Join us as we explore a world of stories, one theme at a time! ✨📖
Welcome to Picky Readers Bookclub, where every month comes with a new theme—but the book choice is all yours! If you never fully vibe with your bookclub's book choices, this club is for you. Instead of reading the same book, members select any title that fits the theme, giving everyone the freedom to explore stories that interest them while still sharing a common thread.
For April, our theme is Fairy Tale Retellings! Whether it's a dark and twisted reimagining, a fresh modern take, or a completely new spin on a classic tale, this month is all about rediscovering fairy tales in unexpected ways.
At our meetup, we’ll share our thoughts, discuss common themes, and recommend books to one another—without spoilers! Whether your pick was a hit or a miss, your insights will help fellow members discover their next great read.
Join us as we explore a world of stories, one theme at a time! ✨📖
Check Out these Titles at NLR Libraries for this Month's Theme!
📖Classic with a Twist
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik – A feminist reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin with themes of power, identity, and survival.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – A series of sci-fi retellings of classic fairy tales like Cinderella (Cinder), Little Red Riding Hood (Scarlet), and Rapunzel (Rapunzel). Each book features a fresh take on familiar characters in a futuristic setting.
🖤Dark and Twisted
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly – A deep dive into what happens after Cinderella, following one of the “ugly” stepsisters on her journey of redemption.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge – A Beauty and the Beast retelling with dark magic, a strong heroine, and an intricate, twisted romance.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente – A quirky, whimsical, and darkly humorous take on Alice in Wonderland with an entirely new fairyland.
🌎 Modern and Unique
Gilded by Marissa Meyer – A fresh YA retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with a dark, immersive world and a cursed storyteller.
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine – A Snow White-inspired fantasy with a fierce heroine and a dragon-shifting prince.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer – A Beauty and the Beast retelling with a strong heroine and a modern twist.
💫 Romantacies
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh – A richly woven retelling of One Thousand and One Nights with romance and intrigue.
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson – A retelling of the Princess and the Pea meets The Bachelor, with a complex love triangle, adventure, and political intrigue.
Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco – A modern, high-action twist on Snow White and other fairy tales, set in an alternate world where magic, legends, and history collide.
🌟 Childhood Favorites
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine – A beloved Cinderella retelling with a spunky, strong-willed heroine, a curse to break, and a lot of heart.
🔥 Retellings with Epic Fantasy and Adventure
The Song of the Shattered Sands series by Bradley P. Beaulieu – A series inspired by Arabian Nights, featuring epic desert adventures, legendary cities, and richly developed folklore.
This is the secondary branch of the William F. Laman Public Library located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock.
