National Library Week kicked off April 6, making this week the perfect time to put down your required class readings, dust off your library card and open a new book.
Whether you need a break from studying or want to escape into a fictional world, the University of Wisconsin’s 30 libraries and eight million unique book titles have you covered. But, choosing the next story to dive into can quickly become overwhelming. Here are the newest essential reads available to pick up at the library today.
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney
This Irish author garnered massive success and critical acclaim with her novels “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends,” with both being adapted into television series’ shortly after their publication. Her latest novel, published last September, is perfect for those who enjoyed the dialogue-driven prose of her previous works.
“Intermezzo” follows the story of two brothers as they reel from the death of their father. Exploring grief, sibling relationships and romance in an approachable way, Rooney’s novel, which can be checked out at Memorial Library, is both accessible and profound.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins
Looking to relive the nostalgia and gripping dystopia of “The Hunger Games” series? The latest novel from Suzanne Collins, published March 18, is the second prequel book to the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy.
Set over two decades before the original novel, this story follows Haymitch Abernathy as he attempts to survive the 50th Hunger Games. The original trilogy can be found at MERIT and Memorial Libraries. The first prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” as well as “Sunrise on the Reaping” can be accessed through the digital library catalog.
“New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement” by Juan Williams
National Library Week isn’t just for fiction lovers. “New Prize for the Eyes,” the newest book from political analyst Juan Williams, is one of the best-selling nonfiction books of 2025.
Williams dives into the fight for racial equality in the U.S. during the early 21st century. Perfect for history majors and those interested in historical nonfiction narratives, students can pick up this read at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
“Dream Count” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Published in March, this New York Times Bestseller is a long-anticipated return from Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Since publishing a book over a decade ago, Adichie has spent time releasing a collection of short stories and crafting the intricate plot of her next novel.
In “Dream Count,” Adichie writes about three middle-aged women as their stories cross between Nigeria and the U.S. Ultimately the story is about friendship in the face of loneliness. Those interested in making “Dream Count” their spring read can pick up the novel at Memorial Library.
“Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of our Deadliest Infection” by John Green
Most young readers are familiar with the works of John Green. Known for his quirky characters and coming-of-age romance, “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Looking for Alaska” became instant classics among young adult readers.
But Green tackles an unfamiliar genre in “Everything is Tuberculosis.” A delicate mix between memoir and historical nonfiction, Green recounts his experience with Henry, a young patient being treated for Tuberculosis in Sierra Leone. Green employs his trademark humor to discuss healthcare reform in a delicate and accessible way. Readers can venture outside of campus to pick up “Everything is Tuberculosis,” with the book available at the Madison Public Library.
