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.

Friday, April 15, 2022

LibraryReads: May 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.... 

  

May 2022 LibraryReads List!

 


Book of Night 
by Holly Black

Tor Books

“Charlie is a hot mess. The more she tries to get on the straight and narrow, the more things fall apart. Due to childhood trauma, she trusts only herself, and maybe her shadow. But in a world where shadows can be altered, stolen, and weaponized, she has to be wary. Lots of atmospheric world building and stage setting, and perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Neil Gaiman, and V.E. Schwab.”

—Emily Plagens, Allen Public Library, Allen, TX 
NoveList read-alike: Magic For Liars by Sarah Gailey



Now the rest of the list...


The Book Woman's Daughter:  A Novel 

by Kim Michele Richardson

Sourcebooks landmark

“Cussy Mary’s daughter, Honey, defies convention and the law and becomes another Book Woman, riding into the mountains to deliver books in a raw and harsh landscape. Despite the injustice and danger, a sense of homespun coziness and safety prevail, created by the hard work, love, and solidarity of mountain women. For fans of The Giver of Stars and The Last Ballad.”

—Jill Minor, Washington County Public Library, Abingdon, VA
NoveList read-alike: All The Forgivenesses by Elizabeth Hardinger

Chef's Kiss: A Novel

by TJ Alexander

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

“A cute, romantic tale of Simone, a test kitchen chef for an elite magazine. Her stable life is upended by Ray, the charming and friendly new kitchen manager. When Ray comes out as nonbinary, there is pushback from administration. Can Simone and Ray forge a relationship, and survive the fraught environment? For fans of The Charm Offensive and Red, White, and Royal Blue.”

—Jessica C. Williams, Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, Tiffin, OH 
NoveList read-alike: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall


The Hacienda 

by Isabel Cañas

Berkley

“In this slow-burn Gothic novel, Beatriz joins her new rich husband at his family’s dilapidating estate, where she dreams of a better life. But the rumors of her husband’s first wife’s death and unsettling supernatural incidents have Beatriz fearing for her own life. Her only hope of survival is a witchy priest. For fans of Mexican Gothic and the film Crimson Peak.”

—Kari Bingham-Guiterrez, Olathe Public Library, Olathe, KS 
NoveList read-alike: The Queen of the Cicadas by V. Castro


Hide 

by Kiersten White

Del Rey

“The premise: fourteen strangers are invited to compete in a game. The setting: an abandoned theme park. The goal: remain hidden for 7 days. The payoff: $50,000. As the contestants are found by "seekers," and the group gets smaller, it becomes a wild, blood-pumping ride. Soon, the line between competition and survival begins to blur. For fans of Survive the Night and The Final Girls Support Group.”

 —Lindsey Colon, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston, SC
NoveList read-alike: Reprieve by James Han Mattson


The Murder of Mr. Wickham 

by Claudia Gray

Vintage

"This delightful cozy mystery features characters from Jane Austen and introduces sleuths Jonathan Darcy (son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam) and Juliet Tilney (daughter of Catherine and Henry). Jonathan and Juliet are well- matched as amateur investigators and, of course, as potential romantic partners. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Barron and Anna Dean."

—Amy Norton, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook, IL 
NoveList read-alike: Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James


Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel 

by Shelby Van Pelt

Ecco

“Cameron arrives in Solo Bay looking for his long-lost parents. Tova, who works at the local aquarium, lost her own son years ago. After Cameron takes over Tova’s job, Marcellus the octopus sees that the two are linked. Told in alternating voice (including that of Marcellus), this is a witty read for fans of A Man Called Ove and The Reading List."

—Mary Robinson, Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire, IL 
NoveList read-alike: Harry's Trees by Jon Cohen


The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

by Matt Cain

Kensington Books

“This quietly touching novel follows Albert, a closeted gay mail carrier who’s lived life as a perpetual outsider. His job provides comfort, but impending retirement leaves him at a crossroads: can he find a way to go on and be accepted for who he really is? Cain takes readers on a moving and hopeful journey. For fans of The Guncle and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. ”

—Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY 
NoveList read-alike: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune


Siren Queen 

by Nghi Vo

Tordotcom

“Luli Wei is a rising star in the golden age of Hollywood, when the business is full of literal horrors and she must earn her fame by playing monsters. Vo’s weaving of magical elements into an otherwise realistic story is arresting in the best way, and Luli is a strong and determined character. Highly recommended for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Alix E. Harrow.”

—Kristine Magers, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City, OK 
NoveList read-alike: Delayed Rays of a Star by Amanda Koe Lee


This Time Tomorrow: A Novel 

by Emma Straub

Riverhead

“On the day before Alice turns 40, her father is near death. She then wakes the next day to find that it’s her 16th birthday and her dad is young and healthy. Is there anything she’d change about the past, now that she has the chance? A

poignant look at the paths we choose in life. For fans of Fredrick Backman and Rebecca Serle.”

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore




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


Adult Assembly Required

By Abbi Waxman

Berkley


Book Lovers 

by Emily Henry

Berkley

By the Book: A Meant to Be Novel 

by Jasmine Guillory

Hyperion Avenue


Something Wilder 

by Christina Lauren

Gallery Books

The Lioness: A Novel 

by Chris Bohjalian

Doubleday


The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle: A Novel 

by Jennifer Ryan

Ballantine Books


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