RA FOR ALL...THE ROAD SHOW!

I can come to your library, book club meeting, or conference to talk about how to help your readers find their next good read. Click here for more information including RA for All's EDI Statement.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

LibraryReads: September 2023

 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 September 2023 list.... 



The September House: A Novel
Carissa Orlando (Berkley)

Margaret believes in following the rules. Four years after moving into a haunted Victorian, she knows how to avoid the dangerous ghosts. But her husband can’t take it anymore and leaves when the paranormal activity escalates to excessive levels. Now their estranged daughter—who’s never been to the house—is coming to visit, and Margaret doesn’t know how to explain (much less keep her child safe from) the specters’ violent antics.

—Lucy Lockley, St. Charles City-County Lib Dist, MO
NoveList read-alike: How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix


Perfectly Nice Neighbors
Kia Abdullah
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)

This domestic thriller is about the dynamic and ongoing battle between neighbors, giving readers a suspenseful and exciting conclusion that they won't see coming. The commentary about race and social media is relatable to the world we live in. The battle between these neighbors may make readers think twice about moving to the suburbs.

—Tabrizia Jones, The New York Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: Our Best Intentions by Vibuti Jain

The Long Game: A Novel
Elena Armas
(Berkley)

Adalyn needs a hug, not that she'll ever admit it. Exiled to tiny Green Oak, North Carolina after a very public breakdown, she's forced to examine her life—and of course, falls in love along the way. Armas hits all the right emotional notes and the slow burn is delicious. Pick this one up if you like small- town romance, love interests who actually talk to each other, and female leads who can handle their stuff.

—Amanda Baumann, JCL Northwest, MO
NoveList read-alike: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

The Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel
KJ Charles
(Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Rufus is the new Earl of Oxney, much to the consternation of his uncle. But another possible claimant steps forward, Luke. As Rufus and Luke work together to get the estate organized, it becomes impossible for them to ignore their mutual attraction. This fun historical LGBTQ romance set 13 years after the first in the series is an ideal beach read.

—Nancy Eggert, Chicago Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: The Turner series by Cat Sebastian

The Vaster Wilds: A Novel
Lauren Groff
(Riverhead)

This stunningly haunting, lyrical novel is set in the New World settlement of Jamestown, when colonists established an outpost neighboring the Powhatan natives. Disease, conflict, and drought loom, with death soon following. In this period known as the Starving Time, sadly resulting in cannibalism, a servant girl flees, traveling deep into the woods. Escaping only with a few possessions, she eats what she can, desperate to survive.

—KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador, CT
NoveList read-alike: Song for Almeyda and Song for Annino by Gayl Jones

Godkiller: A Novel
Hannah Kaner
(Harper Voyager)

Three mortals and a minor god go on a quest and encounter a water spirit. Gripping from the first page, this fantasy novel explores this complex world with just the right amount of world-building and description. Highly recommended for fans of The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Chakraborty, The Name of the Wind by Rothfuss and classic fantasy.

—Tommy Buttaccio, The New York Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Witcher series by Andrezej Sapkowski

The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic: A Novel
Breanne Randall
(Alcove Press)

A light, witchy novel where the relationships aren't just romantic—there are family issues for the main character to work through as well. The magic system is a favorite cozy trope—herbs and baking—and there are lots of tasty-sounding recipes to try throughout. Readers will look forward to more to come from Randall.

—Josephine Incolla-Moore, Frederick Cty Urbana Branch, MD
NoveList read-alike: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Things We Left Behind
Lucy Score
(Bloom Books)

In this series entry, Sloane Walton, local librarian, and Lucian Rollins, DC power player, mix as well as oil and water. When Sloane decides she's ready to settle down, Lucian insists on watching out for her. Can they get past their animosity and build a relationship? Lucian and Sloane are likable but flawed characters and readers will root for them to get their HEA.

—Shari Suarez, Genesee District Library, MI
NoveList read-alike: Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune

Hush Harbor: A Novel
Anise Vance
(Hanover Square Press)

When racism explodes and it feels like the world is on fire, siblings Jeremiah and Nova decide to form a resistance group in an abandoned housing project. But differences about how to move forward divide the group, threatening to derail their work. The group must find a way forward without becoming like the enemy. Thought-provoking and intense!

—Alicia Ahlvers, Henrico County Public Library
NoveList read-alike: American War by Omar El Akkad
The Museum of Failures: A Novel
Thrity Umrigar
(Algonqiun Books)

Remy Wadia is back in Bombay to adopt a child and to check in on his estranged mother, but nothing is working out as planned. As necessary truths are finally shared, Remy is forced to rethink his entire life. A beautifully written, heart- warming, and welcoming glimpse into the Parsi community and the complications of family.

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI
NoveList read-alike: Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo
Board Bonus pick:
Land of Milk and Honey
(Riverhead)
C Pam Zhang

Notable Nonfiction: 
Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell
Sy Montgomery
(Mariner Books)

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.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Mary Kay Andrews
(St. Martin's Press)
NoveList read-alike: Seasons of Love by Helena Greer

Enchanted to Meet You: A Witches of West Harbor Novel

Meg Cabot
(Avon)
NoveList read-alike: Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck

Black Sheep
Rachel Harrison
(Berkley)
NoveList read-alike: Sundial by Catriona Ward

The Wake-Up Call
Beth O'Leary
(Berkley)
NoveList read-alike: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

The Last Devil to Die: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery
Richard Osman
(Pamela Dorman Books)
NoveList read-alike: Marlow Murder Club series by Robert Thorogood

Starter Villain
John Scalzi
(Tor Books)
NoveList read-alike: Hench  by Natalie Zina Walschots

The Fragile Threads of Power
V.E. Schwab
(Tor Books)
NoveList read-alike: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Cleat Cute: A Novel
Meryl Wilsner
(St. Martin's Griffin)
NoveList read-alike: The Princess Deception by Nell Stark

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