If You Liked The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Try These...
This summer at The New York Public Library, Reading Is Lit.
Everything starts with a great story! If you love pop culture hits from HBO, you can go even deeper by reading the books that inspired the shows and discovering more great titles that strike similar chords. Meet unforgettable characters and explore new authors with these expert recommendations from our librarians.
If you're in New York, use your library card to get these books, the HBO shows, and everything NYPL has to offer! Borrow books and ebooks, download digital media, access online databases, and more. Click here for more information and to apply for your NYPL card. You can also get these books on your smartphone with our free e-reader app, SimplyE, available for iPhone/iPad and Android.
If you’re outside the New York area, the Library still has a lot of offer. Browse our recommendations online and find a library near you to check out these books and more.
For fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, try more compelling science writing:
Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan [ebook]
An account, at once both deeply personal and journalistically detailed, of one woman's experience with an autoimmune disease that attacked her brain.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee [ebook]
This Pulitzer Prize-winner encompasses the full sweep of the disease, through ancient-world surgeries, the development of present-day treatments, and the scientific outlook for the future.
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum [ebook]
The first two forensic scientists in New York City handled a host of bizarre and fascinating poisoning cases, including a family's inexplicable balding, Barnum and Bailey's Blue Man, and the crumbling bones of factory workers.
Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body by Neil Shubin [ebook]
A famous paleontologist guides readers through evolution, DNA, and the traits humans really do share with fish.
Summer is the perfect time to discover the power of reading. This year, the New York Public Library is partnering with HBO to spotlight great stories and introduce readers to their new favorites. With over 55 million items in its collections, The New York Public Library is one of three public library systems providing New Yorkers with free access to books, online resources, and programming.
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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!