Library Reads: January 2019

Today is Library Reads day and that means three 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.

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.

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January 2019 LibraryReads

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

Once Upon a River:

A Novel

by Diane Setterfield

Published: 12/4/2018 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books
ISBN: 9780743298070

“A wonderfully dark and mysterious read. Something happens one stormy winter solstice evening that triggers a chain of events that changes the lives of all the main characters. Moody and mystical. For readers who love gothic fiction like The Death of Mrs. Westaway and The Clockmaker’s Daughter. ”

Melanie Liechty, Logan Library, Logan, UT 

An Anonymous Girl

by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Published: 1/8/2019 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250133731

“Struggling to stay afloat with a job as a makeup artist, Jessica signs up for a study, thinking she will earn some easy money. After the first two parts of the study, she gets invited to the professor’s house for more questions and more compensation. Fans of psychological thrillers won’t want to miss this one as Jessica is a compelling character and the novel will keep you reading long into the night.”

Annice Sevett, Albert Lea Public Library, Albert Lea, MN 

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The Au Pair

by Emma Rous

Published: 1/8/2019 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780440000457

“After giving birth to Seraphine and her twin brother Danny, their mother throws herself from a cliff. 25 years later, Seraphine finds a picture that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her childhood. For fans of compelling suspense novels and family secrets.”

Selena Swink, Lake Public Library, Lake, MS

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The Current: A Novel

by Tim Johnston

Published: 1/22/2019 by Algonquin Books
ISBN: 9781616206772

“When two girls, trapped in a RAV4, fall into an icy river one dies and the other barely survives. Unanswered questions and old accusations resurface as the small Minnesota town recalls another incident ten years earlier where a girl died in the same river. For readers who love small town suspense.”

Shellie Taylor, Iredell County Public Library, Statesville, NC

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The Dreamers: A Novel

by Karen Thompson Walker

Published: 1/15/2019 by Random House
ISBN: 9780812994162

“A virus appears in the small town of Santa Lora that causes its victims to fall into a deep sleep from which they cannot wake up. While this story is about a pandemic apocalypse, it also reminds us of our humanity and how we are all connected. For fans of The Country of Ice Cream Star and The Water Knife.”

Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, Twinsburg, OH 

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My Favorite Half-Night Stand

by Christina Lauren

Published: 12/4/2018 by Gallery Books
ISBN: 9781501197406

“Another delightful contemporary rom-com from the author of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating. Millie and her four male friends decide to jump into the pool of online dating together. When Millie matches with one of the friends, chaos ensues. For fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Wedding Date.”

Kelsey Hudson, Middleton Public Library, Middleton, WI

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The Red Address Book

by Sofia Lundberg

Published: 1/8/2019 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9781328473011

“A ninety-six-year-old Swedish woman reflects on her life, paging through a long-kept address book. A compelling, charming, and ultimately heartwarming read. For fans of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and The Japanese Lover.”

Brenda O’Brien, Woodridge Public Library, Woodridge, IL 

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The Suspect

by Fiona Barton

Published: 1/22/2019 by Berkley
ISBN: 9781101990513

“Reporter Kate Waters pursues the story of two 18-year-olds who have gone missing in Thailand. The case takes a turn when the main suspect is Kate’s estranged son. For fans of twisty psychological suspense.”

Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ 

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Unmarriageable: A Novel

by Soniah Kamal

Published: 1/15/2019 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9781524799717

“A thoroughly enjoyable retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day Pakistan. The characters, storyline, and dialogue are true to the original while being completely fresh. For readers who enjoy a comedy of manners.”

Kristen Gramer, Lewes Public Library, Lewes, DE 

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Watching You: A Novel

by Lisa Jewell

Published: 12/26/2018 by Atria Books
ISBN: 9781501190070

“Set in an upscale English neighborhood where everyone knows everyone and someone is always watching. When one of the residents is found murdered, the police investigation turns up long buried secrets. Told from multiple viewpoints and alternating between past and present.”

Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, Avon, CT

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The Golden Tresses of the Dead: A Flavia de Luce Novel

by Alan Bradley

Published: 1/22/2019 by Delacorte Press
ISBN: 9780345540027

“Follow the delightful hijinks of the precocious Flavia and her faithful Dogger as they take on their first case as private investigators. Although this is the 10th Flavia de Luce adventure, it is one of those rare mysteries you don’t have to read in series order.”

Abby Hardison, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC 

Readalikes:
Home Sweet Homicide by Craig Rice
Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett
The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall
The Case of the Missing Bookmobile by Ian Sansom

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In An Absent Dream

by Seanan McGuire

Published: 1/8/2019 by Tor.com
ISBN: 9780765399298

“Young Katherine stumbles into the Goblin Market, where order, friendship, and belonging carry a high price. The latest novella in the Wayward Children series shines just as bright as its kin, as McGuire spins a tale infused with mist-covered magic and sharp and creative storytelling.”

Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library,Huntington Station, NY

Readalikes:
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi
Among Others by Jo Walton
The Book of Lost Things by John Connelly

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The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel

by Marie Benedict

Published: 1/8/2018 by Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781492666868

“A fascinating look at a famous movie star with an unexpected past: Hedy Lamarr, the Austria-born screen siren who was also a brilliant inventor. Brisk pacing and atmospheric scenes of pre-World War II Europe round out this intriguing work of historical fiction.”

Alissa Williams, Morton Public Library, Morton, IL

Readalikes:
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
Marlene by C.W. Gortner
The Race for Paris by Meg Waite Clayton

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The Winter of the Witch: A Novel

by Katherine Arden

Published: 1/8/2018 by Del Rey
ISBN: 9781101885994

“In this magnificent conclusion to the Winternight historical fantasy trilogy, Vasya risks everything to ensure that both medieval Russias–human and fey–can continue to live together. Exciting, moving, and beautifully written, this is a story readers will savor.”

Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

Readalikes:
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
The Winged Histories by Sofia Samatar
Deathlesss by Catherynne M. Valente
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty