Reading lists
Taking Up Space: Journeys in Queer Sci-Fi
To celebrate Pride Month this year we are focusing on classic and new cult science fiction novels. Inclusivity is often at the heart of the sci-fi canon, and we have collected ten works that have inspired countless readers, including some personal favourites of your local librarians.
Books on grief
In honour of Dying Matters Awareness Week, which takes place each May, this month’s reading list is a collection of books that have accompanied readers through the most challenging of times.
Books for Change
Having access to books and to education can really make all the difference. 2026 is the National Year of Reading, and this month we are celebrating the inspirational stories of real life people and legendary characters that remind us of the crucial role books play in our lives.
Full STEAM Ahead
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics: This year we celebrate Women’s History Month with ten books about women who lead, open doors and break conventions in male-dominated fields.
The Books That Made You Fall in Love with Reading
From the first childhood books that opened up a world to the novels that we can’t get enough of, here is a selection of the titles that made Hackney Council workers fall in love with reading. What would yours be?
Libraries Are the Heart of Our Community
Libraries are where people come together, where we find and build communities. They are places of comfort and of solace, of learning and of joy. To bring in 2026 – the National Year of Reading – we have created a list of books that celebrate the power of libraries.
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