It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All
- I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 that list....
"Clearly if you need a book about a robot that’s guaranteed to have you break out into heaving sobs, this is the novel for you. Klune’s masterful retelling of Pinocchio–a little bit science fiction, a little bit dystopian, and a little bit book-clubby–is a sure-fire winner with so much appeal on so many levels it should prompt readers of all genres to step intosomething new and original. For fans of The Maker of Swans and The Night Circus.”
by Disha Bose
(Ballantine Books)
“Ciara is a perfect mom and influencer who knows what to do, buy, and promote in her small Irish town. Ciara also is an irresponsible woman who plays friends against each other, eats up and spits out all the town husbands, and seals her own fate with her reprehensible behavior. An Orient Express-like cast shines in this twisty domestic thriller about secrets and lies.”
—Donna Ballard, East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, NY
NoveList read-alike: Regrets Only by Kieran Scott
by V. Castro
(Del Rey)
"Alejandra is a stay-at-home mother. Depressed because her life isn't what she thought it’d be, she consults a curandero: a folk healer and licensed therapist. She soon discovers the visions she’s been having are tied to her ancestors' experiences. Castro has an innate ability to get into the head of her characters, while weaving together multiple plotlines and time periods."
—Chloe Waryan, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL
NoveList read-alike: Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
by Kate Morton
(Mariner Books)
"Set in Australia, this novel examines the mysterious circumstances of a family tragedy on Christmas Eve in 1959. In the present day, a woman delves into her own past to uncover the secrets that impacted her life in ways she doesn't yet understand. Morton’s books often contain well-developed characters, twisty plots, and family secrets, and this is no exception."
NoveList read-alike: Exiles by Jane Harper
by Colleen Cambridge
(Kensington)
"In Paris after WWII, Julia Child, her husband Paul, sister Dort, and Tabitha, a half French American ex-pat, are all recent arrivals. The romance, sights, sounds, and food of the city are delightful enough; add a murder committed with one of Julia’s knives, and a wonderful series is born. For fans of culinary mysteries, historical mysteries, and City of Light."
NoveList read-alike: Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen
by HelenKay Dimon
(Avon)
"Jillian Moorewood is out of jail after covering for the crimes of her grifting family. She heads home to the family mansion to take back control of the business and force them into legitimate jobs, but none of her extended family wants to change. Quirky characters, a hot bodyguard, attempts on her life, and a battle worthy of Succession keeps readers engaged to the end."
NoveList read-alike: The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson
by Ling Ling Huang
(Dutton)
“This hauntingly beautiful and chilling novel showcases the otherwordly experience the main character goes through at the expense of her health and beauty, and how damaging it can be. It was bleak, but atmospheric and luminous in a weird way. The descriptions were interesting and drew me in further and further. A mind-bender that readers will plow through in a day or two!”
NoveList read-alike: Chlorine by Jade Song
by Ness Brown
(Tor Nightfire)
“Jacklyn ‘Jack’ Albright is first mate of the ship Calypso, en route back to earth after a failed attempt to colonize another planet. Jack’s father is the captain, but he sealed himself in private quarters weeks ago as things are breaking down. The pacing and growing insidious dread in this novella are awesome. The crippling fear of the unknown makes for a delicious read.”
—KatieLee Sliger, Boise Public Library, Boise, ID
NoveList read-alike: Screaming From the Void by Helen Tibbets
Sisters of the Lost Nation: A Novel
by Nick Medina
(Berkley)
“Anna Horn wants to know why young girls are disappearing on the reservation. When Anna's sister Grace goes missing, Anna and the tribe seek answers to the disappearances and discover that the tribe's difficulties are linked to the past. This mix of mythology and horror that deals with unsolved disappearances of Indigenous girls and tribal lore is a gripping read.”
NoveList read-alike: Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid
Symphony of Secrets: A Novel
(Anchor Books)
“In 1920s NYC Fred Delaney is about to be kicked out of his jazz combo when he meets Josephine Reed, who helps him improve. In the present day, Bern Hendricks, an expert on composer Delaney, is asked to look over a manuscript of a lost symphony. However, questions about attribution arise. This is a suspenseful book that will be fantastic for discussion.”
NoveList read-alike: Sing Her Name by Rosalyn M. Story
Click here to access the Hall of Fame Archive for more sure bet library worker favorites
(Avon)
Bellefleur is back with a frothy, adorable, heartwarming romance. Tansy has been lying to her family about having a girlfriend just so they’ll get off her back. Her fake girlfriend, Gemma, happens to be a real life cover model for romance novels who shows up at a wedding Tansy is attending! Gemma surprises Tansy by going along with the ruse since she needs a fiancée in order to inherit her grandfather’s company. Save this story for whenever you need a pick-me-up!
NoveList read-alike: No Rings Attached by Rachel Lacey
by Emily Henry
(Berkley)
Though they broke up six months ago, Wyn and Harriet pretend they’re still together to avoid disrupting their college friends’ last annual getaway to a cottage in Maine. This book takes the fake relationship trope to a whole new level with switching timelines that reveal how this former couple got to where they are now. Every character is flawed but lovable, and their banter is delightful. Emily Henry fans may have a new favorite!
NoveList read-alike: The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
by Elly Griffiths
(Mariner Books)
Dr. Ruth Galloway faces the closing of the archaeology department at the University of North Norfolk while DCI Harry Nelson considers retirement. Both are at a crossroads personally and professionally when the skeleton of a former archaeology student is found after disappearing fifteen years ago. This intricate mystery is full of red herrings and local color, and features characters who continue to grow in a way that is seldom seen in series.
NoveList read-alike: A Murder in Tuscany by Christobel Kent
by Megan Miranda
(Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books)
A group of former classmates reunite to mark the tenth anniversary of a tragic accident only to have one of the survivors disappear, casting fear and suspicion on the original tragedy. Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Readers won't be able to put down this page-turner, and will want to reread it to see all the missed clues.
NoveList read-alike: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
by Curtis Sittenfeld
(Random House)
The Danny Horst Rule states that a gorgeous male celebrity like Noah Brewster would not fall in love with an average-looking woman like Sally Milz. So Sally can’t fathom why Noah seems drawn to her as they prepare for the Saturday night comedy show where he is the guest host and she is a staff writer. This is a modern love story with intricately fleshed out characters and fresh dialogue, authentically set during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NoveList read-alike: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
by Sally Hepworth
(St. Martin's Press)
A tragic situation takes an ominously personal turn when Pippa's husband, first thought to be an unwitting witness to a stranger's suicide, is revealed to have a secret connection to the woman. As more is revealed, Pippa has to wonder if her husband played more of a hands-on role in the woman's death. Readers will be swept away with this twisty, well-crafted thriller.
NoveList read-alike: It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison
by Abby Jimenez
(Forever)
After a terrible first impression, Jacob sends a letter causing Briana to decide to give her irritating coworker a second chance. Surprisingly, she finds him warm and funny. In this eye-opening, brutally honest, and vulnerable romance, the two fall in love while dealing with serious issues such as anxiety and kidney disease. Readers who enjoyed Unlikely Match by Laura Bradbury should enjoy this novel.
NoveList read-alike: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
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