RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

I can come to your library, book club meeting, or conference to talk about how to help your readers find their next good read. Click here for more information including RA for All's EDI Statement.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Library Journal's Free Day of Dialog Is Coming on October 24th

Library Journal Day of Dialog is almost here, and I am excited to announce that I will be opening the entire day in conversation with Stephen Graham Jones. Before we get to that exciting detail, here is the link to the landing page for this FREE day of library workers, books and authors: 


Join us October 24 for our Library Journal Day of Dialog virtual event! Spanning a variety of genres, this free, day-long program will offer an in-depth look at the biggest forthcoming books for summer/fall 2024. 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 publishing representatives.

 

EVENT HOURS: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET

 

This is a FREE event of over a dozens panel discussions moderated by library workers with authors groups by genres or interests. You literally cannot go to all of them live because at times there are 2 or 3 concurrently. But you have 3 months to watch it all. The recording and CE certificates will be sent out 24 hours after.

Click here to see the full program.

However one thing that has NOTHING up against it is the day's opening session:

9:30 – 10:00 AM ET | Opening Keynote Conversation

Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Alex, Reading List, and Locus Award winner Stephen Graham Jones is the author of I Was a Teenage Slasher and the LJ Best Book Don’t Fear the Reaper, along with dozens of other titles and the forthcoming The Buffalo Hunter Hunter (Saga Press: Simon & Schuster). He is the Ivena Baldwin Professor of English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Moderator: Becky SpratfordLJ Horror Review Columnist

Stephen and I have worked to plan a dynamic and fun conversation. We will talk about think I 100% know you haven't heard before, including his upcoming novel The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and a never before heard excerpt of Stephen's essay from my upcoming book.

You do not want to miss this.

And why should you, it is free and you can get a recording.

Click here to learn more and register today.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

New Issue of Corner Shelf: A Booklist (Free) Newsletter

Last week, Susan Maguire, my editor at Booklist sent out the final Corner Shelf newsletter of the year. Below is the Table of Contents and her Editor's Note. Click here to read the entire newsletter and to find the link to subscribe to receive future issues.






Editor's Note

Hello Shelfers,

This issue of Corner Shelf has it all: an interview with a library worker about serving romance readers and RomanceCon, an article on Spanish-language audio, the top 10 food books of the year, a feature on why you should integrate games into your library collections, and more. More!

One feature of note is that this issue doesn’t have the usual Professional Reading Roundup. Instead, I put together an Essentials list on serving the homeless which can serve as a professional reading list for library staff, or, with a few adjustments, for patrons interested in understanding their unhoused neighbors better. This list was inspired by my reading of “They Just Need to Get a Job”: 15 Myths on Homelessness, by Mary Brosnahan, which I first heard about from LibraryReads’ Rebecca Vnuk at our Read n Rave this year.

And it’s the last issue of Corner Shelf for 2024. I know! It’s sad. But as is tradition, here are what I’m pretty sure are my fave reads of the year:

The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore. This book has a compelling mystery, an exploration of class and the roles of women, and a surprising and satisfying ending.

The Pairing, by Casey McQuiston. Does anyone really need to be sold on Casey McQuiston who isn’t already sold on them? Except to say they keep getting better and better?

The Wedding People, by Allison Espach. A very funny, very moving, keenly observed piece of relationship fiction about a woman who unwittingly infiltrates a wedding party.

And two books that tackle mental illness in very different ways:

Between Friends & Lovers, by Shirlene Obuobi. A romance about, among other things, learning to love a person with depression.

One of Us Knows, by Alyssa Cole. A thriller about a woman with dissociative identity disorder who finds herself in a castle that is identical to one that lives in her mind. Very twisty and delicious.

What have you read and loved in 2024? Feel free to reach out and let me know!

Happy reading!

—Susan Maguire
Senior Editor, Collection Development and Library Outreach, Booklist
smaguire@ala.org
@Booklist_Susan

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

LibraryReads: November 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 November 2024 list.... 



Lost and Lassoed: A Rebel Blue Ranch Novel

Lyla Sage

Dial Press

This romance has everything: a small town, cowboys, and an enemies-to- lovers plot, all packed in one little book. Sage's books are quick reads with likable characters and relatable story arcs. This will be sure to tick all the boxes for romance novel fans.


—Kellie Gillespie, Olathe Public Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: Chelsea Springs Romances by Elsie Silver



The Songbird  & The Heart of Stone

Carissa Broadbent

(Tor)


Mische, once the chosen girl by the Sun God, is now disgraced and awaits her fate in prison. Asar, the bastard son of the Shadowborn King, needs her magic for his mission. Together they navigate the five realms of the underworld to find relics that have been scattered, and face their past, fears, and their worst secrets during their travels.


—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ

NoveList read-alike: Nytefall by Chloe Penaranda


Eleanor of Avignon: A Novel

Elizabeth DeLozier

(Dutton)


Based on actual events, this is a fascinating look at early medicine and the ways women worked to heal, even as they were persecuted as witches. Apprentice midwife Elea hides her talents, but as the Black Plague reaches France, she’s called on to heal the Pope and an exiled Italian queen. Fans of historical fiction will have a hard time putting this down.


—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX

NoveList read-alike: Nicked by M.T. Anderson


The Co-Op: A Novel

Tarah DeWitt

(St. Martin's Griffin)


LaRynn has inherited her grandmother's beachside home, but there’s a catch: her ex Deacon inherited half of it. With funds running low, they marry in order to access her trust fund, leading them to fall in love again. This atmospheric tale is set against a stunning backdrop and will appeal to fans of slow-burn, emotionally charged romances.


—Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz



The Lake of Lost Girls

Katherine Greene

(Crooked Lane)


When Lindsey was six, her sister went outside to grab her birthday cake and disappeared. Three other girls from the college she attended also went missing. Now, twenty five years later when a body is found, Lindsey must face the past. Readers who enjoy cold- case mysteries will devour this dual-timeline novel.


—Carly Hathaway, Salem Public Library, VA

NoveList read-alike: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai


Before We Forget Kindness 

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

(Hanover Square Press)


Each story here follows an individual who wishes to go back in time at the magical

cafe. As the individuals experience the past, they reflect on their life, which in turn serves to heal old wounds. Each tale tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to wrap them up in a hug. This is another soft, gentle addition to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold universe.


—Arianna Van Dam, Brown County Library, WI

NoveList read-alike: The Kamogawa Food Detectives series by Hisashi Kashiwai


The Serviceberry: Abundance Reciprocity in the Natual World

Robin Wall Kimmerer

(Scribner)


A lovely and powerful essay on reciprocity and the potential of a gift economy in the face of our unsustainable current models—illustrated by the analogous natural systems that create the serviceberry

and its ecosystem. This illustrated gem brings a timely message, truly thought- provoking and inspiring.


—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI

NoveList read-alike: The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing


The Teller of Small Fortunes: A Novel

Julie Leong

(Ace)


Tao lives a quiet and lonely life, traveling to villages telling fortunes, with her mule as sole

companion. That all changes when an ex-mercenary asks for her help finding a child. Their

not-so-merry band is complemented by a baker and a magical cat, creating an unusual family for Tao, but one she may have desperately needed. A lovely cozy fantasy debut.


—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne


The City and Its Uncertain Walls: A Novel

Haruki Murakami

(Knopf)


In this reworking of a Murakami short story, the narrator grieves the loss of his teenage love. Through mysterious circumstances, he finds himself in a fantastical town, while his shadow self toils in an unfulfilled existence in Tokyo. An absolute treat for Murakami fans.


—Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, IL

NoveList read-alike: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell


The Author's Guide to Murder: A Novel

Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White

(William Morrow)


What starts off as bawdy Scottish entertainment for three authors evolves into a sincere, deeply emotional story of women’s strength and survival, each woman experiences a complete story arc, and more than one double entendre. Equal parts fun and sincere.


—Tina Panik, Avon Free Public Library, CT

NoveList read-alike: Amy Among the Serial Killers by Jincy Willett


Board Bonus picks:

Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation

Jim O'Heir

William Morrow

Notable Nonfiction:

Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist

Richard Munson

W. W. Norton & Company


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.


Is She Real Is She Really Going Out with Him?: A Novel

Sophie Cousens

(G.P. Putnam's Sons)


The Mirror: The Lost Bride Trilogy: Book 2

Nora Roberts

(St. Martin's Press)



Monday, October 14, 2024

What I'm Reading: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Today I have one of the most hotly anticipated books of the new year, and it does not disappoint. This book is stellar and damn good.

The official review appears in the October 15, 2024 issue of Booklist. Below is my draft review and bonus appeal content. 

STAR

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

By Grady Hendrix

Jan. 2025. 432p. Berkley, $30 (9780593548981); paper, $19 (9780593818183)
First published October 15, 2024 (Booklist).

Neva, fifteen and pregnant in 1970, is brought in secrecy to Florida and the Wellwood House, a maternity home by name, but a prison in practice, a stand-in for such homes that proliferated across the US and Canada between 1945 and 1973. Once admitted Neva is renamed Fern, to protect her from the shame she is reassured, ends after she gives birth. Abandoned, alone, and struggling to access information about what is happening to their bodies, angry at being told they alone must pay for their sins, Fern and her roommates– Zinnia, the only black girl, Rose, a hippie, and Holly, a molested 14 year old– are given a copy of “How to Be a Groovy Witch” by the bookmobile librarian and their lives are changed forever. Told from Fern’s perspective, this is an original and nuanced addition to the witch cannon. However, it is the clear, accurate, and intensely visceral body horror of pregnancy and birth laid bare, that may catch readers off guard. Another stellar novel from Hendrix, a story that has a strong emotional core, compelling plot, unforgettable characters, and 360 degrees of terror. For fans of Horror that empowers the powerless as written by Gwendolyn Kiste, Gabino Iglesias and The Reformatory by Tananarive Due.

YA Statement: Teen horror readers will be invested in Fern, Holly, Zinnia, and Rose’s story which, despite taking place in 1970, is unfortunately still relevant today.

Three Words That Describe This Book: visceral, empowerment, intense

Further Appeal: You all, Hendrix is a DAMN GOOD writer. 

Let's start with the fact that he is a man and it is about pregnant teens. As someone who has been pregnant twice and lived as a young woman in a world that thinks we are all "wayward"-- I am mad that Grady got it all so perfectly correctly. I mean not really mad, but damn, he got it all right. I know this book is based on real experiences from people in his own family and history, but still. I can't wait for men to read this book and be "shocked" and horrified" by the 2 giving birth scenes. They are visceral, intense and also 100% accurate.

I already see people warning others about the graphic birthing scenes; even lowering the star ratings because of it. Giving birth is supposed to be natural and a part of life. It also happens to be body horror by definition. You grow another human and must expel it. There should not have to be a warning. The fact that people feel the need-- this is why the book had to be written and by a man because a woman would be called extra or hysterical for doing it. I cannot wait for the first 1 star review by man who says it is "too much." I will cackle at the moon under the stars. 

But seriously, I also hope that reading this book gives male readers a lot more respect for the women in their lives. It is unfortunate, but I know that many men need a man to write a book to see it. Hendrix has added content in the book (afterward) that explains his personal connection to this story. He also talks at length about the history of the homes for pregnant teens to give readers even more horrifying context.

The work Hendrix put in to researching these homes, whose existence ends after Roe passes, is remarkable. I didn't even know they were a thing. It adds another level of real life horror to the book. And because we know they end with Roe and yet we also know Roe was recently rescinded-- that adds an entirely new level of fear. It also reminds you that this is not a story from the past– this is a horror that is still happening.

The setting's time is important though, because it is a moment of huge turmoil and change in America as a country, and these girls are locked away yet understand that they need more power in their own lives. They have none. And yet, they are carrying new life.

The witch part itself is original, surprising, and terrifying but also uplifting. Often witches are used in Horror novels about powerless women in similar ways. I do not want to give anything away here but in this tumultuous time, even the old ways of the witches are changing. They are not there to help to girls because they are nice friendly witches. I will leave it at that.

There are excerpts from the "How to be a Groovy Witch" book within this book as well. That was cool.

I just can't stress enough how much this is a perfectly constructed book from the details to the pacing to the characters to the setting. It has an intensity that unsettles you coming at the reader from every angle that allowed the Horror to infiltrate every page and the reader. And, the ending wrecked me.


Readalikes: The readalike authors above are a great place to begin. Of course, readers new to Hendrix should read everything he has written and use this link to find more readalikes for each of his books from me. Also the Jade Daniels trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones is a great readalike here, especially My Heart is a Chainsaw which can be read as a standalone.