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Monday, July 17, 2023

LibraryReads: August 2023

[Editors Note: Who said October is the Spooky Season? August 2023 is shaping up to be filled with scares.  There are 3 titles on the main LR list this month (out of only 10) and 1 in the HoF. Details with links to my reviews below]

  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.

New in February 2023-- a bonus pick with an annotation by a LibraryReads Board member. See this month's pick at the end of this post. It also appears on the PDF list for printing and displaying at your library.

Now let's get to the August 2023 list.... 



Happiness Falls: A Novel

Kim, Angie

Hogarth

During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, 20-year-old Mia is adjusting to lockdown and living back at home. When her father goes missing during a walk in a nearby park, only her younger brother, Eugene—who has special needs and does not speak—knows what happened. Readers will enjoy this delightful and thought-provoking look at family secrets.

Portia Kapraun, Delphi Public Library, IN
NoveList read-alike: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave


And now, the rest of the list:

Family Lore
Elizabeth Acevedo
(Ecco)

Woven with magical realism, this novel uncovers the buried secrets of Flor and her sisters as this Dominican-American family tries to find out why Flor is throwing herself a living wake. Poet Acevedo successfully translates her skill into fiction. Readers of her previous work will recognize her heart and style, displayed here in alternating narratives. A beautifully told story with all the complexities that make up families.

—Becky Phillips, Brown County Library, WI
NoveList read-alike: Enchanted Hacienda by Jennifer Cervantes

Vampires of El Norte
Isabel Cañas
(Berkley)

Nena, a ranch owner’s daughter, and Nestor, a peasant, know their love is impossible, but they still dream of marrying one day. That is until one night a terrifying beast attacks Nena. Believing her dead, Nestor flees in panic. Ten years later Nestor is back to help defend against Texas invaders and the supernatural creatures attacking their village. Set in 19th-century Mexico, this vibrant novel combines historical fiction, horror, and romance to tell a thrilling story.

—Migdalia Jimenez Chicago Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: The Hunger by Alma Katsu

The Blonde Identity
Ally Carter
(Avon)

It’s the middle of the night in Paris and a woman wakes up with no memory. She only knows three things for certain: she has a splitting headache, the hottest guy she’s ever seen is standing over her telling her to run, and—oh yeah—people keep trying to kill her. The banter throughout and wrap-up at the end are perfect. Readers will hope for a sequel or even a trilogy featuring this cast of characters.

—Le'Trail Hall-Nance, Denver Public Library, CO
NoveList read-alike: Spare Me the Truth by CJ Carver

Kiss the Girl: A Meant to Be Novel
Zoraida Córdova
(Hyperion Avenue)

This modern retelling of The Little Mermaid has pop sensation Ariel figuring out the next step in her life, away from her controlling father. Eric and his band are trying to get their big break. When Eric meets Ariel, he doesn’t recognize her and offers her a job on his tour. Ariel accepts, seizing the chance to live in the real world. A story of life, love, and family—and making the choices that make you happy.

—Christine Markley, Kingsport Public Library, TN
NoveList read-alike: All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim

Whalefall: A Novel
Daniel Kraus
(MTV Books)

Jay, feeling guilty about his father's suicide, attempts a dive to find his father's remains. Swallowed by a hungry sperm whale, he has one hour to find a way out before running out of oxygen. A scientifically accurate, terrifying story for fans of Jaws, deep sea terror, survivors, complicated families, and explorations of death and grief.

—Lila Denning, St. Petersburg Library System, FL
NoveList read-alike: The Martian by Andy Weir

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel
James McBride
(Riverhead)

In a small town where Jewish and Black Americans have prospered, four adults decide to help hide a young boy, which brings trouble to their doorstep. McBride has a gift for warm and witty dialogue spiced with scenes that both disgust and delight in their humanity. For readers of the character-rich stories of Amor Towles, Ann Patchett, and Jamie Ford.

—Kimberly McGee Lake Travis Community Library, TX
NoveList read-alike: Before All the World by Moriel Rothman-Zecher

The Witch is Back
Sophie H. Morgan
(Harlequin)

Emmaline has loved Bastian her whole life. When he disappeared shortly before they were meant to be married, he broke her heart. Now he's back and begging her to reinstate their engagement, for all the wrong reasons. Secrets, spells, heartbreak, and hope all come together beautifully in this charming tale! For readers who love Erin Sterling and April Asher

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Ex-Hex by Erin Sterling

Codename Charming: A Novel
Lucy Parker
(Avon)

Pet is a human rainbow—colorful, sparkly, and vibrant, while Matthias is the personification of still waters running deep. Opposites attract in this contemporary workplace romance featuring a royal personal assistant and a bodyguard. Quirky, giggle- inducing humor is balanced by sweet moments. This was so satisfying and such a joy to read!

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle

Mister Magic: A Novel
Kiersten White
(Del Rey)

When castmates from a children’s program are brought back together to record a podcast about the show, the group feel like they are back where they belong. But soon they begin to wonder, are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap much more sinister than could ever be imagined? A terrifyingly creepy and realistic tale.

—Ninoshka Aviles, Osceola Library, FL
NoveList read-alike: Burn the Negative by Joshua Winning

Board Bonus pick: 
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp
Swann, Leonie
Soho Crime


Notable Nonfiction: 
The Girls who Fought Crime:The Untold True Story of the Country's First Female Investigator and Her Crime Fighting Squad
Eder, Mari
8/8/2023

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 the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order.

The Invisible Hour
Alice Hoffman
(Atria)
NoveList read-alike: Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Dark Corners
Megan Goldin
(St. Martin's Press) NoveList read-alike:
Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little

None of This is True: A Novel
Lisa Jewell
(Atria)
NoveList read-alike: Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner

Thornhedge
T. Kingfisher
(Tor Books)
NoveList read-alike:
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

Knock Out: A Hell's Belles Novel Sarah MacLean
(Avon)
NoveList read-alike:
The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

Tom Lake: A Novel
Ann Patchett (Harper)
NoveList read-alike: Flight by Lynn Steger Strong

Cruel Seduction
Katee Robert (Sourcebooks)
NoveList read-alike:
Lore Olympus series by Rachel Smythe

Looking Glass Sound Catriona Ward (Tor Nightfire)
NoveList read-alike:
The Pallbearer's Club by Paul Tremblay

The Breakaway
Jennifer Weiner
(Atria)
NoveList read-alike: Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

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