Library Love Fest

Catch up with LLF!

The LLF team has some exciting things coming up. Get the scoop below!

• Be sure to sign up for our next WORLD-FAMOUS book buzz on January 13th from 1-3 PM ET!
  RSVP here: https://bit.ly/LLFJanBuzz

In other news...

• Molly Shannon is Theater Speaker at ALA! She will be discussing her upcoming memoir, Hello, Molly! Find out more about the event here. You can also download an egalley on Edelweiss+ and NetGalley.
• We have revamped our YouTube page to include our Door to Door, podcast, and (new) Book-a-Minute episodes. Subscribe to our channel here.

New Podcast Episode — Editors Unedited: May Chen interviews Lorraine Heath, author of GIRLS OF FLIGHT CITY

This week on the podcast, we feature a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath. She is interviewed by May Chen, Executive Editor at William Morrow. They've worked together for 13 years!! This is a really special relationship and it was very cool to listen in as they discuss Lorraine's writing process and research, writing in a new genre, and her first romance read. She didn't grow up on romance novels or have a typical journey when it comes to writing romance, but I'll let you listen in to find out more!

Her upcoming book, Girls of Flight City, is a breathtaking WWII historical novel about the brave American women who trained the British Royal Air Force, inspired by true events. Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of Daughters of the Night Sky and Across the Winding River says: "...Heath delivers a touching tale of the WWII home front. The story of the women who trained RAF pilots in Texas before the US entry into the war shows the sacrifice and dedication of the brave women called to serve their cause. With vibrant characters and gripping action sequences, Girls of Flight City is sure to be a favorite with fans of WWII fiction. A well-researched pleasure to read.”

Listen to the episode below:

Lorraine mentioned the book Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer.

 

Download an egalley on Edelweiss+

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The book is on sale April 5, 2022 so that means LibraryReads votes are due March 1st!

Thanks to Lorraine and May for joining us on the podcast!

-Lainey

LLF Staff Suggestions for the March LibraryReads List

Hello, librarians!

With every new year, comes new books. We cannot wait to tell you about upcoming books from the 2022 Summer/Fall seasons at our upcoming buzz on January 13th from 1-3 PM ET. Be sure to RSVP here.

You will also find our staff reading suggestions for the March LibraryReads List below. Reminder: votes for the March LibraryReads List are due February 1st.

Happy new year!

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

Her Last Affair by John Searles

“John Searles brings the misfits among us to life with the clarity of Carson McCullers—and then scares us with the brilliance of Stephen King. Her Last Affair is a perfect, page-turning example of the heart and horror that makes me love his work so very, very much."
—Chris Bohjalian, #1 Bestselling Author of The Flight Attendant and Hour of the Witch

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

John Searles will be speaking at our January 13th buzz! Watch a video from John below:

Sign up for our buzz here!

 

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

"The Cartographers is a story about magical maps that lead to your heart's desire, the sort of people who would do anything to find them, and the joy, regret, and possibility they bring. A vastly rich experience. I loved this book."
—Charles Soule, author of The Oracle Year

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

“Crack-shot novelist Kate Quinn’s aim is dead on in The Diamond Eye. Based on the true story of a Soviet female sniper who killed more than three hundred German soldiers and then befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, Quinn’s suspenseful narrative rings with deep understanding of long-range riflery, U.S. politics early in WWII, and the heartache of a woman on the front lines of combat.”
—Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of The Last Green Valley and Beneath a Scarlet Sky

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Last Suspicious Holdout by Ladee Hubbard

“Short stories brimming with societal nuance and human complexity offer a penetrating overview of urban Black America near the turn of the 21st century.... Hubbard’s eyes and ears are in superb working order as she tells this besieged community’s life story.”
—Kirkus ⭐️ review 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Lightning Rod by Brad Meltzer

“Meltzer likes his conspiracy stories, and he puts a lot of work into them, but he seems to love his characters just as much. Zig and Nola are two of his strongest characters, and it feels like there are plenty more stories to be told about them.”
—Booklist

“The Lightning Rod is my favorite Brad Meltzer novel—so far—and that’s high, high praise. The book is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride with half a dozen memorable characters. My personal favorite is Zig, but Waggs, Roddy and Nola aren’t far behind.”
—James Patterson

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Angels of the Pacific by Elise Hooper

"In this heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience during WW2, Elise Hooper brings the remarkable true story of army nurses, the Angels of Bataan, into the hands and hearts of her readers. Through compulsive, dramatic and tender prose, rich in details of place and time, Hooper expertly handles the unique complexities of the war in the Pacific and the struggles of those caught up in it. Her characters, Tess and Flor, demand the pages to be turned, and their story to be told. This is historical fiction to devour, to inform, and to press into the hands of your friends."
—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers

“Myers brilliantly seduces us with her setting—a North Carolina town of beautiful socialites, opulent dresses, and elegant soirees—before revealing a terrible secret that threatens the entire community. This is a story of courage, of women willing to take a stand in the face of corporate greed, and most definitely a tale for our times.”
—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue

“Debut novelist Myers sets her activist novel in 1946, but the causes of workers’ and women’s rights are timeless.”
—Booklist

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

Watch Adele Myers on Door to Door:

 

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Nisha Sharma’s hilarious new romantic comedy inspired by The Taming of the Shrew features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

"Nisha Sharma's Dating Dr. Dil is what would happen if you put all my favorite romantic comedy tropes into a blender: a frothy, snarky, hilarious treat with a gooey, heartwarming center. The perfect addition to any rom-com lover's shelf."
—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Things Past Telling by Sheila Williams

The author of The Secret Women tells the story of a brave and enduring woman as indomitable as Ernest Gaines’ legendary Miss Jane Pittman, in a breathtaking novel that combines the epic romance and adventure of Outlander, the sweeping drama of Roots, and the haunting historical power of Barracoon.

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Read Dangerously by Azar Nafisi

The New York Times bestselling author of Reading Lolita in Tehran returns with a guide to the power of literature in turbulent times, arming readers with a resistance reading list, ranging from James Baldwin to Zora Neale Hurston to Margaret Atwood.

"[A] stunning look at the power of reading.... Nafisi's prose is razor-sharp, and her analysis lands on a hopeful note.... This excellent collection provokes and inspires at every turn."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

“Swanson again takes the idea of fiction as homage to deliriously vertiginous new heights… While the tension mounts deliciously as we wonder if there will be any survivors, the real fascination here is the explanation itself—and what it reveals about the cancerous effects of guilt and obsession.”
—Booklist ⭐️review 

“Swanson (Every Vow You Break) neatly riffs on Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None in this taut thriller…. This is a well-crafted page-turner.”
—Publishers Weekly

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

"Bailey’s plot is fast paced with plenty of humor laced throughout. Fox and Hannah are well-developed, likable characters with emotional depth that will resonate; they have a lot to overcome, but readers will be rooting for them." 
—Library Journal ⭐️ review 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr

“Incredibly fast-paced and savvy, Lisa Barr takes readers into the high stakes world of art theft through the eyes of a young, gutsy journalist. Thick with history, scandal, romance and deceit, Woman on Fire is a truly compulsive read.”
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. by Lee Kravetz

"The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. is a fascinating and absorbing kaleidoscopic novel and a tender portrait of Sylvia Plath that, like the hand-written manuscript of The Bell Jar at the center of the novel, offers the reader more than one compelling picture, and point of view, of the poet. A literary page turner."
—Kate Hope Day, author of In the Quick

"Kravetz’s debut novel is a compelling literary mystery that explores the creation of poet Sylvia Plath’s only novel.... Writing about real literary figures can be tricky, especially if their descendants are still living, but the author brings his characters, both imagined and historical, to life with sensitivity."
—Kirkus Reviews

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan

"Deliciously disturbing and terrifyingly twisted, The Long Weekend is a stunning thriller about jealousy, obsession, secrets, and trauma that threaten to destroy a tight-knit group of close friends. Gilly Macmillan has created a haunting setting that is as frightening as the horror awaiting the characters, and her brilliant pacing will keep you on edge from the first page to the last. A riveting read!"
—Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge

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LibraryReads Votes Due: February 1, 2022

 

Click here for more great March reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is February 1st!

***

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

-Lainey

New Podcast Episode: Editors Unedited - Tessa Woodward Interviews Jessie Mihalik, Author of HUNT THE STARS

On this week's podcast episode, Tessa Woodward, Executive Editor at William Morrow, Avon, and Harper Voyager, interviews Jessie Mihalik, author of Hunt the Stars—the first in a new series about a female bounty hunter and the man who is her sworn enemy.

“The heat is on in Mihalik’s addictive Starlight’s Shadow series launch. Mihalik artfully juggles palpable romantic tension and fun action to create an epic page turner. This is sure to excite anyone who likes their space opera with a bit of spice.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Fans of Nalini Singh will swoon for this stoic psychic space warrior hero, and fall in love with a badass mercenary captain heroine who will go to any lengths to protect her wounded-squad-turned-found-family. Compelling, steamy, and impossible to put down—Mihalik has created a world I want to visit again and again for years to come. Give me more sexy hot psychic space aliens!”
—Kit Rocha, New York Times bestselling author

Listen to the episode below:

Check out Jessie's website for more info.

Hunt the Stars is on sale February 1, 2022.

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-Lainey

THE FOLLOWING HARPERAUDIO TITLES MADE 2021 BEST OF THE YEAR LISTS!

Woohoo! Congratulations to the AMAZING Audio team! 

* for all the librarians out there! 

Note that you can listen to excerpts from all of them here! 

 

Apple

HOW TO BE SAD by Helen Russell

Read by Helen Russell

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063115385 / HarperOne

 

THE MATZAH BALL by Jean Meltzer

Read by Dara Rosenberg

Produced by Jennifer Lopes

9781488212505 / MIRA

 

THE WRECKAGE OF MY PRESENCE by Casey Wilson

Read by Casey Wilson

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062960603 / Harper

 

Audible

CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS by Kaela Rivera

Read by Almarie Guerra

Produced by Almeda Beynon

9780063059283 / HarperCollins Children’s

 

CLASS ACT by Jerry Craft

Read by Nile Bullock, Jesus Del Orden, Guy Lockard, Marc Thompson, Peyton Lusk, Rebecca Soler, Dan Bittner,

January LaVoy, Phoebe Strole, Jordan Cobb, A.J Beckles, Robin Miles, and Ron Butler

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063032057 / Quill Tree Books

 

CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas

Read by Dion Graham

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063043817 / Balzer + Bray

 

FEEDING THE SOUL (BECAUSE IT'S MY BUSINESS) by Tabitha Brown

Read by Tabitha Brown

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063080300 / William Morrow

 

JUST AS I AM by Cicely Tyson

Read by Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis, and Robin Miles

Produced by Iris McElroy

9780062931351 / Amistad

 

THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

Read by Adenrele Ojo, Karen Chilton, and Prentice Onayemi

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062942975 / Harper

 

THE STORYTELLER by Dave Grohl

Read by Dave Grohl

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063076129 / Dey Street

 

YOU GOT ANYTHING STRONGER? by Gabrielle Union

Read by Gabrielle Union

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062979964 / Dey Street

 

AudioFile

THE BOYS by Ron Howard and Clint Howard

Read by Ron Howard, Clint Howard, and Bryce Dallas Howard

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063065277 / William Morrow

 

CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas

Read by Dion Graham

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063043817 / Balzer + Bray

 

JUST AS I AM by Cicely Tyson

Read by Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis, and Robin Miles

Produced by Iris McElroy

9780062931351 / Amistad

 

THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

Read by Adenrele Ojo, Karen Chilton, and Prentice Onayemi

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062942975 / Harper

 

*Booklist

A FAREWELL TO GABO AND MERCEDES by Rodrigo Garcia

Read by Rodrigo Garcia

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063158344 / HarperVia

 

ISLAND QUEEN by Vanessa Riley

Read by Adjoa Andoh

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063002876 / William Morrow

 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD by Quentin Tarantino

Read by Jennifer Jason Leigh

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063112544 / Harper Perennial

 

THE REMOVED by Brandon Hobson

Read by Gary Farmer, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, DeLanna Studi, Katie Rich, and Christopher Salazar

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062997579 / Ecco

 

SISTERS IN ARMS by Kaia Alderson

Read by Shayna Small

Produced by Iris McElroy

9780063096837 / William Morrow Paperbacks

 

THE STORYTELLER by Dave Grohl

Read by Dave Grohl

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063076129 / Dey Street

 

AN EMOTION OF GREAT DELIGHT by Tahereh Mafi

Read by Lanna Joffrey

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063061361 / HarperCollins Children’s

 

Cosmopolitan

CAUL BABY by Morgan Jerkins

Read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063070431 / Harper

 

FEEDING THE SOUL (BECAUSE IT'S MY BUSINESS) by Tabitha Brown

Read by Tabitha Brown

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063080300 / William Morrow

 

VANDERBILT by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe

Read by Anderson Cooper

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063076129 / Dey Street

 

YOU GOT ANYTHING STRONGER? by Gabrielle Union

Read by Gabrielle Union

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062979964 / Dey Street

 

*Library Journal

CAUL BABY by Morgan Jerkins

Read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063070431 / Harper

 

LOVE IN COLOR by Bolu Babalola

Read by Ajjaz Awad, Nneka Okoye, Bolu Babalola, and Olukemi Babalola

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780063078543 / William Morrow

 

Marie Claire

CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas

Read by Dion Graham

Produced by Caitlin Garing

9780063043817 / Balzer + Bray

 

JUST AS I AM by Cicely Tyson

Read by Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis, and Robin Miles

Produced by Iris McElroy

9780062931351 / Amistad

 

THE LOST APOTHECARY by Sarah Penner

Read by Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Lauren Irwin

Produced by Jennifer Lopes

9781488210761 / Park Row

 

YOU GOT ANYTHING STRONGER? by Gabrielle Union

Read by Gabrielle Union

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062979964 / Dey Street

 

The Washington Post

THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DU BOIS by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

Read by Adenrele Ojo, Karen Chilton, and Prentice Onayemi

Produced by Suzanne Mitchell

9780062942975 / Harper

 

Remembering bell hooks

We mourn the loss of bell hooks, New York Times best-selling author, cherished teacher, cultural critic, feminist, activist, and visionary.

She was born Gloria Watkins on September 25, 1952. In 1978, she published her first book of poems, And There We Wept, under the pen name bell hooks, honoring her great-grandmother. Throughout her accomplished and celebrated career, bell published more than 40 works. She joined William Morrow in 1999 with the publication of All About Love, followed by Salvation in 2001, and Communion in 2002. All About Love is one of bell’s most awe-inspiring gifts of literature, translated in more than 15 languages, admired and respected internationally. It hit the New York Times bestseller list last year for the first time since originally published. 

Read the New York Times obituary here.

Editors Unedited: Nicole Fischer interviews Alexandria Bellefleur, author of COUNT YOUR LUCKY STARS

On the podcast this week, Nicole Fischer, Editor at Avon Books, interviews Lambda Literary Award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur to discuss her new book Count Your Lucky Stars. Alexandria has penned another steamy queer rom-com about former best friends who might be each other's second chance at love, following the two previous books in the series: Written in the Stars and Hang the Moon.

"A warm hug of a queer contemporary romance with sparkling prose, heartfelt dialogue, and delicious dirty talk."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review

 

“Heartwarming...Bellefleur’s lively characters charm from start to finish. This is a perfect pick for readers looking for a light-hearted romance centered on emotional growth.”
—Publishers Weekly

Listen to the episode below:

They talked about several romance novels that helped shape their love for romance and a book that is great for helping to plot stories:

• Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
• Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren
• Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Count Your Lucky Stars is on sale February 1, 2022.

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-Lainey

LLF Staff Suggestions for the February LibraryReads List

Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh

“Mercy Street is propulsive, urgent, and essential. Haigh writes with uncommon insight and compassion (and, yes, mercy) about people whose ideals are so strikingly at odds that we can only wait for their lives to collide. I was riveted and transported, and want to hand this book to everyone I know."
—Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer Prize finalist for The Great Believers

Request the egalley and ALC on Edelweiss+
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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

Watch Jennifer Haigh on Door to Door:

 

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

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…

“Lucy Foley gets better with every book...”
—Marie Claire on The Guest List

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Scoundrel by Sarah Weinman

"Award-winning crime writer Weinman (The Real Lolita, 2018) weaves a strange and compelling tale about murder, deception, fame, and friendship.... This is a psychologically fascinating must-read for true-crime buffs."
—Booklist ⭐ review

"With this enthralling book, Weinman (The Real Lolita) details the twisted, extraordinary story of a murderer who manipulated his way to freedom and fame.... An immediately absorbing story of crime, manipulation, and influence."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

Watch Sarah Weinman on Door to Door:

 

No Second Chances by Rio Youers

"How is this guy not more widely known?.... Youers has spent years developing his style, perfecting his voice, and with No Second Chances he has produced a book that feels like something Elmore Leonard might have written: a dark and ballsy story that, once you’ve started it, you absolutely cannot stop reading."
—Booklist ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Fake by Erica Katz

“A gripping, glittering deep dive into one artist’s present—and the past that she can’t quite escape. Fake will transport you across the globe, exposing what really lies under the glamour of this decadent art scene. Evocative, entertaining, and highly original, with writing that will keep readers turning pages and perpetually questioning what’s real—and what isn’t.”
—Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

The Cage by Bonnie Kistler

“Former trial lawyer Kistler follows up her 2019 debut, House on Fire, with this absolutely spellbinding thriller. Two women enter an elevator. Only one comes out. The other is dead. Was it murder or suicide?.... [An] absolutely spellbinding thriller.... An utterly engrossing and thoroughly entertaining story.”
—Booklist ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

The Naked Don't Fear the Water by Matthieu Aikins

"This is a gripping, devastating book, and it must have taken great courage and determination to write. The human story of the “smuggler’s road” from Afghanistan to Europe is one of terrible suffering, and Aikins tells it with clarity and simplicity. I could write that The Naked Don’t Fear The Water should be given prizes, and no doubt it will, but it seems to me that the best way to honor this book would be for us all to read it and ask ourselves what we can do for the thousands of unknown and unrecognized people who are treading this terrifying path."
—Hari Kunzru, author of Red Pill

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

"A warm hug of a queer contemporary romance with sparkling prose, heartfelt dialogue, and delicious dirty talk. Fans of the series will be delighted by the returning characters and the steamy heat between Margot and Olivia, while new readers who liked Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer or Karelia Stetz-Waters’s Satisfaction Guaranteed will find much to love."
—Library Journal ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

“Fans of Nalini Singh will swoon for this stoic psychic space warrior hero, and fall in love with a badass mercenary captain heroine who will go to any lengths to protect her wounded-squad-turned-found-family. Compelling, steamy, and impossible to put down–Mihalik has created a world I want to visit again and again for years to come. Give me more sexy hot psychic space aliens!”
—Kit Rocha, New York Times bestselling author

Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Asking for a Friend by Andi Osho

"Lies and past hurt upend a friend group in comedian Osho’s laugh-out-loud debut rom-com. To help aspiring actor Simi break her habit of falling in love too quickly, her two best friends agree to all find dates for each other.... Osho navigates these strained relationships with emotional nuance and dry, sarcastic humor. With as much focus on platonic love as romantic, this paean to sisterhood and personal growth is sure to charm."
—Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

The Great Mrs. Elias by Barbara Chase-Riboud

"Peppered with such historical figures as Lillian Russell, Granville Woods, and J. P. Morgan, and enlivened with a showstopping courtroom debacle, Chase-Riboud's biographical novel is a randy, rollicking tour of Gilded Age excess, racism, and misogyny."    
—Booklist ⭐️ review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

 

 

Shadows of Pecan Hollow by Caroline Frost

“How do we let go of a dark, menacing past, especially when a dangerous love still binds us to it? Frost’s extraordinary debut is about Kit, a young mother struggling to raise her daughter, and to erase her abduction at 13 by a thief, who coerced her into crime and into his heart. Dazzling, unexpected and profound, this is a shattering page-turner about how love can twist our lives into something we no longer recognize, and how we might find our way back to our best selves and to the communities that just might save us. In a word: brilliant.” 
—Caroline Leavitt, bestselling author of With or Without You

Request the egalley on Edelweiss+
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LibraryReads Votes Due: January 1, 2022

Be sure to RSVP for Caroline Frost's Door to Door episode:

 

Click here for more great February reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is January 1st!

***

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

New Podcast Episode - Editors Unedited: Julie Will interviews Matt Rodbard and Daniel Holzman, authors of FOOD IQ

On this week's podcast episode, Julie Will, Vice President/Editorial Director at Harper Wave, interviews Matt Rodbard and Daniel Holzman, the authors of Food IQ—an informative, entertaining, and essential guide to taking your kitchen smarts to a higher level—from two food world professionals (a chef and a writer).

This was a super fun interview that not only included the background of this book and an overview of the authors' writing/editing process, but Julie finished the episode with a lightning round of over-hyped/under-hyped food/kitchen tools. Find out what you should utilize or leave behind when cooking from the pros!

Check out some of the reviews:

"The Socratic method provides the satisfying answer to mealtime quandaries in this entertaining kitchen guide.... There’s no shortage of knowledge to savor here."
—Publishers Weekly

"Food IQ is a book for how we eat right now, filled with good advice, great recipes, and information that will fascinate even the most experienced cook. And I can't think of a better gift for someone who's new to the kitchen."
—Ruth Reichl, author of My Kitchen Year

“Food IQ has everything you've always wanted to know about food, but was afraid to ask. From deep dives into fancy salts and olive oils to the crispiest strategy for cooking boneless chicken breasts (and a compelling argument for why you shouldn't feel guilty loving your microwave), Matt and Daniel answer the hows and whys of cooking, and provide plenty of well-tested recipes, to give home cooks the savoir-faire to take their kitchen skills to the next level…and beyond!”
—David Lebovitz, author of Drinking French and My Paris Kitchen

Listen to the episode below:

Food IQ goes on sale February 22, 2022.

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-Lainey

The December LibraryReads List is Here!

See our full announcement of all HarperCollins titles that made the list and find links to egalleys here. 

Thank you for voting!

-Lainey

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

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+
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-Lainey

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.

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+
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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LibraryReads Votes Due: December 1, 2021

 

 

Click here for more great January reads!

 

The deadline to submit your votes is December 1!

***

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

-Lainey

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

 

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

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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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

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

 

"Irresistible... a Golden Age homage, an elegantly constructed mystery that on every page reinforces the message that everyone counts."
—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

 

"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

 

“A wonderfully atmospheric, beautifully written and entirely credible evocation of wartime Britain.”
—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

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

 

"Baxley shines in her ability to be encouraging without being judgmental.... This hopeful guide inspires."
—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+
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-Lainey

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

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.

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… 

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