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)

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.

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

What I'm Reading: 31 Days of Horror Eve Edition

Today is the last  day of September which means starting tomorrow over on the horror blog, 31 Days of Horror begins. I have quite a bit of exciting content planned throughout the month of October but to get you ready, here are 3 horror reviews that are appearing in the October 1, 2020 issue of Booklist to get you ready. 

First up a star for a library favorite series. And let me tell you, I do not often give a star for a third book in a series, but this one deserves it.

Red Hands

by Christopher Golden

Ben Walker Series

STAR REVIEW 

A car crashes into a small town parade, a sick man emerges, killing everyone he touches, instantly. As Maeve Sinclair rushes the man, he passes the deadly touch on to her, the magnitude of which she only learns by accidentally killing her mother and brother before escaping into the mountains. With this intense opening, imbued with a sense of dread that relentlessly ratchets upward throughout, Ben Walker, weird science expert/ US Government commando, is called back from the involuntary retirement he earned in The Pandora Room to tasked with neutralizing the situation by both capturing Maeve, alive, with warring operatives on his heels. While this is clearly a pivot in the series as Walker is on American soil, working with a different team, and instead of battling a recently unearthed ancient contagion, he is fighting one the government resurrected on purpose, the way the story unfolds is reminiscent of previous outings. The neck whipping action and shifting point of view allows the reader to easily gain a wide angle perspective on the complicated, terrifying situation, invoking maximum terror on every page. Golden also leaves room for his diverse cast of characters to develop and inhabit the story fully, adding in an uncomfortable realization that this fictional story is not too far from reality. For fans of horror-thriller series like those by Jonathan Maberry and Mira Grant.

Further Appeal: This is a pivot for the series, but a pivot that makes it better. Ararat and Pandora Room were both excellent but the format-- Walker goes overseas to stop an ancient evil from being literally dug  up, before it is unleashed upon the world-- would have gotten old a third  time around. This time, the ancient evil has been in US hands and is mistakenly unleashed. This shift added energy and immediacy to an already terrifying, fast paced story. It kept  it fresh and surprising.

Walker’s evolution as a character and a man, commando, father, and human, has also been a side plot of the series. He is a complicated man with a good heart who doesn't always make the right personal choices. He continues to grow and be developed in interesting ways by Golden. This is very important in any series. If the protagonist gets stagnant, the series can die. Not here.

This is why I gave this book a star ultimately-- it invokes maximum terror on every page. Golden wrings it out of his prose but it also seems effortless. That effortless ability was amazing to watch unfold on the page. And the diverse cast of characters is standard for this series but Golden goes a step further and fleshes out all of the characters without sacrificing plot. For example, the baby sister and older scientist could have both been sidekicks or after thoughts, but they are so important to the plot and the emotion of the story. Golden gives their development the attention they deserve.

Three Words That Describe This Book: fast paced, terrifyingly realistic, intriguing frame

Readalikes: I mentioned 2 of the best horror-thriller series writers above, but tile in particular is a great choice for people who enjoyed The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson and Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay, click on titles to see my reviews of those titles with even more readalike options.

Halloween Season: Stories

By Lucy Snyder

Oct. 2020. 166p. Raw Dog Screaming, $14.95  (9781947879218). 
First published September 1, 2020 (Booklist). 

Snyder, a master at crafting visceral and unsettling stories that deeply probe Lovecraftian horror and dark fantasy, is back with a Halloween themed collection of 13 stories and two poems, perfectly packaged for library patrons.The volume opens with the visceral poem “Beggar’s Night,” which instantly creates an immersive sense of dread, setting the precise unnerving tone for what is to follow- character driven tales, intense emotions, with the threat of violence lurking behind every corner. Three stories in particular illustrate the range of stories and feelings readers can expect to experience. “Cosmic Cola,” a Lovecraftian homage; a cinematic tale of an annual corporate Halloween Eve party that is not as festive for the guests as it is for the hosts. “The Porcupine Boy,” the story of a young man running a medical advocate company, manages to walk the line between horrifying and oddly sweet without missing a beat. “In the Family” is an intense monologue that sucks the reader in, builds sympathy, and then yanks it away with one evil twist, a twist for which there is no escape. With a stunning cover sure to lure in readers during the haunting season, Snyder’s collection is the perfect compliment for fans of the book and now HBO series, Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, as well as a solid suggestion for readers of her cosmic horror peers such as John Langan and Caitlin Kiernan.

Further Appeal: I think I captured the range of what to expect, but I also want to say that the range of gore, terror, and violence is also all over the map here- from subtle to escalating to intense to in your face.

I also wanted to share my note I took when reading the story Cosmic Cola: "This is awesome, cosmic horror goodness!" I want a sequel to this one.

This is a must purchase collection that can be read all year long, but should definitely be popular every October. And the cover is perfect for displays. It is by Lynne Hansen who I invited to participate the horror blog-a-thon.

Three Words That Describe This Book: immersive, Lovecraftian, uncomfortable 

Readalikes: I have three above, but really any critically acclaimed, horror story collection by a single author are a good choice here. I do think Karen Russell and Lauren Beukes have excellent horror adjacent collections that will also work.

And last  but definitely not least...

The Children of Red Peak 

by Craig DiLouie

Nov. 2020. 400p. Redhook, paper, $16.99  (9780316428132); e-book, $9.99 (9780316428118). First published October 1, 2020 (Booklist).

Bram Stoker Award nominated DiLouie [Suffer the Children] returns with a heart wrenching, thought provoking and terrifying tale about the meaning of life. In 2005, members of a religious cult committed suicide on top of Red Peak. Five children were the only survivors. But when the authorities rescued them, there were no bodies to be found...anywhere! Now as the 15th anniversary of this mysterious event approaches, one survivor commits suicide, forcing the others, and their unhealed, psychological wounds, back together. Told from the alternating perspectives of 3 survivors, both in the present and with flashbacks to their days living in “The Family” as children, a stylistic choice that provides the necessary background details, even illustrating the same events from different perspectives, all without sacrificing a compelling and steadily increasing pace that builds relentlessly until each is forced to confront their trauma in a climax that is both beautiful and terrifying. Utilizing true crime tropes and introducing historical, supernatural intrigue surrounding the mountain itself, DiLouie creates more than a typical “cult” thriller. This is an emotionally devastating, yet ultimately hopeful horror story about trauma, the healing power of love, family, and friendship, and the unexplainable forces, with unknownable motives, that surround us all. A great choice for fans of The Only Good Indians by Jones, Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Tremblay or The Hunger by Katsu.

YA Statement: Teens will be fascinated by the story of a religious cult through the eyes of it’s tween and teen members. The overall themes of friendship, family, and overcoming adversity will also resonate with them.

Further Appeal: I feel like the marketing materials are not fair to this book, it is so much more complex and satisfying than a story of cult consequences. It is a book that is about faith more than anything else. And the ending was beautiful and terrifying, at the same time. Also about the ending, it is an open ending in the best kind of way. Open because the 4 survivors each make a different choice for different reasons, and each are correct for them, while not telling us if the supernatural force is good or evil. Furthermore, I don't think it matters, the book is still horror even if the force on the mountain is good.

I loved the way the story is structured, with the different povs and how they overlapped both in the present and the past. The growth of the characters is enhanced because we see them through their own eyes and the eyes of the others, both now and in the past. But also, the way DiLouie clusters chapters together with the same pov for a few chapters, then just when you are fully sucked in there is a cliff hanger for that character, but the thread is picked up with another pov. It keeps you reading, it adds detail, and keeps it all interesting because the characters are all so different. And then it all compresses as we race to the top of the mountain and the story’s conclusion.

Finally, the introduction of the cursed history of the place helped to enhance the dread and terror. I mean, we know that everyone but these survivors died, so the tone is clearly full of dread, but somehow, this "it happened multiple times before and since" true crime added element was a good addition.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Beautiful, Terrifying, Religious Cults

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Readalikes: I listed only horror readalikes but this book has wide cross over appeal. For example, A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash or Joyce Carol Oates as well as true crime about cults.

Library Reads: September 2019

Today is Library Reads 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 Library Reads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any Library Reads 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 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.

Also, the Library Reads Board has also started another great book discovery and suggestion tool for you, a monthly What We're Reading column. This means there are even more library worker approved titles, new and old, for you to choose from. 

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.

Also, please remember to click here for my Library Reads 101 recap for everything you need to know about how to participate. And click here to see a database of eligible diverse titles sorted by month. 

September 2019 LibraryReads

Don’t miss the September 2019 Hall of Fame Winner! Scroll down or visit the Hall of Fame page.

Red at the Bone: A Novel

by Jacqueline Woodson

Published: 9/17/2019 by Riverhead Books
ISBN: 9780525535270

“A rich, multigenerational weaving of two families, starting at Melody’s coming-of-age party. She wears the dress her mother didn’t get to wear because she was pregnant with Melody at the time. Alternating narration moves forward and backward in time, reflecting on family, desire, identity, and parenthood. For fans of Jesmyn Ward and Brit Bennett.”

Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, Yakima Valley, WA
NoveList Read-alike: Third Girl from the Left by Martha Southgate

Bringing Down the Duke

by Evie Dunmore

Published: 9/3/2019 by Berkley Jove
ISBN: 9781984805683

“Oxford student Annabelle is knee deep in the suffragette movement. The Duke is wary of supporting a cause not in the crown’s best interest, but can’t deny his attraction to Annabelle. A well-done version of the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. Perfect for fans of Juliana Gray and Amanda Quick.”

Amanda Brill, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC 
Novelist Read-alike: Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner

Don’t You Forget About Me

by Mhairi McFarlane

Published: 9/10/2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN: 9780062958464

“Aspiring writer Georgina, broke and a mess, gets a job at a bar owned by Lucas, whose heart she broke in high school. This fresh, funny story has just the right amount of sexual tension, and well-developed, relatable characters. A must-read for rom-com fans of Jane Green and Mary Kay Andrews.”

Theresa Bond, Middlesex Public Library, Middlesex, NJ 
NoveList Read-alike: One Day in December by Josie Silver

The Dutch House

by Ann Patchett

Published: 9/24/2019 by Harper
ISBN: 9780062963673

“For siblings Danny and Maeve, the Dutch house is much more than a structure. It is the bones of their family, a symbol connected to love, loss, achievement, and abandonment. They are connected to this house all their lives, even after being flung out of it. For fans of Anne Tyler and Anna Quindlen.”

Kelly Currie, Delphi Public Library, Delphi, IN
NoveList Read-alike: The Turner House by Angela Flournoy

The Long Call

by Ann Cleeves

Published: 9/3/2019 by Minotaur Books
ISBN: 9781250204448

“In this new series, the introspective detective Matthew Venn of Devon and his team search for an itinerant worker’s murderer. Connections emerge to Venn’s estranged parents’ religious community and his partner’s workplace. A solid, almost cozy British mystery for fans of Kate Atkinson and Elly Griffiths.”

Carol Melichar, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL
NoveList Read-alike: Reverend Clare Fergusson mysteries by Julia Spencer-Fleming

No Judgments

by Meg Cabot

Published: 9/24/2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN: 9780062890047

“Bree moves to the Florida Keys after a devastating breakup. When a hurricane threatens to wipe out the town, she refuses to evacuate and scrambles to protect the pets her neighbors were forced to leave behind. I don’t know if Little Bridge Island is a real place or not but it officially has a place in my heart. For contemporary romance fans like Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.”

Amber Greenwood, Edgewood Public Library, Edgewood, MD 
NoveList Read-alike: First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan

The Secrets We Kept: A Novel

by Lara Prescott

Published: 9/3/2019 by Knopf
ISBN: 9780525656159

“Inspired by a true story of Dr. Zhivago. Pasternak had finished his controversial novel and needed to get it out of Russia to be published. A CIA agent posing as a typist is trained by another female operative and the two work to save the Cold War masterpiece. For readers who enjoyed The Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews andSweet Tooth by Ian McEwan.”

Mamie Ney, Auburn Public Library, Auburn, MA 
NoveList Read-alike: The Zhivago Affair: The Kremlin, the CIA, and the Battle Over a Forbidden Book by Peter Finn and Petra Couvee

This Tender Land

by William Kent Krueger

Published: 9/3/2019 by Atria Books
ISBN: 9781476749297

“Odie and company escape a sadistic boarding school and travel through Depression-era America, meeting angels, devils– and everyone in between–along the way. It’s like Huck Finn and friends meet the Odyssey. For fans of Wiley Cash’s This Dark Road to Mercyand Louise Erdrich’s The Round House.

Lori Hench, Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore, MD
NoveList Read-alike: 99 Nights in Logar by Jamil Jan Kochai

The Water Dancer: A Novel

by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Published: 9/24/2019 by One World
ISBN: 9780399590597

“A gorgeous novel blending historical fiction and magical realism to create a powerful portrait of the people who made up the Underground Railroad. For readers who enjoyed Beloved by Toni Morrison and She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore.”

Mara Bandy-Fass, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
NoveList Read-alike: Kindred by Octavia Butler

Well Met

by Jen DeLuca

Published: 9/3/2019 by Berkley Jove
ISBN: 9781984805386

“Emily has been through a rough patch and needs a new start. Where better to start than a small town that puts on a Ren Faire every year. At first she thinks it’s silly, but a handsome pirate soon changes her mind. For fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.”

Michelle Herring, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL 
NoveList Read-alike: Hard Day’s Knight by Katie Macalister

_______________________________________________________________

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?

by Caitlin Doughty

Published: 9/10/2019
by W.W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393652703

“Mortician Doughty’s latest explores everything you always wanted to know about death but were afraid to ask. From learning why corpses change color to whether you could preserve yourself in amber, readers who enjoy asking weird and wild questions will love this book.”

Erin Manning, Westlake Porter Public Library, Westlake, OH 

Read-alikes:

Stiff by Mary Roach
What If? by Randall Munroe
True or Poo? by Nick Caruso
Quackery by Lydia Kang