LibraryReads: March 2022

 It's LibraryReads 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 LibraryReads 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 LibraryReads 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.

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.... 

  

March 2022 LibraryReads List!

Four Aunties and a Wedding 

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Berkley

“The Chan family is back! Meddy Chan is getting married, and the wedding planners are perfect--until Meddy overhears the wedding photographer talking about murdering someone at the reception. Her aunties spring into action, setting into motion a series of madcap misadventures intended to save Meddy's special day. A charming combo of close-knit family, humor, and light mystery; great for fans of Mia P. Manansala and Jade Chang.”

—Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL 

NoveList read-alike: Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim

A Brush with Love: A Novel 

by Mazey Eddings

St. Martin's Griffin

“This debut romance set at a dental school includes some wonderful laugh-out-loud moments and also those that brought me to tears. Harper's anxiety is portrayed truthfully and tenderly, and Dan has some baggage too. For fans of The Happy Ever After Playlist and The Bride Test.”

—Rebecca Swanson, Fitchburg Public Library, Fitchburg, WI 
NoveList read-alike: Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg

The Kaiju Preservation Society 

by John Scalzi

Tor Books

“As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads across the U.S., the only job Jamie can find is delivering food, until he begins to work for a secret NGO preserving large animals. What Jamie didn't know is just how large. Scalzi has taken creatures portrayed as monsters in the movies and made us care, with plenty of his usual wit and humor. For fans of Jurassic Park, Devolution, and Jeff VanderMeer.”

—Dan Brooks, Wake County Public Libraries, Raleigh, NC
NoveList read-alike: Escape from Yokai Land by Charles Stross

The League of Gentlewomen Witches 

by India Holton

Berkley

“In this sequel to The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, Charlotte is one serious witch who knows via prophecy that she will one day lead the Wicken League. But when a handsome Irish pirate catches her eye, she may bring the wrath of the entire clan of witches down on her. Filled with wit and an intriguing enemy-to-lovers romance. For fans of Jane Austen and Evie Dunmore.”

—Courtney Hill, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston, SC 
NoveList read-alike: The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

Mr. Wrong Number 

by Lynn Painter

Berkley

“A humorous, contemporary romcom. Olivia’s life has been a series of freak accidents and misdeeds. After she accidentally sets her home on fire, she moves in with her brother and his bestie Colin. Things start looking up when a misdial turns into flirty and fun texting with Mr. Wrong Number. Guess who that turns out to be? Great for fans of Falon Ballard, Sophie Sullivan, or Sara Desai.”

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, Milford, OH
NoveList read-alike: Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey

The Night Shift: A Novel

by Alex Finlay

Minotaur Books

“On New Year’s Eve 1999, four teenage girls working at a New Jersey video store are brutally attacked. Fifteen years later an almost identical crime occurs. Is it the same killer? This second installment following FBI agent Sarah Keller is a quick read with several fun twists and turns. A fast-paced thriller for readers of Final Girls and Dark Places.”

—Jayme Oldham, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, IL 

NoveList read-alike: The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen

The Suite Spot 

by Trish Doller

St. Martin's Griffin

“Single mom Rachel loses her job at an upscale Florida hotel and decides to make a fresh start halfway across the country with a new gig and a moody but handsome boss. The characters are mature, the setting is lovely, and there’s just enough steam to keep things interesting. For fans of Beth O’Leary, Julie Murphy, and Sarah Morgenthaler.”

—Sandra Woodbury, Burlington Public Libary, Burlington, MA 
NoveList read-alike: Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

Sundial  [Becky's Booklist review]

by Catriona Ward

Tor Nightfire

“Rob is trapped in a loveless marriage and worries about her daughter Callie’s increasingly disturbed behavior. Rob takes Callie to her own childhood home in hopes of helping her, but to do so she must reveal her family's dark past. Full of mind-blowing twists, this psychological horror tale is for readers of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Drowning Kind."

—Blinn Sheffield, Greenwood-Leflore Public Library, Greenwood, MS 
NoveList read-alike: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Under Lock & Skeleton Key: A Secret Staircase Mystery

by Gigi Pandian

Minotaur Books

“Young magician Tempest Raj returns home to her eccentric family’s enchanted compound after finding herself out of work. Soon Tempest stumbles across a body and is faced with solving two mysteries: finding the killer and learning more about her own mother’s disappearance. Fans of Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr will enjoy this fresh take on a locked-room mystery.”

—Patricia Uttaro, Rochester Public Library, Rochester, NY
NoveList read-alike: Death by Dumpling by Vivienne Chien

What Happened to the Bennetts 

by Lisa Scottoline

G.P. Putnam's Sons

“A carjacking involving a seemingly perfect family from the Philadelphia suburbs launches a suspenseful tale of bad guys, good guys, good bad guys, and bad good guys. With enough red herrings to fill a smorgasbord, this book about grief, corruption, and family will appeal to fans of Iris Johansen, John Grisham, and Wanda M. Morris.”

—Lois Gross, Hoboken Public Library, Hoboken, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Run Away by Harlan Coben

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly LibraryReads list since 2013. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into our Hall of Fame.

Click here to access the Hall of Fame Archive with annotations and readalikes

The Book of Cold Cases 

by Simone St. James

Berkley

The Diamond Eye: A Novel  

by Kate Quinn

William Morrow

French Braid: A Novel 

by Anne Tyler

Knopf

The Golden Couple: A Novel 

by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

St. Martin’s Press

Hook, Line, and Sinker: A Novel

by Tessa Bailey

Avon

Nine Lives: A Novel 

by Peter Swanson

William Morrow

One Italian Summer: A Novel 

by Rebecca Serle

Atria Books