If You Liked Show Me a Hero, 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 Show Me a Hero: A Tale of Murder, Suicide, Race, and Redemption by Lisa Belkin, try other books that tell part of a city's history:
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning by Jonathan Mahler
Another portrait of New York City, focusing on the shifting landscape of the city in 1977 through the lens of baseball and politics.
Five Points: The 19th-Century New York City Neighborhood that Invented Tap Dance, Stole Elections, and Became the World's Most Notorious Slum by Tyler Anbinder [ebook]
The subtitle says it all: a comprehensive look at the history of Five Points (now the heart of Chinatown) in the 1800s.
The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation by Natalie Y. Moore [ebook]
Moore takes readers on a personal journey through her hometown of Chicago, one of the most racially segregated large cities in the United States.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson [ebook]
This award-winning investigation of the deadly serial killer at the 1893 World's Fair also paints a fascinating picture of Chicago at the turn of the century.
City of Light, City of Poison: Murder, Magic, and the First Police Chief of Paris by Holly Tucker [ebook]
One reviewer said this book about 17th-century Paris is just like a detective novel, with twists and turns that take readers down to the dark underworld up through the exalted halls of French royalty.
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!