RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

I can come to your library, book club meeting, or conference to talk about how to help your readers find their next good read. Click here for more information including RA for All's EDI Statement.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

LibraryReads: April 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.... 

  

April 2022 LibraryReads List!


Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel 

by Bonnie Garmus

Doubleday

“In the 50s and early 60s when women were viewed as little more than chattel for men’s convenience, Elizabeth Zott had the temerity to become a chemist. With complex and wonderful characters, her story is funny, sad, enraging, hopeful, and will have readers cheering for every character and all women everywhere. For fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette?, The Rosie Project, and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.”

—Judy G. Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA 
NoveList read-alike: Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen


The Good Left Undone: A Novel 

By Adriana Trigiani

Dutton

“Following the lives of various generations of the Cabrelli family, Trigiani takes readers through the 1920s, World War II, and modern day Italy and Scotland. With descriptive language and well-drawn characters, each generation's story is woven seamlessly into the next. For fans of Love and Ruin and The Guest Book. ”

—Janet Makoujy, New City Library, New City, NY 
NoveList read-alike: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee


I'll Be You: A Novel 

by Janelle Brown

Random House

“Sam and Elli, identical twin sisters and former television stars, have their issues. Sam is a recovering addict, and Elli has been taken in by a cult. But they are quite likable, and the story is totally engaging, a bit suspenseful, and includes well developed plot points. Give to fans of The Good Sister and The Girl in the Mirror.”

—Evelyn Cunningham, Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk, CT 
NoveList read-alike: Until We Are Lost by Leslie Archer

Insomnia: A Novel 

by Sarah Pinborough

William Morrow

“Emma has the perfect career, husband, and family. She also has a secret that is about to catch up with her. She is turning 40 and slowly spiraling out of control as the past creeps closer. Is her insomnia touching her with insanity, or is she about to relive what she has been trying to hide all these years? For fans of The End of Her and Mrs. March. ”

—Selena Swink, Lake Public Library, Lake, MS
NoveList read-alike: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

To Marry and To Meddle: A Novel 

by Martha Waters

Atria Books

“After six seasons, Emily's only suitor is a gambling house owner whose father owes a lot of money. Fortunately, Julian wants to marry her to elevate him in society, which will lead to more respectable people coming to his theater. He proposes a marriage of convenience, and of course, love has to find its way. A fun, witty romance for fans of Bridgerton and A Rogue of One’s Own.”

—Claire Sherman, Clearwater Countryside Library, Clearwater, FL 
NoveList read-alike: Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunsmore

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer

By Janelle Monae

Harper Voyager

“These science fiction stories are set in a universe adjacent to the one featured in acclaimed actor/musician Monáe’s concept albums and offer hope when despair is at its ripest. Tales of invented homes, found families, hard choices, and the exhausting work of imagining a better future jump off the page. For fans of Octavia Butler and Rivers Solomon.”

—Krista Feick, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH
NoveList read-alike: Broken Fevers by Tenea D. Johnson

Portrait of a Thief: A Novel 

by Grace D Li

Tiny Reparations Books

“Li’s debut novel is a fun heist book focusing on five Chinese-American college students recruited to steal artwork from Western museums and return them to China. The book looks at issues of diaspora, colonization, and the character’s different relationships with culture and identity. Give to readers who liked The Verifiers and Skin Deep.”

—Allie Williams, Camarillo Library, Camarillo, CA
NoveList read-alike: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

Sister Stardust: A Novel

By Jane Green

Hanover Square Press

“Teen Claire leaves England for Marrakech and falls in with charismatic socialite Talitha Getty and her coterie of rock stars, fashion icons, and millionaires amid a buffet of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Fans of Daisy Jones and the Six will find much to love in this book, beautifully told in a manic pace that takes you down the rabbit hole of the swinging ’60s.”

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX 
NoveList read-alike: Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

Take My Hand 

by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Berkley

ISBN: 9780593337691

“A well-paced, wrenching book about the reproductive rights of Blacks and the poor in the mid 20th century. The story moves back and forth in time with fully drawn characters, giving the reader a view of the consequences of the health care system's policies and fresh outrage at the wrongs perpetrated upon Black women. For readers of Celeste Ng and Rebecca Skloot.”

—Leona Arthen, The Worthington Library, Worthington, OH 
NoveList read-alike: Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia by Elizabeth Catte

The Wedding Crasher: A Novel

by Mia Sosa

Avon

“After Solange stops Dean’s wedding of convenience, they start a mutually beneficial fake relationship: Dean can make partner at his law firm and Solange can get her meddlesome family off her case. With heart, laughs, and characters you’ll fall in love with, this follow up to The Worst Best Man is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Talia Hibbert.”

—Jillian Hayes, Queens Public Library, Jamaica, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas



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 Children on the Hill 

by Jennifer McMahon

Gallery/Scout Press


The No-Show 

by Beth O'Leary

Berkley Jove


Part of Your World 

by Abby Jimenez

Forever


Sea of Tranquility: A Novel 

by Emily St. John Mandel

Knopf


The Younger Wife: A Novel 

by Sally Hepworth

St. Martin's Press


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