Previous Manga 101 installments took a look at isekai and sports manga; this time, we’ll explore another popular genre of manga: romance . From poignant stories of high school love to doomed romances with supernatural beings, romance manga is a hugely popular genre that includes a wide variety of styles and scenarios. While many of… continue reading Manga 101: Romance
By written by Meg B. August 15, 2023 4
In the previous Manga 101 installment, we took a look at the manga genre known as isekai . Now, we’ll continue with an exploration of another popular manga genre: sports! Sports manga as a genre is precisely what it sounds like manga stories that focus on a particular sport. The protagonist may be determined to achieve greatness, a… continue reading Manga 101: Sports
By written by Meg B. July 17, 2023 3
One way of classifying manga is by demographic categories like shonen and shojo (for more information, check out the previous Manga 101 blog post ). However, manga can also be divided into genres of similar subject matter. While some popular manga genres are familiar, like romance or horror, others might require a bit more explanation. One… continue reading Manga 101: Isekai
By written by Meg B. June 15, 2023
Manga is often published chapter-by-chapter in anthology magazines which are marketed towards particular audiences. Some magazines focus on specific genres of manga (like fantasy, romance, etc.) while others publish stories in a variety of genres. Most manga magazines are aimed at a target audience of a specific age and gender. Here’s the… continue reading Manga 101: Demographic Categories
By written by Meg B. May 15, 2023 1
Some of the most popular titles at the Field Teen Center are manga, or Japanese graphic novels. Manga includes a wide range of genres and art styles with more than 100 titles in our collections. Navigating it all can be overwhelming, but we hope this guide will help you find your bearings. This is the first in our "Manga 101" series,… continue reading Manga 101: Answering Common Questions
By written by Yona Y. April 11, 2023
What is Overdrive? Overdrive is the Free Library of Philadelphia’s portal to thousands of e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines that you can read for free using your Free Library of Philadelphia library card. In April 2023, the OverDrive app , which accesses Overdrive e-books , e-audiobooks , and e-magazines on your phone, tablet,… continue reading The Overdrive App is Being Replaced with Libby
By written by Sharyl O. March 1, 2023 15
The Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department strives to offer engaging and informative programs that touch on the wide variety of topics included within our collection of materials. Our upcoming program, The Message of Swami Vivekananda: An Interfaith Reading Group is the first program we’re offering in 2023. We believe… continue reading Explore the Message of Swami Vivekananda With Our Interfaith Reading Group
By written by Alex B. February 21, 2023
One Book, One Philadelphia is a signature project of the Free Library of Philadelphia that promotes literacy, library usage, and civic dialogue by encouraging the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through reading and discussing a single book. From April 20–June 22 , dozens of free-to-the-public events, discussions,… continue reading Announcing the 2023 One Book, One Philadelphia Selections
By written by Bridget G. February 15, 2023 5
Welcome to Year 11 of my annual list of favorite books and the third year of pandemic reading! I've started getting my reading mojo back and have been spending a bit more time reading than watching tv this year—268 books read in the last twelve months. This year you'll find fiction and non-fiction, mystery and (a lot of) romance,… continue reading Dena's Favorite Books of 2022
By written by Dena January 3, 2023
With fall approaching, what better time than now to join the Adult Literacy Book Club , presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center ! Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books as we turn the page on a new season in Philadelphia. Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Fall Book Selection
By written by Phil K. August 17, 2022
"Our goal is to always promote literacy, encourage civic dialog, and amplify community storytelling." – Jim Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia. This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia selection, My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes , commemorates 20 years of the city-wide program. Free Library Director, Kelly… continue reading 2022 One Book, One Philadelphia: Sharing Generational Stories
By written by Mary Marques March 3, 2022
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. This book club only covers a few chapters at each meeting, so you will have plenty of time… continue reading Adult Literacy Book Club's Winter Book Selection
By written by Phil K. January 12, 2022 1
The Free Library has many resources and programs for Philadelphians of all ages to improve their reading skills! Read, Baby, Read is a Free Library initiative focused on encouraging early literacy development among infants and young toddlers (0-24 months old). Read by 4th is a citywide effort managed by the library that aims to… continue reading Improve Your Reading Comprehension Skills with the Free Library
By written by Lindsay S. January 10, 2022 1
It's that time of year again for my annual list of favorite books from the Philbrick Hall Fiction Department at Parkway Central Library ! Welcome to the tenth anniversary of this yearly list and the second year of pandemic reading! This year my reading slowed down even more—with only 220 books read. I blame a much-increased amount of… continue reading Dena's Favorite Books of 2021
By written by Dena January 3, 2022
Marian Sosa spent the summer volunteering for the Free Library, with Youth Services , the Summer of Wonder , and on Philadelphia's Play Streets . Here is what she had to say about her experience... Summer in the streets of Philadelphia, like the summer in many cities all across the nation, oftentimes means that there’s going to be a… continue reading A Summer of Service: What I Learned on Philly's Play Streets
By written by Administrator November 17, 2021
Young Readers Day was first created by a collaboration between the Library of Congress and the reading-incentives program with pizza rewards, Book It! We will happily take any excuse to celebrate reading with kids! Why is reading important? If you are visiting this blog, you may tend to love books and reading, but there are so many reasons to… continue reading Celebrate Young Readers Day!
By written by Emily S. November 9, 2021
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The club only covers a few chapters at each meeting, so you will have plenty of time to… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Fall Book Selection
By written by Phil K. September 22, 2021
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day ! The all-ages event was founded in 2001 to encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans alike, offering a huge selection of free titles throughout comic book shops across North America , designed to appeal to a broad range of age levels and… continue reading The Return of Free Comic Book Day!
By written by Peter SM August 13, 2021
In honor of Book Lovers Day , our staff shared what a perfect day of reading looks like to them, and we're inspired! Here's to a marvelous day of celebrating our favorite pastime and the books we love! "I am an indoor bookworm, so I have a number of different reading spots at my apartment. This (pictured) has been a… continue reading Happy Book Lovers Day!
By written by Kate C. August 9, 2021
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No problem. The club only covers a few chapters at each meeting so you will have plenty of time to… continue reading The Adult Literacy Book Club's Latest Book Selection
By written by Phil K. June 24, 2021
