Library Reads: May 2019

Today is Library Reads day and that means three things here on RA for All:

1. I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
2. I can remind you that even though the newest list is always fun to see, it is the older lists where you can find AWESOME, sure bet suggestions for patrons that will be on your shelf to actually hand to them right now. The best thing about Library Reads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any Library Reads titles because there is a book talk right there in the list in the form of the annotation one of your colleagues wrote for you. All you have to say to your patron is, “such and such library worker in blank state thought this was a great read,” and then you read what he or she said.

So get out there and suggest a good read to someone today. I don’t care what list or resource you use to find the suggestion, just start suggesting books.

Also, please remember to click here for my Library Reads 101 recap for everything you need to know about how to participate. And click here to see a database of eligible diverse titles sorted by month. 

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May 2019 LibraryReads

Don’t miss the May 2019 Hall of Fame Winners! Scroll down or visit the Hall of Fame page.

The Bride Test

by Helen Hoang

Published: 5/7/2019 by Berkley Jove
ISBN: 9780451490827

“On the autism spectrum, Khai doesn’t feel anything for anyone. His mother recruits Esme, a young Vietnamese woman, to marry him. A realistic, humorous romance that reveals the slow path to love and a meaningful relationship. For those who loved The Kiss Quotient, The Rosie Project, and The Wedding Date.”

Jessica C. Williams, Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, Tiffin, OH 
NoveList Read-alike: A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel

by Kim Michele Richardson

Published: 5/7/2019 by Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781492671527

“Blue-skinned Cussie brings books via horseback to rural, racially intolerant Kentucky in the 1930s. Her efforts demonstrate that people crave intellectual stimulation even when they are poverty stricken in a food desert. For fans of Sandra Dallas and Lee Smith.”

Courtenay Reece, Millville Public Library, Millville, NJ 
Novelist Read-alike: Over the Plain Houses by Julia Franks

The Farm: A Novel

by Joanne Ramos

Published: 5/7/2019 by Random House
ISBN: 9781984853752

“What sounds like an easy way to make money while indulging in a spa-like oasis propels young pregnancy surrogates into ethically complex decisions, racial inequities, and new friendships. For those who loved The Handmaid’s Tale and Future Home of the Living God.”

Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA
NoveList Read-alike: A River of Stars by Vanessa Hua

The Flatshare: A Novel

by Beth O’Leary

Published: 5/28/2019 by Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250295637

“In this entertaining and humorous romance, Tiffy and Leon share a flat, but have never met. Who says you can’t fall in love if your only communication has been through Post-It notes? For fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.”

Kelly Moore, Carrollton Public Library, Carrollton, TX
NoveList Read-alike: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

How Not to Die Alone

by Richard Roper

Published: 5/28/2019 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 9780525539889

“Andrew’s Council job is finding people to pay for funerals for the recently deceased, and he seems bound to a similar lonely destiny. When lively Peggy joins the staff, he begins to wonder if there’s more to life than model trains. Give to fans of Jojo Moyes, Nick Hornby, and Gail Honeyman.”

Jennifer Knight, North Olympic Public Library System, Port Angeles, Washington 
NoveList Read-alike: Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors: A Novel

by Sonali Dev

Published: 5/7/2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN: 9780062839053

“Trisha Raje is a talented neurosurgeon, from an immigrant Indian family, descended from royalty. When she meets a patient’s brother we embark on a classic tale of enemies to lovers. With likable characters and an appealing story line, I highly recommend this book. For readers who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and The Wedding Party.”

Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY 
NoveList Read-alike: Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel

by Casey McQuiston

Published: 5/7/2019 by St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 9781250316776

“First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is in his last semester of university and has an antagonistic relationship with Prince Henry of Wales. But friendship and then love blossoms when they are forced to pretend to be buddies after an embarrassing altercation. For fans of a good rom-com.”

Nita Gill, Brookings Public Library, Brookings, SD
NoveList Read-alike: The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna: A Novel

by Juliet Grames

Published: 5/7/2019 by Ecco
ISBN: 9780062862822

“The life story of Italian-American Stella Fortuna is told through an interesting conceit: the times she nearly died. We follow her through an impoverished childhood in rural Italy, coming to America as a teenager, and finally wife, mother, and widow in suburban Connecticut. For fans of The Stars Are Fire and Daughter of Fortune.”

Celia Morse, Berkley Public Library, Berkley, MA
NoveList Read-alike: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Storm Cursed

by Patricia Briggs

Published: 5/7/2019 by Ace
ISBN: 9780425281291

“Mercy Thompson has opened her garage again and is trying to get back to normal. Now that the Tri-Cities is neutral ground, all kinds of supernatural beings are heading her way. If you’re a Briggs fan, you’re going to love this book and look forward to the next. For fans of the Walker Papers and Weather Warden series.”

Helen Imre, Franklin Township Public Library, Somerset, NJ
NoveList Read-alike: The Jane Yellowrock novels by Faith Hunter

Sunset Beach: A Novel

by Mary Kay Andrews

Published: 5/7/2019 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250126108

“After her mother’s death, Drue Campbell inherits her grandparent’s beach cottage in Sunset Beach, Florida where she takes a job with her estranged father who is married to her high school frenemy. For readers who enjoyed The Identicals and Life’s a Beach.”

Evelyn Janoch, Rocky River Public Library, Rocky River, OH 
NoveList Read-alike: The Perfect Coupleby Elin Hilderbrand

Middlegame

by Seanan McGuire

Published: 5/7/2019 by Tor.com
ISBN: 9781250195524

“McGuire’s standalone contemporary fantasy is a story of alchemy, mathematics, language, and two unforgettable twins. The complex story takes some time to get moving, but once it does this great, philosophically deep read becomes very difficult to put down.”

Angela Gaule Ector County Public Library, Odessa, TX

Read-alikes:

The Devourers by Indra Das
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Lexicon by Max Barry

The Stone Circle

by Elly Griffiths

Published: 5/7/2019 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9781328974648

“Forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway is back puzzling out mysteries old and new in the English coastal region of Norfolk. Much appeal lies in revisiting Ruth’s delightful supporting cast of colleagues and friends. Because the book ties in with earlier installments, this is a series best read in order.”

Melissa Davidson, Staunton Public Library, Staunton, VA

Read-alikes:

Haunted Ground by Erin Hart
The Dark Place by Aaron Elkins
Death Wore White by Jim Kelly

The Unhoneymooners

by Christina Lauren

Published: 5/14/2019
by Gallery Books
ISBN: 9781501128035

“Olive and Ethan are enemies brought together in classic rom-com style when the honeymoon plans of their siblings (who’ve just married) take a wrong turn. The dialogue is fantastic–no one mixes sweetness, snark, and hilarity so well. Perfect for readers of Jasmine Guillory or Emma Chase.”

Shari Suarez, Genesee Districy Library, Goodrich, MI 

Read-alikes:

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Hold Me by Courtney Milan
Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

Read-alikes provided by NoveList and the LibraryReads community.

Download the printable LibraryReads May 2019 list (PDF)