If You Liked The Leftovers, 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.
If you liked The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, here are more apocalyptic novels:
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Bleak and haunting! A man and his son make their way toward the coast while dodging bands of cannibals and fighting off starvation.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
A coming-of-age story meets a climate-change apocalypse.
The Stand by Stephen King
A pandemic apocalypse and a band of survivors who divide up into forces of good and evil.
The Dog Starsby Peter Heller
After surviving a pandemic, a pilot holes up in an abandoned airport until he hears a radio transmission that compels him to seek out other survivors.
Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins
In the wake of a drought that destroys California, two holdouts embark on a perilous journey to find water.
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!