See our full announcement of all HarperCollins titles that made the list and find links to egalleys here.
Thank you for voting!
-Lainey
“You Are What You Read”
- Copyright 2017. HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy
195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 Phone: (212) 207-7000
November 15, 2021
November 11, 2021
New Podcast Episode: An interview with Danya Kukafka, author of NOTES ON AN EXECUTION
This week on the podcast, we feature a conversation between LLF's Lainey Mays and author Danya Kukafka. Danya's Notes on an Execution is 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. It's our Lead Read title for the Winter 2022 season!
Check out some of the rave reviews coming in:
"A searing portrait of the complicated women caught in the orbit of a serial killer. Notes on an Execution examines a culture that romanticizes men who kill while also exploring the lives of the overlooked women altered by this violence. Compassionate and thought-provoking."
—Brit Bennett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half
"Provocative, intelligent, thrilling, moving."
—Paula Hawkins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Girl on the Train
“Notes on an Execution is seriously important crime fiction that trains the lens on a serial killer's victims rather than on the criminal himself and shows how the legacy of violence endures for decades, leaving a tidal wave of collateral damage in its wake. Kukakfa's story is unflinching and unromantic yet wrenching and devastating in equal measure. Never falling into the easy trap of sensationalism, Notes on an Execution pushes women to the forefront of a narrative that has too often overlooked them and all they suffer.”
—Ivy Pochoda, award-winning author of These Women and Wonder Valley
—Ivy Pochoda, award-winning author of These Women and Wonder Valley
Listen to the episode below:
Danya mentioned Savage Appetites by Rachel Monroe and The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich as books of Crime/True Crime she is loving right now. She also mentioned the following podcasts: One Click and Missing on 9/11.
Also discussed: Tori Telfer's Lady Killers and Confident Women.
Check out the article about her love for pickles here.
Notes on an Execution is on sale January 25, 2022.
LibraryReads votes are due December 1, 2021!
Request an egalley or ALC on Edelweiss+
Request an egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
-Lainey
|
|
November 4, 2021
The Library Love Fest Podcast has over 50K listens!
The Library Love Fest Podcast hit a milestone this week—we have over 50,000 listens! We started this podcast as a way to dive deeper into our books in a digestible audio format that you could listen to while on the way to work each day, while shelving books, or sitting behind the reference desk. That vision has grown to include many different formats that show off our phenomenal books. Whether that be through editor conversations where we hear an author's 'behind-the-scenes' relationship with their editor or hearing about upcoming audiobooks where we play a short clip to intrigue; we love curating this archive of book-related information that will be sure to cater to every kind of reader.
Thank you again for listening! Now, share it with a friend!
-Lainey
I've highlighted a few of our most popular episodes—including each of our series—below:
LibraryReads Announcements (monthly):
Editors Unedited:
Updates from Imprints and other departments at HarperCollins:
Author interviews conducted by the LLF team:
Thank you for 50K! If you don't already, subscribe anywhere you download podcasts for the weekly episodes to directly download to your feed.
|
|
November 3, 2021
LLF Staff Suggestions for the January LibraryReads List
Hello, librarians!
We are back for another round of LibraryReads suggestions for the January LibraryReads list. Reminder: votes for the January LibraryReads List are due December 1st.
Happy reading!
-The LLF Team (Virginia, Lainey, and Essie)
***
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka
"A searing portrait of the complicated women caught in the orbit of a serial killer. Notes on an Execution examines a culture that romanticizes men who kill while also exploring the lives of the overlooked women altered by this violence. Compassionate and thought-provoking."
—Brit Bennett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half
Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor
"Cantor succeeds brilliantly with this audacious revisionist murder mystery featuring characters from The Great Gatsby.... Cantor successfully captures the style and tone of the 1925 novel with vivid details.... Proving once again that it is 'hard to forget the past,' Cantor’s admirably convincing act of literary skullduggery offers many rewards."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Watch Jillian Cantor on Door to Door:
Wahala by Nikki May
"I couldn't get enough of the four women at the heart of Nikki May's utterly winning debut novel, Wahala. Every evening, I sank into my bubble bath, eager to return to the lives of May's deep and complex characters...Their loves and wahala ("trouble") brought to mind Sex & the Citybut felt more modern, more real. When I closed Nikki May's delicious, hilarious novel, I felt I was returning to joy. I knew it was time to call my friends...time to get into some good wahala of my own."
—Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters and The Lifeguards
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
"How High We Go in the Dark is wondrous not just in the feats of imagination, which are so numerous that it makes me dizzy to recall them, but also in the humanity and tenderness with which Sequoia Nagamatsu helps us navigate this landscape, to find a way to survive while holding onto the things that make us human. This is a truly amazing book, one to keep close as we imagine the uncertain future."
—Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here
"Nagamatsu blends literary and visionary verve in a narrative that’s garnering comparisons to Cloud Atlas and Station Eleven."
—Library Journal
Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
"An exquisitely detailed fantasy with a strong, vulnerable protagonist. The intimate prose makes Tan’s wonderful debut an immersive experience; share with fans of Shelley Parker-Chan and Katherine Arden."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
I Came All This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg
“[Attenberg’s] frank and charming writing creates an intimacy with the reader. A fantastic choice for those who love writers’ memoirs, such as Alexander Chee’s How to Write an Autobiographical Novel.”
—Booklist
“This stunning work explores home not solely as geographic place but also as a mobile metaphor for the relationships we consistently run to and away from.”
—Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and Long Division
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
South to America by Imani Perry
“[Perry] melds memoir, travel narrative, and history in an intimate, penetrating journey through the South…. A graceful, finely crafted examination of America’s racial, cultural, and political identity. Perry always delivers.”
—Kirkus ⭐️ review
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
End of Days by Brad Taylor
Pike Logan must stop a deranged fanatic bent on igniting an international conflagration in this explosive, action-packed thriller from New York Times bestselling author and former special forces officer, Brad Taylor.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
The Hummingbird by Sandro Veronesi
“Cleverly structured like a jigsaw puzzle...Veronesi’s dark modern chronicle shimmers with intelligence and flashes of pathos.”
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
“Excellent: Marco Carrera is a compelling main character, a devoted father an oblivious husband, a dutiful son and an inadequate brother. The novel's conclusion is a beautiful study of the resilient bonds of flawed love.”
—Times Literary Supplement (London)
Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Find Me by Alafair Burke
"Edgar finalist Burke’s scintillating sixth novel featuring NYPD Det. Ellie Hatcher.... Ellie’s intelligence, insight, and lingering grief over her father will keep readers turning the pages. Appealing characters match the meticulous plotting. Burke reinforces her place in the top rank of suspense writers."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Just Like The Other Girls by Claire Douglas
“Just Like the Other Girls is a chilling novel showcasing Claire Douglas's trademark brilliantly claustrophobic settings and tightly plotted twists. Impossible to know which of the well-drawn characters to trust and very hard to put down.”
—Gilly MacMillan, bestselling author of What She Knew
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub
"The prolific Corsi Staub turns in a stellar performance, creating a palpable sense of dread and generating the kind of suspense that keeps readers glued to the page."
—Booklist
"...domestic suspense turned up to 11, the gripping tale of one family's cross-country move to Brooklyn—and the explosive revelations that follow when one woman is finally forced to reckon with her past. From her pitch-perfect characterizations to her unerring sense of plot and pace, Wendy Corsi Staub displays a command of the form that's not merely masterful—it's practically diabolical.”
—Elizabeth Little, author of Pretty as a Picture
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar
"A glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment laced with sparkling prose and bewitching storytelling. Beware of entering this magnificent world; Everwood will dazzle and seduce you and then steal you away."
—Stephanie Garber, bestselling author of Caraval
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
"Bestseller Shalvis (Love for Beginners) launches the Sunrise Cove series with a charming, emotional romance featuring a cast readers will quickly come to see as old friends."
—Publishers Weekly
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021
***
We hope you enjoy the books! For more information about LibraryReads, visit their website. Remember: Vote early! Vote often!
-Lainey
|
|
November 1, 2021
Making their grand debut...
Check out these forthcoming debut novels that were included in our recent Library Journal and Booklist ads!
- Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim (on sale 12/7/21): An epic story of love, war, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Korean independence movement, following the intertwined fates of a young girl sold to a courtesan school and the penniless son of a hunter.
- Velorio by Xavier Navarro Aquino (on sale 1/4/22): 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.
-Also available in a Spanish edition!
- Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan (on sale 1/11/22): A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path—where choices come with deadly consequences, and she risks losing more than her heart.
- How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (on sale 1/18/22): 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.
- Wahala by Nikki May (on sale 1/11/22): An incisive and exhilarating debut novel of female friendship following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group—the most unforgettable girls since Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.
- Shadows of Pecan Hollow by Caroline Frost (on sale 2/8/22): Set in Texas in the 1970s and 90s, Shadows of Pecan Hollow is a literary debut about a fierce woman and the partner-in-crime she can’t escape, perfect for readers of Where the Crawdads Sing and Valentine.
- Nightshift by Kiare Ladner (on sale 2/8/22): A haunting, compelling debut novel of complex female friendship and obsession, following one young woman’s decision to abandon her normal life and join the otherworldly, nocturnal existence of London’s nightshift workers.
- Asking for a Friend by Andi Osho (on sale 2/1/22): Comedian Andi Osho’s hilarious and uplifting debut novel features her trademark wit and is perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Mhairi McFarlane.
- Garden Variety by Christy Wilhelmi (on sale 3/29/22): Upbeat women’s fiction about an urban community garden, life’s growing pains, and how fellow gardeners rally and come together to save their own. Includes a PS section with gardening tips and information.
- The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers (on sale 3/1/22):For the audience of Fiona Davis and Lisa Wingate, a vibrant historical debut set in 1947 North Carolina following a young female seamstress who uncovers dangerous truths about the Big Tobacco empire ruling the American South.
- The Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport (on sale 4/5/22): Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport’s fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology of loyalty and rebellion, in which a young Black woman must survive deadly trials in a racist and misogynistic society to become an elite warrior.
- The Caretakers by Amanda Bestor-Siegal (on sale 4/12/22): Set in a wealthy Parisian suburb, an emotionally riveting debut told from the point of view of six women, and centered around a group of au pairs, one of whom is arrested after a sudden and suspicious tragedy strikes her host family—a dramatic exploration of identity, class, and caregiving from a profoundly talented new writer.
- Hope and Glory by Jendella Benson (on sale 4/19/22): A brilliant debut by a British-Nigerian author—a heartfelt family drama that will delight book club readers and fans of books like Transcendent Kingdom, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, and The Girl with the Louding Voice.
- Cover Story by Susan Rigetti (on sale 4/5/22): Catch Me If You Can meets Sweetbitter in this debut novel about an ambitious and impressionable young woman who gets caught up in a charismatic con artist’s scam.
-Lainey
|
|
October 29, 2021
New Podcast Episode: Check out these upcoming movie tie-in editions!
This week's episode of the podcast is all about books that will be on the big screen!
We discuss five HarperCollins titles that will be available as a movie or TV show very soon. Find a list of the books below along with any links we mentioned.
But first, listen to the podcast here:
Titles discussed:
- House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden, soon to be a movie starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver
-Watch the trailer - The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, soon to be a movie starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell
-Check out the official Instagram account for updates on the movie here.
-See Sally Thorne's Instagram takeover here. - Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, a movie starring Gal Gadot and Kenneth Branagh, among others
- The Black Phone by Joe Hill, soon to be a movie starring Ethan Hawke
-Watch the trailer - The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn, which will be the main focus in the second season of Bridgerton on Netflix
-Check out this teaser for season two
We also mentioned a few older titles that have been, or we think should be, made into movies:
- This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff
-Watch the trailer - Stiltsville by Susanna Daniel
- Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
Be sure to listen to the full episode to hear of a fun giveaway!
Thanks for listening,
-Lainey
|
|
October 15, 2021
The November 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 Wanda Morris' All Her Little Secrets (the #1 selection!), Julie Tieu's The Donut Trap, and Louise Erdrich's The Sentence have been selected for the November LibraryReads list! AND—Ann Patchett adds to her Hall of Fame list with the selection of her upcoming essay collection These Precious Days!
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 November LibraryReads List!
#1 Pick — All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris: In this fast-paced thriller, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a black lawyer who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss. A debut perfect 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.
“All Her Little Secrets is 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
"In her debut thriller, corporate attorney Morris 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
Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
Watch Wanda on Door to Door.
Watch Wanda's reaction to be selected for the LibraryReads list:
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu: 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.
"While Jasmine and Alex’s swift romance is adorable, Jasmine's post-college struggles and feelings of uncertainty carry Tieu's thoughtful debut. The Donut Trap isn't just a tale where a boy meets a girl, and they fall in love. It’s a family story in which Tieu perfectly builds tension between Jasmine and her parents as she tries to find her own path."
—Booklist
"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
Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich: In this stunning and timely 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 errors.
“The many-hued, finely patterned weave of Erdrich’s funny, evocative, painful, and redemptive ghost story includes strands of autobiography…Erdrich’s insights into what her city Minneapolis experienced in 2020 are piercing; all her characters are enthralling, and her dramatization of why books are essential to our well-being is resounding.”
—Booklist ⭐️ 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 ⭐️ review
“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
Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Future Home of the Living God (November 2017)
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Welcome to the Hall of Fame:
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett: The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays.
"The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
"An enviable life shared with candor, emotion, and knockout storytelling power."
—Kirkus ⭐️ review
Previous LibraryReads Selections:
Commonwealth (September 2016)
The Dutch House (September 2019)
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Watch Ann Patchett on Door to Door:
***
Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the November LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the December LibraryReads List by November 1st. Click here to find out what we're recommending!
Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.
-Lainey
|
|
October 13, 2021
Join us on Door to Door next week to hear from Jillian Cantor, author of BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS
Step back in time on Door to Door next Tuesday, October 19th at 2 PM ET! LLF welcomes USA Today bestselling author Jillian Cantor to the program. Hear all about Beautiful Little Fools, a reimagining of the literary classic The Great Gatsby. An atmospheric historical novel with echoes of Big Little Lies, told in three women’s alternating voices.
Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue says: “Jillian Cantor’s shifting kaleidoscope of female perspectives makes F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale of Jazz Age longing and lust feel utterly modern. A breathtaking accomplishment.”
You can watch the interview on Facebook here but if you don't have Facebook, not to worry! The video will also be available on our YouTube account shortly after the event.
Download an egalley on Edelweiss+
Download an egalley on NetGalley
-Lainey
|
|
October 12, 2021
Happy Book Birthday to Lori Rader-Day's DEATH AT GREENWAY!
The day has arrived! Lori Rader-Day's new novel, Death at Greenway, is on sale today, October 12th! Death at Greenway is 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.
Check out all of the love for this book:
"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
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️review
"Irresistible... a Golden Age homage, an elegantly constructed mystery that on every page reinforces the message that everyone counts."
—New York Times Book Review
—New York Times Book 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
—Booklist
"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 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
—Sara Paretsky, New York Times bestselling author of Dead Land
“A wonderfully atmospheric, beautifully written and entirely credible evocation of wartime Britain.”
—Ann Cleeves, internationally bestselling author of the Shetland and Vera series
—Ann Cleeves, internationally bestselling author of the Shetland and Vera series
See ALL of the rave reviews here.
Death at Greenway was also selected as a LibraryReads pick for October! Hear Lori's reaction to making the list:
Happy publication day, Lori!
-Lainey
|
|
September 30, 2021
New Podcast Episode: Editors Unedited: Julie Will interviews Dr. Traci Baxley, author of SOCIAL JUSTICE PARENTING
We have a very special podcast episode for you this week. On this episode, Julie Will, Vice President/Editorial Director at Harper Wave, interviews Dr. Traci Baxley. They discuss Dr. Baxley's upcoming book Social Justice Parenting—an empowering, timely guide to raising anti-racist, compassionate, and socially conscious children, from a diversity and inclusion educator with more than thirty years of experience.
"This book is for parents who want to discuss racial, social, and economic inequities with their young children in a healthy and beneficial way.... Baxley’s meaty book is sure to provoke thought and positive dialogue; a must-read."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review
—Library Journal ⭐️ review
"Baxley shines in her ability to be encouraging without being judgmental.... This hopeful guide inspires."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
Listen to the episode below:
One very cool part of this essential read is that Dr. Baxley included a reading resource guide. Among many, her favorite author to recommend is Jacqueline Woodson—mainly because she has a book for every generation!
Social Justice Parenting is on sale October 19, 2021.
Request an egalley on Edelweiss+
Request an egalley on NetGalley
-Lainey
|
|
September 22, 2021
New podcast episode: Audiobook Update! (Featuring Andrew Kaberline, Senior Audio Marketing Associate)
This week, we welcome our honorary Library Love Fest member Andrew Kaberline, Senior Marketing Associate from HarperAudio, back to the podcast! Andrew brings some recent audiobooks to share and we play clips from each title. You'll hear newly discovered audio of Jim Morrison reading poetry, Jennifer Jason Leigh inhabit the characters of Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Pacino from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and an audio-exclusive title from Gary John Bishop.
Listen to the episode:
Titles discussed:
-
The Collected Works of Jim Morrison by Jim Morrison, read by Jim Morrison, Patti Smith, Liz Phair, Oliver Ray, Tom Robbins, Frank Lisciandro, Anne Morrison Chewning, Sefton Graham, and Ian Morrison
-Listen to a clip from the audiobook here. -
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino, read by Jennifer Jason Leigh
-Listen to a clip from the audiobook here. -
Sanity by Gary John Bishop, read by Gary John Bishop
-Listen to a clip from the audiobook here. -
When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen, read by Kara Young
-Listen to a clip from the audiobook here.
-We also mentioned Lainey's podcast interview with LaTanya—listen here.
-Watch LaTanya on Door to Door here.
-We also mentioned Chris' podcast interview with James Han Mattson, author of Reprieve—listen here. -
Her Heart for a Compass by Sarah Ferguson, read by Sarah Ferguson and Ell Potter
-Listen to a clip from the audiobook here. - BONUS! We mentioned Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson. The audio book is read by Marin Ireland and you can hear a clip here.
Check out of all our audio egalleys available on Edelweiss+ and NetGalley.
A big thank you to Andrew! Find more about HarperAudio on their website.
-Lainey
|
|
September 20, 2021
Come See Us at Library Journal's Day of Dialog on Thursday, 9-23!
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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…
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.
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.
Request the egalley or ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
|
|
September 15, 2021
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)
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
—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)
Request the egalley or ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the ALC on NetGalley
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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)
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley or ALC on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the ALC on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: October 1, 2021
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
|
|
September 2, 2021
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
—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
—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
—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
—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
—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.
Request an egalley on Edelweiss+
Request an egalley on NetGalley
-Lainey
|
|
August 26, 2021
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
The Redemption of Philip Thane goes on sale December 28, 2021. LibraryReads votes are due November 1st!
-Lainey
|
|
August 18, 2021
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
|
|
August 17, 2021
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
|
|
August 11, 2021
New Podcast Episode: LLF's Chris Connolly Interviews James Han Mattson, Author of REPRIEVE
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Thank you James! Reprieve goes on sale October 5th.
-Chris
|
|
August 5, 2021
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!
Request the egalley and advanced listener copy on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the advanced listener copy on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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)
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
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
Request the egalley and advanced listener copy on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the advanced listener copy on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley and advanced listener copy on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the advanced listener copy on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
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
Request the egalley and advanced listener copy on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
Request the advanced listener copy on NetGalley
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
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
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.
Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
Request the egalley on NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: September 1, 2021
***
We hope you enjoy the books! For more information about LibraryReads, visit their website. Remember: Vote early! Vote often!
-Chris
|
|
Who We Are
- We are the HarperCollins Library Marketing team. Click here to learn more about us.
www.librarylovefest.com
