Reminder: Library Journal's Day of Dialog Is Tomorrow and Not Only Will I Be There....So Will ARCs of My Book!

 

The next LJ DoD is coming up soon and it is going to be the first official step on my book promotion journey.

Join us April 17 for our Library Journal Day of Dialog virtual event! Spanning a variety of genres, this day-long program will offer an in-depth look at the biggest forthcoming books for summer/fall 2025. You’ll hear directly from top authors as they discuss their new titles, inspiration, process, and more.  

And don’t forget the virtual exhibit hall! Visit the booths to download free resources and chat with representatives.

EVENT HOURS: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET 

As Library Journal's Horror Review Columnist, I am often called upon to help with panels; however, this time they wanted me as an author! When thinking about which author to pair myself with for this event, I knew it had to be Alma Katsu. First, I am already reading her next book, FIEND, for my June 2025 column (review due 4/14). Second, at this moment in history, with her background working for our governments intelligence agencies, she knows real life horror. And third, check out the title of her essay in my book, "What You Can Learn from Horror: Don’t run from darkness; it’s trying to teach you a lesson."

Once we paired up, I was asked to come up with a title/theme of our 30 minute chat, and this is what I decided upon:

3:45 – 4:15 PM ET | Why We Need Horror
Join Award winning author Alma Katsu and Library Journal's Horror Review Columnist Becky Spratford as they discuss the importance of reading horror during the darkest times.

Alma and I are doing this live and with no concurrent panel. We will be talking about her upcoming book, FIEND and her essay in my upcoming book, WHY I LOVE HORROR. Both books will be available for download in the publisher's booths of the virtual exhibit hall. (PRH for her, S&S for me).

You read that correctly! You will be able to read my book. After finishing it I know you will be buying a copy for every building in your systems. LOL. Well, only a little. One of the best things about my book is that the cover (coming soon) is awesome (drawn by a talented horror artist) and between the cover and the title-- Why I Love Horror-- you simple put it out as the sign for all of your horror displays and fill in any and all horror books around it. (This also means you probably need more than one copy as well because people will grab it).

Okay enough shameless promotion. Here is more good news. Right before our conversation is the Horror panel:

2:25 – 3:15 PM ET | Nightmares Unleashed
From personal peril to historical hauntings, these horror novels will keep you up and keep you guessing.

Isabel Canas, The Possession of Alba Diaz (Berkley: Penguin Random House)
Jenny Kiefer, Crafting for Sinners (Quirk Books)
Leigh Radford, One Yellow Eye (Gallery Books: Simon & Schuster)
Sam Rebelein, Galloway's Gospel (William Morrow: HarperCollins)
Markus Redmond, Blood Slaves (Dafina: Kensington)
Moderator: Janee Jackson-Doering, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Iowa

A big thank you to Janee and her panel for getting everyone primed and ready for me and Alma.

But this day is not just about me or even horror. There is a full day of free events as well as a virtual exhibit hall. Click here to explore the program and use the tabes at the top of the page for more information.

Again all of this, everything that day, is FREE from April 17-July 17 for everyone who registers. Click here to get your spot reserved now. You can join us live or watch the recording for 3 full months.

LibraryReads: May 2025

    

 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 May 2025 list.... 

The Missing Half: A Novel

Ashley Flowers with Alex Kiester

(Bantam)

Nic has been messed up since her older sister went missing. Enter Jenna, who is searching for connections between her sister's disappearance and Nic's. They decide to work together to uncover what happened, but the deeper they get the harder it becomes. A twist ending completely turns the tables on this tightly written thriller.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

NoveList read-alike: Night Will Find You by Julia Haberlin

Now for the rest of the May 2025 list!

The Devils

Joe Abercrombie

(Tor Books)

In an alternative medieval Europe, a young monk is tasked to lead a disparate group of supernatural beings on a holy quest using very unholy methods. Abercrombie's endlessly quotable wit, deft character work, crackling dialog, and gift for large cinematic action set pieces are on full display. This novel about found families will absolutely draw in new readers.

—Gregg Winsor, Johnson County Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnson

One Golden Summer

Carley Fortune

(Berkley)

Alice is more comfortable behind a camera than living her life. When her Nan has surgery, Alice takes her for rest and relaxation at their favorite lake cottage. Alice falls for their handyman neighbor Charlie, who brings her out of her shell and lets her discover who she really is in this fun and flirty romance.

—Jacquie Daddato, Cherry Hill Public Library, NJ

NoveList read-alike: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Silver  Elite

Dani Francis

(Del Rey)

In a grim future, a military dictator sends forces after modified humans with psychic powers. Most have a tell when they use their powers. Wren wants revenge on those who destroyed her family, but she has a secret: she has powers, but no tell. Nonstop action, great world- building, and a blisteringly hot enemies-to-lovers romance make this a winner.

—Jayna McDaniel-Browning, Delaware Library, OH

NoveList read-alike: Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

The Names: A Novel

Florence Knapp

(Pamela Dorman Books)

This debut novel is told in three alternating storylines based on three different names that the main character could have been given at birth. What results is a beautiful and nuanced story of a family attempting to survive and overcome domestic abuse and forge their own identities in the process.

—Jessica Sweetland, Manchester Public Library, CT

NoveList read-alike: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

A Fate Forged In Fire: A Novel

Hazel McBride

(Delacorte Press)

Stakes are high for the kingdom of Tir Teine. A toxic influence looms in the form of the True Religion, a patriarchal group that condemns magic. Aemyra is fierce, headstrong, and unapologetically ambitious as she prepares to claim the throne. Fast action, romantic drama, mythical creatures, and the sinister allure of a dangerous cult will pull readers in.

—Marcie Fitzherbert, Fort Myers Regional Library, FL

NoveList read-alike: Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

Maine Characters: A Novel

Hannah Orenstein

(Dutton)

Two half-sisters meet for the first time at their father's lake house after his passing. Lucy and Vivian have led very different lives and knew very different versions of their dad. Readers will enjoy the characters, setting, and the twists and turns this story delivers.

Shelby, Thomas B. Norton Public Library, AL

NoveList read-alike: If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook

Can't Get Enough

Kennedy Ryan

(Forever)

Hendrix, a strong, intelligent Black woman, has big goals and no time for love. Then she meets billionaire Maverick, and everything changes. The characters are compelling and have strong chemistry. Ryan continues to excel at bringing big topics—in this case Alzheimer's and racism—to her romances.

—Laura, West Bloomfield Public Library, MI

NoveList read-alike: Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams

The Busybody Book Club 

Freya Sampson

(Berkley)

In this modern take on a classic small-town mystery, book club members get drawn into amateur sleuthing when money to repair the town's community center goes missing. The characters are well drawn and likable, the setting is cozy, and the motives are plentiful. The mystery twists and turns with several reveals leading to a satisfying conclusion.

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, OH

NoveList read-alike: The Mystery of the Crooked Man by Tom Spencer

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame

Neon Yang

(Tordotcom)

The tale of Yeva, a masked dragon slayer who has never felt truly at home, is both mythic and achingly human. Her journey to Quanbao sets the stage for an exploration of identity, duty, and love. The world building, storytelling, and representation has made Yang an author to watch in the realm of queer fantasy.

—Addy, Montrose Regional Library District, CO

NoveList read-alike: Singing Hills Cycle series by Nghi Vo

Board Bonus picks:

A Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love

Alice Murphy

(Union Square & Co.)

Notable Nonfiction: 

The AI Con: How to Fight Big  Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want

Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna

(Harper)

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.

My Friends: A Novel

Fredrik Backman

(Atria Books)

The Love Haters

Katherine Center

(St. Martin's Press)

Along Came Amor

Alexis Daria

(Avon)

Parents Weekeekend

Alex Finlay

(Minotaur Books)

Dream On, Ramona Riley

Ashley Herring Blake

(Berkley)

Detective Aunty: A Novel

Uzma Jalaluddin

(Harper Perennial)

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club:  A Novel

Martha Hall Kelly

(Ballantine Books)

The Tenant

Freida McFadden

(Poisoned Pen Press)

It's a Love Story

Annabel Monaghan

(Putnam)

Hidden Nature

Nora Roberts

(St. Martin's Press)

What Happens in Amsterdam

Rachel Lynn Solomon

(Berkley)

Run for the Hills

Kevin Wilson

(Ecco)

Join Me at the Library Insights Summit on Friday, June 27th in Philly (with coupon)

ALA Annual is a little over 2 months away and plans are starting to come together. I had my first meeting with my panel (details about that soon) and I finalized my appearance in the convention center (room tbd) on Friday, June 27th, to be a part of the Library Insights Summit. 

Registration is now open and I have a coupon for you. If you want to join us use the code FRIENDS30 for $30 off the ticket price. Click here to register now. Again, the exact room in which the event will be held is TBD but it will be in the convention center and it ends before the ALA opening session.

Here is the general information about the event:

Library Insights Summit 2025

Registration is now open! Keep checking back for event registration, speaker announcements, and more details.

Ticket Prices: $225 

A daylong conference focused on bringing publishers and librarians together to improve their business relationship, LIS discussion topics include improving metadata for title discovery, balancing digital and print book demand, collaborating on challenges faced by librarians, and marketing tactics for reaching both rural and urban systems. Two keynote speakers, lunch, and refreshments round out the day with plenty of time for networking.

LIS was conceived as a forum for publishing professionals to better understand and interact with librarians, to learn more about current collection development needs, and to network with other publishers to energize their ALA participation.

A separate morning track is designed to meet the needs of author publishers. Please provide demographic information during registration to maximize your participation.

Plan your ALA adventure in advance so that you can accommodate your booth set-up schedule around this can’t-miss event. Housing and registration for ALA is now open. The exhibit hall opens for set-up Thursday, June 26, from 8am-5pm, providing you with an alternative to booth building on the day of the LIS event.

Questions? Contact Tina at tvickery@heiexpo.com

Click here to see the full schedule of events.

Here is the information about the panel I am moderating:

 Library Challenges and How Publishers Can Help

Friday June 27, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT 

Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

This panel will discuss how publishers can offer librarians encouragement and support in the face of book bans, decreasing budgets, collection diversity impediments, technology advances, increasing data insight vs privacy concerns, and a more engaged community.

(Please note, as of this writing I have not been added to the website yet, but I have been confirmed.)

I have been working with the Independent Book Publishing Association over the last year (click here to listen to me talk to authors about getting their books into libraries). I believe in the work they are trying to do to connect publishers with libraries and I am thrilled to be a part of this full day of programming.

If you plan to be in town by Thursday night, this would be a great event to add to your schedule. 

I hope to see you there.