It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All
- I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.
New in February 2023-- a bonus pick with an annotation by a LibraryReads Board member. See this month's pick at the end of this post. It also appears on the PDF list for printing and displaying at your library.
Now let's get to that list.... featuring a top pick to which I already have given a STAR in Booklist.
Justin Cronin
(Ballantine Books)
In a world where people don't die but are ferried away to be regenerated into a 16-year-old with no memories, Proctor is responsible for making sure the "retirees" go without a fuss. But he is quickly drawn into a mystery at the heart of their society. The multi-layered quality moves this from a poignant story into thriller, into world-exploring science fiction.
—John Sloan, Chicago Public Library
Saha by Nam-Ju Cho
Chain Gang All Stars: A Novel
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
(Pantheon)
In a near-future America, prisoners can opt into a gruesome program of death matches against other prisoners. Their lives are broadcast to a bloodthirsty public, and they can win their freedom if they kill enough opponents. The novel employs an effective series of rotating narrators to tell all sides of this story, forcing us to look at how we dehumanize prisoners.
-Laura Bovee, Chicopee Public Library
NoveList Read-alike: Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue DeConnickThe Guest: A Novel
Emma Cline
(Random House)
Alex is coasting through life on the grace and credit card of her older boyfriend for the summer. She can’t return to the city now that her roommates want nothing to do with her, and her friends have all disappeared. There is nothing she won't do, and no one she won't manipulate, to get what she needs: a bit more time. Perfect for fans of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library
NoveList read-alike: Luster by Raven Leilani
Mary Beth Keane
What happens when your current life doesn't match your expectations? That's what's happening with Malcom and Jess. The married couple thought things would be easier, but life keeps throwing curveballs at them. Over the course of a blizzard, they are forced to reckon with their decisions and determine if they can move forward on a different path.
NoveList read-alike: Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Michelle Gagnon
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Amber has very strong opinions about people who fall prey to serial killers and is sure that being savvy and street smart will keep her safe. Until she is taken by a serial killer, and her life becomes a hot mess. This quirky, snarky book reads like Janet Evanovich teamed up with Stephen King.
— Linda Quinn, Fairfield Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Practice Makes Perfect: A Novel
Sarah Adams
(Dell)
A sweet Kentucky florist looking for love asks her sister-in-law’s bodyguard to help her sass up after a date accuses her of being too boring. With wonderful characters, this cute romance is a great second installment in the When in Rome series.
NoveList read-alike: The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas
Samantha Irby
(Vintage)
If you haven't already read Irby: 1) Who are you and how do you live? 2) This is a perfect time to start. Reading her relatable essays feels like hanging out with an older sister who doesn't sugarcoat the awkward parts of life and helps you recognize you’re not the only one faking your way through adulthood.
NoveList read-alike: She's Nice Though by Mia Mercado
Patti Callahan Henry
(Atria)
A poetic tribute to the power of story. Exploring the lifelong effects of the horrors of war, the richly developed characters endure loss that haunts them into adulthood. When a mysterious book appears, it sets in motion a search for answers, making sense of the past, and healing of broken hearts.
NoveList read-alike: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Meg Shaffer
(Ballantine Books)
In this magical tale, a beloved children’s author announces a tantalizing game: four fans can compete to win the only copy of his new book. All the contestants are intriguing, but readers will root for Lucy, a teacher’s aide desperate to find the money needed to adopt an orphaned boy.
— Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Martha Wells
(Tordotcom)
Kai, the eponymous (and erroneously named) Witch King, traverses two timelines as he helps overthrow an empire and then has to deal with the descendants of heroes who live long enough to become villains. A very fun, tightly plotted epic fantasy with spectacular worldbuilding and pacing.
— Veronica Koven-Matasy, Boston Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
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 the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order.
Steven Rowley
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)
This story of four lifelong friends going through the challenges of middle age will make the reader feel like they know each character intimately by the end. And even when tragic events occur, there is still humor and a lot of heart. Highly recommended for readers looking for a light read with emotional depth.
NoveList read-alike: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Liv Constantine
(Bantam Books)
After her husband was murdered, Sloane never expected to find happiness, but she did...with Whit, who was married to her husband’s killer. Whit considerately hires an aide for Sloane, who has a chronic illness, to help her recover from major surgery. But as she suffers debilitating flare-ups and Whit exhibits suspicious behavior, Sloane wonders whether she will ever get her life back. This thriller will keep readers up well after bedtime.
NoveList read-alike: The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
Christina Lauren
(Gallery Books)
Romance author Felicity (Fizzy) Chen is asked by documentary filmmaker Connor Prince to find her “Golden Match” on a reality dating show. Readers will love seeing the dynamic between Fizzy and Connor grow through both their perspectives. Fun and light, this is perfect for Bachelor/Bachelorette fans.
NoveList read-alike: The Charm Offensive by Allison Cochrun
R. F. Kuang
(William Morrow)
Kuang hits it out of the park with eviscerating observations on the publishing world. She asks astute and provoking questions: Who gets to succeed in publishing? Why can we only have a few writers of color in a publisher’s docket at a time? Who gets to call out these transactions and does cancel culture hold the transgressors responsible? As a biracial reader, this hit home, particularly the way it ends with the question: What is the point of writing the great American novel if you’ve manipulated, exploited, and fetishized people of color to get there? An excellent example of women's work that expresses anger, which is still rarely shown in contemporary fiction.
NoveList read-alike: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
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