Leisure and Popular Reading

Leisure reading is reading for recreation or pleasure. When you are bored of school work and are looking for something interesting or fun to read, this guide can be of help. There's an author for everyone on this guide. Included are writers of all genres, winners of coveted literary prizes, popular authors, and novelists from various countries. 

There is a shelf of leisure reading books near the check-out desk on the main floor of the library but most leisure reading books are shelved in the regular stacks on the second and third floors. Leisure reading books can be checked out.

You can search for a specific title or author in the library's catalog by entering your search terms in the search box. 

If you do not have a specific title or author in mind, click on the "Leisure and Popular Reading Authors" tab on the left for a list of authors. Then search our catalog to see if we have books by the author of your choice. Click on the arrow next to E-resources in the search box and select Books and Catalogs from the search menu as the default is to search only resources available online.

This guide was developed by Winnie Shyam and Amanda Damon.

If you want even more reading options, you can access print books, ebooks, and audiobooks from a public library.  If you already have a library card for any Connecticut public library, you can use it to borrow books from any public library in the state, including the New Haven Free Public Library. 

You may be able to download the Libby app, find your library, and sign in with your library card number to borrow ebooks and audiobooks.  Visit the website for your town's library for more detailed instructions.

If you aren't a Connecticut resident, you can still get a library card at the New Haven Free Public Library.

Here are instructions for getting a New Haven Free Public Library card from their website:

• If you are a college or graduate student residing in New Haven, you can obtain a NHFPL card. On-campus students must present a student ID or a letter of enrollment issued by your school with the expected year of graduation and/or completion of program clearly marked on it.
• Off-campus students living in New Haven must show a photo ID and documentation of your current New Haven address.
• If you are attending a college or university in New Haven but actually live in another Connecticut town, you must first obtain a library card from your hometown. We need your hometown library card and a photo ID to register you for full access to the NHFPL.

The Palace Project is an App available to download on Apple or Android devices.  Use it to read popular electronic books or audiobooks provided to all Connecticut Libraries by the State Library.  Instructions on setting up your account with your Southern email are available here: https://library.ctstate.edu/palaceforcscu/vlcsetup