Why Representation in Publishing Matters

Robin Bradford and I are working on a new version of our Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers for a new venue (one all of you can access). That will debut in February 2025 and details about how to register will come out form the organizer soon. 

Visit our Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers landing page for more details and pricing. And while you are there, please note there is no longer a version of our class via any NoveList platform (beginning 1/1/25). So if you have a subscription to Learn With NoveList and haven't completed our class, you need to get it done by 12/31. It will be gone after that. 

Specifically today however, Robin and I are meeting to work on a new facet to this training, an interactive piece that you can use in your work at your library over time. We are very excited to offer this in February in a beta version, but the plan is to workshop this print product and eventually turn it into a product anyone can buy.

As part of this process and each of us updating our presentations, I have been digging into more information that explains the WHY behind this work. Why is it important? Why should we all do it? Why including more voices is imperative to create a sense of belonging in our libraries? And most importantly working on helping each of you find your own why.

As the political climate shifts, we need to spend a lot more time focusing on the less inflammatory examples of WHY diversity matters. It has always been the focus of how Robin and I teach our course, but right now, if we are going to be able to talk about representation and diversity at all, this has to be EVERYONE'S focus.

To that end, I was encouraged to see the most recent issue of PW focusing on this very topic. First with this great article compiling interviews with publishing industry leaders all about why representation in publishing matters. 

And second, it has been 10 years since the founding of We Need Diverse Books (wow, it doesn't feel that long ago). To celebrate, PW met up with the founders to mark their 10 years, discuss current challenges, and look into the future with this great article.

Both of these pieces really dive into why diversity and representation matter always, but especially right now. Robin and I will add our voice to this discussion as it pertains to collection development and readers' advisory in the coming months as well.

I wish we didn't have to keep teaching this class. But we do. And since we have to, we are committed to making it as useful as possible for you, despite the state you live in or the administrational support you have. That is our promise to all of you. No matter where you reside, we have something to help you prioritize belonging at your libraries through representation.

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.

A Giveaway We Can All Be Thankful For

This is a cross post with RA for All Horror:

It's almost Thanksgiving and to celebrate all we should be thankful for, I am offering one of the most anticipated titles of 2025. A book I already gave a star in Booklist and I am giving away the special package the publisher sent to me which has the ARC and more. Details below but first, here are the rules on how to enter:

1. You need to be affiliated with an American Library. My rationale behind that is that I will be encouraging you to read these books and share them with patrons. While many of them are advanced reader copies that you cannot add to your collections, if you get the chance to read them, my hope is that you will consider ordering a copy for your library and give away the ARC away as a prize or pass it on to a fellow staff member.
2. If you are interested in being included in any giveaway at any time, you must email me at zombiegrl75 [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject line "#HorrorForLibraries." In the body of the email all you have to say is that you want to be entered and the name of your library.
3. Each entry will be considered for EVERY giveaway. Meaning you enter once, and you are entered until you win. I will randomly draw a winner on Fridays sometime after 5pm central. But only entries received by 5pm each week will be considered for that week. I use Random.org and have a member of my family witness the "draw"based off your number in the Google Sheet.
4. If you win, you are ineligible to win again for 4 weeks; you will have to re-enter after that time to be considered [I have a list of who has won, when, and what title]. However, if you do not win, you carry over into the next week. There is NO NEED to reenter.

Click here for the previous giveaway. Our winner was Grace. Now on to this week's giveaway.

STAR

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

By Grady Hendrix Jan. 2025. 432p. Berkley, $30 (9780593548981); paper, $19 (9780593818183). First published October 15, 2024 (Booklist).

Neva, fifteen and pregnant in 1970, is brought in secrecy to Florida and the Wellwood House, a maternity home by name, but a prison in practice, a stand-in for such homes that proliferated across the US and Canada between 1945 and 1973. Once admitted Neva is renamed Fern, to protect her from the shame she is reassured, ends after she gives birth. Abandoned, alone, and struggling to access information about what is happening to their bodies, angry at being told they alone must pay for their sins, Fern and her roommates– Zinnia, the only black girl, Rose, a hippie, and Holly, a molested 14 year old– are given a copy of “How to Be a Groovy Witch” by the bookmobile librarian and their lives are changed forever. Told from Fern’s perspective, this is an original and nuanced addition to the witch cannon. However, it is the clear, accurate, and intensely visceral body horror of pregnancy and birth laid bare, that may catch readers off guard. Another stellar novel from Hendrix, a story that has a strong emotional core, compelling plot, unforgettable characters, and 360 degrees of terror. For fans of Horror that empowers the powerless as written by Gwendolyn Kiste, Gabino Iglesias and The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. YA Statement: Teen horror readers will be invested in Fern, Holly, Zinnia, and Rose’s story which, despite taking place in 1970, is unfortunately still relevant today.

Three Words That Describe This Book: visceral, empowerment, intense

Please click through and read all of what I have to say about this book. It is so good and so accurate. I have given birth to 2 children and Hendrix got everything right. This is a story of female empowerment by a dude who understands that men, especially those with privilege, need to stand up and take a stand for all women. Oh, and it is an awesome story. 

Get multiple copies of this book on order now and get ready for a whole bunch of male readers to complain that this book is too gross. Joke's on them, all the "gross" parts are 100% real.

This giveaway is a special package for all of you. I have an unread ARC (I read a PDF) that Berkley sent me with a copy of "How to Be a Groovy Witch" and a bookmobile library card. All of this along with the regular RA for All swag already included in every winner's package is all going to one winner.

Enter now and you are entered going forward. 

Conversation Starter: What Books Are You Most Thankful For

Over the last year I have really focused on helping you find ways to have conversations with your patrons, to build relationships rather than tallying transactions. I have done this by using my Conversation Starter to Display Exercise everywhere I go. And this focus over the last 18 months is also going to lead to a HUGE refresh of my Ten Rules this January. But that is for later. 

Today I have the perfect thing for you to do starting now and through next week, something that people will love to participate in-- Ask your patrons what books they are most thankful for. And then showcase the results.

Speaking of the result, you will love them. I have done this before and seeing what people say is eye opening. It is never the bestsellers or current titles. It is always books that are older and often a bit more obscure. Very genre heavy as well. Seeing the results always renews my faith in humanity, yes, but it also gives you a deep look into the books that resonate most with your readers. It reminds you that although we worry so much about having the latest Patterson, Roberts, Hoover etc... , those are not the books that our readers appreciate the most.

Again, go to my explanation post to see how to actually administer this conversation starter to display exercise. Here is a short excerpt from that post to make you want to click through for more:

But we don't only have to ask verbally. Turn these six questions into books marks, with one question on the top of each. Leave them out on your displays, at the end of rows, on your desk. Also, put them in every book on the holds shelf. Place a note at the bottom to have them return it with their item. Gather the answers and turn them into the displays with the titles I suggest below.

There is much more in the post. Don't be lazy....click through now and come back to finish the post when you are done reading.

You can use your results all year long. First, get them up as a year end display in December. Title it the books our community is thankful for. This will still work after Thanksgiving as the entire season has a heartwarming feel. And it is seasonal, not religious holiday specific.

Second, save these titles in your back pocket and turn them into other displays later in the year-- Our Community's Sure Bet Reads or Forgotten Favorites or simply, Curl Up With A Good Read Suggested by Our Patrons. You can re-ask the question with these other conversation starter ideas, but add the results to these questions to the answers to the thankful one. Compound interest with these conversation starters is key-- the most times you ask the same question (or similar ones), the most options you have for your displays.

[Side note: Please, make these displays intergenerational-- include books from all age levels of the library. Why, well I have a lot to say about it here, but first and foremost, having a display near the entrance of your library that includes titles from across the building, shows your readers that you are inclusive and that you care about them-- all of them-- as an entire library, not only in their age level silo. I know there is reistsnecre at some libraries to do this, but I refer you to Cuyahoga County Public Library's presentation at PLA where they explain why they do this. If they can do it, you can too.]

Third, use the results to help you craft your collections. When you ask a question as earnest as "What books are you most thankful for?" you get back answers that are true, heartfelt, and reflect what your readers truly enjoy. This is way more helpful than circulation statistics. Those just show us what was checked out but does not let us know if the readers enjoyed them or not. 

Too often we get too caught up in the stats and simply add books that reflect what circulates the most. Yes, we have to do that, but by asking conversation starter questions more regularly we can do a deeper dive into the books that resonate with our readers and work to help them find readalikes. These results will allow you to take a few more chances at adding lesser known works, yes, but you should also use these results to make displays to highlight those titles. 

For example, if you get a lot of people saying they are thankful for TJ Klune, well you already know people love his books, yes, but you should also use this to make a Cozy Fantasy display. Look for more authors who are doing this, add their titles, and then show them off. 

The answers to a "Books you are thankful for" display in and of itself will reveal subgenres and specific reading interests that will help you find new display ideas.

Plus, as I said above, this kind of question will renew your faith in humanity and fill your own heart with warmth and joy. And honestly, right now, that might be all the reason you need to turn this post into action at your library.

Back tomorrow with a giveaway on both blogs of one of the most hotly anticipated books for the new year by one of the best authors (in any genre) out there.

Attack of the Best Lists 2024: Time's 100 Must Read Books of 2024

This post is part of my year end "Attack of the Best Lists" coverage. To see every post in my "Attack of the Best Lists 2024" coverage [and more backlist best of the year options] you can click here. 

Tim Magazine has had one of the most useful (to use) lists over the last 5 years. Why? because each year they give us their "100 Must Read Books." The books that entertained and enthralled them.  Here is the link to the 2024 list.

Notice they don't call them "the best," they are "must reads." I love this language. It speaks perfectly to library users. These are books the editors think you should read for a variety of reasons. They are not trying to tell you to only read the most critically acclaimed books. They have chosen those but also bestsellers and titles that speak to our moment in history as well.

This is a list you can display proudly, and quite honestly, having looked through it myself, easily. Easily because you have these books already. Easily because there are many ways to promote it via their website, which has a visual representation of each cover that people can scroll through quickly or click on a specific title for an annotation with details. 

And, I love this entire concept to have your year end "Best Books" discussions at your library. Ask your staff and patrons for their "Must Read Book of 2024." Don't be more specific than that. Simply use my conversation starter to displays post to ask for nothing more than what people's "must read book of 2024 was." Then sit back and watch the diverse and interesting list your library creates. Not only will it be unique to your community but also, it will give you a sense of what titles have resonated with your readers in a way that is hard to capture. This is necessary information you need to craft your collections going forward.

And notice my advice does not limit people to the book having come out this year. The question is vague on purpose. You will get older titles. which leads to my reminder that it is not only this 2024 list that is a great choice for readers, but also, the backlist of lists. Time has been making this "100 Must Read Books" list since 2019. Here are the backlist links for you to use with your patrons immediately:

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019

Mine those backlists as suggestions, for book discussion titles, sure bet or great reads you may have missed displays. These are excellent titles for a general audience. They can and should be used now and as a resource all year long.

The Current Issue of Booklist is a Spotlight on First Novels

Booklist's November 1&15 2024 issue has a spotlight on first novels, always a popular topic with readers. While the 2024 list is a great options for reader suggestions, displays, and of course, collection development, I also wanted to use this opportunity to link to the last few years of Booklist debut lists as well.

Spotlight on First Novels

• Top 10 First Novels: 2024 and backlist access: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
• Top 10 First Novels on Audio: 2024 and backlist access: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

And this excellent bonus list Listen Up: Audio Revivals: 

Audiobooks have the distinct honor of bringing older titles back into the spotlight with fresh new recordings, as with Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money, reviewed in this issue. These recent releases of old favorites will bring back memories of the first time you encountered these stories and introduce a whole new audience to some excellent storytelling. 

LibraryReads: December 2024

   

 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 the December 2024 list.... 

 Not in My Book

Katie Holt

(Alcove Press)

If there's such a thing as "light academia" this book embodies it, with collegiate setting-fueled banter in a cute, enemies-to-lovers romance. As Rosie and her nemesis, the uppity Aiden, are forced to write a book together, opposites attract as they produce each chapter. Readers will love the chemistry between the two writers in this debut novel.

—Maddie Paul, Bartholomew County Public Library, IN

NoveList read-alike: L ove Story by Lindsey Kelk

Now for the rest of the December 2024 list!

I Might Be in Trouble

Daniel Aleman

(Grand Central)

When struggling novelist David wakes up next to a dead body after a hookup with a stranger, he realizes inspiration for his next book may have finally struck. But he'll need his agent's help to move the body and avoid the blame first. This mystery thriller is funny, suspenseful, and surprisingly touching.

—Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Who Is Maud Dixon by Alexandra Andrews

Keep Me

Sara Cate

(Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Killian is a brute who let his past dictate his life until he met Sylvie. She's entitled and has a foul mouth according to Killian, but she is the only woman he'd consider entering into a fake marriage with. Sylvie agrees, knowing that 10 million dollars awaits at the finish line. What neither of them expected was to actually fall in love.

—Erica Moses, Genesee Area Library, PA

NoveList read-alike: Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love

Marianne Cronin

(Harper Perennial)

Unexpected friendships and second chances come alive in this life-affirming story. 90-year-old Eddie, a volunteer in a resale shop, meets 24-year-old Bella, who brings in the things of her boyfriend who died last year. Through their friendship, Bella discovers Eddie has never been kissed. This read is hope and humanity in a book.

—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO

NoveList read-alike: Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim

The Resurrectionist

A. Rae Dunlap

(Kensington)

This gothic novel is a delightfully atmospheric tale of a medical student turned grave robber, set amidst the dark alleyways of 19th-century Edinburgh. The combination of historical fiction and murder mystery with plenty of medical history will make this a crossover hit with several audiences. Readers will be looking for more from this author.

—Gregg Winsor, Johnson County Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: Anatomy by Dana Schwartz

A Monsoon Rising

Thea Guanzon

(Harper Voyager)

Readers who follow this series will be happy to see Talasyn and Alaric work through their tension and angst and come together in order to save the world from being devoured. The slow burn of the enemies-to-lovers romance really sets the pace for the entire book.

—Ashley M., Morton Grove Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Bridge Kingdom series by Danielle L. Jensen

Booked for Murder

P.J. Nelson

(Minotaur Books)

Madelaine has to live in her late aunt’s home/bookstore for six months in order to inherit. It’s only her first night and she’s already putting out fires, getting threatening phone calls, and finding a body.Does she flee? Nope! She sets out to find the villain. Add in some eccentric women and small town characters for a great cozy mystery.

—Joan Hipp, Florham Park Public Library, NJ

NoveList read-alike: Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney

The Rivals: A Novel

Jane Pek

(Vintage)

Claudia works for a company verifying information for online matchmaking programs. As she digs deeper into a possible A.I. conspiracy, danger rises. With the uncomfortable feeling that the people she's investigating are being eliminated, Claudia races to solve the case and to manage her complicated personal life. Readers will enjoy the banter, multifaceted characters, and interesting storyline.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library (Austin), TX

NoveList read-alike: Swiped by L.M. Chilton

North is the Night

Emily Rath

(Erewhon Books)

Finnish gods meet mortals in this journey to the underworld featuring two strong heroines, one captured by the Witch Queen of Death and the other determined to rescue her. Aina

and Siiri's bond intensifies even when they are separated. Rath's world is peppered with gods, shamans, and assorted witches, pushing the story into new territory and making this a unique and original tale.

—Douglas Beatty, Baltimore County Public Library, MD

NoveList read-alike: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Rental House: A Novel

Weike Wang

(Riverhead)

Keru and Nate decide to rent a summer house, inviting their parents on different weekends of their vacation. She is the child of Chinese immigrants, and he is the son of working class Appalachians. The novel's dry humor focuses on how each family views Keru and Nate's marriage compared with their more traditional ideas, making this an interesting study of contemporary marriage.

—Michelle Morris, Fort Worth Public Library, TX

NoveList read-alike: Long After  We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris

Board Bonus picks:

How to Steal a Galaxy

Beth Revis

(DAW) 

Notable Nonfiction:

Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Escaped Nazi Germany  and Made Scientific History 

Olivia Campbell

(Park Row)

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

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.

Under Loch and Key

Lana Ferguson

(Berkley)

Invisible Helix

Keigo Higashino

(Minotaur Books)

What the Wife Knew

Darby Kane

(William Morrow)

Finding Comfort in Romance via Fated Mates Podcast and a Conversation Starter to Display Idea to Highlight Comfort Reads From Any Genre

One of the best things about Romance is the fact that readers are assured a happy ending. People who are not Romance readers often use this fact-- that the ending is a known quantity-- to disparage the genre. I on the other hand argue the opposite-- that actually because the reader knows what the ending will be, the authors have to work that much harder to make the book interesting and compelling to the reader.

Also, because of the HEA that a Romance must bring to every book, Romance is also one of the best comfort reads in times of high stress. 

And no one understands Romance better than Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop, the hosts of Fated Mates. From the podcast's about page:

The most listened to romance novel podcast, Fated Mates is co-hosted by bestselling author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and lively discussions of the work of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting the patriarchy…with absolutely no kink shaming.

Now in its sixth season, Fated Mates is continuing to collect the oral histories of romance trailblazers—the authors, editors and others who built the modern genre. Listen to those interviews at trailblazers.fatedmates.net.

Their most recent episode is entitled Comfort Reads and Finding Solace in Romance. Show description: 

Like many people, we don't know what to say this week, and whatever we might have said probably wouldn't have been very eloquent, so we've decided to talk about something we know about: Comfort reading and the way romance provides us solace, peace and hope.

This week's books are our old reliables--books that we turn to again and again for a reminder that love triumphs, hope sings and romance is resolute. We're so happy you're here; we are, too, for as long as you'll have us.

I am recommending this episode to all library workers- whether you are a Romance fan or not. Click here for direct access to the episode on their website.

I also highly suggest all libraries use my conversation starter to display directions and do a "What are your go-to comfort reads?" interactive display. Start with staff and move on to asking your patrons. Again, directions are here.

Now some of you may think this is a tad bit too political for your library. It is not. Why? Because Thanksgiving is coming and comfort reads are always a great options as the stress of the holiday season, end of the year rush, and for some, the colder temperatures start to all merge. Comfort reads is a common holiday season display, especially for libraries who (rightfully) don't only highlight Christmas during this time of year.

Consider using this episode of Fated Mates as the stepping stone to having a larger conversation about what your staff and patrons turn to as their comfort reads. When you ask as many people as possible, your results will be wide ranging, and that makes your display better. It will have a variety of authors, genres, and titles. There will be new titles and backlist gems. 

And when we ask any conversation starter questions, it gives is a better sense of what books really resonate with your patrons, not just what titles circulated the most, which makes your job cultivating a collection for them easier.

Finally, when you ask your patrons to participate in your service to them-- you show them that you are listening, you remind them that your service to them is a conversation. Or as I like to say in my presentations-- you are modeling the behavior you want to see. 

Click here for more on how to administer conversation starters and turn them into interactive displays.