LibraryReads: August 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.

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to that list.... 

 

Announcing the August 2021 LibraryReads List! 

Meant to Be: If the Shoe Fits

A Meant to Be Novel

by Julie Murphy

Disney-Hyperion

“Low on job prospects, fashion school grad Cindy moves in with her stepmom, a reality show producer. When a spot opens up in the Bachelor-style series, Cindy seizes the chance to get nationwide exposure for her designs. The last thing she expects is to find love. A Cinderella- inspired romance with a plus-sized heroine and a multicultural cast. For fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue, The Hating Game, and Dumplin’.”

—Eva Thompson, Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City, OK 
NoveList read-alike: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

And now the rest of the list:

Battle Royal 

by Lucy Parker

Avon

“Sylvie and Dominic met during a baking competition when her unicorn cake kicked him in the face. Now they’re both in the running to bake the royal wedding cake. A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with witty banter and fantastic secondary characters. For fans of 99 Percent Mine and The Ex Talk.”

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, Milford, OH 
NoveList read-alike: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Dark Roads 

by Chevy Stevens

St. Martin's Press

“Stevens often writes about the outdoors, but this one is really steeped in survival. Vanishing travelers and serial murders along a wilderness highway bring the sister of one victim to town for a memorial. There are the requisite fast-paced thrills, and a small town packed with secrets and fear. For fans of The River and A Gathering of Secrets.”

—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, Twinsburg, OH 
NoveList read-alike: Survive the Night by Riley Sager

The Last Chance Library 

by Freya Sampson

Berkley

“June is stuck. After her mom dies, she continues to live quietly in her mother’s house and work in the library where her mother worked. When the library is threatened, she finds a new purpose, saving it and finding so much more. This one is full of heart, humor, and love of literature. For fans of The Authenticity Project and How To Find Love in a Bookshop.”

—Shari Suarez, Genesee District Library-Johnson Branch, Genesee, MI 
NoveList read-alike: The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy

Mrs. March 

by Virginia Feito

Liveright

“Mrs. March has a lovely apartment, a famous author husband, and a life of luxury. Her husband's new novel features an unlikeable, sordid woman. Mrs. March is horrified when people assume the character is based on her. Her stability fractures, and the reader is caught between paranoia and reality. An excellent character study for fans of Tangerine and The Other Typist.”

—Sandra Heitzman, Forest Park Public Library, Forest Park, IL 
NoveList read-alike: The Wife by Alafair Burke

My Heart is a Chainsaw  [Link to Becky's STAR review]

by Stephen Graham Jones

Gallery/Saga Press

"Jade's convinced her passion for slasher films is not obsession, but preparation. When strange things start occurring in town, she’s sure a massacre is imminent--and she’s ready to play her role to perfection. A highly stylized delight for horror movie buffs and fans of The Final Girl Support Group."

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY
NoveList read-alike: Final Girls by Riley Sager

The Reading List 

by Sara Nisha Adams

William Morrow

"A list of recommended classics helps a widower spark a friendship with a teen librarian dealing with overwhelming family issues. An uplifting tearjerker about libraries and the books that touch our soul. For fans of Ellie and the Harpmaker and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine."

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Public Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton by Eleanor Ray

The Royals Next Door 

by Karina Halle

Berkley Jove

"After a prince and princess move to her British Columbia town, a local teacher falls for their grumpy bodyguard. This charming romantic comedy is unexpectedly moving and features deep and layered characters. Perfect for fans of The Royal We and Royal Holiday."

—Janet Schneider, Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, NY 
NoveList read-alike: Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

A Slow Fire Burning

by Paula Hawkins

Riverhead Books

“A brutal crime is committed on a London houseboat, and numerous friends, family, neighbors, and lovers seem to have a motive for the fatal stabbing. As the number of suspects grows, the lies begin to unravel in what promises to be a hit summer read. For fans of Shari Lapena and Mary Kubica.”

—KC Davis, Fairfield Woods Library, Fairfield, CT 
NoveList read-alike: Dark Tide by Elizabeth Haynes

Yours Cheerfully

by AJ Pearce

Scribner

“Fans of Dear Mrs. Bird will cheer Emmy Lake’s return as a young advice columnist in wartime London. A chance meeting leads to Emmy visiting a munitions factory where she learns about the struggles of the women working there. A wonderful, well-told story for fans of Lissa Evans and Jojo Moyes.”

—Brenda O’Brien, Woodridge Public Library, Woodridge, IL
NoveList read-alike: The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer L. Ryan

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.

Click here to access the Hall of Fame Archive with annotations and readalikes

Bombshell 

A Hell's Belles Novel

by Sarah MacLean

Avon

The Heart Principle

by Helen Hoang

Berkley

Velvet Was the Night

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Del Rey