Many years ago – back in the ‘oughts – we did a couple of popular posts on librarians in fiction, and in fantasy. Since then, librarians have only stepped up their fictional game, appearing in more and more novels, not so surprising when we consider that many authors basically grew up in libraries. They pop up in all genres, from Romance to Mystery to literary fiction from around the world, such as Dag Solstad’s T. Singer, Jennifer Tseng’s Mayumi and the Sea of Happiness, Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera’s The Awakening of Miss Prim, or Jenny Offill’s novel Weather. But most of all, librarians appear in the extraordinary realms of science fiction, fantasy and magical realism. Here are a few recent examples: find more on our list in the catalog.
Library of Fates, by Khorana Aditi. Princess Amrita and the oracle Thala escape a cruel regime to fine the Library of All Things and recover their lost past, in this coming-of-age fable inspired by Indian mythology.
The Regrets, by Amy Bonnaffons. Brooklyn reference librarian Rachel was always unlucky in love: witness her new heart-throb, the recently deceased Thomas, stuck on earth for 90 days of spectral limbo while he awaits his true place in the afterlife. Aprofound and witty rom-com about life, love and all that.
Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey. In the post-apocalyptic West, fiercely subversive librarians ride the range delivering “approved materials,” and quite a bit more. Young runaway Esther stows away with them, and learns their seductive ways.
The Library of the Unwritten, by A.J. Hackwith. There’s a place in Hell for unfinished books, and Claire Hadley is the librarian there – although she’s prepared to go to Heaven and back in search of a precious missing volume that could close mankind’s story for good.
The Barrow Will Send What It May, by Margaret Killjoy. In this spirited and often hilarious supernatural thriller, demon-hunters arrive in a small town where the occult library may contain the clues to why the dead live again to walk the streets.
The Curse of the Evil Librarian, by Michelle Knudson. He is young. He is hot. He is also evil. He is ……. the librarian! and in this third installment to the popular teen series, he refuses to stay were he belongs, in Hell.
Among Others, by Jo Walton. “It doesn’t matter. I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.” Dip into the mind of a troubled young bibliophile who finds refuge in the endless realms of fantasy and futurity.
Many more fantastic librarians await you in the library catalog – and at your local library!
~ Posted by David W.
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