Library Reads: February 2016

It's time for another Library Reads list. This is your monthly reminder to use this tag to pull up every list, and use past lists to suggest as sure bet backlist titles to patrons. I do it all the time. Seriously, it makes you look brilliant.

I would also like to make a shout out to brand new ARRT Steering Committee member Jennifer, who wrote the annotation for the #1 pick-- Salt to the Sea [below].

February 2016 LibraryReads List

Salt to the Sea

by Ruta Sepetys

Published:2/2/2016
by Philomel Books
ISBN: 9780399160301

“Titanic. Lusitania. Wilhelm Gustloff. All major maritime disasters, yet the last is virtually unknown. Ruta Sepetys changes that in her gripping historical novel. Told in short snippets, Salt to the Sea rotates between four narrators attempting to escape various tragedies in 1945 Europe. Powerful and haunting, heartbreaking and hopeful–a must read.”

Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien, IL

Black Rabbit Hall

by Eve Chase

Published: 2/9/2016 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 9780399174124

“Young Amber Alton and her family adore Black Rabbit Hall, and the joy and peace it brings to them all. That is, until a tragic accident changes everything. Three decades later, Lorna decides her wedding must be celebrated at the crumbling hall. As the book moves between these two time periods, secrets slowly unfold. Perfectly twisty with interesting characters and a compelling story that kept me up too late.”

Deborah Margeson, Douglas County Libraries, Parker, CO

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A Girl’s Guide to Moving On: A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

Published: 2/23/2016 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780553391923

“Leanne and her daughter-in-law Nichole both leave cheating husbands to start over. They learn that it is never easy and that hardships abound, but they meet many wonderful people on their way to happily-ever-after. Believable characters and an enjoyable story made this perfect for relaxing reading—definitely one of Macomber’s best. An excellent choice both for long-time fans of the author and for those who have never read her novels.”

Linda Tilden, Cherry Hill Public Library, Cherry Hill, NJ

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Be Frank With Me: A Novel

by Julia Claiborne Johnson

Published: 2/2/2016 by William Morrow
ISBN: 9780062413710

“Meet Frank. Frank is an odd 9-year-old boy who has a higher IQ than Einstein’s and dresses as if he were on a movie set in the early 1920s–and he is someone with whom you are sure to fall in love. Frank’s reclusive mother is an author whose publisher has just sent Alice Whitley to serve as an assistant and ensure the next book is completed. The relationship between Frank and Alice is magical. Readers will devour this book and want more. Just magical.”

Marika Zemke, Commerce Township Public Library,Commerce Township, MI

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Flight of Dreams: A Novel

by Ariel Lawhon

Published: 2/23/2016 by Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385540025

“Flight of Dreams chronicles an author’s imagined scenario on the ill-fated last flight of the Hindenburg, which was shrouded in mystery. Lawhon does a masterful job by giving meticulous detail of the ship and delving into the lives of many of the characters on board. I read with mounting dread and intensity as the storyline of the disaster unfolded. Historical detail and wonderful storytelling make this a must read for historical fiction lovers.”

Kristin Fields, Farnhamville Public Library, Farnhamville, IA

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13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl

by Mona Awad

Published: 2/23/2016 by Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143128489

“Everyone loves Lizzie–she is the confidant, the late night go-to, and she is always there and hungry for attention. Lizzie becomes even more obsessed and needy when she no longer feels insecure about being overweight and it becomes painfully obvious that she will always feel bad about herself. It is a candid and sad look at how we mistreat people with different body types.”

Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

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Fighting Dirty: An Ultimate Novel

by Lori Foster

Published: 2/23/2016 by HQN Books
ISBN: 9780373789177

“What. A. Ride! I absolutely loved this book. I loved finally getting Armie and Merissa’s story. I also enjoyed being able to go back and revisit past characters and getting to know future ones! The story was fast-paced and dreamy. Armie’s fight with himself over his emotions wasn’t drawn out, nor did it get tedious to read. All around, this book was an absolute pleasure, and I can’t wait to read more from Foster!”

Jessica McCroskey, Holston River Regional Library, Johnson City, TN

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Find Her: A Novel

by Lisa Gardner
Published: 2/9/2016 by Dutton
ISBN: 9780525954576

“WOW. Find Her is intense. Those initial pages are a testament to the strength of Lisa Gardner’s writing. I had to know what was going to happen! At times it was so bleak and dark, and yet I still had to know what Flora and Stacy were going to be doing. A very suspenseful, twisty, unpredictable page-turner.”

Allie Williams, Parnell Memorial Library, Montevallo, AL

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The Opposite of Everyone: A Novel

by Joshilyn Jackson

Published: 2/16/2016 by William Morrow
ISBN: 9780062105684

“Fans of Jackson’s Someone Else’s Love Story will be pleased to see William’s acerbic friend Paula take center stage. A successful divorce lawyer, Paula’s carefully constructed life starts to fracture when family secrets come to light, forcing her to try to come to terms with the power of her story to hurt and heal, and a growing need for family connections. A wonderful cast of offbeat, memorable characters make this book a winner.”

Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

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The Girl in the Red Coat

by Kate Hamer

Published: 2/16/2016 by Melville House
ISBN: 9781612195001

“There is not much more terrifying than losing your child. There’s the terror, the guilt, and then the relentless and unending chasm left behind by your child. I am grateful to not know that pain, and yet what Beth, the main character of this book, went through, resonated with me. I have had so many things on my to-do list, and yet I found myself delaying laundry and dusting and research so that I could find out how this story would unfold.”

Kim Dorman, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ