LibraryReads: May 2020

It's Library Reads day and that means four 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 through this archive OR the sortable master list allowing you to mix and match however you want.
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.
4. Every upcoming book now has at least 1 readalike that is available to hand out RIGHT NOW. Book talk the upcoming book, place a hold for it, and then hand out that readalike title for while they wait. If they need more titles before their hold comes in, use the readalike title to identify more readalike titles. And then keep repeating. Seriously, it is that easy to have happy, satisfied readers.

The LibraryReads Board has also started another great book discovery and suggestion tool for you, a monthly What We're Reading column. This means there are even more library worker approved titles, new and old, for you to choose from. 

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.

Please remember to click here for everything you need to know about how to participate. Click here to see a database of eligible diverse titles sorted by month.

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to that list....

Click here for full access to the May list

Something to Talk About

by Meryl Wilsner

(Berkley)

"Jo, a successful producer and screenwriter, asks her assistant Emma to attend the SAG awards with her as a buffer to field questions. But after a red carpet photograph, rumors start spreading about their romantic involvement. A sweet, slow burn romance that gets steamy at the end between two people who obviously respect and value the other, despite various communication issues that arise. Give to readers who liked Girl Gone Viral (Rai), The Hating Game (Thorne), and Red, White & Royal Blue (McQuiston).”

Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, Yakima, WA

NoveList read-alike: When Katie Met Cassidy by Camille Perri

And now, the rest of the list....

All Adults Here
A Novel
by Emma Straub
(Riverhead Books)

“The ripple effects of choices linger for years and ultimately shape matriarch Astrid and her children. As several generations grapple with their own truths, an opportunity to begin again ultimately draws them all closer. This book asks the question, “Who is truth ultimately for, who benefits from it, and who does it hurt?” For fans of Clock Dance (Tyler) and The Most Fun We Ever Had (Lombardo).”

—Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA 
NoveList read-alike: The Precious One by Marisa de los Santos

Beach Read
by Emily Henry
(Berkley)

“Hooray for smart, emotional, well-written romance! Two old enemies meet by chance and decide to solve their writer’s block by swapping genres: Literary writer Augustus will trade his cynicism for a happily ever after, while January will try a “serious” novel where everyone ends up realistically miserable. What could go wrong? For readers who like Susan Mallery and Jennifer Crusie.”

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY
NoveList read-alike: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

Big Summer
by Jennifer Weiner (Atria Books)

“Daphne is a plus-size Instagram influencer who is lovable, funny, and honest. She is surprised when her former best friend--rich, beautiful, mean girl Drue-- asks her to be in her summer wedding on Cape Cod. Readers of modern romance, women's fiction, mystery, and beachy chic-lit will all find something here to ponder. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Emily Giffin.”

—Kathleen Redfearn, Attleboro Public Library, Attleboro, MA 
NoveList read-alike: Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

A Good Marriage
A Novel
by Kimberly McCreight
(Harper)

“In Park Slope, everyone has a “good marriage.” Yet after an annual party that often involves partner swapping, one wife ends up dead. Her husband might not be the best spouse, but he claims he didn’t kill his wife. If being a bad husband doesn't make you a murderer, then who in this idyllic community is responsible? Liane Moriarty fans will love this one.”

—Selena Swink, Lake Public Library, Lake, MS
NoveList read-alike: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Happy & You Know It
by Laura Hankin (Berkley)

"Claire is a musician whose former band became famous without her. She takes a gig singing nursery rhymes for a playgroup, and her life takes a couple of sharp lefts from there! For fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Elizabeth Berg."

—Danielle Hansard, Westland Public Library, Westland, MI 
NoveList read-alike: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

The Jane Austen Society
A Novel
by Natalie Jenner
(St. Martin's Press)

'Set in the small village of Chawton where Jane Austen lived at the end of her life, just after WWII. Add in a small farmer, the local doctor, a heart- broken widow, a movie actress and other assorted characters all of who love Jane Austen. For readers who enjoyed The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler."

—Claudia Silk, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT
NoveList read-alike: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Network Effect
A Murderbot Novel by Martha Wells
(Tor.com)

"For the unfamiliar, The Murderbot Diaries is an action- packed, smart science fiction series about a self-hacking robot searching for the meaning of life. This is the first full-length standalone in the series. Given time to develop characters, the peril was even more suspenseful. More than any of the other titles, this one has me hoping for a sequel. For fans of Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie."

—April Lammers, Huntington Beach Public Library, Huntington Beach, CA
NoveList read-alike: The Cassandra Kresnov novels by Joel Shepherd

Recipe for Persuasion
A Novel
by Sonali Dev
(William Morrow Paperbacks)

"Ashna is trying to keep her father’s restaurant, Curried Dreams, from failing. An opportunity is presented to her to be a chef on a reality show, paired with a celebrity. Little does she know that the celebrity, Rico, a soccer star, maneuvered on the show to be paired with her. For fans of Jasmine Guillory."

—Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY 
NoveList read-alike: Savor You by Kristen Proby

The Wife Stalker
A Novel
by Liv Constantine (Harper)

"Piper Reynard has moved to Connecticut to start over. She meets Leo, a handsome and successful lawyer who is married to Joanna, who has been waiting for Leo to start focusing on her and the kids again for quite some time. Joanna is determined to find the truth out about Piper, but no one wants to believe what she uncovers. For fans of B.A. Paris and A.J. Finn."

—Laura Sanders, LaFourche Parish Library, Thibodaux, LA 
NoveList read-alike:The Temp by Michelle Francis

Click here to access the Hall of Fame

Rodham
A Novel
by Curtis Sittenfeld (Random House)

“What if Hillary Rodham heeded the red flags that came with dating Bill Clinton in the 1970s? Sittenfeld really captures the voice of a strong, brilliant, independent female narrator in this warm, whip-smart take on what could have been.”

—Lindsay Jensen, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, TN

Read-alike: The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller 
Read-alike: The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close 
Read-alike: Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin