LibraryReads: August 2024

         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 the August 2024 list.... 

House of Glass

Sarah Pekkanen

(St. Martin's Press)

Best interest attorney Stella Hudson is assigned as counsel for nine-year-old Rose during the family’s custody case. Working with the child—mute after witnessing the tragic death of her nanny—Stella begins to uncover something quite sinister and so unnerving that it may put her own life in jeopardy. This suspenseful, thrilling novel is perfect for fans of The Push by Ashley Audrain.

—KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador

NoveList read-alike: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

Now for the rest of the August 2024 list!

You're the Problem, It's You
Emma R. Alban
(Avon)

The one thing Bobby and James agree on is that the other is infuriating. When the two are blackmailed, they have to work together to protect their reputations and their new feelings for each other. This found family story showcases the unconditional love between the varied cast of characters while playful hijinks bring a positive, uplifting tone to a subject matter that can be harrowing. A heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance.

—Sabrina White, Middletown Township Public Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Lucky Lovers of London series by Jess Everlee

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
P. Djèlí Clark
(Tordotcom)

Clark's novella, set in a new fantasy world, features a well-crafted conundrum in which Eveen the Eviserator is sent on a mission to kill a younger version of herself. This tale is filled with gods and assassins, Clark's trademark wit, and fascinating characters.

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI
NoveList read-alike: The Perfect Assassin by K.A. Doore

Strange Folk
Alli Dyer
(Atria Books)

Lee moves her children from their sterile life in California to the small Appalachian town where she grew up. The children discover the literal magic rooted in their ancestral homestead. With an unreliable narrator and a pace that never lets go, this impressive debut novel is about the love one feels for family and how to reconcile that with the deeply flawed human beings they might be.

—Katherine Hunnicutt, Naperville Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece

Morbidly Yours
Ivy Fairbanks
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)

Irish mortician Callum has to find a wife, or he can’t inherit. Lark is a widow vacationing next door who doesn’t want to find love again for herself but agrees to help Callum find a wife. Of course, love is right in front of them! Readers will enjoy this slow-burn Grumpy/Sunshine romance.

—Kista Black, Cabell County Public Library, WV
NoveList read-alike: The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America
Amanda Jones
(Bloomsbury)

Part memoir, part manifesto, this inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of the culture wars is recommended for any teacher, librarian, or friend of libraries. This detailed account of being targeted by censors sheds light on the tactics of those who seek to force their narrow world view on everyone else.

—Karen Troutman, LibraryReads Ambassador
NoveList read-alike: On Censorship by James LaRue

The Break-Up Pact
Emma Lord
(St. Martin's Griffin)

June and Levi have been friends for many years, but have long since gone their separate ways. This wholesome and spicy story of long-lost friendship, loss, and healing is unraveled with witty banter, viral internet videos, and everyone taking steps out of their comfort zones. A perfect summer read!

—Kacey Wurster, Martin County Library-Fairmont, MN
NoveList read-alike:The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

Magical Meet Cute
Jean Meltzer
(MIRA/HTP Books)

When Faye comes back from a failed dating event at her synagogue to find her neighborhood littered with antisemitic fliers, she feels hopeless and ends up drunkenly making a golem. The next day, she hits a man with her bike, giving him amnesia. But is he a man, or did she conjure a golem? Readers will love the characters and enjoy learning about Jewish magic.

—Esther Petrushka, Queens Public Library-Corona, NY
NoveList read-alike: Dream On by Angie Hockman

The Truth According to Ember
Danica Nava
(Berkley)

Ember aspires for a better job than her current dead-end one. After repeated failure, she lies by writing "White" on her resume instead of "Native American," landing her the job. But now she can’t stop lying, even when she meets the hot IT guy at the office. With heartfelt storylines about family and identity, this steamy debut rom-com is a must-read.

—Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library
NoveList read-alike: Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu

Lady Macbeth: A Novel
Ava Reid
(Del Rey)

In this reimagining of the tragic play, Lady Macbeth is a witch who can cast a spell on any man with merely a glance. Reid's lush and captivating writing stays true to the central themes of power and gender politics while creating complex characters. Lady Macbeth is not just manipulative, but a survivor in a brutal patriarchal world.

—Rummanah Aasi, Skokie Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Learwife by J.R. Thorp

Board Bonus picks:

After Oz: A Novel
Gordon McAlpine
(Crooked Lane Books)

Notable Nonfiction:

I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine
Daniel J. Levitin
(W.W. Norton & Co.)

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

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.

Haunted Ever After
Jen DeLuca
(Berkley)

A Sorceress Comes to Call
T. Kingfisher
(Tor Books)

The Pairing
Casey McQuiston
(St. Martin's Griffin)

The Seventh Veil of Salome
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
(Del Rey)

By Any Other Name: A Novel
Jodi Picoult
(Ballantine Books)

Dark Restraint
Katee Robert
(Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Find out more at www.LibraryReads.org/HOF