Merrimack Street Construction Projects

A new sidewalk and street project in front of the Library and City Hall on Merrimack Street is underway. The project timeline extends into October, as the contractor is working in localized phases to try and minimize impacts to City Hall employees and visitors and to keep on-street parking available where possible. Visitors should pay attention to posted parking restriction dates on Merrimack Street, Market Street and Cardinal O'Connell Parkway. At times, there may be some short-term traffic and pedestrian detours or closures. For the most up to date information, visit City Hall Project 2026 | Lowell, MA

25 Books to Read for Ace Week

Monday, October 24, 2022

Ace Week or Asexual Awareness Week takes place once a year during October. Established in 2010, it is an annual event that puts asexuality in the spotlight: celebrating asexual people and sharing information about what it means to be asexual. This year it takes place from October 23rd to October 29th.

In celebration of Ace Week, we’d like to share with you five nonfiction books to learn more about asexuality and some books featuring asexual characters.

Non-Fiction

How to be Ace : a Memoir of Growing Up Asexual

By Rebecca Burgess

A Quick & Easy Guide to Asexuality

Written by Molly Muldoon; drawn and co-written by Will Hernandez; lettering by Angie Knowles.

Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex

By Angela Chen

The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality
by Julie Sondra Decker

Understanding Asexuality

by Anthony F. Bogaert

Young Adult

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

Rep: Asexual Female Protagonist

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Rep: Asexual Aromantic Female Protagonist

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

Rep: Asexual Biromantic Female Protagonist

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow

Rep: Demisexual Female Protagonist

Tarnished are the Stars by Rosiee Thor

Rep: Asexual Aromantic Male Secondary Protagonist

Belle Revolte by Linsey Miller

Rep: Biromantic Asexual Female Protagonist

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Rep: Demisexual Male Secondary Protagonist

Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt

Rep: Entirely Asexual Cast

Funeral Girl by Emma K. Ohland

Rep: Asexual Female Protagonist

Forward March by Skye Quinlan

Rep: Asexual Lesbian Protagonist

Adult

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Rep: Asexual Female Protagonist

The Bone People by Keri Hulme

Rep: Asexual Aromantic Female Protagonist

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Rep: Asexual Genderqueer Protagonist

The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong

Rep: Asexual Panromantic Male Protagonist

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

Rep: Graysexual/Demisexual Male Protagonist

I Want to Be a Wall by Honami Shirono

Rep: Asexual Female Protagonist

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace

Rep: Asexual Aromantic Female Protagonist

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Rep: Asexual Female Protagonist

The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards

Rep: Demisexual Male Protagonist

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

Rep: Aromantic Asexual Nonbinary Protagonist