RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

LibraryReads: November 2020

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.
The LibraryReads 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.

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.


Now let's get to that list.... 

Announcing the November LibraryReads List!


Miss Benson's Beetle: A Novel 
by Rachel Joyce

The Dial Press


“Two very different women set off on a journey to New Caledonia to find a Golden Beetle, and discover so much more. A story of friendship and women breaking out of what is expected and being who they really are. By turns humorous, heartbreaking, and triumphant, you'll find yourself cheering for Miss Benson. For fans of Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth Berg, and Gail Honeyman.”

—Janine Walsh, East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, NY 

NoveList read-alike: The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes

The rest of the list.....

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Before the Coffee Gets Cold
A Novel
by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Hanover Square Press)

“A cafe has something magical—if someone sits in a particular chair and a cup of coffee is poured, they can travel to the past. In this slender story, the lives of visitors and staff intertwine, and four hopeful people sit in the chair. While this book deals with different kinds of loss, it's ultimately warm and uplifting. For fans of
The Immortalists and Oona Out of Order.”

—Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, Yakima, WA

NoveList read-alike: Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

________________________

The Boy Toy

by Nicola Marsh

(Berkley Jove)

“Hot Aussie alert! After a bitter divorce (cheating husband with a pregnant nineteen year old mistress), Samira left Australia for L.A. Now her cousin has convinced her to return for 6 months. On a night out, Samira is saved from a weirdo by a cute boy much younger than she is, and she’s in for the surprise of a lifetime with her new Boy Toy. For fans of Ayesha at Last and The Wedding Party.”

—Afton Finley, Waseca Public Library, Waseca, MN 

NoveList read-alike: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

________________________

The Burning God

The Poppy War, Book 3

by R. F. Kuang

(Harper Voyager)

“In this satisfying finale to the Poppy War series, Kuang beautifully weaves in much Chinese history while maintaining a distinct storyline. Rin's similarities to Chairman Mao are fully realized by this third book, yet she remains a unique character with complex emotions of both rage and empathy. For fans of series fantasy such as Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty.”

—Richard Lawhorn, East Cobb Library, Marietta, GA 

NoveList read-alike: The Burning Series by Evan Winter

________________________

Murder in Old Bombay

by Nev March

(Minotaur Books)

“James Agnihotri has recovered from a war injury when he reads about the “suicide” of two ladies. His first interview as a new journalist is with the husband of one of the women, who wants to know who murdered his wife and sister. Jim follows clues, interviews observers of the tragedy, and travels through India. For readers who like intrigue, other cultures, and romance, along with fans of Kate Atkinson and Laurie R. King.”

—Gail Christensen, Kitsap Regional Library, Bremerton, WA 

NoveList read-alike: A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

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The Offiffice of Historical Corrections
A Novella and Stories by Danielle Evans (Riverhead Books)

"A novella about the first African-Americans in Wisconsin and the lives of their descendants today along with several other haunting short stories. Recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult."

—Heather McIntosh, Botetourt County Libraries, VA

NoveList read-alike: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

________________________

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
by Lori Nelson Spielman

(Berkley)

"Emilia is a devoted daughter, the second daughter in her family, and second daughters are cursed to never marry. Aunt Poppy, another second daughter, invites her on a trip to Italy promising to break the curse. For readers who enjoyed The Old Drift and It’s Not All Down Hill From Here."

—Chris Markley, Kingsport Public Library, Kingsport, TN 

NoveList read-alike: The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

________________________

This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing
by Jacqueline Winspear (Soho Press)

"The author of the beloved Masie Dobbs novels shares both madcap and poignant stories of her nuclear and extended family, giving insight into the humor and hardships that shaped her imagination and work. For readers who enjoyed Where the Past Begins: A Writer’s Memoir and How To Write an Autobiographical Novel."

—Joy Robinson, Piscataway Public Library, Piscataway, NJ

NoveList read-alike: My History: A Memoir of Growing Up by Antonia Fraser

________________________

The Burning God

The Poppy War, Book 3

by R. F. Kuang

(Harper Voyager)

“In this satisfying finale to the Poppy War series, Kuang beautifully weaves in much Chinese history while maintaining a distinct storyline. Rin's similarities to Chairman Mao are fully realized by this third book, yet she remains a unique character with complex emotions of both rage and empathy. For fans of series fantasy such as Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty.”

—Richard Lawhorn, East Cobb Library, Marietta, GA 

NoveList read-alike:The Burning Series by Evan Winter

________________________

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
by Lori Nelson Spielman

(Berkley)

"Emilia is a devoted daughter, the second daughter in her family, and second daughters are cursed to never marry. Aunt Poppy, another second daughter, invites her on a trip to Italy promising to break the curse. For readers who enjoyed The Old Drift and It’s Not All Down Hill From Here."

—Chris Markley, Kingsport Public Library, Kingsport, TN 

NoveList read-alike: The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

________________________

Written in the Stars

A Novel

by Alexandria Bellefleur

(Avon)

"Darcy, a buttoned-up actuary, convinces quirky astrologer Elle to fake a relationship for a couple of months to get her brother (and Elle's new business partner) off her back. For fans of The Kiss Quotient and You Had me at Hola."

—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI 

NoveList read-alike: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

________________________

White Ivy

A Novel
by Susie Yang 
(Simon & Schuster)

"A coming of age immigration story, Ivy, is obsessed with her privileged classmate and will do anything to win his love. For fans of You and Gone Girl."

—Joann Im, Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, CA

 NoveList read-alike: Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

________________________

Written in the Stars

A Novel

by Alexandria Bellefleur

(Avon)

"Darcy, a buttoned-up actuary, convinces quirky astrologer Elle to fake a relationship for a couple of months to get her brother (and Elle's new business partner) off her back. For fans of The Kiss Quotient and You Had me at Hola."

—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI 

NoveList read-alike: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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 our Hall of Fame.

Archangel's Sun

by Nalini Singh (Berkley Jove)

“This excellent addition to The Guild Hunters series reveals the backstory of mentally wounded angel Sharine (a.k.a. Hummingbird) and archangel Titus as they battle the evil remnants of a devastating war. Singh’s fans will not be disappointed with her latest paranormal romance.”

—Karen Garris, Wayne County Public Library, Goldsboro, NC

Read-alike: Sin Eaters by Kai Leakes 

Read-alike: A Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day

Read-alike: Binding Shadows by Jasmine Silvera

________________________

Moonflflower Murders

A Novel
by Anthony Horowitz (Harper)

“Retired publisher Susan Ryeland returns to London to shed light on a woman’s recent disappearance, which may be connected to a novel written by Susan’s former client. Agatha Christie fans will devour this story within a story, brimming with red herrings and deliciously devious suspects.”

—KC Davis, Fairfield Woods Branch Library, Fairfield, CT

Read-alike: Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson 

Read-alike: The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji 

Read-alike: The Book of Murder by Guillermo Martinez

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