Library Love Fest

Come See Us at Library Journal's Day of Dialog on Thursday, 9-23!

Hello librarian friends!

Who's going to Library Journal's Day of Dialog on Thursday, September 23rd? If you haven't yet registered for this free event, there's still time!

Register for Library Journal's Day of Dialog

Whether it's the incredible author panels, egalley giveaways, or in-booth author chats, you'll be in book-lover's heaven! You can check out all the HarperCollins happenings below! Be sure to come say hello! For full details on Library Journal's Day of Dialog, visit the official event page. 

 

In-Booth Author Chats

 

3:00 - 3:20 PM ET

Jillian Cantor, author of Beautiful Little Fools
USA Today bestselling author Jillian Cantor reimagines and expands on the literary classic The Great Gatsby in this atmospheric historical novel with echoes of Big Little Lies, told in three women’s alternating voices.

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Author Panelists

Visceral Thrills
9:30 - 10:25 AM ET

Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide… 

Find out more on Edelweiss+

 

 

 

The Literary/Speculative Fiction Mix
10:30 - 11:10 AM ET

Claire Kohda, author of Woman, Eating
A biracial half-human, half-vampire must find a way to balance her mixed heritage, her bottomless hunger, and her life in this stunning debut novel from a writer-to-watch.

Find out more on Edelweiss+

Sequoia Nagamatsu, author of How High We Go in the Dark
For fans of Cloud Atlas and Station Eleven, a spellbinding and profoundly prescient debut that follows a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague—a daring and deeply heartfelt work of mind-bending imagination from a singular new voice. 

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Thrills to Ponder
11:30 AM - 12:25 PM ET

Danya Kukafka, author of Notes on an Execution
In the tradition of Long Bright River and The Mars Room, a gripping and atmospheric work of literary suspense that deconstructs the story of a serial killer on death row, told primarily through the eyes of the women in his life—from the bestselling author of Girl in Snow. 

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History
1:00 - 1:55 PM ET

Imani Perry, author of South to America
An essential, surprising journey through the history, rituals, and landscapes of the American South—and a revelatory argument for why you must understand the South in order to understand America.

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Historical Fiction: The Stories We Tell
2:00 - 2:55 PM ET

Jillian Cantor, author of Beautiful Little Fools
USA Today bestselling author Jillian Cantor reimagines and expands on the literary classic The Great Gatsby in this atmospheric historical novel with echoes of Big Little Lies, told in three women’s alternating voices.

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Fiction: Aiming to Heal
3:30 - 4:30 PM ET

Xavier Navarro Aquino, author of Velorio
Set in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Xavier Navarro Aquino’s unforgettable debut novel follows a remarkable group of survivors searching for hope on an island torn apart by both natural disaster and human violence.

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We are so excited to see all of these wonderful authors! The Library Love Fest Team will also be in the HarperCollins booth all day to chat, catch up, and help you with egalleys, book club suggestions, virtual author events, reading recommendations, and so much more. Be sure to click below to register for Library Journal's Day of Dialog event on Thursday, September 23rd!

Register for Library Journal's Day of Dialog

-LLF

The October LibraryReads List is Here!

Hello, librarians!

You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!

This month, we are thrilled to share that Olivia Dade's All the Feels (the #1 selection!) and Lori Rader-Day's Death at Greenway have been selected for the October LibraryReads list! We are also over the moon that Anthony Horowitz adds to his Hall of Fame list with the selection of his upcoming novel A Line to Kill!

Want to hear how our authors reacted to the big news? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast to hear their responses:

Click here to see the full October LibraryReads List!

***

All the Feels by Olivia Dade: Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

"Dade’s charming, sexy contemporary romance will be hard to put down.... The writing is excellent, with witty, banter-filled dialogue."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review

"[All the Feels] weaves in sharp wit and dry humor even as it tugs at the reader's heartstrings.... A consistently entertaining and often insightful romance."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐️ review

"After wowing readers with Spoiler Alert, Dade returns with another stunning contemporary romance that brilliantly celebrates the redemptive power of love."
—Booklist ⭐️  review

Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Spoiler Alert (October 2020)

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Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day: From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery.

"Richly nuanced mystery...Rader-Day nicely evokes the isolation and dislocations of people in WWII Britain while revealing her characters’ complexities. Despite the many allusions to Christie’s life and work, she eschews an artificially neat conclusion. Fans of both Christie and Rader-Day will relish this."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review

"Rader-Day, known for masterfully weaving historical elements into her female-focused literary thrillers, imbues this wartime whodunit with palpable emotion as Bridey reconciles her family’s bombing deaths through a plan to save another life."
—Booklist

Previous LibraryReads Selections:
The Black Hour (July 2014)

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Watch Lori Rader-Day on Door to Door:

 

A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz: The New York Times bestselling author of the brilliantly inventive The Word Is Murder and The Sentence Is Death returns with his third literary whodunit featuring intrepid detectives Hawthorne and Horowitz.

"The often prickly relationship between the Watson-like Horowitz and the Holmes-like Hawthorne complements the intricate detective work worthy of a classic golden age whodunit."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review

Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Magpie Murders (June 2017)
The Word Is Murder (June 2018)
Moonflower Murders (November 2020)

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Watch Anthony Horowitz on Door to Door:

***

Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the October LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the November LibraryReads List by October 1st. Click here to find out what we're recommending!  

Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Lainey

LLF Staff Suggestions for the November LibraryReads List

Hello, librarians!

Fall is in the air and we are back with a fresh round of reading suggestions for the November LibraryReads List! Reminder: votes for the November LibraryReads List are due October 1st.

Happy reading!

-The LLF Team (Virginia and Lainey)

***

All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
For fans of: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

In this fast-paced thriller, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a Black lawyer who gets in over her head after the sudden death of her boss—a debut perfect for fans of Attica Locke, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.

“Wanda M. Morris hits all the right notes in All Her Little Secrets, a taut, sleek thriller that’s also a searing story about the secrets we can never manage to leave behind. A stunning debut.”
—Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Watch Wanda M. Morris on Door to Door and listen to a podcast interview with LLF's Lainey Mays:

 

 

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Also from the author: The Night Watchman, Future Home of the Living God, and LaRose

In this very brave, unusual, and forceful novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning author Louise Erdrich creates a wickedly funny ghost story, a tale of passion, of a complex marriage, and of a woman's relentless error.

"Scintillating…. More than a gripping ghost story, The Sentence offers profound insights into the effects of the global pandemic and the collateral damage of systemic racism. It adds up to one of Erdrich’s most…illuminating works to date."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐ review

"The Sentence is a novel that reckons with ghosts—of both specific people but also the shadows resulting from America’s violent, dark habits."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
Also from the author: Fall; or, Dodge in Hell and The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson returns with a visionary technothriller about climate change and the man-made forces that shape our present and future. Intricately imagined and richly plotted, Termination Shock is trademark Stephenson—a gripping and propulsive epic of the modern world that shows this remarkable author at his very best.

"This book is the rare climate thriller that's realistic about political stonewalling in the face of disaster yet unafraid to imagine a possible future where people might actually come together and try to save civilization. The kind of climate-change fiction we all need."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Also from the author: The Dutch House and Commonwealth

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships, and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays.  

"An enviable life shared with candor, emotion, and knockout storytelling power."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

"Breathtakingly candid, Patchett attains graceful velocity and tilt, her vibrant sentences serving as divining rods for piquant life lessons."
—Booklist

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Watch Ann Patchett on Door to Door: 

 

The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
Also from the author: The Last Train to London and The Race for Paris

The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to London revisits the dark early days of the German occupation in France in this haunting novel—a love story and a tale of high-stakes danger and incomparable courage—about a young American heiress who helps artists hunted by the Nazis escape from war-torn Europe.

"Clayton's lyrical, thought-provoking prose breathes life into her characters. This sterling portrait of a complex woman stands head and shoulders above most contemporary WWII fiction."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
Also from the author: Finding Chika and The Next Person You Meet in Heaven

What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be "the Lord." And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.

"Unanswerable questions wrapped inside a thought-provoking yarn."
—Kirkus Reviews

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

 

The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Also from the author: What Remains of Me 

The USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Never Look Back and If I Die Tonight plumbs the dark side of justice and the depths of diabolical revenge in this propulsive novel of psychological suspense that melds the driving narrative of Then She Was Gone with the breathtaking twists of The Chain and the violent fury of Kill Bill.

"A nerve-shredding, emotionally harrowing ride that also speaks volumes about our current moment, the dangers of our digital world, the potency of female rage. Don’t miss it."
—Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Turnout

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

 

Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
For fans of: Plain Bad Heroines by emily m. danforth 

An exhilarating, provocative novel of motherhood in extremis, following a mother who must care for her child who seems more predatory bird than baby.

"Claire Oshetsky’s novel is a marvel: its language a joy, its imagination dizzying."
—Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind

"Oshetsky's writing is virtuosic, laced with dry humor, and perfectly matched to the parable she unfolds…. A fever dream of a novel that will enchant fans of contemporary fabulism."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Reclamation by Gayle Jessup White
For fans of: Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey

A Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings' family explores America’s racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestors—both the enslaver and the enslaved.

"Reclamation is a quintessential American story that should be required reading for anyone who doesn't understand the true contributions of African-Americans to this nation and how vital our presence was and remains to the core principles of democracy and freedom."
—Bakari Sellers, New York Times bestselling author of My Vanishing Country

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Burntcoat by Sarah Hall
For fans of: Autumn by Ali Smith

An electrifying novel of mortality, passion, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a deadly global virus—from the "astonishing, miraculous" (Daisy Johnson) Man Booker–nominated writer.

"Hall's writing is alchemical, magnificent, divine, bodily. Here are new ways to understand what it feels like to be human.... Burntcoat is a masterpiece. I lay myself at the altar of everything Hall writes."
—Daisy Johnson, author of Sisters

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
For fans of: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert 

Julie Tieu sparkles in this debut romantic comedy, which is charmingly reminiscent of the TV show Kim’s Convenience and Frankly in Love by David Yoon, about a young woman who feels caught in the life her parents have made for her until she falls in love and finds a way out of the donut trap.

"Donut miss this tasty treat! Julie Tieu is going on my auto-buy list. Her writing is as fresh and warm as a newly baked glazed. You need this book now."
—Meg Cabot, author of the Little Bridge Island and Princess Diaries series

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

The Surrogate by Toni Halleen
For fans of: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

A probing novel about a newly married couple, the surrogate they hire to carry their baby, and the unexpected consequences of their decisions. 

"The Surrogate is a thrilling, high-stakes debut, centering on a vulnerable newborn, and two women who will do almost anything to claim her as their daughter. With a collection of vividly rendered characters, this twisty tale will leave you thinking about the true meaning of motherhood long after you turn the last page. I loved it!"
—Patry Francis, bestselling author of All The Children are Home

"In her novel Surrogate Toni Halleen does two things brilliantly; she writes a heart-wrenching story of a couple who hire a surrogate to carry their baby—and then turns that story into an unputdownable tale of psychological suspense... An amazing achievement!"
—Michael Elias, author of You Can Go Home Now

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

A Blizzard of Polar Bears by Alice Henderson
For fans of: Dark Sky by C. J. Box and One Last Lie by Paul Doiron

Wildlife biologist Alex Carter is back, fighting for endangered species in the Canadian Arctic and battling for her life in this action-packed follow-up to A Solitude of Wolverines, "a true stunner of a thriller debut" (James Rollins) and "a great read" (Nevada Barr).

Praise for A Solitude of Wolverines: 
"A Solitude of Wolverines sizzles with action, dripping with the kind of characters and environs that make for a long-lasting series in which readers can really sink their teeth."
—Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Walt Longmire mysteries

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Watch Alice Henderson on Door to Door:

 

The Teller of Secrets by Bisi Adjapon
For fans of: Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang 

In this stunning debut novel—a tale of self-discovery and feminist awakening—Esi, a feisty Nigerian-Ghanaian girl growing up amid the political upheaval of late 1960s postcolonial Ghana begins to question the hypocrisy of her patriarchal society, and the restrictions and unrealistic expectations placed on women.

"Despite her father’s constant mantra—'A woman’s glory is her husband'—Esi ultimately takes control of her body, her mind, and her whole being in ways that will merit a fist pump among feminists everywhere."
—Booklist ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies
For fans of: When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor

From the author of The Tea Planter’s Wife, a stunning tale of sisters, secrets and bravery in the darkness of war-torn France.

"Dinah Jefferies weaves a rich tapestry of courage, passion and family secrets beneath the dark shadows of war. The three sisters at the heart of the story are strong, complex women who readers will be rooting for as layers of intrigue and danger unfold, while delicious details of the Dordogne add a wonderful sense of escapism."
—Hazel Gaynor, author of The Girl Who Came Home and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Speaking of Race by Celeste Headlee
For fans of: Biased by Jennifer L. Eberhardt

In this urgently needed guide, the PBS host, award-winning journalist, and author of We Need to Talk teaches us how to have productive conversations about race, offering insights, advice, and support.

"Celeste Headlee says we cannot go around, over, or under the subject of race in this country. We must go through it—and the way forward is to have conversations. This is simply the best book I’ve read on how to have those conversations."
—Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and New York Times bestselling author of Grit

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

I Hope This Finds You Well by Kate Baer
Also from the author: What Kind of Woman

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller What Kind of Woman returns with a collection of erasure poems created from notes she received from followers, supporters and detractors—an artform that reclaims the vitriol from online trolls and inspires readers to transform what is ugly or painful in their own lives into something beautiful. 

Praise for Kate Baer: 
"If you want your breath to catch and your heart to stop, turn to Kate Baer." —Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Watch Kate Baer on Door to Door:

Do I Know You? by Sarah Strohmeyer
For fans of: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and Something She's Not Telling Us by Darcey Bell

A lightning-paced psychological thriller about two women, a tragedy that connects them as teenagers, and the terrible reckoning that will decide their fates a decade later—for readers of Liv Constantine and Megan Miranda.

“A fabulous read packed with suspense, unexpected twists, glamour and humor. Prepare to be gripped from the first to the last page!”
—Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell
Also from the author: Depraved Heart and Flesh and Blood 

In this next novel in the electrifying, landmark #1 bestselling thriller series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta hunts those responsible for two wildly divergent and chilling murders.

“Scarpetta is back at her former job as chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia. She has a lot of cleaning up to do.... [Cornwell] pulls it off nicely. Scarpetta's return to her Virginia roots feels just right.” —Booklist

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

Lean Your Loneliness Slowly Against Mine by Klara Hveberg
For fans of: Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday

A remarkable and heartbreaking debut novel with the lyrical beauty and emotional resonance of By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept and the thematic complexity of Asymmetry, that combines fractal mathematics and classical music to explore the infinitely complex patterns of love and the thin border between great passion and great loneliness.

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones
For fans of: Broken Faith

Educated meets The Vow in this story of liberation and self-empowerment—an inspiring and crazier-than-fiction memoir of growing up in and breaking free from the Children of God, an oppressive, extremist religious cult.

"In this outstanding debut, Jones recounts her upbringing in and escape from the infamous cult, the Children of God…. As Jones transports readers from Macau to Kazakhstan to the United States, Jones skillfully provides the mental framework to understand her past as an indoctrinated individual in hopes of helping others 'stand up for themselves.' This remarkable account of self-liberation is not to be missed."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

The French Gift by Kirsty Manning
For fans of: The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester

From Kirsty Manning, author of The Song of the Jade Lily, comes a gripping World War II set historical novel about murder, secrets, and survival. 

"Kirsty Manning has delivered yet again with this epic novel about women, love and heartbreak—The French Gift. With passion and sensitivity, Manning takes the reader on a journey that is near-impossible to tear yourself away from.... A triumph!"
—Sally Hepworth, international bestselling author of
The Mother-in-Law

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor & Janina Matthewson
For fans of: Anyone by Charles Soule

A haunting, provocative novel, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs is a fictional autobiography in an alternate twentieth century that chronicles one woman’s unusual life, including the price she pays to survive and the cost her choices hold for the society she is trying to save.

"Readers who enjoy dystopian tales and unreliable narrators will find much to dissect in this haunting, heart-wrenching novel." —Publishers Weekly

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

The Month of Borrowed Dreams by Felicity Hayes-McCoy
For fans of: 500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan

Return to USA Today bestselling author Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s Finfarran Peninsula with this enchanting novel in the vein of Jenny Colgan, Maeve Binchy, and Nancy Thayer—humming with the rhythms of modern rural Irish life—in which librarian Hanna Casey and her family and friends face new challenges and possibilities. 

"A sparkling, life-affirming novel—sunshine on the page."
—Cathy Kelly, author of Other Women

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LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021

 

 

Click here for more great November reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is October 1!

***

We hope you enjoy the books! For more information about LibraryReads, visit their website. Remember: Vote early! Vote often!

-Lainey

It's no secret that everyone loves Wanda M. Morris' ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS! Download, read, and cast your vote!

"I started writing All Her Little Secrets on my lunch breaks from work at the library around the corner from my job (thank you Vinings Branch!). I sat in the same carrel and wrote for an hour and a half each day."
—Wanda M. Morris' Library Journal interview

The Library Love Fest team loves debut novelist Wanda M. Morris' upcoming novel All Her Little Secrets. It has been named a Lead Read title for the sales team at HarperCollins. Wanda was recently featured on the COVER OF LIBRARY JOURNAL! Woah! See the image below. Suffice to say: everyone is in love with this pulse-pounding thriller about a black corporate attorney who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss. She will have to reveal the company's secrets in the present and repress her own secrets from the past. It's the perfect read for fans of Attica Locke, Alyssa Cole, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng—with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.

Read the full Q&A with Library Journal here.

Listen to our podcast episode with Wanda here:

There is so much love coming in for All Her Little Secrets, including:

“...a brilliantly nuanced but powerhouse exploration of race, the legal system, and the crushing pressure of keeping secrets. Morris brings a vibrant and welcome new voice to the thriller space.”
—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and international bestselling author

 

"...deftly combines a creepy Nazi-esque sect with a murderous plot and rounds out the intrigue with a striking commentary on racism, sexual assault, and misogyny."
—Library Journal

 

"She also provides a knowledgeable portrait of Atlanta’s complex social structure...Corporate competition is not only racist and sexist, but deadly in this confident debut thriller."
—Kirkus Reviews

 

"Wanda M. Morris’ All Her Little Secrets heralds the arrival of a new and necessary voice in thrillers."
—Lori Rader-Day, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of Under a Dark Sky  

 

“Wanda M. Morris hits all the right notes in All Her Little Secrets, a taut, sleek thriller that’s also a searing story about the secrets we can never manage to leave behind. A stunning debut.”
—Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author

 

...and so many more!

One thing we love is this Spotify playlist Wanda put together:

Find the full playlist and other assets here.

Wanda was just on our Door to Door episode with fellow author and friend Lori Rader-Day (Lori taught Wanda at the Yale Writers' Workshop!). Watch the replay here:

All Her Little Secrets goes on sale November 2, 2021. LibraryReads votes are due October 1st, 2021.
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-Lainey

New Podcast Episode: Editors Unedited: Lucia Macro interviews Lisa Berne, author of THE REDEMPTION OF PHILIP THANE

We're back with another wonderful Editors Unedited podcast episode! This week, we feature a conversation between LLF podcast pro Lucia Macro, VP/Executive Editor at William Morrow, in conversation with her author Lisa Berne! Julia Quinn calls Lisa “one of the most exciting new historical writers in a long time.” This conversation is a must-listen for romance fans! In addition to discussing Lisa's latest book in the Penhallow Dynasty series called The Redemption of Philip Thane, they also talked about the books that made them fall in love with the romance genre and the difficulties of writing redeemable heroes. 

Listen to the episode here:

Find out more about Lisa and the rest of the Penhallow Dynasty series on her website.

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The Redemption of Philip Thane goes on sale December 28, 2021. LibraryReads votes are due November 1st!

-Lainey

Door to Door Replay: LLF welcomes Jean Marie Kelly, Affiliate Publisher of HarperCollins 360

We had an afternoon packed-to-the-brim with reading recommendations on our Door to Door episode today. We welcomed our friend and colleague Jean Marie Kelly, Affiliate Publisher of HarperCollins 360, to talk about some forthcoming titles from the Fall/Winter list, including books by Jeffrey Archer, Dinah Jefferies, and Donna Hay.

Jean Marie has been with HarperCollins since 2003. In 2012, she launched HarperCollins 360 as a way to publish books from our sister companies around the world (India, Australia, UK, and others) and introduce these authors to a larger audience in the United States.

We love hearing what books Jean Marie and her team are bringing to the US market. Grab a cocktail (we chose Donna Hay's Grapefruit Vodka Punch. Find the recipe here.) and catch the replay of the event below:

Find a list of titles discussed on our Edelweiss+ catalog here.

We also mentioned our Door to Door episode with Jeffrey Archer and Anthony Horowitz, Jeffrey Archer's interview with Donna Seaman for Booklist's Shelf Care podcast, and our LibraryReads podcast episode with Meg Cabot.

Follow HarperCollins 360 on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Be sure to join us next Tuesday, August 24th at 2 PM ET for a conversation with Alice Henderson, author of A Blizzard of Polar Bears, and Blair Braverman, author of Dogs on the Trail.

-Lainey

The September LibraryReads List is Here!

Hello, librarians!

You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!

This month, we are thrilled to share that Meg Cabot officially joins the LibraryReads Hall of Fame with the selection of her upcoming novel No Words!

Want to hear how Meg reacted to the big news? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear her response!

Click here to see the full September LibraryReads List!

***

No Words by Meg Cabot: Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries, returns to Little Bridge Island with a new story about a children’s book author with a case of writer’s block and an arrogant novelist who have to set aside their differences as they get through a weekend long book festival that just might change everything—including their feelings for each other.

"Effervescent.... witty prose, an entertaining cast of diverse characters, and a romance that’s enchanting."
—Publishers Weekly

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Previous LibraryReads Selections:
No Judgments (September 2019)
No Offense (August 2020)

***

Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the September LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the October LibraryReads List by September 1st. Click here to find out what we're recommending!  

Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Chris

New Podcast Episode: LLF's Chris Connolly Interviews James Han Mattson, Author of REPRIEVE

On this week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast, LLF's Chris Connolly sits down with author James Han Mattson to discuss his upcoming novel Reprieve, on sale October 5th. 

In his second novel following the acclaimed The Lost Prayers of Ricky Graves, James turns his sight towards a murder that takes place within a full-contact haunted escape room in Nebraska, and explores topics of racial fetishism, hate politics, the horror genre, and so much more. Biting, observant, and told through court transcripts and three unforgettable voices, Reprieve has garnered praise from authors and reviewers alike. Check out some of the praise below:

"Mattson (The Lost Prayers of Ricky Graves, 2017) presents a brilliant hybrid, a thought-provoking look at marginalization and systemic oppression expertly nestled inside a high-anxiety tale about the horror industry itself.... This is a rare treat of a novel that will be devoured by fans of pulp horror titles like The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz (2019) and by those who like the juxtaposition of supernatural and real-world horrors found in the works of Victor LaValle."
—Booklist ⭐ review

"Reprieve is an eventual American classic that is unrelenting in its beauty and incisive cultural critique. But it is James Han Mattson's treatment of his fully flawed characters that clutches my heart and head. Every room in this book has a secret room. Every character has a shadow trying to swallow them whole. I'm not sure there is 'fearless' American writing, but a few times a generation, there is innovative writing that appears to confront, shred, and accept the fears of its author and its readers with a wicked joy. Reprieve is that book. It really is."
—Kiese Laymon, bestselling author of Heavy: An American Memoir

"Reprieve takes horror as its subject, while also using the genre as its means, delivering twists and fright and the kind of storytelling that keeps you turning pages. But the brilliance of James Han Mattson’s novel is in deploying the haunted house as a metaphor for our nation, where the true scare is a cultural reckoning with whiteness itself."
—Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind 

You can listen to the interview below! Also be sure to read James's Behind the Book essay, which illuminates many of the topics discussed during the interview.

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Thank you James! Reprieve goes on sale October 5th.

-Chris

LLF Staff Suggestions for the October LibraryReads List

Hello, librarians!

We are back with a fresh round of reading suggestions for the October LibraryReads List! Remember, votes for the October LibraryReads List are due September 1st.

Happy reading!

-The LLF Team (Virginia, Chris, and Lainey)

***

Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day 
Also from the author: The Lucky One, Under a Dark Sky, and The Day I Died
From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery.

"Death at Greenway is a book Lori Rader-Day was born to write. The characters are deeply moving, the suspense and World War II research are impeccable. The language, as is always the case with Rader-Day, is beautiful, but in Death at Greenway, she shows her suppleness: her pitch-perfect dialogue brings England in the Blitz to life."
—Sara Paretsky, New York Times bestselling author of Dead Land

Sign up to see Lori Rader-Day on Door to Door on Tuesday, 8/10, 2pm ET!

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall 
For fans of: Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman and
The Hellfire Club by Jake Tapper
The first in a thrilling new series from Emmy Award–winning journalist Tamron Hall, in which a reporter unravels the disturbing mystery around the deaths of two Black girls, the work of a serial killer terrorizing Chicago.

"A pulse-pounding story that also provides a fascinating and important look into the difficulties of reporting on and finding justice for Black victims.... Emmy Award–winning Hall’s extensive background as a TV journalist, including reporting for NBC and anchoring for MSNBC, infuses a great deal of credibility and behind-the-scenes verve to her first crime novel."
—Booklist ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

Watch the replay of "In the Spotlight: Tamron Hall, Lori Rader-Day, and Sarah MacLean in Conversation"

 

 

A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
For fans of: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
The New York Times bestselling author of the brilliantly inventive The Word Is Murder and The Sentence Is Death returns with his third literary whodunit featuring intrepid detectives Hawthorne and Horowitz.

"The most conventional of Horowitz’s mysteries to date still reads like a golden-age whodunit on steroids." —Kirkus Reviews

Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Moonflower Murders (November 2020)
The Word is Murder (June 2018)
Magpie Murders (June 2017)

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 Watch a must-see conversation between
Anthony Horowitz and Jeffrey Archer on Door to Door!

 

 

Reprieve by James Han Mattson
For fans of: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam and 
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
A chilling and blisteringly relevant literary novel of social horror centered around a brutal killing that takes place in a full-contact haunted escape room—a provocative exploration of capitalism, hate politics, racial fetishism, and our obsession with fear as entertainment.

"Mattson (The Lost Prayers of Ricky Graves, 2017) presents a brilliant hybrid, a thought-provoking look at marginalization and systemic oppression expertly nestled inside a high-anxiety tale about the horror industry itself.... This is a rare treat of a novel that will be devoured by fans of pulp horror titles like The Dark Game by Jonathan Janz (2019) and by those who like the juxtaposition of supernatural and real-world horrors found in the works of Victor LaValle."
—Booklist ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

All the Feels by Olivia Dade
For fans of: Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai and 
Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein
Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.

"Dade’s charming, sexy contemporary romance (a sequel to Spoiler Alert) will be hard to put down. Alex and Lauren are likable, well-developed characters with emotional depth and relatable backstories.... The writing is excellent, with witty, banter-filled dialogue.... Highly recommended for public libraries."
—Library Journal ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Last Checkmate by Gabriella Saab
For fans of: When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor and The German Heiress by Anika Scott
Readers of Heather Morris’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz and watchers of The Queen’s Gambit won’t want to miss this amazing debut set during World War II following a young Polish resistance worker, imprisoned in Auschwitz as a political prisoner, who plays chess in exchange for her life, and in doing so fights to bring the man who destroyed her family to justice.

"The Last Checkmate is a winner. Gabriella Saab’s debut kept me turning the pages and I was rooting for our young, brave, and resourceful chess prodigy every step of the way."
—Elise Hooper, acclaimed author of Fast Girls

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
For fans of: Old Baggage by Lissa Evans and 
Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley
The dark horse literary novel that has taken Britain by storm! In the best tradition of Tessa Hadley, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Ann Patchett—an astonishing, keenly observed period piece about an ordinary British woman in the 1950s whose dutiful life takes a sudden turn into a pitched battle between propriety and unexpected passion.

"Small Pleasures is a tender and heart-rending tale that will draw you in from the first page and keep you gripped until the very end. Exquisitely compelling!"
—Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Brides of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire
Also from the author: Wicked and A Wild Winter Swan
Multimillion-copy bestselling author Gregory Maguire unveils the first in a three-book series spun off the iconic Wicked Years, featuring Elphaba’s granddaughter, the green-skinned Rain.

Praise for Gregory Maguire: 
"Maguire’s work is melodic, symphonic and beautiful; it is dejected and biting and brave.... In fabulous details and self-mocking language, Maguire displays his gift for whimsical portrayals of the broken, the powerless, the hopeless, the bad."
—Los Angeles Times 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Taking of Jemima Boone by Matthew Pearl
For fans of: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
In his first work of narrative nonfiction, Matthew Pearl, bestselling author of acclaimed novel The Dante Club, explores the little-known true story of the kidnapping of legendary pioneer Daniel Boone’s daughter and the dramatic aftermath that rippled across the nation.

"A deliciously intricate and utterly absorbing retelling of the Daniel Boone family saga—and particularly the complex roles played by the Cherokee and Shawnee across Boone's southern Appalachian stamping grounds. The Taking of Jemima Boone adds an intriguing dimension to an issue of keen importance to modern society."
—Simon Winchester, New York Times bestselling author of Land

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

Watch the replay of Matthew Pearl on Door to Door!

 

The Hidden Child by Louise Fein
For fans of: The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester
In this new historical novel by the author of Daughter of the Reich, Londoners Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have wealth, status, and a happy marriage—but the 1929 financial crash is looming, and they’re harboring a terrible, shameful secret. How far are they willing to go to protect their charmed life—even if it means abandoning their child to a horrific fate?

"Louise Fein’s The Hidden Child is a poignant rendering of love and motherhood, human frailty and redemption, exquisitely told against the backdrop of the unthinkable. A heroine for the ages, Eleanor Hamilton’s predicament will tear your heart apart while her resolve is a testament to the power of intuition. Fein deftly takes the reader back to a terrifying turning point in history and, with grace and compassion, reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in our souls to be true."
—Judithe Little, author of The Chanel Sisters

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield
For fans of: The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney and 
Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson
A smart, witty, crackling novel of psychological suspense in which a girl from a hardscrabble small town meets a gorgeous Instagram influencer from the big city, with a murderous twist that will shock even the most savvy reader.

"A clever and surprising psychological thriller.... The superb character-driven plot delivers an astonishing, believable jolt."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Also from the author: Sunrise by the Sea and 
500 Miles from You
Perfect for the holidays! A brand-new heartwarming Christmas novel from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and Christmas at the Island Hotel.

Praise for Jenny Colgan:
"An evocative sweet treat."
—Jojo Moyes on Little Beach Street Bakery

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

Alien Nation edited by Sofija Stefanovic
For fans of: Dancing in the Mosque by Homeira Qaderi
A collection of 36 extraordinary stories originally told on stage, featuring work by writers, entertainers, thinkers, and community leaders. Spanning comedy and tragedy, Alien Nation brilliantly illuminates what it’s like to be an immigrant in America.

"In this celebratory essay collection, Stefanovic (Miss Ex-Yugoslavia), host of the N.Y.C. storytelling series 'This Alien Nation,' spotlights the 'deep and complex' stories of immigrants in America.... A moving look at what the American dream means today."
—Publishers Weekly

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

Woodrow on the Bench by Jenna Blum
For fans of: Will's Red Coat by Tom Ryan
The New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Those Who Save Us pays tribute to her beloved black Lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir that recalls the last six months of his life and the ways in which he taught her to live. 

"Woodrow on the Bench is a touching tribute as well as a gripping story that will make you laugh and cry. It will also make you understand the majesty and wisdom imparted by the animals we are lucky to keep by our sides for as long as we can."
—Elizabeth Berg, New York Times bestselling author of The Confession Club

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

Bat Fat Black Girl by Sesali Bowen
For fans of: God Save the Queens by Kathy Iandola
From funny and fearless entertainment journalist Sesali Bowen, Bad Fat Black Girl combines rule-breaking feminist theory, witty and insightful personal memoir, and cutting cultural analysis for an unforgettable, genre-defining debut.

"Sesali Bowen is poised to give Black feminism the rejuvenation it needs. Her trend-setting writing and commentary reaches across experiences and beyond respectability. I and so many Black girls still figuring out who they are in this world will gain so much from whatever she has to say."
—Charlene A. Carruthers, activist and author of Unapologetic: A Black, Queer and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

The Wicked Widow by Beatriz Williams
Also from the author: Our Woman in Moscow, Her Last Flight, and The Golden Hour
Gin Kelly, the wicked redhead, is back! Readers will delight in next installment of the Wicked City series by New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams. 

Praise for Beatriz Williams: 
"I think Beatriz Williams is writing the best historical fiction out there. It’s lush with period detail but feels immediate."
—Elin Hilderbrand

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Unheard by Nicci French
Also from the author: House of Correction and The Lying Room
 In this new heart-pounding standalone from the internationally bestselling author that People calls "razor sharp," a single mother suspects her young daughter has witnessed a horrible crime when she draws a disturbing picture—but the deadly path to unravel the truth could cost her everything. 

Praise for Nicci French: 
"Nicci French is a specialist in the kind of evil that burrows from within." —New York Times Book Review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
For fans of: The Summer Country by Lauren Willig
In a novel perfect for fans of Hazel Gaynor’s A Memory of Violets and upstairs-downstairs stories, Annabel Abbs, the award-winning author of The Joyce Girl, returns with the brilliant real-life story of Eliza Acton and her assistant as they revolutionized British cooking and cookbooks around the world.

"A feast for the senses, rich with the flavors of Victorian England, I prepared every dish with Eliza and Ann and devoured every page. A literary—and culinary—triumph!"
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young & Brave

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday
For fans of: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday follows A Princess for Christmas with another delightful contemporary Christmas romance between a playboy baron and a woman who has said goodbye to love.

Praise for Jenny Holiday: 
"Delightfully sexy and sweet, Holiday knows how to deliver the perfect combination of sexual tension and happily-ever-after."
—Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author of To Sir, with Love on A Princess for Christmas

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole
For fans of: We Met in December by Rosie Curtis
An enchanted Christmas dress brings two generations of women together for the magic of the season in this delightful holiday story from New York Times bestselling author Courtney Cole. 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021

 

Click here for more great October reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is September 1!

***

We hope you enjoy the books! For more information about LibraryReads, visit their website. Remember: Vote early! Vote often!

-Chris

New podcast episode: Editors Unedited - Gabriella Doob interviews Joyce Carol Oates, author of BREATHE

This week's podcast episode features a conversation between bestselling and prizewinning author Joyce Carol Oates and her editor Gabriella Doob. They discuss Joyce's new book Breathe, a novel of love and loss set amid a starkly beautiful but uncanny landscape in New Mexico. In Breathe, a married couple from Cambridge, MA takes residency at a distinguished academic institute. When the husband is stricken with a mysterious illness, misdiagnosed at first, their lives are uprooted and husband and wife each embarks upon a nightmare journey.

Reviews for Breathe:

“Powerful.... Fecund with fear and anguish, and driven by raw, breathless narration, this hallucinatory tale will not disappoint. Oates is on a roll.”
—Publishers Weekly ⭐ review

 

"Gut-wrenching and devoid of sentimentality.... Recommended."
—Library Journal

 

Listen to the episode below:

Many thanks to Joyce and Gabriella for this wonderful conversation!
Breathe is on sale August 3, 2021.

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-Lainey

The August LibraryReads List is Here!

Hello, librarians!

You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!

This month, we are thrilled to share that Battle Royal by Lucy Parker and The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams have been selected for the August LibraryReads List!

We're also excited to share that LibraryReads Hall of Fame author Sarah MacLean's latest publication, Bombshell, was selected.

Want to hear how our authors reacted to the big news? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear their responses!

Click here to see the full August LibraryReads List!

***

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker: Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits, where two bakers learn they will be fighting for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for an upcoming royal wedding.

"Lucy Parker’s books are marvels of wit and warmth and empathy, and Battle Royal is no exception. It’s as delicious as the cakes baked by Sylvie and Dominic, from first page to last."
—Olivia Dade, bestselling author of Spoiler Alert

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The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams:
An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter and a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people—a lonely London widower and a troubled teenager.

"If you love books, read this. If you love people, read this. If you love crying with sadness, crying with happiness, and feeling like you have been wrapped in the blanket of someone else's life, read this."
—Debbie Johnson, bestselling author of Maybe One Day

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Bombshell by Sarah MacLean: New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

Praise for Sarah MacLean: 
"Sarah MacLean's books are fierce." —Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series

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Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Brazen and the Beast (July 2019)
Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover (November 2014))
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (December 2013)

Watch Sarah MacLean, Lori Rader-Day, and Tamron Hall in Conversation!

***

Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the August LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the September LibraryReads List by August 1st. Click here to find out what we're recommending!  

Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Chris

Editors Unedited: Jennifer Barth interviews Kimberly McCreight, author of FRIENDS LIKE THESE

On this week's podcast episode, we feature a conversation between New York Times bestselling author Kimberly McCreight—author of Friends Like These—and her editor Jennifer Barth, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at Harper.

Friends Like These is a relentlessly twisty literary thriller in which a desperate intervention brings together a group of college friends 10 years after graduation—a reunion marked by lies, betrayal, and murder.

Check out some of the rave reviews:

“A brilliantly constructed puzzle of a novel—using a shifting kaleidoscope of unique voices...” 
—Julie Clark, author of The Last Flight

 

"Kimberly McCreight takes us through a juicy labyrinth of lies and secrets among a privileged set of friends you’ll love to hate, and hate to love. Sharp, dark, and a great escape.”
—Ashley Audrain, author of The Push

 

“Friends Like These is a masterclass in thriller writing. Perfectly plotted and full of genuine surprises, this book had me rapt from start to finish. Kimberly McCreight is a sensational writer, and with Friends Like These she is at the top of her game."
—Cristina Alger, author of Girls Like Us

 

Listen to the episode here: 

A big thank you to Jennifer and Kimberly for taking the time to record this episode. What a fascinating peek behind-the-scenes of the publishing process!

Friends Like These goes on sale September 7, 2021.

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-Lainey

LLF Staff Suggestions for the September LibraryReads List

Hello, librarians. 

We hope you are staying safe and cool in these blistering summer months. Please enjoy our staff suggestions for the September LibraryReads List. As a reminder, votes are due August 1st!

***

When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
For fans of: Bearskin by James A. McLaughlin
and The Risen by Ron Rash
The eagerly awaited novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Land More Kind Than Home, This Dark Road to Mercy, and The Last Ballad—a tender and haunting story of a father and daughter, crime and forgiveness, race and memory.

"In When Ghosts Come Home Wiley Cash reveals how family and history and the threads that connect us can contain such mystery. This is a masterful example of storytelling, told by one of the most open-hearted and clear-eyed writers I know."
—Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

Watch Wiley Cash in conversation with his editor, David Highfill, on Door to Door!

 

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
For fans of: Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
and Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
The first novel in a captivating three-book series about modern womanhood, in which a young Black woman must rely on courage, laughter, and love—and the support of her two longtime friends—to overcome an unexpected setback that threatens the most precious thing she’s ever wanted.

"Black Girls Must Die Exhausted is a smart, sophisticated portrait of three very different women, united in both their struggles and their joy. Allen seamlessly blends sharp social commentary with a heartwarming story of friendship between irresistibly complex characters. A fresh, punch-packing debut from an author to watch!"
—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

Click here to register to see Jayne Allen
on Door to Door on Tuesday, July 20th, at 2pm ET!

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Friends Like These by Kimberly McCreight
For fans of: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
and Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
In this relentlessly twisty literary thriller from New York Times bestselling author Kimberly McCreight, a desperate intervention brings together a group of college friends 10 years after graduation—a reunion marked by lies, betrayal, and murder.

"Years' worth of friendship, secrets, coverups and lies lead to one intensely satisfying, jaw-dropping conclusion in this expertly plotted novel by master of suspense, Kimberly McCreight's Friends Like These is sensational, and makes you wonder how well you can ever know even your closest friends."
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

City on Fire by Don Winslow
For fans of: The 20th Victim by James Patterson
From the #1 internationally bestselling author of the Cartel Trilogy (The Power of the Dog, The Cartel, and The Border), The Force, and Broken comes the first novel in an epic crime saga about the Irish and Italian crime syndicates in America during the 1980s and 1990s.

Praise for Don Winslow:
"With the passing of Elmore Leonard a few years back, it’s now safe to proclaim Winslow America’s greatest living crime writer. His consistency is matched only by his creativity, his talent exceeded by his ability to surpass himself time and time again."
—Jon Land, Providence Journal

Click here to register to see Don Winslow
on Door to Door on Thursday, July 22nd, at 2pm ET!

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Fault Lines by Emily Itami
For fans of: Grown Ups by Emma Jane Unsworth
and All Adults Here by Emma Straub
For fans of Sally Rooney and Helen Fielding, a witty, sharp, and moving debut novel exploring the frustrations of motherhood, the imbalance of a marriage, and the loss of self as a family builds around you.

"Mizuki is one of the most engaging adulteresses I’ve ever encountered, and a wonderfully witty guide to the morals and mores of contemporary Tokyo. I now know just how to behave while picking up children from school, or meeting strangers. Fault Lines is a moving and suspenseful novel full of the best kinds of incidental wisdom."
—Margot Livesey, author of The Boy in the Field

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria
For fans of: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
and Beach Read by Emily Henry
The national bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola returns with a seductive second-chance romance about a commitment-phobic Latina and her childhood best friend who has finally returned home.

"Daria’s sultry, standalone second Primas of Power rom-com offers a delightful take on the friends-to-lovers trope.... Daria keeps the emphasis on the protagonists' personal growth, capturing the intimacy between Michelle and Gabe as they come to better understand who they are as individuals—and who they could be together. The steamy love scenes, vibrant cast, deeply felt emotions, and sense of fun make this a surefire hit."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐ review

Click here to register to see Alexis Daria
on Door to Door on Thursday, July 15th, at 2pm ET!

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Nice Girls by Catherine Dang
For fans of: The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle
A pulse-pounding and deviously dark debut, written with the psychological acuity and emotional punch of Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, that explores the hungry, angry, dark side of girlhood and dares to ask what is most dangerous to a woman: showing the world what it wants to see, or who she really is?

"Catherine Dang's darkly delicious debut, Nice Girls, is about the girlhood we never really leave behind, and what happens when we dare to confront our past demons. A pulsating mystery with a narrator you won't soon forget."
—Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

The Actual Star by Monica Byrne
For fans of: Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas meets Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series, as acclaimed author Monica Byrne (The Girl in the Road) spins a brilliant multigenerational saga spanning two thousand years, from the collapse of the ancient Maya to a far-future utopia on the brink of civil war.

"Sweeping, mesmerizing, The Actual Star is a travelogue of souls, an epic that leaps lightly between the centuries.... Byrne draws her interconnected characters with compassion and depth, weaving their stories into a mystery with echoes in past, present, and future.... A magnificent achievement!"
—Helene Wecker, New York Times bestselling author of
The Golem and Jinni and The Hidden Palace

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The Dressmakers of Auschwitz by Lucy Adlington
For fans of: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
A powerful chronicle of the women who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust, stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop created within one of the most notorious WWII death camps.

"In The Dressmakers of Auschwitz, Lucy Adlington has unveiled not one but several long-hidden histories: the tale of a group of compassionate and audacious Jewish women who sewed for their lives; the story of clothes in the Holocaust; and the history of the fashion industry in World War II. Adlington has expertly interwoven these fascinating strands into an utterly absorbing, important and unique historical read."
—Judy Batalion, New York Times bestselling author of The Light of Days

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Talk to Me by T.C. Boyle
For fans of: Jack by Marilynne Robinson
From bestselling and award-winning author T.C. Boyle, a lively, thought-provoking novel that asks us what it would be like if we could really talk to the animals.

"Boyle eloquently lays out the philosophical and ethical debates of raising chimps in a human household.... Boyle poignantly exposes our anthropocentric biases while exploring the nature of consciousness and reminds us of the adage about the most dangerous species in the zoo being the humans.... Boyle's name sparks instant interest, and fans will reach his latest novel about humanity's dangerous confusion about our place in nature."
—Booklist

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

No Words by Meg Cabot
For fans of: The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan
Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries, returns to Little Bridge Island with a new story about a children’s book author with a case of writer’s block and an arrogant novelist who have to set aside their differences as they get through a weekend-long book festival that just might change everything—including their feelings for each other.

Praise for Meg Cabot:
"There is a school of thought that says reading should be entertaining, and this is exactly what Meg Cabot produces for us: fun. She is the master of her genre; she is the George Bernard Shaw if not the George Eliot of [her genre]."
—Publishers Weekly

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The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova
by Ruth Hogan
For fans of: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
From the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things—an uplifting, slightly magical story about how it’s never too late to find out who you really are.

"In Hogan’s engrossing latest...a middle-aged English woman searches for her biological parents.... Hogan does a great job expanding on themes of friendship, racism, loyalty and love. With its trappings of a modern fairy tale, this one should have wide appeal."   
—Publishers Weekly

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Olga by Bernhard Schlink
For fans of: The Lost Diary of M by Paul Wolfe
A sweeping novel of love and passion from author of the international bestseller The Reader about a woman out of step with her time, whose life is witness to some of the most tumultuous events of modern age.

Registered for Library Journal's Day of Dialog? Watch the replay of Bernhard Schlink on the "Literary Fiction: Here & Abroad" panel!

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Mama Bear by Shirley Smith
For fans of: Early by Sarah DiGregorio
In this moving memoir, Shirley Smith, wife of NBA Champion and All-Star J. R. Smith, tells the story of giving birth to one of the youngest premature babies to survive—using her experience to heighten awareness of the crisis of Black maternal and infant health and pay tribute to Black women’s resilience.

"In Mama Bear, Shirley Smith draws the vital correlation between generational trauma and Black maternal health and along the way creates a desperately needed community. Brave. Compelling. Provocative. It’s healing for the soul, and a must read."
─Gabrielle Union, actress and New York Times bestselling author of We’re Going to Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger?

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

Bourdain by Laurie Woolever
Also from the author: World Travel (co-written with Anthony Bourdain)
An unprecedented behind-the-scenes view into the life of Anthony Bourdain from the people who knew him best. 

Praise for World Travel: 
"There will never be anyone quite like Anthony Bourdain. But World Travel offers readers the potential to travel the world as he did." —Fortune

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Catch Us When We Fall by Juliette Fay
For fans of: More Than Words by Jill Santopolo
If you love the emotionally complex novels of JoJo Moyes and the dramatic books of Jodi Picoult, you won’t want to miss this newest book about second chances, redemption, and the power of hope from USA Today bestselling author of Shelter Me, Juliette Fay.

"Catch Us When We Fall is a beautiful story about life's darkest demons—grief, addiction, and broken promises—but Juliette Fay's characters are so lovable and emotionally complex it left me suffused with light and hope. I read this book in a gulp, alternately crying, laughing, and cheering."
—Ann Mah, bestselling author of The Lost Vintage

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The Royal Correspondent by Alexandra Joel
For fans of: Meet Me in Monaco
by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
The author of The Paris Model captures the glamour, style, excitement, and romance of a bygone era in this sumptuous novel—set in the Sydney and London of the 1960s—about an up-and-coming young Australian reporter with a deadly secret.

"Joel does an expert job at portraying Blaise’s fortitude in her quest to achieve journalistic success in an era when women were often forced to choose between marriage and career. This will keep readers turning the pages."
—Publishers Weekly

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The Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli
For fans of: The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff
From the acclaimed author of The Night Portrait comes a stunning historical novel about two women, separated by five hundred years, who each hide Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa—with unintended consequences.

"Like the masterpiece she writes about, Laura Morelli has created a work of art that is impossible to forget. With beautifully rendered settings, expertly drawn characters and a storyline that immersed me from the very first page, The Stolen Lady is a wonderful homage to both art and the women in history who made art possible, but whose stories have been forgotten. A truly sublime novel."
—Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Secret

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The Matter of Black Lives
edited by Jelani Cobb and David Remnick
For fans of: The Devil You Know by Charles M. Blow
A collection of The New Yorker‘s groundbreaking writing on race in America—including work by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hilton Als, Zadie Smith, and more—with a foreword by Jelani Cobb.

"Immersive and engaging.... Reading three decades of essays on this important and urgent topic, one is appalled that we know so much and have repeatedly done so little with that knowledge, as well as simultaneously hopeful and skeptical that technological solutions can save us now."
—Library Journal

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Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night
by Jón Kalman Stefánsson
For fans of: Bowlaway by Elizabeth McCracken
From the "Icelandic Dickens (Irish Examiner)," a writer who "shares the elemental grandeur of Cormac McCarthy" (Times Literary Supplement), comes this profound and playful masterwork of literature that ponders the beauty and mystery of life and our deepest existential questions.

"Stefánsson (Fish Have No Feet) delivers a delightfully dishy look at a small Icelandic village in the 1990s.... There’s no overarching narrative, but it adds up to an immersive and funny portrait of a community whose members squabble and celebrate in equal measure. Readers will be hooked by the mishmash of neighborhood gossip."
—Publishers Weekly

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Snowflake by Louise Nealon
For fans of: Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
An exquisitely talented young Irish writer makes her literary debut with this powerful and haunting novel—a tale of love and family, depression and joy, and coming of age in the twenty-first century that is a blend of Sally Rooney and Colm Tóibín.

"Can a young woman be innocent yet outrageous, longing to succeed at university yet close to failing, deeply embarrassed by her manic depressive mother yet devoted? Yes, yes, yes. Louise Nealon’s beguiling narrator Debbie is all these things, and much more. Snowflake is a wonderfully inventive, deeply felt novel full of the best kinds of surprises."
—Margot Livesey, author of The Boy in the Field

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The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul
For fans of: Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict
Bestselling author Gill Paul returns with a brilliant novel about Lady Evelyn Herbert, the woman who took the very first step into the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and who lived in the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, and the long after-effects of the Curse of Pharaohs.

"Consummate historical fiction writer Paul (Jackie and Maria) has crafted another binge-worthy novel that will enthrall readers."
—Library Journal

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We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal
For fans of: The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
A missing girl, a hidden body, a decades-long cover-up, and old sins cast in new light: the classic procedural meets Scandinavian atmosphere in this rich, character-driven mystery, awarded Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year, that heralds the American debut of a supremely skilled international writer.

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

 

I Was Never the First Lady by Wendy Guerra
For fans of: American Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo
A lush, sensuous, and original tale of family, love, and history, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Revolution and its aftermath.

"Guerra’s novel is a grand if bittersweet valentine to Cuba."
—Kirkus Reviews

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2021

Click here for more great September reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is August 1!

***

We hope you enjoy the books! For more information about LibraryReads, visit their website. Remember: Vote early! Vote often!

-Chris

 

New Podcast Episode! Editors Unedited: Sara Birmingham interviews Adam Harris, author of THE STATE MUST PROVIDE

This week's podcast episode features a conversation between editor Sara Birmingham and Adam Harris, author of The State Must Provide. We were so excited to facilitate this important conversation. The State Must Provide serves as a definitive history of the pervasiveness of racial inequality in American higher education. Adam is a staff writer at The Atlantic where he has covered education and national politics since 2018. He was previously a reporter at the Chronicle of Higher Education where he covered federal education policy and historically black colleges and universities. In the interview, Adam and Sara spoke about some of the history of racial injustice within higher education and how the book came to be. It was also interesting to hear Sara's experience editing this book because she came on board after the initial draft was written. 

Check out some of the reviews:

“Illuminating…. A well-researched, potent, timely investigation of yet another element of systemic racism.”

—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

"This thought-provoking, timely, and engaging read gives space to subject matter that has largely gone ignored and unaddressed, and offers readers much food for thought on the topic of discrimination and systemic racism in higher education."
—Booklist

Listen to the episode here:

 

Find all of Adam's stories written for the Atlantic here.

 

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The State Must Provide goes on sale August 10, 2021.

 

Many thanks to Sara and Adam for this informative and necessary conversation.

 

-Lainey

New Podcast Episode: Editors Unedited: Carrie Feron interviews Sarah MacLean, author of BOMBSHELL

Calling all romance fans! This week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast features a conversation between New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean and her editor Carrie Feron, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at Avon and William Morrow. This is a conversation NOT TO BE MISSED! In addition to Sarah's books, Carrie edits many beloved romance authors, including Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, Lenora Bell, and Diana Quincy. Between Sarah and Carrie, the romance knowledge overflows in this podcast episode. They discuss the famous "clinch" romance covers and other elements of romance novels through the years. You'll also hear about Sarah's latest book, Bombshell, the first in a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

Listen to the episode here:

Links mentioned in the episode:

-Listen to Sarah's 99% Invisible podcast interview here.
-Authors edited by Carrie: Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, Lenora Bell, and Diana Quincy
-Sarah has her own romance novel podcast! Listen to Fated Mates here.

Want to hear more about Bombshell? We hope you can join us for our "In the Spotlight" event with Sarah MacLean, Lori Rader-Day, and Tamron Hall next Tuesday, June 29th from 7:00-8:00 PM ET.

A big thanks to Sarah and Carrie for taking the time to do this podcast recording. Bombshell goes on sale August 24, 2021.

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LibraryReads votes are due August 1st!

-Lainey

In the Spotlight: Tamron Hall, Lori Rader-Day, and Sarah MacLean in Conversation

Please join us for a night of stories by and about
strong women told through three genres:
mystery, history, and romance.

June 29, 2021
7:00 - 8:00pm ET

Register for the 6/29 CrowdCast event!

About As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall: The first in a thrilling new series from Emmy Award–winning journalist Tamron Hall, in which a reporter unravels the disturbing mystery around the deaths of two Black girls, the work of a serial killer terrorizing Chicago.

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About Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day: From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery.

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About Bombshell by Sarah MacLean: New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

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Register for the 6/29 CrowdCast event!

-LLF

DREAM GIRL by Laura Lippman Tops Library Holds Lists

DREAM GIRL IS A DREAM!

Fan favorite and all-around fabulous person Laura Lippman crushes it again in her latest novel, Dream Girl, a dark, complex tale of psychological suspense with echoes of Misery involving a novelist, incapacitated by injury, who is plagued by mysterious phone calls.

Library Journal reports it leads the holds lists this week!

Laura gave a fabulous interview on CBS This Morning this past Saturday. Watch below!

Dream Girl goes on sale June 22, 2021.

Get ready to lose yourself in this immersive read!

-Virginia

All things Bridgerton!

So, you've finished the first season of Bridgerton on Netflix...now what? Well, not to fear! We have you covered. Below you will see a list of all the Bridgerton books in the series and books within that world as well as other books to read after the Bridgerton series.

Check out this message that Julia Quinn recorded for librarians during National Library Week:

Find all of Julia Quinn's books here. 

Happy Reading!

-Lainey

The July LibraryReads List is Here!

Hello, librarians!

You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!

This month, we are thrilled to share that Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas has been selected for the July LibraryReads List!

We're also thrilled that we have THREE authors who’ve been newly inducted into the LibraryReads Hall of Fame for their upcoming publications: Karin Slaughter / False Witness, Sonali Dev / Incense and Sensibility, and Liv Constantine / The Stranger in the Mirror!

And finally, we have one current LibraryReads Hall of Fame author whose latest publication was selected: Tessa Bailey / It Happened One Summer!

Want to hear how our authors reacted to the big news? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear their responses!

Click here to see the full July LibraryReads List!

***

Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas: New York Times
bestselling author Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a widowed lady and a Scot on the run—who may have connections to one of London's most noble families.

"The novel abounds in the vintage pleasures of Kleypas' writing: finely-drawn characters; a tactile, sensuous style...; and glimpses of couples from other novels to assure us that love lasts forever. Undemandingly pleasurable and guaranteed to go on the reread shelf."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

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False Witness by Karin Slaughter: From the New York Times bestselling author of Pieces of Her and The Silent Wife, an electrifying standalone thriller about a successful defense attorney whose latest case has chilling ties to a decades-old secret.

"Slaughter doesn’t save her twists for the end, instead peppering them throughout the intricately layered story amid stomach-churning near misses and gripping character revelations. Equal parts hyperrealistic thriller and epic tragedy, Slaughter’s latest is pitch-perfect storytelling."
—Booklist ⭐ review

Previous LibraryReads Selections:
The Silent Wife (August 2020)
The Last Widow (August 2019)

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Sign up for an exclusive Karin Slaughter CrowdCast event on 7/27!

 

Incense and Sensibility 
by Sonali Dev: The author of Recipe for Persuasion—"not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today" (Shelf Awareness)—adds an Indian American twist to Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility in this delightful retelling that is a feast for the senses.

"Incense and Sensibility is a tender, well-crafted novel, as much about finding purpose as it is about falling in love. Dev writes with such rare empathy and humor that I often found myself holding my breath on one page only to be giggling by the next."
—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

Previous LibraryReads Selections: 
Recipe for Persuasion (May 2020)
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors (May 2019)

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The Stranger in the Mirror
by Liv Constantine: A diabolically twisty, psychologically unsettling novel about a woman with no recollection of her past from the authors of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Wife Stalker.

"Gripping! Equal parts character study and domestic thriller, The Stranger in the Mirror makes for a perfect weekend read—a highly enjoyable page-turner where you race to the end, breathless to discover the shocking truth."
—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When You See Me

Previous LibraryReads Selections: 
The Wife Stalker (May 2020)
The Last Mrs. Parrish (October 2017)

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It Happened One Summer
by Tessa Bailey: Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood "It Girl" who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town...where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong.

"Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan.... Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game."
—Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review

Previous LibraryReads Selections: 
Tools of Engagement (September 2020)
Love Her or Lose Her (January 2020)
Fix Her Up (June 2019)

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***

Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the July LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the August LibraryReads List by July 1st. Click here to find out what we're recommending!  

Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Chris

New podcast episode: An interview with Mary Adkins, author of PALM BEACH

On this week's podcast episode, we welcome Mary Adkins back to the podcast for a conversation about her new book, Palm Beach, which publishes August 3, 2021. Palm Beach is a thought-provoking page-turner from the author of When You Read This and Privilege that captures the painful divide between the haves and have-nots and the seductive lure of the American dream. 

Jessica Anya Blau, author of Mary Jane says: "Mary Adkins’ Palm Beach is a rare page-turner that gives you all the fun and decadence of a beach read while exploring the relevant issues around wealth inequity. I opened it up and could not stop reading!"

Listen to the episode below:

We mentioned that we've had the honor of hosting Mary on the podcast twice before, interviewing her for each of her previous publications. 

You can listen to her interview about her debut novel When You Read This:

And her second novel, Privilege:

 

A big thank you to Mary for taking the time to speak with us!

You can download an egalley on Edelweiss+ and NetGalley now. LibraryReads votes are due July 1st!

-Lainey