Leisure Reading — Literature

"It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it." 

     --Oscar Wilde

This guide will help you find fun books to read both inside the Hesburgh Library and online.

Included in the guide are tips and tricks to find leisure reading in the Hesburgh Library catalog, as well as how to find it at the local public library, St. Joseph County Public Library. There is a small leisure reading collection from the public library on the first floor of the Hesburgh Library to give you more options.

Links to best sellers lists, major book awards, and book review websites are also included on this guide, as well as links to favorite author websites, reader's advisory suggestions, and links to literary societies.

In the Genre section, you will find information on genre-specific websites, as well as title suggestions and short summaries to book and ebook titles held in the Hesburgh Library collection.

 Woman reading, 1900

Leisure reading, also known as recreational reading, pleasure reading, free voluntary reading, and independent reading, is independent, self-selected reading of a continuous text for a wide range of personal and social purposes. It can take place in and out of school, at any time.
Readers select from a wide range of extended texts, including but not exclusive to narrative fiction, nonfiction, picture books, e-books, magazines, social media, blogs, websites, newspapers, comic books, and graphic novels. Leisure reading is generally intrinsically or socially motivated and a pleasurable activity for the reader.

On the Value of Leisure Reading...

Leisure reading is known to improve reading comprehension, reduce academic stress, and improve students' achievement scores in their subject area. Here are some articles to read that explain the value of reading for enjoyment: