abby%27s%20Spooky%20Stories.png?itok=VaN1C8Ik)
Check These Out: Musical Memoirs
Nov. 2, 2023 – Waiting for your hold to come in on Britney Spears' explosively popular new memoir, "The Woman in Me"? Pick up another musical memoir available at the library.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Graveyard Book," "Twisted Fairy Tales," and "Stiff."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-10/Copy%20of%20Check%20these%20out%20Spooky%20Stories.png?itok=iypf8BDD)
Check These Out: Scary Stories for Halloween
Oct. 26, 2023 – Last week we shared spooky book recommendations from library staff. One staff member, Public Services Specialist Abby Cornelison, had so many picks we decided to dedicate an entire blog post to her favorite scary stories.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Old Willis Place," "Mexican Gothic," and "Monstress"](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-10/Copy%20of%20Check%20these%20out%20National%20Book%20Award.png?itok=kl6VDOa1)
Check These Out: Spooky Stories We Love
Oct. 19, 2023 – Spooky season is upon us, so we asked library staff for their scary story recommendations. From gothic horror to vampires to zombies, these books are sure to give you a fright.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Fire Weather," "Liliana's Invincible Summer" and "Chain-Gang All-Stars"](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-10/Copy%20of%20check%20these%20out%20banned%20books%20Amnesty%20nonfiction.png?itok=dCUBbpOI)
Check These Out: National Book Award Finalists
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "How to Stand Up to a Dictator," and "Hood Feminism."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-10/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20hispanic%20heritage%20month%20kids%20books.png?itok=Gh6F8wSj)
Check These Out: Amnesty International's Banned Book Week Reading List – Nonfiction
Oct. 3, 2023 – Celebrate the Freedom to Read October 1-7 by checking out a Banned Book.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Handmaid's Tale," "Fun Home," and "Beloved"](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-09/Copy%20of%20hispanic%20heritage%20month%20kids%20books.png?itok=SxQ4xcOM)
Check These Out: Amnesty International's Banned Book Week Reading List – Fiction
Sept. 27, 2023 – Celebrate the Freedom to Read October 1-7 with special events at the Cedar Rapids Public Library in honor of Banned Books Week and by checking out a Banned Book!
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Drum Dream Girl," "A Gift from Abuela," and "Islandborn."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-09/hispanic%20heritage%20month%20kids%20books.png?itok=M0JJWHLg)
Kids Books for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 18, 2023 – September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month, and Cedar Rapids Public Library Materials librarian Kim Martens-Tyo selected 16 children's book to celebrate.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Pumpkin Roll," "The Pumpkin Muffin Mystery" and "Gourd to Death."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-09/pumpkin%20mysteries%20%281%29.png?itok=rSv_1fM5)
Check These Out: Cozy Mysteries for Pumpkin Season
Sept. 11, 2023 – Fall is here, and Pumpkin Spice season with it. To help you get in the mood for cozy season - we're talking sweaters and baked goods fresh from the oven - we've collected a list of fall themed cozy mysteries, many prominently featuring pumpkins.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "The Cartographers," "The Library Book," and "The Midnight Library."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-09/library%20stories.png?itok=m5xOPe8u)
Check These Out: Stories about Libraries
Sept. 6, 2023 – September is Library Card Sign Up Month, so for this week's "Check These Out" column, we're highlighting books featuring libraries and librarians.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Strange Planet," "Hyperbole and a Half" and "Hark! A Vagrant."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-08/graphic%20novels%20humor.png?itok=DgDyh5U0)
Check These Out: Humorous Graphic Novels
Aug. 28, 2023 – If you could use a laugh and enjoy funny, poignant, and clever stories told with lovely art, this book list is for you.
Materials Librarian Allison Zordell curated this list of humorous graphic novels available to borrow from the library.
![A graphic has an orange circle with a thumbs up that says "Check These Out," the library logo, and three book covers: "Sunshine," "The Elephant in the Room," and "Barakah Beats."](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_teaser/public/2023-08/children%27s%20choice%20awards%202023.png?itok=dyf5pHX3)
Check These Out: Iowa Children's Choice Awards
Aug. 23, 2023 – The 2023-2024 Iowa Children's Choice books have been announced, and the library has them available at both the Downtown and Ladd locations.