February 2017

What does the Library Love Fest team (possibly) love more than books? Yep, that would be ice cream.

What better way to celebrate our new Book Club Catalog than with a great big gooey ice cream cake?!

Though Chris and I pitched in, the bulk of producing this catalog fell squarely on Amanda’s shoulders. She pulled together a terrific list of titles for book clubs, went over this catalog with a fine-tooth comb, worked with a designer and got this puppy printed in record time in order to have it at Midwinter.

The word is out!  HarperCollins Publishers has TWO books on the March LibraryReads list, and let me tell you, you public librarians have great taste!

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck: Set at the end of World War II, in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once played host to all of German high society, a powerful and propulsive story of three widows whose lives and fates become intertwined—an affecting, shocking, and ultimately redemptive novel from the author of the New York Times Notable Book The Hazards of Good Breeding.

The Hearts of Men by Nickolas Butler: An epic novel of intertwining friendships and families set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin at a beloved Boy Scout summer camp—from the bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs.

We wish a hearty congratulations to all winners this month.  And to all librarians out there, don't forget to submit your votes for the April list by February 20!

-Amanda

I don't know about the rest of the world, but tomorrow New York City and the surrounding areas are supposed to be blanketed in at least a foot of snow.  Which promises a very boring day stuck inside.  Thus, here are a few exciting books that'll sweep you in and hold you close until it doesn't matter what the weather is like outside.  So without further ado:

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine: A mesmerizing debut psychological thriller about a coolly manipulative woman who worms her way into the lives of a wealthy “golden couple” from Connecticut, befriending the wife and seducing the husband to achieve the privileged life she wants. But expect multiple mind-blowing twists before you turn the last page.  Request the egalley here.

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane: Since We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a former journalist who, after an on-air mental breakdown, now lives as a virtual shut-in. In all other respects, however, she enjoys an ideal life with an ideal husband. Until a chance encounter on a rainy afternoon causes that ideal life to fray. Sucked into a conspiracy thick with deception, violence, and possibly madness, Rachel must find the strength within herself to conquer unimaginable fears and mind-altering truths. By turns heart- breaking, suspenseful, romantic, and sophisticated, Since We Fell is a novel of profound psychological insight and tension. It is Dennis Lehane at his very best.  Request the egalley here.

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: From the author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery.  A missing last chapter from the final book in a bestselling mystery series leads an editor into a quest of her own to discover the secret links between the manuscript and real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder.  Request the egalley here.

I guarantee any one of these books will totally envelope you in their story, whether you're stuck inside or staying up late, just because you can.  Pick one (or three), download, and dive in.

-Amanda