- 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.
Now let's get to the June 2025 list....
The Listeners: A Novel
Maggie Stiefvater
(Viking)
Joan is the manager of a resort hotel in West Virginia. Life is good until the U.S. is pulled into WWII and the hotel's only guests are detained Axis diplomats. While Joan is very good at keeping secrets, this adds strain on the staff. Readers who adored Stiefvater's YA books will welcome this historical fiction that reads like a classic spy thriller.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: In the Country of Others by Leila Slimani
Now for the rest of the June 2025 list!
Battle of the Bookstores
Ali Brady
(Berkley)
When their boss decides to merge their beloved bookstores, romance-reader Ryan and literary "Ice Queen" Josie vie for the title of bookstore manager. Readers will enjoy the witty banter, loveable cast of characters, spicy scenes, literary references, and the representation of the romance genre and romance bookstores as inclusive stories and places for anyone and everyone to find themselves.
—Dana Treichler, Princeton Public Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Love to Hate You by Marina Adair
King of Ashes
S.A. Cosby
(Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar)
The Carruthers are a family living with multiple secrets and the trauma of losing their mother while the siblings were still young. When Roman, the oldest brother, returns home after their father is in a terrible accident, he gets drawn into gang warfare trying to protect his family. This page-turner is full of secrets.
—Linda Quinn, Eastham Public Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Sins of Survivors by Underwood/McClean
The Witch Roads
Kate Elliott
(Tor Books)
Deputy courier Elen's journey across the Tranquil Empire in service to a haughty and haunted prince is a tale thick with political intrigue, family secrets, class hierarchy, dangerous escapes, and a deeply strange and touching friendship. Elliott captures the spirit of epic fantasy with a moving story, compelling characters, and a world full of ancient magic begging to be explored.
—James Ludy, New Canaan Library, CT
NoveList read-alike: Road to Ruin by Hana Lee
The Poppy Fields
Nikki Erlick
(William Morrow)
What if you could sleep your way through grief, but there was a chance you'd forget about the love you shared with a loved one? Four strangers make a trip to a remote sleep lab, each with a different reason for their journey. This touching novel is a tribute to the resilience of the human heart and the journeys we all must go through to heal.
—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ
NoveList read-alike: The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland
Meet Me at the Crossroads
Megan Giddings
(Amistad)
Seven mysterious doors suddenly appear in different places across the globe, and when they open, they appear to lead to new dimensions in the universe. Two Black twin sisters get caught in the mystery as one sees paradise while the other sees peril. A spellbinding story about the choices that can both bring us together and tear us apart.
—Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, IL
NoveList read-alike: Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
Kristin Harmel
(Gallery Books)
This dual-timeline WWII saga tells the story of a feisty young Parisian woman learning the family legacy of jewel thievery, taking from the undeserving wealthy to help those in need. Harmel brilliantly creates absorbing characters, harrowing scenes, and, ultimately, goodness in a tale full of twists, moral dilemmas, and the enduring power of forgiveness.
—Ron Block, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Best of Lupin by Maurice LeBlanc
The Summer We Ran: A Novel
Audrey Ingram
(Zibby Publishing)
This compelling romance alternates between two timelines, propelling the story along and driving readers to find out how Grant and Tess go from teenagers in love to gubernatorial candidates with opposing political views who haven't seen each other for 25 years. Secrets and complicated family dynamics make this a page-turning summer read.
—Amy Lapointe, Amherst Town Library, NH
NoveList read-alike: Same Time, Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
The Phoenix Pencil Company
Allison King
(William Morrow)
Monica is determined to reunite her beloved Grandmother Yun with her long-lost cousin after learning about her family's talent for imbuing ordinary pencils with extraordinary magic, capable of bringing memories to life. The way the author weaves together multiple generations and their intertwined stories creates a compelling saga spanning time and cultures
—Tamara English, Derby Public Library, KS
NoveList read-alike: A Thousand Times Before by Asha Thanki
So Far Gone
Jess Walter
(Harper)
A zany thriller about a former journalist whose two grandchildren suddenly arrive at his door after their
mother goes missing. He must then contend with the religious militia his son-in- law is involved in while
tracking down his daughter. A heartfelt story about feeling lost and burnt out—and finding a way forward and re-connecting.
—Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, WA
NoveList read-alike: The Horse by Willy Vlautin
Board Bonus picks:
Julie Tudor Is Not a Psychopath
Jennifer Holdich
(Sourcebooks Landmark)
Notable Nonfiction:
Bridget Crocker
See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks
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.
What Kind of Paradise: A Novel
Janelle Brown
(Random House)
The Ghostwriter
Julie Clark
(Sourcebooks Landmark)
Don't Let Him In
Lisa Jewell
(Atria Books)
The River Is Waiting
Wally Lamb
(Simon Element)
Murder Takes a Vacation
Laura Lippman
(William Morrow)
Sounds Like Love
Ashley Poston
(Berkley)
Atmosphere: A Love Story
Taylor Jenkins Reid
(Ballantine Books)
With a a Vengeance: A Novel
Riley Sager
(Dutton)
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
V. E. Schwab
(Tor Books)
Worth Fighting For: A Meant to Be Novel
Jesse Q. Sutanto
(Hyperion Avenue)
Kill Your Darlings
Peter Swanson
(William Morrow)
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