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Monday, May 15, 2023

LibraryReads: June 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.

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 the June 2023 list.... 



The Quiet Tenant: A Novel 
Clémence Michallon
Knopf

The entire town feels sorry for Aidan Thomas when his wife dies. But the mysterious woman staying in the house Aidan shares with his teenage daughter has seen a very different side of him … and knows her every move has life-or-death stakes. A great pick for thriller fans looking for a page-turner with strong female protagonists.

--Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL


And here is the rest of the June 2023 list

All the Sinners Bleed 
S.A. Cosby
(Flatiron Books)
As a Black sheriff in rural Virginia, Titus Crown is caught in political turmoil while a pedophile mass murderer runs amok. A brilliant perfectionist and former FBI agent, Titus ran for office to change things for the better, but can anything honestly change?

—Jill Minor, Washington County Public Library 
NoveList read-alike: When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash

The Brightest Star: A Novel 
Gail Tsukiyama 
(HarperVia)
This moving historical novel spotlights Chinese-American icon Anna May Wong, a talented and ambitious actress caught in a film industry that denied her the roles she was born to play, even as she was expected to teach white actresses how to "act Chinese".

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library
NoveList read-alike: Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

A Crown of Ivy and Glass
Claire LeGrand
(Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Gemma is the only person in her powerful family not to possess magic; in fact, she’s physically sickened by it. But when a dashing man tells her of a demonic curse, Gemma engages in a quest to find her tormentor. This is a sweeping, romantic fantasy with the promise of more to come.

—Mary Lovell, Seymour Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The First Ladies
Marie Benedict and
Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley)
An illuminating read about the unlikely friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune as both overcame obstacles pursuing equal rights during the Great Depression/WWII and formed a close relationship through their personal struggles.

—Debbie Lease, Hillsdale Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J. Edwards

A Most Agreeable Murder: A Novel
Julia Seales
(Knopf)

Beatrice has had enough of Regency societal rules about what is proper and loves true crime and Lord Huxley. When Huxley's former assistant shows up in her village, Beatrice immediately dislikes him. When another guest to the village is murdered, Beatrice helps the vile man solve the case. Much laughter is had on the way to personal freedom and autonomy.

—Michelle Ogden, Crawfordsville District Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

The Rachel Incident: A Novel
Caroline O'Donoghue (Knopf)

Rachel and James meet while working at a bookshop in Cork and decide to hold a book release event for Rachel's professor. Ten years later, a pregnant Rachel reflects on this time in her life and how it led her to where she is now. Capturing university life where friendships are strong, emotions are deep, and money is tight, this is a wonderful novel.

— Tara McGuinness, Cuyahoga County Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

Same Time Next Summer
Annabel Monaghan
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)

Sam and Wyatt have met up every summer since they were young and fall deeply in love. Even at their young age they know this love is forever. This starts out as a basic romance novel, but when something terrible happens to our two lovers, the writing changes, becoming more compelling and more nuanced.

—Judy G Sebastian, Eastham Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Every Summer After by Carly Fortune

The Seven Year Slip 
Ashley Poston 
(Berkley)

Suspend belief, forget logic, and don't ask questions, just go with the love in this romance set in a magical apartment. Clementine and Iwan fall in love and then lose each other in a seven- year time slip. Their lives are filled with good friends and family and eventually a happy ending.

—JR Ring, Baltimore County Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Impossible Us by Sarah Lotz

Bonus pick: Much Ado About 
Nada Uzma Jalaluddin (Berkley)

Notable Nonfiction: Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World
Christian Cooper (Random House)


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.

The Beach at Summerly: A Novel 
Beatriz Williams 
(William Morrow)

Emilia, who lives on Winthrop Island, becomes good friends with glamorous Olive when she arrives in 1946. But when Emilia helps an FBI agent capture a Russian spy, she must deal with the fallout eight years later. Williams writes great historical novels, and this well-researched story brings the Cold War to life.

— Beth Emmerling, Enoch Pratt Free Library 
NoveList read-alike: Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

The Five-Star Weekend 
Elin Hilderbrand 
(Little, Brown and Company)

When popular food blogger Hollis Shaw unexpectedly becomes a widow, she decides to move on by inviting four friends from different phases of life to spend an all-expenses paid weekend together. Hollis hires her daughter to film the weekend—which turns out to be full of secrets, deceptions, and surprises. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy novels about women’s friendships.

— Sandy Ruhmann, Allen Park Public Library 
NoveList read-alike: Hello, Sunshine by Laura Dave

Lady Tan's Circle of Women
Lisa See
(Scribner)

Inspired by a true story, this novel set in 15th century China follows Yunxian (Lady Tan) from her childhood to marriage and motherhood. She learns the art of medicine from her grandmother alongside Meiling, a midwife-in-training who becomes a close friend. After entering an arranged marriage, Yunxian is forbidden to apply her skills and knowledge to help other women. See’s description of this remarkable woman and her remedies will fascinate readers.

—Madeleine Felder, San Francisco Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Picture Bride by Kum-i Yi

Love, Theoretically
Ali Hazelwood
(Berkley)

Theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway works as both an adjunct professor and fake girlfriend. This works out fine until she has to contend with Jack Smith, the arrogant experimental physicist who is her professional enemy. Hazelwood makes it easy to get wrapped up in this science-based story with her relatable and witty characters. This is a quick and easy read; a good heartfelt book.

—Elisabeth Byers, Prairie du Chien Memorial Library
NoveList read-alike: Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery

Mortal Follies: A Novel
Alexis Hall
(Del Rey)

Maelys Mitchelmore thinks she is cursed, and every time something embarrassing, tragic, or downright terrifying happens, Lady Georgianna Landrake is right there. Rumor has it that Lady Georgianna is a wicked enchantress–is she behind the curse, or can she save Maelys from the spirits that plague her? A rollicking queer Regency romance featuring charming characters and a clever premise; ideal for fans of historical rom-coms.

—Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

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