LibraryReads: January 2023

    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.... 

  

January 2023 LibraryReads List!

 

Georgie, All Along

By Kate Clayborn

Kensington

“When Georgie suddenly loses her job as a personal assistant, she heads home to her parents to regroup. While there, she comes across a teenage diary and uses it to explore her life. This is a sweet, fun novel about a genuine, competent person trying to discover her true self. For fans of The Authenticity Project.” 

--Julie Heckert, Orem Public Library, Orem, UT 

Novelist Readalike: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

All the Dangerous Things: A Novel

            By Stacy Willingham

            Minotaur Books

 “One year after Isabelle’s son was taken from his bedroom in the middle of the night, the police still have no suspects or any idea of what became of her boy. Even her ex-husband has moved on. The only thing Izzy knows for certain haunts her: Because she’s a chronic sleepwalker, did she have something to do with her child’s disappearance? For fans of Gilly Macmillan and Lisa Jewell.” 

 

--KC Davis, Fairfield Woods Library, Fairfield, CT

Novelist Readalike: Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

Back in a Spell  

By Lana Harper 

Berkley

 

“Witch Nina Blackmoore must decide who she is and what matters most when her rocky date with “normie” Morty Gutierrez results in a magical bond between the two. With solid pacing, tremendous feats of magic, and a sweet and passionate romance, this third installment of the Thistle Grove series will knock your socks off. For fans of Ann Aguirre.”  

 

--Shannon Collins, Upper Dublin Public Library, Fort Washington, PA 

 Novelist Readalike: A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass

Bad Cree: A Novel

By Jessica Johns

Doubleday

“When Mackenzie's nightmares start to bleed into her waking hours, she knows that she'll need to return to family to get the help she needs. First Nations author Johns creates a unique combination of cryptid terror and family strength in the face of horror and trauma. For readers of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Eden Robinson.”

--Erin Downey Howerton, Wichita Public Library, Wichita, KS

Novelist Readalike:  White Horse by Erika T. Wurth 

The Bandit Queens: A Novel

By Parini Shroff

Ballantine Books

"An amazing debut novel about a group of women  who are part of a micro-loan community in an Indian village. Everyone thinks Geeta has killed her no-good, rotten, abusive husband, so the other women want her to kill their husbands too. A story full of humor, pathos, and suspense."

 

--Ariel Zeitlin, Montclair Public Library, Montclair, NJ

Novelist readalike: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

The Duke Gets Even: A Novel

By Joanna Shupe

Avon

"The Duke of Lockwood is visiting America to find the perfect bride – rich and scandal free. Nellie is a wealthy heiress who purposefully ruined her reputation long ago.  Nellie uses her wealth to discreetly distribute contraceptives to women.The chemistry between Nellie and Lockwood is present from page one."  

--Katie Curry, Guyandotte Branch of Cabell County Public Library, Huntington, WV

Novelist readalike: Bombshell by Sarah McLean

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries: Book One of the Emily Wilde Series

By Heather Fawcett

Del Rey

"Grumpy professor Emily Wilde wishes that she did not have to 'people' while researching the first complete encyclopedia of faeries. However, a handsome rival and some quirky townsfolk conspire to crack open Emily’s well-guarded heart. Readers will be enchanted with the Fae and cantankerous narrator found in this fantasy tale, like a cozy version of the Lady Trent series.”

--Jenna Zarzycki, King County Library System, Covington, WA

            Novelist Readalike: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel

By Benjamin Stevenson

Mariner Books

”Ernie Cunningham writes books on how to write mystery novels for a living and is part of a family where everyone has killed someone. But the story of how and why is unraveled in the pages, and there's another murderer in the midst. The narration is perfect—a retrospective that includes lots of misdirection and breaking the fourth wall. A must-read for mystery fans."

--Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, Twinsburg, OH

Novelist readalike: Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts/Kate Racculia

Exes and O’s 

By Amy Lea
Berkley

"Tara Chen believes one of her 10 exes must be her true love, so she enlists new roommate Trevor to help her reconnect with all of them. Cleverly written with all the tropes found in romance novels, but especially second-chance romance. Recommended for anyone wanting a feel-good story with a delightful heroine and handsome love interest! For Jayci Lee and Jackie Lau fans."

Elizabeth Qualls, Blackwater Regional Library, Courtland, VA

Novelist Readalike: The Singles' Table by Sara Desai

The House in the Pines: A Novel

By Ana Reyes

Dutton

“Maya sees a viral video of a woman in a diner dropping dead while seated across from her boyfriend. Maya knows this man, Frank, as years ago her friend also died suddenly in front of him. Reyes keeps readers guessing, creating a wonderfully sinister undertone while enriching the suspense by incorporating elements of Guatemala’s history. For fans of Behind Her Eyes.”

--Blinn Sheffield, Greenwood-Leflore Public Library, Greenwood, MS 

Novelist Readalike: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

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 for more sure bet library worker favorites 

Exiles: A Novel

By Jane Harper

Flatiron Books

“Two unrelated crimes--one a disappearance, the other a hit and run-- collide when Aaron Falk  takes a vacation to serve as godfather at a christening. It is up to Falk to ferret out ugly truths hiding in plain sight. For those who enjoy a slow burn with a satisfying conclusion. Readers of the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger will appreciate this author.”

Lori Hench, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Novelist Readalike: The Searcher by Tana French

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun: A Novel

By Elle Cosimano

Minotaur Books

“Hip deep in trouble that just keeps getting deeper, Finlay and her nanny attend a citizen's police academy while trying to find out the true identity of EasyClean, the assassin who tried to kill her ex. New characters abound in this ongoing series, as does the non-stop zaniness.”

Cynthia Hunt, Amarillo Public Library, Amarillo, TX

Novelist Readalike: Sunshine Vicram series by Darynda Jones

How to Sell a Haunted House

By Grady Hendrix

Berkley

“When the reading of a will reveals that Louise’s family estate was left to her brother, known for sinking cash into get-rich-quick schemes, Louise protests, leading to a torrent of otherworldly happenings. Hendrix ramps up the tension until you feel like your nerves are guitar strings ready to snap.”

Stephanie McKenna, Horsham Township Library, Horsham, PA

            Novelist Readalike: The Shadow Glass by Joshua Winning

Just the Nicest Couple: A Novel

By Mary Kubica

Park Row

"Nina and Lily work together as teachers who socialize outside of work with their husbands, Jake and Christian. However, both marriages are less than perfect, and when Jake goes missing, his disappearance changes things for all of them. This is a fast and intriguing read, great for the beach or a lazy day in bed. " 

--Rachelle Kuzyk, Chandler Public Library, Chandler, AZ

Novelist Readalike: Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison

Lost in the Moment and Found

By Seanan McGuire

Tordotcom

"This newest novella in the Wayward Children series packs a huge emotional punch. After Antsy’s father dies, she becomes the target of a groomer. She runs away through a magical door to another world where lost things appear and magpies talk. Readers will root for this character who has lost so much yet still cares deeply for others. Hand this to fans of Roshani Choksi or Alix E. Harrow."

--Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, Milford, OH

Novelist Readalike: Greenhollow Duology by Emily Tesh

The Mitford Affair

By Marie Benedict

Sourcebooks Landmark

"The Mitford sisters are the toast of 1930s British high society, but scandal erupts when Diana has an extramarital affair with the leader of the British fascists, and Unity insinuates herself into Hitler's inner circle. Eldest sister Nancy, a novelist, is torn between keeping peace in the family and speaking out about her sisters' political activities. For fans of Karen Harper and Gill Paul."

--Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL

Novelist Readalike: The Bookseller's Secret by Michelle Gable

The Villa: A Novel

By Rachel Hawkins

St. Martin’s Press

"Mystery writer Emily reunites with her famous self-help guru friend Chess, who invites her to a beautiful Tuscan villa that was the scene of a brutal murder in the 70s. The story flashbacks to 1974, where Mari and her stepsister Laura try to create their own art while surrounded by a rock-star and his other guests. It had a great twist ending and evoked a gothic feel with tension in both timelines". 

--Kathie Jackson, Sunrise Mountain Library, Peoria, AZ

Novelist Readalike:  Home Before Dark by Riley Sager