July 2019

NPR just released a fantastic interview with author Laura Lippman. In the interview with Terry Gross, they talk about Laura's background as a journalist, her family, and her new novel, Lady in the Lake. 

Lady in the Lake is a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, about a middle-aged housewife turned aspiring reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman.

Check out all of the starred reviews the book has received:

“Riveting…This is a superb character study, a terrific newspaper novel, and a fascinating look at urban life and racial discrimination in the ’60s…Lippman’s critical acclaim and sales figures continue to climb, and this genre-crossing thriller will extend her reach still further.”
—Booklist review

“Lippman’s fans will devour this sophisticated crime novel, which captures the era’s zeitgeist while painting a striking portrait of unapologetic female ambition.”
—Publishers Weekly review

“The story is bigger than the crime, and the crime is bigger than its solution, making Lippman’s skill as a mystery novelist work as icing on the cake. The racism, classism, and sexism of 50 years ago wrapped up in a stylish, sexy, suspenseful period drama…”
—Kirkus Reviews review

Listen to the podcast episode here:

You can also read a transcript of the audio interview here.

-Lainey

The Library Love Fest team wishes Joshilyn Jackson's Never Have I Ever a very happy book birthday! Never Have I Ever is a twisting novel of domestic suspense in which a group of women play a harmless drinking game that escalates into a war of dark pasts.

There has been a lot of brand new buzz coming in for this book. It was named one of USA Today's "5 books not to miss." The Wall Street Journal calls it: "…a tale of moral suspense in addition to a psychological thriller. Its several plot twists are surprising and effective, and there are gripping sequences involving Amy’s work as a deep-sea diver woven logically into the narrative. Many books claim to be the perfect beach read. This one doesn’t, but it certainly fits the bill." 

There was a ton of library love for this book. We were lucky enough to have Joshilyn speak at this year's Texas Library Association conference. It was also inducted into the LibraryReads Hall of Fame in June. Check out some of the amazing library reviews it previously received:

“Best-selling Jackson successfully trades her usual quirky Southern lit for darker psychological suspense in this latest highly recommended novel. Her prowess at writing affecting, character-driven fiction is on full display, and readers will devour the twisty, consuming story.”
—Library Journal review

“Nail-biting suspense… Jackson builds on her talent for creating imperfect, capable, and multi-layered characters to write smart suspense, driven by the intelligence and determination of the instigator and her prey… Never Have I Ever marks a new high in Jackson’s career.”
—Booklist review

In celebration of Never Have I Ever's book birthday, we are giving away finished copies to the first 10 people to email librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

-Lainey

The day is almost here: Laura Lippman's Lady in the Lake will be available next Tuesday, July 23rd! 

Lady in the Lake is a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, about a middle-aged housewife turned aspiring reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman.

Stephen King just gave a rave review in the New York Times Book Review:

“extraordinary…Lippman walks a fine line, balancing a cracking good mystery with the story of a not always admirable woman working to stand on her own. … Lippman answers all outstanding questions with a totally cool double twist that your reviewer—a veteran reader of mysteries—never saw coming.”

Check out all of the starred reviews!

“Riveting…This is a superb character study, a terrific newspaper novel, and a fascinating look at urban life and racial discrimination in the ’60s…Lippman’s critical acclaim and sales figures continue to climb, and this genre-crossing thriller will extend her reach still further.”
—Booklist review

“Lippman’s fans will devour this sophisticated crime novel, which captures the era’s zeitgeist while painting a striking portrait of unapologetic female ambition.”
—Publishers Weekly review

“The story is bigger than the crime, and the crime is bigger than its solution, making Lippman’s skill as a mystery novelist work as icing on the cake. The racism, classism, and sexism of 50 years ago wrapped up in a stylish, sexy, suspenseful period drama…”
—Kirkus Reviews review

In honor of Lady in the Lake's book birthday, we are giving away 10 finished copies of the book to the first 10 people who email librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

-Lainey

It's no puzzle—Karin Slaughter's New York Times bestselling novel Pieces of Her is much loved! The LLF team has a dedicated puzzle table at the office and this limited edition Pieces of Her puzzle made a perfect addition to our collection.

Pieces of Her, much like this puzzle, shows how many different pieces make up a human being and asks if it's possible to know someone fully. When a trip to the mall explodes into violence, Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to her mother Laura. Because it turns out that before Laura was Laura, she was someone completely different. For nearly thirty years she’s been hiding from her previous identity, lying low in the hope that no one would ever find her. But now she’s been exposed, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Check out all the library love for Pieces of Her:

“[Slaughter’s] talent for writing convincingly flawed yet sympathetic characters is in high relief here…Readers will find themselves totally immersed in the suspenseful, alternating story lines and won’t want either of them to end.”
—Booklist  review

“With an intrigue and suspense-filled plot, Slaughter’s well-crafted, tense, and exhilarating story will keep readers on the edge of their seats.” —Library Journal

Be sure to watch out for the eight-episode series coming soon to Netflix. We're also excited to announce that Karin's latest novel in the Will Trent mystery series, The Last Widow, was selected for the August LibraryReads list! Download an egalley on Edelweiss or NetGalley now.

We are giving away a finished copy of Pieces of Her and a puzzle to the first 10 people who email librarylovefest@harpercollins.com.

-Lainey

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

This month, we are thrilled to share that we have THREE titles selected for the August LibraryReads List: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (the Top Pick for August!), The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter, and Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews. Click here to see the full list.

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (the Top Pick for August!): Alisha Rai returns with the first book in her sizzling new Modern Love series, in which two rival dating app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom.

"Both Rhi and Samson are learning how to enjoy life and balance each other beautifully as they face realistic conflicts and tantalizing romance and sensuality. This winning novel will enhance any romance reader’s collection."
 —Publishers Weekly review

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The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter: New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter returns with another electrifying thriller in the beloved Will Trent mystery series, this time pitting Will and Sara against a mysterious group planning to unleash a deadly epidemic.

"With familiar characters, further developed here, and a plot as timely as it is riveting, Slaughter's latest will enthrall her ever-growing legion of fans."
—Booklist  review

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Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society.

"Imaginative and high-octane…. Another creative, thrilling paranormal romance from the masterful Andrews."
—Kirkus review

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Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the August LibraryReads list! Be sure to submit your votes for the September LibraryReads list by August 1st. You can see our recommendations here. Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Chris

Hello, librarian friends!

It's time to talk books! There are so many incredible reads headed your way this September from both long-time favorites and exciting new voices. Keep reading to find out more and remember: votes for the September LibraryReads list are due August 1st!

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The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
For fans of: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
The New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth and State of Wonder returns with her most powerful novel to date: a richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go.

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

Cold Storage by David Koepp
For fans of: Artemis by Andy Weir and Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
For readers of Andy Weir and Noah Hawley comes an astonishing debut by the screenwriter of Jurassic Park: a wild and terrifying adventure about three strangers who must work together to contain a highly contagious, deadly organism.

"To be simultaneously terrifying and hilarious is a masterstroke few writers can pull off, but Koepp manages in this incredible fiction debut that calls to mind a beautiful hybrid of Michael Crichton and Carl Hiaasen. Cold Storage is sheer thrillery goodness, and riotously entertaining." 
—Blake Crouch, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
For fans of: We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter and Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
The New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Exiles conjures her best novel yet, a pre-World War II-era story with the emotional resonance of Orphan Train and The Nightingale, centering on the Kindertransports that carried thousands of children out of Nazi-occupied Europe—and one brave woman who helped them escape to safety. 

"The Last Train to London is an absolutely fascinating, beautifully rendered story…. Clayton perfectly captures the tension and heartbreak of the times, which feel so relevant today. It is a glowing portrait of women rising up against impossible odds to save children." 
—Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Great Alone and The Nightingale

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan
For fans of: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy and The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew conjures a dark and unpredictable tale of family secrets that explores the lengths people will go to hurt one another.

"The Nanny kept me in white-knuckled suspense until the very last page. Gilly Macmillan’s breakout thriller is a dark and twisted version of Downton Abbey gone very, very wrong." 
—Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Shape of Night

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay
For fans of: The Breakdown by B. A Paris
The New York Times bestselling author of A Noise Downstairs and No Time for Goodbye returns with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that does for elevators what Psycho did for showers and Jaws did for the beach—a heart-pounding tale in which a series of disasters paralyzes New York City with fear.

"This novel moves as fast as a falling elevator and hits with just as much force. Linwood Barclay is a stone cold pro and Elevator Pitch is a shameless good time."
—Joe Hill, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman and Strange Weather

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

No Judgments by Meg Cabot
For fans of: My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
In the New York Times bestselling author’s latest novel, the storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida—and it’s sending waves crashing through Sabrina "Bree" Beckham’s love life…

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

After the Flood by Kassandra Montag
For fans of: Birdbox by Josh Malerman
An unforgettable, inventive, and riveting epic saga with the literary force and evocative imagination of Station Eleven, Zone One, and The Road, that follows a mother's desperate hunt for her missing daughter in a world utterly transformed by climate change.

"A soaring, brilliantly imagined novel about love and desperation, set in an astonishing new world that still feels utterly gripping and contemporary. Kassandra Montag is a visionary new talent!"
—Karin Slaughter, bestselling author of The Last Widow and Pieces of Her

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

Lost in the Spanish Quarter by Heddi Goodrich
For fans of: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Told with the intimacy and ferocity of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels and set in the passionate, intense, and crumbling neighborhood known as the Spanish Quarter of Naples, comes a tale of two students searching for love and belonging in the city they so desperately want to call home.

"A declaration of love for Naples, and not at all superficial: it is powerful and authentic precisely because it is a foreigner’s point of view, one that is not afraid of this vast city that is often difficult to comprehend."
—Pier Luigi Razzano, La Repubblica, Napoli

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
For fans of: The Thirst by Jo Nesbø and The Kept by James Scott
The heart-pounding debut from the creator of the hit Scandinavian television show The Killing about a psychopath is terrorizing Copenhagen.

"A full-throttle thriller in the tradition of classic Stiegg Larsson, drenched in atmosphere and charged with adrenaline. Buckle up. You’ll gulp down every word. I loved this book."
—A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

 

Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
For fans of: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers and Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
A hilarious, offbeat debut space opera that skewers everything from pop culture to video games and features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her motley crew, strange life forms, exciting twists, and a galaxy full of fun and adventure.

"Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artifacts, and lovable characters…Eva and her family are Latinx and often include un-italicized Spanish in their dialogue, a rare find in a genre that usually uses whiteness as the default. A tremendously good time and an impressive debut."
—Kirkus  review

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LibraryReads Votes Due: August 1, 2019

For more great reading suggestions for September, check out our
September LibraryReads Suggestions Edelweiss catalog!

The deadline to submit your votes is August 1! 

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

-Chris

Hey there, librarian friends! Our #BookinIt2DC Buzz Tour has come to a close and we're back in the HarperCollins offices reminiscing about our life on the road. Our tour took us from New York City to the Princeton Public Library in New Jersey, to the Free Library of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, to the Baltimore County Public Library in Maryland, and finally to Washington D.C. for the ALA Annual Conference. You can watch the replays of our three #BookinIt2DC buzzes here.

We also had a great time seeing so many of our librarian pals at the ALA conference! Our booth was packed Friday night when the doors opened up! 

Then on Saturday, June 22, we hosted our world-famous Adult Book Buzz to several hundred librarians. You can check out the scene below and listen to all of our title presentations on our official buzz page: librarylovefest.com/whatsthebuzz. Click here for our presentation handout!