Biblio File

A Labyrinth of Labyrinth Books

More than half a century ago, Jorge Luis Borges created mazes both real and imagined in Labyrinths: Selected Stories, his classic book of metaphysical, mind-bending fiction.

In honor of Borges’ spirit of ingenuity (and his August birthday), we created a labyrinth of our own: a flowchart of books about winding paths, fantastical mazes, and twisty corridors of the mind.

Clicking the image below will open the full labyrinth in a new tab. Trace your route and click on the title you end on to open a link in the catalog. Wander at your own risk!

An illustrated labyrinth that leads you to various book titles used on your decisions. All books are listed below.

Labyrinth Books for Kids

Elementary school:
Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio or Mazes Around the World by Mary D. Lankford

Middle school:
Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman or Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

High school:
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. LeGuin orThe Maze Runner by James Dashner

Labyrinth Books for Adults

The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar

The Magus by John Fowles

Captive of the Labyrinth: Sarah L. Winchester, Heiress to the Rifle Fortune by Mary Jo Ignoffo

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

(Thanks to Richert Schnorr for the amazing graphic design and Meredith Mann for help with the book recommendations!)

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!