Library Reads: November 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. 

November 2019 LibraryReads

The Starless Sea: A Novel

by Erin Morgenstern

Published: 11/5/2019 by Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385541213

“A moving labyrinth of a story, ever changing and evolving. What begins as a mysterious thread in a book, an opportunity taken or missed and the consequences of the choice, evolves into a story similar to a choose-your-own adventure tale or a mystical video game experience. For fans of Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clark, and Lev Grossman.”

Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library, Cartersville, GA
NoveList Read-alike: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

The Bromance Book Club

by Lyssa Kay Adams

Published: 11/5/2019 by Berkley Jove
ISBN: 9781984806093

“Thea gave up everything when she became Gavin’s wife, and has been faking more than just her happiness. When the marriage is headed for divorce, Gavin’s friends bring him into their secret book club to help him win his wife back. For readers who like romance with a little humor, and fans of Curtis Sittenfeld and Jennifer Crusie.”

Melissa McNeill, Montgomery County Memorial Library System, Conroe, TX 
Novelist Read-alike: Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner

The Deep

by Rivers Solomon

Published: 11/5/2019 by Saga Press
ISBN: 9781534439863

“An incredibly interesting reimagining of what happened to the slaves that got thrown off the ships while crossing the ocean. For fans of She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore and The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates.”

Kelli Ponce, Mesquite Public Library, Mesquite, TX 
NoveList Read-alike: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

by Talia Hibbert

Published: 11/5/2019 by Avon
ISBN: 9780062941206

“Chloe is doing all she can to avoid being defined by her illness. Redford is a talented artist who was verbally abused by his former girlfriend. Smart and snarky, they find ways to help each other face their challenges. Snappy dialogue, dynamic characters, and a realistic story make this a good choice for fans of Alyssa Cole and Jasmine Guillory.”

Paula Pergament, Lincolnwood Public Library, Lincolnwood, IL
NoveList Read-alike: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Little Weirds

by Jenny Slate

Published: 11/5/2019 by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316485340

“Weirdly delightful and beyond compare. Essays that provide a look into the comedian’s brain. For fans of Miranda July.”

Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA
NoveList Read-alike: One More Thing by B.J. Novak

Not the Girl You Marry

by Andie J. Christopher

Published: 11/12/2019 by Berkley Jove
ISBN: 9781984802682

“A perfect contemporary romance that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even get a little weepy. Hannah is a heroine for the ages, prickly, real, and worth fighting for. For readers who loved How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.”

Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI
NoveList Read-alike: The Perfect Date by Evelyn Lozada

Tracking Game

by Margaret Mizushima

Published: 11/12/2019 by Crooked Lane Books
ISBN: 9781643851358

“This is a terrific series with characters that are constantly changing. I’m so excited to see what happens to them next! A good pick for fans of Nevada Barr.”

Liz Kirchhoff, Barrington Area Public Library, Barrington, IL
NoveList Read-alike: Ryder Creed series by Alex Kava

Twenty-One Truths About Love

by Matthew Dicks

Published: 11/19/2019 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250103482

“Daniel Mayrock is struggling to find his way as a man, husband, and potential father. His story is told entirely in lists. Written as a form of therapy for himself, Daniel’s lists show his sense of humor and feelings of inadequacy. Funny, sad, uplifting but always relatable. A must read for fans of Rachel Joyce and Gabrielle Zevin.”

Sam Sepulveda, Milford Town Library, Milford, MA
NoveList Read-alike: The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

We Met in December

by Rosie Curtis

Published: 11/5/2019 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN: 9780062964564

“A lovely charmer of a book. Jess follows her dream and moves to London and rents a room in a big Notting HIll house with one rule – no dating your flatmates. For fans of One Day (even mentioned in the book), Four Weddings and One Day in December.”

Stephanie Chase, Hillsboro Public Library, Hillsboro, OR 
NoveList Read-alike: Covent Garden in the Snow by Jules Wake

The Witches are Coming

by Lindy West

Published: 11/5/2019 by Hachette Books
ISBN: 9780316449885

“Lindy West takes on rape culture, climate change, Hollywood and toxic masculinity among other topics. It’s funny, relatable and on-point. For fans of Rebecca Solnit and Roxane Gay.”

Shari Suarez, Genesee Districy Library, Goodrich, MI
NoveList Read-alike: The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona Eltahawy

The Confession Club: A Novel

by Elizabeth Berg

Published: 11/19/2019 by Random House
ISBN: 9781984855176

“What starts as a simple supper club transforms into something special when one member reveals a very personal secret. Berg continues her Mason, MO, series with a story that exudes goodness, warmth and solid friendships. A surefire winner and hot book club pick!”

Ron Block, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, Ohio

Read-alikes:

The Summer Seaside Kitchen by Jenny Colgan
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
Chronicles of a Radical Hag by Lorna Landvik

The Family Upstairs

by Lisa Jewell

Published: 11/5/2019
by Atria Books
ISBN: 9781501190100

“Gothic and creepy, this is the tale of an aging London mansion taken over by a strong-willed con artist happy to prey on the minds of the eccentric family living there. I look forward to each Lisa Jewell release and The Family Upstairs does not disappoint.”

Linda Quinn, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

Read-alikes:

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
The Au Pair by Emma Rous
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena