Summer Scares Booklist Webinars and Podcasts Are LIVE

 

Click here to get to the
Summer Scares Resource page

One of the best things about the Summer Scares partnership with Booklist Magazine is that they support us getting the message out about the program to the larger library world for all age levels of service. 

They have committed to providing introductions to titles and their authors in three FREE webinars (one for each age group) and an overview of the entire program via their Self Care podcast. And all of it is tied to the release of our amazing Programming Guide, always in early March, which they promote heavily in everything they do.

We have seen an untick in libraries doing Summer Scares because of their wide reach. This support at the start of each new season of titles is huge. 

So today, I want to take a moment to thank the entire team at Booklist (Grace, Julia, and Susan specifically for doing the heavy lifting). These three webinars and the podcast take a lot of work to appear as seamless as they are, and I anted to make sure they are presented all together. 

I have updated the resource page but I also wanted to alert my readers that everything is ready for you to start planning your Summer Scares.

Please give the webinars and podcast a listen/watch.  And thank you Booklist for being such a wonderful partner in Summer Scares.

• Booklist hosts a series of webinars with each set of 3 authors and the recordings will all be FREE to view. Links below to access them all.
• 2025 MG authors in conversation with Julia Smith, Senior Editor, Books for Youth
• Live on 3/10/25 at 2pm eastern
• click here to view
• 2025 YA authors in conversation with Kendare Blake, Author and 2025 Summer Scares Spokesperson
• Live on 3/20/25 at 2pm eastern
• click here to view
• 2025 Adult authors in conversation with Becky Spratford, Co-Chair HWA Library Committee
• Live on 3/24/25 at 2pm eastern
• click here to view
• Click here to see all of the videos from this year and year's past
• Listen to Committee members and some librarians who use Summer Scares in their libraries talk about the program in general and this year's selected titles on Booklist's Shelf Care
• Episode 41 of Shelf Care
• Past episodes of Shelf Care featuring Summer Scares: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021.

Click here to access all of the Shelf Care podcasts 
including Episode 41.

It’s time for Summer Scares, and the popular horror-reading program is in fine form again. Shelf Care host Susan Maguire spoke to librarian Becky Spratford, author Kendare Blake, and Booklist’s Julia Smith about this year’s selections for adult, teen, and middle-grade readers; transgressive horror; and Hellmouth Pokémon, as you do. She also spoke to Jocelyn Codner and Carina Stopenski, both of the Horror Writers Association’s Library Advisory Council, about the Summer Scares program guide, why libraries should serve horror readers, and what they’re reading and loving.

Click through for the show notes including MANY links. 

LJ's Audio In Depth Column and Other Useful Audio Book Review Resources To Help you Insert Yourself Into Your Patrons Digital Audio Discovery Processes

The March Issue of Library Journal has increased audio coverage here.

Easy access to the Starred reviews in general and each genre access. 

If you scroll down there is also access to a brand new survey by LJ, SLJ, and APA that confirms the dominance of digital audio. Click here for the summary which also has access to the full report at the bottom. Anyone who helps any reader, no matter which formats they prefer, needs to read this report.

(Reminder, earlier this month I had a post about digital audiobooks here. It is a great re-read after this post today)

Finally, LJ runs these Audio in Depth columns in 4 issues a year, March, June, September, and December. When you scroll down they have easy access to the backlist of columns going back to 2022, all with one click.

Backlist access to these duo reviews is key because often, audio books come out AFTER the book releases, and sometimes, there is an audio that we don;t have at first, but then the book gets popular, so finding a review to go back and check to see if we can add it is important.

Also while we are on the subject of audio book resources, please keep AudioFile Magazine book marked at all times or sign up for their newsletter. This is THE best audio book resource. You can search by narrator and genre. You can see their starred reviews which they call "earphone awards." Everything is easy to search and access with keywords or through their excellent drop down menus. Again, click here.

All signs point to the exploding popularity of digital audiobooks. I have been writing about it a lot. I need you to understand though that even if you aren't the one purchasing these, or your main job is helping at the desk of the physical library, you still need to know about the options. Many of your patrons are searching on their own from their phones to find titles. They are not asking for the help they would in person because they are not in the library when checking e-audio books out.  

You need to be more proactive about making lists of great audiobooks by appeal, having QR codes in the stacks or on your displays to send people to Libby for more titles (or to those lists), and just talking about the fact that you can help people find audio books that they will enjoy just like you help them find print books. Add it to your talking points at the desk. Have staff ask about audiobooks when helping readers. Put it in your newsletters and on your social media. 

Just make sure you are including digital audio books in your general RA conversations. They are listening with or without your help. Why not insert yourself into their discovery processes. It will make their experience better, allow you a chance to gather some data about what they are most enjoying to help you craft better collections in all formats, and just like all RA-- it will show your patrons how useful you are in helping them find a great read for their limited leisure time. The more we insert ourselves into their discovery processes, the more indispensable we become.

Library Journal's Day of Dialog Is Coming April 17th and Not Only Will I Be There....So Will ARCs of by 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.

Stop What You Are Doing and Talk to Your Patrons About the Proposed IMLS Cuts Today!

Back in December I had this post, "Who We Are, What We Do, and Why-- Make a Commitment to Do Better in 2025." Well stop making excuses for why you haven't done it yet because I am here to give you a script and action step to pass on to your patrons.

 

Here is the bad news straight from ALA's Show Up For Libraries:

Trump’s Trying to Gut Libraries: Fight Back with ALA

Late on Friday, March 14, President Trump issued an executive order attempting to dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Millions of people rely every day on library services and programs supported by IMLS. Now we need YOU to show up for our libraries.

Okay here is what you do with this information-- you share it and how to act with your friends, family and patrons in emails and by handing out QR codes to go directly to the ALA one-click campaign above. This link goes directly to the page for the ALA's "Show Up for Libraries" page. All people have to do is give their name and address and an email is created for ALL of their federal reps. It takes a few seconds. 

That is the least you can do. But if you can, write emails too. Here is an article from my library system with the language you can put in an email to your friends and colleagues. It explains the situation very clearly to a non library person audience. Cut and paste whatever parts you would like. There are multiple action steps listed there. It gives people a chance to interact with this advocacy campaign in the way that is right for them.

I know all of these actions are easy and work because I send a few of these emails a month, for every issue that ALA asks me to send for. But they are used to ME, sending emails. What about you? What about your patrons? 

At my library board last night, I told my fellow board members that it is our duty to spread the word about this to those who are not as connected to libraries as we are.

Today, I am directly asking you, my readers, wherever you live in America to get 10 people in your networks to click through and spend 30 seconds to get an email sent to all of their federal reps. And ask them to get 10 people to do it as well. I already did it, so there is no reason you cannot.

There is a chance to personalize the standard message if people want to, but honestly, flooding as many federal reps as possible as often as possible, in as many districts as possible, is our goal. Since I have a national platform, I am using it to help encourage you to do a simple local action.

I want you to target not only your friends and family, but also your patrons.

If your library tells you that you cannot talk about this at work-- a reality especially in states where the ALA is banned-- do it passively. Make those QR codes and hand them out. In the library, at the grocery store, when you see friends, ask them to use them and then pass on to someone else. Remind people that we need as many people as possible to do this-- en mass.

Again, no excuses that you don't know what to say. Here is an article from my library system. It has the language you can put in an email to your friends and colleagues. Cut and paste whatever parts you would like. There are multiple action steps listed there.

If you can't stand up for Libraries, you shouldn't work in one.

And, quite honestly, if you cannot figure out a way to solicit others to help act, I am not sure you should read this blog anymore.

Becky's Annual Update of the Genre Slides

Once a year I do a major overhaul of my Demystifying Genres Program. This happens after I have done my assessment of the biggest trends and issues from the year before-- around February. (I also do a smaller update in the Fall.) This is no small task. I spend a good 16 hours on creating this updated version of the program each year. 

Because the beginning of the year is also when I begin multi-month training programs with library systems, this means the first time I give the overhauled version of this program is usually in March. Today is that day! 

Before we get to that, here is the program description:

Demystifying Genre: Nothing is scarier than trying to help a fan of a genre you yourself don’t enjoy. You want to help that, for example, Romance reader, find the perfect book, but you are having trouble knowing where to begin because...eek!... you don’t read Romance. You are afraid they will find out you are a fraud. How can YOU possibly help THEM?!? Don't fret. In this program, Readers’ Advisory expert, Becky Spratford, will teach you the basic appeals of the major genres, give you the inside track on what a fan of that genre is most drawn to, and provide you with talking points to get your genres readers to tell you what they want. This program focuses on providing you with a diverse and inclusive list of up-to-date authors; only living authors will be discussed. You will leave this session with the confidence and skill to help fans of every genre, regardless of whether or not you have ever read a book in that genre yourself. And that will leave a trail of happy patrons in your wake.

Click here or on the image of the title slide below to see the latest version of this program. WIth those slides, you will have access to a list of trends, appeal factors, and important titles for each genre for adults and teens. There are NO dead authors and the titles are all at least 1 year old. I also hold myself accountable and do a diversity audit of the slides AFTER I make them.

I pack a lot of info in to this presentation and am very clear that it cannot be presented in fewer than 75 mins. 90 minutes is best, especially when it is offered as part of my very popular 3 month training program (details here). When I offer this program as the final webinar in a three month training program, the learning which has been building month to month, comes full circle.

While I am always doing one-off programs for libraries (click here for my current schedule), my three month program for larger systems and entire states is my favorite ( again, details here). The most popular time to offer these programs is between January and May and again between September and December. If you want to book me for Fall 2025, now is the time. With my book coming out, I cannot take on more than 4, 3 month contracts. Click here to contact me.

Reminder that all of the latest version of my slides for every program are always available here.

Click here to access the slides

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones is Out TODAY and I Don't Think You Will Read a Better Book in Any Genre This Year

Today I am reporting my STAR review of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones which originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of Booklist.

I need to be very clear here, as I said in the title for this post, you will NOT read a better book in any genre this year. I know people think I am biased because I love Jones' work but let me remind you of my track record here. The last time I said this about a book by SGJ was when I read The Only Good Indians and just look at the range of awards that book won:

Literary awards

Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel (2020), Locus Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel (2021), World Fantasy Award Nomineefor Best Novel (2021), Shirley Jackson Award for Novel (2020), Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science Fiction, Fantasy & Speculative Fiction (Ray Bradbury Prize) (2020), ALA Alex Award (2021), British Fantasy Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel (August Derleth Award) (2021), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Horror (2020), Ignyte Award Nominee for Best Novel Adult (2021), Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award (2021), RUSA CODES Reading List for Horror (2021)

Notice this one: Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award (2021). An award for all genres of books.

The second I finished The Only Good Indians, I knew I had read something special. And I knew nothing would surpass it for 2020-- and I read it in 2019. Honestly, nothing has surpassed it this decade except maybe this new book coming out today. 

Jones has had many books since The Only Good Indians, some of which I thought were the best of the year, but I have not read another that is one of the best books in all of fiction for the year until The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.  I would not stake my career over making a statement I could not defend.

From my review below: 

A riveting story of heartbreak, death, and revenge, a thought-provoking tale filled with existential terror, unease, and a high body count, this remarkable work of American fiction transforms, in Jones’ deft hands, from the unapologetic horror novel it most certainly is to a critique on the entire idea of America.

Today stop everything you are doing and make sure you are getting this book into the hands of readers who like historical fiction and/or westerns that challenge the status quo, that make us think about the stories we have been told in school, and force us to come to terms with what really happened as we raced to settle the West. Yes one of the characters is a Vampire, but the character is not a gimmick. Good Stab serves a purpose. He is there to narrate the tale and carry all of the contradictions-- the good and the bad, the love and the hate, the heroes and the villains, the revenge and regret.

Below is my original post with the review of this book from January 10, 2025.

What I'm Reading: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

The current issue of Booklist has my STAR review of the upcoming Stephen Graham Jones and I cannot stress enough what a masterpiece this book is.  

You can access the review for free because it is a STAR, but below I will have my draft review as well as bonus info below.

STAR
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
By Stephen Graham Jones
Mar. 2025. 448p. Saga, $29.99 (9781668075081). 
First published January 1, 2025 (Booklist).

What I am is the Indian who can't die. I'm the worst dream America ever had,” says Good Stab, a Blackfeet, vampire who roams the Montana prairie in 1912 looking for vengeance, to Lutheran minister Arthur Beaucarne, as he visits each Sunday to give his confession. Told through the journals of Beaucarne both his own and his record of Good Stab’s story, as being read by the pastor’s great great granddaughter, Etsy, in 2012, readers are quickly immersed in their world. From the Marias Massacre of 1870 to 1912, following the atrocities done to the Buffalo and the Native peoples, each time Good Stab visits his confidence grows, the confessions get more tense, violent, and accusatory while Beaucarne begins to unravel and reveal his own horrific secrets, secrets that reach across time to Etsy. A riveting story of heartbreak, death, and revenge, a thought-provoking tale filled with existential terror, unease, and a high body count, this remarkable work of American fiction transforms, in Jones’ deft hands, from the unapologetic horror novel it most certainly is to a critique on the entire idea of America. A critique that despite the horrors, both real and supernatural, is infused with heart and projects hope. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: historical, revenge, riveting

Further Appeal: There are so many more words I could use to describe this book: unsettling, disturbing, unflinching multiple narrative, epistolatory, vampire, unique, great American novel told from the native point of view, thought provoking, authentic voices, and finally...MASTERPIECE.

I don't think you will read a better book in any genre in 2025. 

This is national book award worthy. I would compare it to James by Everett which just won the National Book Award. In this case, instead of retelling Huck Finn, we are watching a retelling of manifest destiny-- of the "settling of the west." A retelling that looks a whole lot worse than what we were taught in school. It is a new version of the great American novel. One that wrestles with the history we have been told; history we have been taught to be proud of; history that is not 100% representative of what actually happened.

It pairs perfectly with The Only Good Indians by Jones as the historical counterpart to that 21st century story. This is the Blackfeet of Montana from 1870-1912 (mostly) and beyond as Etsy's story takes place in 2012-13.

We have 3 narrators here. It begins in 2012 with Etsy (short for Betsy) a struggling assistant professor of communications who is trying (and failing to get tenure). When a construction worker finds a hidden journal from an unknown relative of hers in Montana, the University there contacts her since she is the next of kin. That journal is by her great-great grandfather, a Lutheran pastor in Miles City Montana. His journal also contains the "confession" of Good Stab, a Blackfeet who claims to be a vampire (although he he never uses the word) whose reasons for confessing his story become clearer and clearer as the story goes on.

A lot of the narrative centered around the 1870 Marias Massacre as well which I bet like me you knew nothing about. Yeah, see what I mean about the history we aren't told. And I was an American History major who took a class on "The West" that was willing to deconstruct standard narratives. 

Jones works to nail the narrative voices as well. Beaucarne (the minister) and Good Stab are meticulously developed. They are period specific. It will take readers 20 pages or so to fall in, but once you do, you are there, in 1912 Montana, in the chapel every Sunday with the two men. I read the second half of the book in one 4 hour sitting. I think it is written to get you to do that as well, as the chapters/sections of Good Stab telling his story get longer as the book goes on. Longer and more nefarious and more accusatory. The tension and unease ratchet up and you are unsettled and yet cannot look away.

The less you know about this book the better. It is a story you need to let happen to you. It is devastating yes, but also surprising, unique, and enlightening. And the way he brings it all back to the present is moving.

Like all SGJ novels, every detail matters-- which is what I love about his writing, if something is there it is there for a reason and it will come back Although he does not ever make you feel dumb for not keeping track. He reminds you of the detail and keeps the story flowing. This is very important with the original vampire mythology he develops. 

And also like every SGJ novel, even though bad things happen and there is a high body count (of the good and bad people) the story is infused with heart. There is hope at the end that this generation will do better than the ones before it, that while revenge is very real here, we may be able to acknowledge our wrongs as Americans (against the Native population yes, but the way SGJ writes it is about all of the American racist wrongs). This is a terrifying story or horrors real and supernatural but there is heart and hope. What more can you ask for. 

Readalikes: I had to drop the readalikes from the review in print, but online there are in the aside bar. Here is the quick sentence I cut: For fans of Louise Erdrich and James by Percival Everett as well as The Keep by F. Paul Wilson. If you take those 3 and smoosh them together, you get a sense of what to expect. For Erdrich any of her historical are a good choice such as The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, but also the style and themes Round House is a great match here too.

Also The Reformatory by Due and In the Valley of the Sun by Davidson are great readalikes as well.

LibraryReads: April 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 April 2025 list.... 

The Sirens

Emilia Hart

(St. Martin's Press)

In 1800s Ireland, twin sisters are taken from their father and put on a ship bound for Australia. During the voyage, they begin to change as they hear the call of the sea. In 2019, while Lucy looks for her missing sister, she reads her old diary full of strange stories of the sea  Spanning centuries, this novel casts its magic with the story it weaves.

—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ

NoveList read-alike: To The Sea by Christine Dibley

Now for the rest of the April 2025 list!

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng: A Darkly Funny, Gory, and Ghostly Horror Novel 

Kylie Lee Baker

(MIRA)

In the midst of the COVID pandemic of 2020, Cora's haunted by her deceased sister and stalked by a serial killer as her chaotic life spirals further out of control. The journey to finding her way back to some semblance of normal won't be easy. Readers seeking a book blending slasher and bio-horror need look no further.

—Jolie Hanlon, Girard Free Library, OH

NoveList read-alike: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Cold Eternity

S.A. Barnes

(Tor Nighfire)

Hiding out due to a political scandal, Halley decides to take a job in the most remote place she can find. That turns out to be a large space barge holding cryogenically frozen wealthy people. The horror begins as Halley starts hearing noises and notices a presence at the foot of her bed. Thrilling and downright scary, this is a must-read.

—Terri Smith, Cornelia Library, GA

NoveList read-alike: Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud

A Drop of Corruption: An Ana and Din Mystery

Robert Bennett Jackson

(Del Rey)

Din and Ana return in a new sci-fi/fantasy mystery. This time an official in the Treasury delegation has gone missing from a locked room. Tense negotiations are ongoing between the Treasury and a small outpost kingdom. What Din and Ana find is a hidden hornet’s nest and extreme danger to the Empire. Can the two stop a terrorist from destroying everything?

—Michelle Ogden, Crawfordsville Dist Public Library, IN

NoveList read-alike: The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mysteryy

Rachel Ekstrom Courage

(Hyperion)

Golden Girls plus cozy mystery equals match made in heaven! This novel is nostalgic fun for fans of the

TV show and might even draw some new fans in with the atmospheric 80s Miami vibes. The story is over-the-top silly at turns, but it's all part of the fun. Readers will be left hoping the series continues with more mysteries for the ladies to solve.

—Elizabeth Motyka, Wheaton Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: The Excitements by C.J. Wray

The Correspondent: A  Novel

Virginia Evans

(Crown)

Sybil's life has centered around her correspondence with both people she knows and with strangers. Why she finds writing easier than conversing soon becomes clear, and her sadness and remove are explained through the events of her past and in her encroaching blindness. The plot unfolds with wonderful character development.

—Mary Robinson, Vernon Area Public Library District, IL

NoveList read-alike: Olive Kittiredge by Elizabeth Strout

I See You've Called in Dead: A Novel

John Kenney

(Zibby Books)

In this sensational novel, Bud gets a new lease on life after he starts visiting wakes and funerals. With equal measures of laughter and tears along the way, this character-driven novel probes the psyche of the contemporary male mind and takes readers in unexpected directions, all leading to a very satisfying conclusion.

—Todd Krueger, Baltimore County Public Library, MD

NoveList read-alike: Keya Das's Second Act by Sopan Deb

Any Trope but but You: A Novel

Victoria Lavine

(Atria Books)

Margot and Forest are genuinely likeable, though flawed characters, and seeing through their perspective is a delight. The conflicts come from practical issues, and the couple is not kept apart by miscommunication, but by respect for each other’s priorities and values. A love letter to "romancelandia" and the tropes it celebrates.

—Katrina Dagenais, Bucks County Free Library, PA

NoveList read-alike: Unromance by Erin Connor

How to Seal Your Own Fate: A Novel

Kristen Perrin

(Dutton)

This second book in the Castle Knoll series has Annie involved in another mystery of long past and current murders. Annie realizes she's being set up when all of the clues point to her. Readers will love that

this book builds so well on the last one, and wonder just how many secrets exist in this small rural town.

—Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador, CT

NoveList read-alike: Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton

The Staircase in the Woods

Chuck Wendig

(Del Rey)

Four friends are haunted when another climbs a mysterious staircase and never comes down. Years later, they decide to rescue the boy they lost. What they find is a haunted house preying on their personal nightmares. A coming-of-age story reminiscent of Stranger Things and It—plus all the perfect scary things that Wendig is known for.

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

NoveList read-alike: The Children of Red Peakby Craig DiLouie

Board Bonus picks:

The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel

Elise Hooper

(William Morrow) 

Notable Nonfiction: 

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson

Gardiner Harris

(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.

Say You'll Remember Me    

Abby Jimenez

(Forever)

Swept Away   

Beth O'Leary 

(Berkley)

The Amalfi Curse    

Sarah Penner

(Harlequin Trade Publishing)

The Maid's Secret: A Maid Novel

Nita Prose

(Ballantine Books)

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)  

Jesse Q. Sutanto

(Berkley)

Wild and Wrangled: A Rebel Blue Ranch Novel

Lyla Sage

(Dial Press) 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits: A Novel

Jennifer Weiner

(William Morrow)