Relax & Read at Concordia Library
Did you know the Library has non-academic materials that are just for fun? We have books, graphic novels, DVDs, streaming videos, and music. You can also find games, puzzles, and colouring books in our Leisure and Wellness Spaces at Webster and Vanier.
Explore the links on this page for recommendations, as well as tips for searching for more materials in Sofia, the Library's Discovery tool.
New! At Webster and Vanier
We have new Leisure and Wellness Spaces at the Webster and Vanier Library. Use the links below to learn about the spaces, browse the new books, boardgames, puzzles, and colouring books in our new Leisure and Wellness Collection, and get tips for finding the collection in Sofia.
Our recommendations
Tips for Searching in Sofia
You can search the Library’s Discovery tool to find books (including ebooks), DVDs, music, and other fun materials.
You can search by author or title if you already know what you are looking for.
You can search by genre by using the search code ge: followed by the genre.
Example: ge: science fiction
Example: ge: graphic novels
After your initial search, using the panel on the left side of the screen, you can limit your search to “fiction” (under Content Type).
If you find a book that interests you in Sofia, you can click on the author’s name or on one of the book’s subjects to find other items like it.
Looking for more advanced searching tips?
Reading for courses and research projects is an important part of your studies, but reading for pleasure is also important for your health and learning! Leisure reading (or recreational reading) can help improve reading comprehension and communication skills, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
Looking for more?
View the latest literature news coming from Concordia, including holiday and summer book recommendations from the Concordia community.
Here are some more websites to help you find books to read:
Can’t find the book you want at Concordia? If you live in Montreal, you can get a library card from the Bibliothèques de Montréal and the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales du Québec (BANQ) for free to access even more books, movies, magazines, games, and more. You can find an extended list of other library catalogues here.
Read a good book recently?
Do you have a favourite book you want your fellow Concordians to read? Share it via Twitter or Instagram. Be sure to add @concordialib and #CUReads.
Credit: The title of this reading guide was inspired by the University of Manitoba Libraries' Relax ‘n Read leisure guide. This guide was also inspired by many other excellent leisure reading guides, including those from Lancaster University Library, Queensborough Community College, University of Exeter, University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Libraries, and University of Tennessee Knoxville Libraries.