LibraryReads: June 2020

Editors Note:

 Before I begin with the regularly scheduled message I repost before each and every LibraryReads monthly this, I need to take a moment to recognize this particular. As you will see below, the June 2020 LibraryReads list not only has 2 straight up horror novels on the list BUT, the Number #1, top vote getter is a horror novel. You can call it Gothic, but I have read this book, and I can tell you, this is not Rebecca, it is straight up horror. 

I would  like  to  remind all of my readers that I am not allowed  to vote because I do not currently work in a library. I had absolutely nothing to do with this. This is all your doing, and I am so proud. 

I  have spent a huge portion of my career promoting horror to library workers so that they will in turn remember to suggest it to patrons. I never thought in my wildest dreams that you, as a group, would  begin to appreciate it as readers. 

As I really settle in on completing the third edition of my book, this is inspiring; it is going me the energy I need to power through for all of you. As I told LibraryReads Executive Director, Rebecca Vnuk, this morning, "I think I may faint." 

Now back to the regularly scheduled programming.

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....

Library Reads: June 2020

Mexican Gothic
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
(Del Rey)

“A perfect gothic mystery with an updated sensibility that will appeal to the modern reader. Noemí­ is a Mexico City socialite in the 1950s. When her father receives a disturbing letter from his niece, he sends Noemí­ to check on her cousin at the remote house where she is living--a grotesque and rotting English-style mansion, built on dirt imported from England by the colonialist eugenicist family she has married into. Lush descriptions and the creepy atmosphere make this a good choice for readers who liked The Witch Elm, The Little Stranger, or The Haunting of Hill House.”

Lorena Neal, Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL
NoveList read-alike: The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero    

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

The Boyfriend Project

by Farrah Rochon
(Forever)

“In this contemporary romance, three women who were two-timed by the same man become friends. The unique, funny premise cleverly serves as a catalyst for why the women are trying to make changes in their lives. The romance is lovely and finds ways in which the couple struggles to be together. Give this to fans of Mia Sosa and Alisha Rai.”

—Ann Carpenter, Brooks Free Library, Harwich, MA 
NoveList read-alike: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre 

by Max Brooks
(Del Rey)

“Nobody imagines the end of the world quite like Brooks! Here he takes a group of privileged idealists, sets them in a beautiful utopia where they can escape the headaches of the city but suffer none of the inconveniences, and then brutally removes all the comforts they expect to be delivered. Throw in some hungry Sasquatch and things get really interesting. For fans of Blake Crouch and Jeff VanderMeer.”

—Amy Hall, Jefferson County Public Library, Wheat Ridge, CO 
NoveList read-alike: The Abominable by Dan Simmons

The Empire of Gold

A Novel
by S.A. Chakraborty
(Harper Voyager)

"This is a story about colonialism and cycles of trauma, giving an in depth look at the politics and psychology of a land warred over by ethnic factions for centuries. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an imaginative fantasy with complex characters, well developed relationships, and insightful social commentary. For readers who enjoy N.K. Jemisin and Tasha Suri.”

—Lauren Mitchell, Neenah Public Library, Neenah, WI NoveList read-alike: Books of Ambha by Tasha Suri

The Girl from Widow Hills

A Novel
by Megan Miranda (Simon & Schuster)

“Miranda returns with another engrossing psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story is primarily told from Olivia's unreliable perspective. News reports, book excerpts, and other media are also used to fill out the story, which keeps the plot moving. For fans of Conviction (Mina) and The Other Mrs. (Kubica).”

—Megan Coleman, Cecil County Public Library, Elkton, MD 
NoveList read-alike: Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber

The Guest List

A Novel
by Lucy Foley
(William Morrow)
"A wedding celebration on a remote island off the coast of Ireland turns eerie and nightmarish in this gothic atmospheric mystery. A good choice for fans of Ruth Ware."

—Bill Anderson, Scott CountyPublic Library, Scottsburg, IN 
NoveList read-alike: Go To My Grave by Catriona McPherson

The Last Flight

A Novel
by Julie Clark
(Sourcebooks Landmark)

“Claire and Eva both have reasons for wanting to disappear, so when they happen upon each other at the airport, they decide to take the other person's flight. However, when one of the planes crashes, the danger they thought they were leaving isn't far behind. For readers who enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine and The Passenger by Lisa Lutz.”

—Lora Bruggeman, Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien, IL 
NoveList read-alike: Layover by David Bell

The Lies That Bind

A Novel
by Emily Giffin
(Ballantine Books)

"Cecily is fresh off a break up and meets a “too good to be true” stranger in a local dive bar. For fans of Me Before You by JoJo Moyes."

—Stephanie Hall, Topeka Public Library, Topeka, KS 
NoveList read-alike: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh

Take a Hint, Dani Brown

A Novel
by Talia HIbbert (Avon)

"Dani and Zaf have been low-key flirting forever when a gallant moment is turned into a viral video and the pressure is on for these two to become a couple. This is a fabulously fun and meta take on a classic romance trope, the fake relationship. For fans of The Wedding Date and The Kiss Quotient."

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, Lansing, MI 
NoveList read-alike: A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole

The Vanishing Half

A Novel
by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books)

"Centering on two twin light-skinned black girls who grew up in a strange town in the Jim Crow south, this book explores racism, colorism, sexism, and familial relationships through the interweaving storylines of vivid and complicated characters. For fans of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson."

—Pamela Gardner, Medfield Public Library, Medfield, MA
NoveList read-alike: A Kind of Freedom by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

Alpha Night

by Nalini Singh (Berkley)

"This continuation of the Psy-Changeling series features the shapeshifting wolves of Moscow and their pack alpha, Selenka, but it also brings back many characters from previous books. Another enjoyable, fast-paced paranormal romance from Singh."

—Cathy Shields, East Lyme Public Library, Niantic, CT
Read-alike: The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston 
Read-alike: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison 
Read-alike: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews 
Read-alike: The Last Wolf by Maria Vale

Dance Away with Me

A Novel
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (William Morrow)

"Phillips’ slow-burn romance centers around a grieving young widow who is drawn into the life of a frustrated artist. The story’s darker turns are lightened by humor drawn from the small-town Tennessee setting. Highly recommended.”

—Rose Miller, Orange Public Library, Orange, CA
Read-alike: Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman 
Read-alike: Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne 
Read-alike: Sanctuary Cove by Rochelle Alers

The Dilemma

by B.A. Paris (St. Martin's Press)

"If you knew something that was certain to change everything, would you keep it a secret to hold on to tranquility for one more day? Paris' driving narrative, alternating between the perspectives of a husband and wife, guarantees your book group will be divided over this very question."

—Lorri Steinbacher, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, NJ
Read-alike: Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Read-alike: My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing 
Read-alike: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Home Before Dark

A Novel by Riley Sager (Dutton)

"Maggie’s father wrote a famous book about the family’s paranormal experiences when she was a child living at Baneberry Hall. Twenty-six years later she returns to the house to finally face what happened long ago. This suspenseful and compelling book keeps you guessing to the very end."

—Ashley Borer, Normal Memorial Library, Fayette, OH
Read-alike: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell 
Read-alike: The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott 
Read-alike: The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

Party of Two

by Jasmine Guillory (Berkley)

"In the fifth book of the Wedding Date series, sparks fly between a smart, independent lawyer and a charming, impulsive senator. Guillory thoughtfully incorporates serious issues into her books while keeping the tone light and uplifting. Sweet, sexy, and a lot of fun."

—Jayme Hughes-Gartin, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Cincinnati, OH
Read-alike: A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole 
Read-alike: Rumor Has It by Cheris F. Hodges
 Read-alike: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang 
Read-alike: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren