RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

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Tuesday, February 16, 2021

LibraryReads: March 2021

   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.

Now let's get to that list.... 

Announcing the March 2021 LibraryReads List!


The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
Park Row

“Caroline travels alone to London after discovering her husband’s betrayal. Looking for a distraction, she finds one while mudlarking along the Thames: a small glass vial. Inspired to research its origins, Caroline uncovers a dark tale of poison and murder in the 1700s, where an apothecary owner with a unique talent, a dark past, and a keen sense of revenge meets a young girl with a curiosity that might lead her astray. A stellar debut that balances two intriguing storylines and three wonderful characters to create one page-turning story. For fans of The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Once Upon a River, and The Essex Serpent.”

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

NoveList read-alike: The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish


The Conductors 

by Nicole Glover

John Joseph Adams/Mariner Book

“Hetty and Benjy meet as Underground Railroad conductors, settling in Pennsylvania where they’re known for their celestial magic. Glover does an incredible job of world building in this supernatural mystery. Her cast is almost exclusively Black, and the characters are rich, with Hetty and Benjy’s relationship showcased as a lovely progression of romantic ideals. For readers of N. K. Jemisin and Victor LaValle.”

—Rachel Reddick, Denver Public Library, Denver, CO 
NoveList read-alike: Buffalo Soldier by Maurice Broaddus


The Dating Plan 

by Sara Desai

Berkley Jove

“Daisy is shocked when she runs into Liam, who stood her up at her high school prom. To save her employer and Liam’s family legacy, they must fake an engagement and marriage and not fall in love. A whirlwind of a romcom with South Asian American and Irish American families providing background drama and entertainment. Daisy and Liam are lovably imperfect in this quick escapist read. Give to readers who liked Take a Hint, Dani Brown and The Right Swipe.”

—Laura Bonds, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX 
NoveList read-alike: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron


Eternal 

by Lisa Scottoline 

G.P. Putnam's Sons

“Set in Italy during the Fascist regime and subsequent Nazi involvement, this historical fiction, a departure for the author, is a solid dose of history told through the lives and loves of characters, personally affected by the politics. The impact of decisions and the efforts of individuals to change the course of their country and their lives are vividly portrayed. Perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Nightingale.” 
 
—Carol Tuttle, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willoughby, OH 
NoveList read-alike: After the Party by Cressida Connolly


Every Last Fear: A Novel 

by Alex Finlay

Minotaur Books

“This tightly plotted thriller changes perspective and travels through time to explore a family torn apart by tragedy. The arrest of the oldest Pine son for his girlfriend's murder rocked their small town, was the subject of a high profile true crime documentary, and is followed years later by an even greater tragedy. Could these events be connected? Who is really the murderer? A gripping novel for fans of Mary Kubica or Peter Swanson.”

—Maggie Thomann, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook, IL 
NoveList read-alike: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn


Float Plan 

by Trish Doller

St. Martin's Griffin

"After the death of her fiancé, Anna decides to complete the sailing voyage they had planned, alone. This is a heartfelt story of navigating through grief, and finding oneself and a new direction in life along the way. Good for fans of Pretending and The Fifteen Wonders of Daniel Green."

—Sandra Woodbury, Burlington Public Library, Burlington, MA 
NoveList read-alike: Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnes Martin-Lugand


Liberte: A Novel 

by Kaitlyn Greenidge

Algonquin Books

"Libertie is a Black girl living with her mother, a doctor who helps slaves in their run to freedom. Libertie thinks her mother is herself enslaved by her work, but after she marries and moves to the Caribbean, things seem less clear. For readers who enjoyed Washington Black and Underground Railroad."

—Marie Byars, Sno Isle Public Library, Oak Harbor, WA 
NoveList read-alike: Jam on the Vine by LaShonda K. Barnett


The Lost Village: A Novel 

by Camilla Sten

Minotaur Books

 
"Set in a rural village in Sweden, where 800 inhabitants vanished in 1959, Alice and her crew set out to make a documentary about the mysterious event. The book weaves together the story of the current day documentarians with the story of the villagers of the past. For readers who enjoyed Ghost Wall and Disappearing Earth."
 
—Sandra Heitzman, Forest Park Public Library, Forest Park, IL 
NoveList read-alike: The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor


We Begin at the End 

by Chris Whitaker

Henry Holt & Co.

"Compelling and heartbreaking, this story brings together two of the most compelling characters you may ever meet. Duchess Day Radley and Walk are bound together by uneasy threads, each compelled to dig in and survive, even as they try to move beyond their pasts and what seem to be their inevitable futures. For readers who enjoyed The Good Daughter and The Roanoke Girls."

—Jennifer Ohzourk, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
NoveList read-alike: Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore


The Windsor Knot
by SJ Bennett
William Morrow

"When a mysterious death occurs at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Private Secretary Rozie must solve the case when MI5 and the police head in the wrong direction. A great cast of characters and a wonderful sense of setting make a fun and entertaining read. For readers who loved Hope Never Dies and Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts."

—Jennifer Williams, Normal Public Library, Normal, IL
NoveList read-alike: Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William M. Kuhn

 


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.


Act Your Age, Eve Brown: A Novel 

by Talia Hibbert

Avon


“Eve Brown thinks she’s a failure, constantly flitting from one job to another. When her parents ask her to commit to something, she runs--and ends up in a charming B&B, where the uptight owner desperately needs her help. This is a sweet, funny love story about learning to appreciate yourself.”

—Beth DeGeer, Bartlesville Public Library, Bartlesville, OK
Read-alike: The Trouble Hating You by Sajni Patel
Read-alike: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa



Every Vow You Break: A Novel 

by Peter Swanson

William Morrow

“Abigail deeply regrets succumbing to an illicit night with a stranger on the eve of her wedding. When her husband takes her to a mysterious island for a lavish honeymoon, she’s shocked to see the man who seduced her. What follows is a horror story that will keep readers glued to the page.”

—Paul Lane, Palm Beach County Public Library, Boca Raton, FL
Read-alike: Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Read-alike: Diary of a Stalker by Electa Rome Parks


The Rose Code: A Novel 

by Kate Quinn

William Morrow Paperbacks

“Sophisticated Osla, ambitious Mab, and timid Beth become friends while working as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The secrecy of their work has lasting effects on their lives. Years later, they are forced to forgive one another to unmask a traitor.”

—Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL
Read-alike: The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly 
Read-alike: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr



Sunflower Sisters: A Novel 

by Martha Hall Kelly

Ballantine Books

"Kelly ends her trilogy tracing The Lilac Girls protagonist Caroline Ferriday’s family with a story centered in the Civil War era. Kelly weaves her careful research into a compelling novel with fascinating depth and a nod toward the impactful role of women throughout history."

—MarySue Waterman, Westport Library, Westport, CT
Read-alike: Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Read-alike: My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira


Wild Sign 

by Patricia Briggs

Ace

“Mated werewolves Charles and Anna investigate a malevolent presence that has inexplicably made an entire community vanish in northern California. In this latest Alpha & Omega installment, Briggs again creates a vivid world where the commonplace and the supernatural reside together.”

—Linda Tilden, Mount Laurel Public Library, Mount Laurel, NJ
Read-alike: The Last Wolf by Maria Vale
Read-alike: The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

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