February 2020

Below, you can watch a quick introduction to all 11 amazing authors who attended ALA Midwinter 2020 in Philadelphia. 

To watch full-length video introductions to each author at the HarperCollins booth, as well as the full presentations of our three author panelists, visit:

https://bit.ly/2SKFhmz

Hello, librarians!

February is Black History Month and what better way to celebrate than with some great reads? We've compiled a selection of titles, some on sale, some upcoming, that will enlighten, inform, and celebrate the stories, experiences, and histories of Black Americans.

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

***

Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick
by Zora Neal Hurston
From "one of the greatest writers of our time" (Toni Morrison)—the author of Barracoon and Their Eyes Were Watching God—a collection of remarkable stories, including eight lost Harlem Renaissance tales now available to a wide audience for the first time.

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. Now a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

Africaville by Jeffrey Colvin
A ferociously talented writer makes his stunning debut with this richly woven tapestry, set in a small Nova Scotia town settled by former slaves, that depicts several generations of one family bound together and torn apart by blood, faith, time, and fate.

Africaville was a LibraryReads selection for December 2019!

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

Black Boy by Richard Wright
A special 75th anniversary edition of Richard Wright's powerful and unforgettable memoir, with a new foreword by John Edgar Wideman and an afterword by Malcolm Wright, the author’s grandson.

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

No One Is Coming to Save Us
by Stephanie Powell Watts
No One Is Coming to Save Us is a revelatory debut from an insightful voice: with echoes of The Great Gatsby, it is an arresting and powerful novel about an extended African American family and their colliding visions of the American Dream.

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

Notes from a Black Woman's Diary
by Kathleen Collins
Relatively unknown during her life, the artist, filmmaker, and writer Kathleen Collins emerged on the literary scene in 2016 with the posthumous publication of the short story collection Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? That rediscovery continues in Notes from a Black Woman’s Diary, which spans genres to reveal the breadth and depth of the late author’s talent. 

Find out more on HarperCollins.com

Also from the author:
Whatever Happened to Interracial Love?

This is What America Looks Like by Ilhan Omar
An intimate and rousing memoir by progressive trailblazer Ilhan Omar—the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women, elected to Congress.

Find out more on Edelweiss+

Lakewood by Megan Giddings
A startling debut about class and race, Lakewood evokes a terrifying world of medical experimentation—part The Handmaid’s Tale, part The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

Download the egalley from Edelweiss+ 
Download the egalley from NetGalley

Memorial Drive
by Natasha Tretheway
A chillingly personal and exquisitely wrought memoir of a daughter reckoning with the brutal murder of her mother at the hands of her former stepfather, and the moving, intimate story of a poet coming into her own in the wake of a tragedy.

Download the egalley from Edelweiss+ 
Download the egalley from NetGalley

Wandering in Strange Lands by Morgan Jerkins
From the acclaimed cultural critic and New York Times bestselling author of This Will Be My Undoing—a writer whom Roxane Gay has hailed as "a force to be reckoned with"—comes this powerful story of her journey to understand her northern and southern roots, the Great Migration, and the displacement of black people across America.

Download the egalley from Edelweiss+ 
Download the egalley from NetGalley

The Compton Cowboys
by Walter Thompson-Hernández
A rising New York Times reporter tells the compelling story of the Compton Cowboys, a group of African-American men and women who defy stereotypes and continue the proud, centuries-old tradition of black cowboys in the heart of one of America’s most notorious cities.

Download the egalley from Edelweiss+ 
Download the egalley from NetGalley

Black Bottom Saints by Alice Randall
An enthralling literary tour-de-force that pays tribute to Detroit's legendary neighborhood, a mecca for jazz, sports, and politics, Black Bottom Saints is a powerful blend of fact and imagination reminiscent of E.L. Doctorow's classic novel Ragtime and Marlon James' Man Booker Award-winning masterpiece, A Brief History of Seven Killings.

Find out more on Edelweiss+

For more great reading suggestions for Black History Month, check out our Black History Month Edelweiss catalog!

***

-Chris

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

This month, we are thrilled to share that My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell has been selected as the #1 LibraryReads pick for March!

More great news: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane and Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson have also made the March LibraryReads list. With this latest selection, Peter Swanson has officially been inducted into the LibraryReads Hall of Fame!

Congratulations to Kate, Mhairi, and Peter!

Want to know how the authors reacted to being selected for the March LibraryReads list? We called each of them to let them know about the big news! Click below to listen!

Click here to see the full list.

***

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell: Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.

"My Dark Vanessa is a hard story to read and a harder one to put down…a well-constructed package of dynamite."
—Stephen King

Click below to listen to an interview between Kate Elizabeth Russell and her editor, Jessica Williams!

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
Request the egalley from NetGalley

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane:
The internationally bestselling author of Don't You Forget
About Me returns with another heartfelt romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Sally Thorne.

"McFarlane's gift is writing romantic comedy that depicts a recognizable world…without dimming the luster of shining moments of humor, love, and connection."
—Kirkus Reviews review

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
Request the egalley from NetGalley

Looking for more rom-coms? Navigate your options with the Rom-Com Matrix.

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson: From the hugely talented author of Before She Knew Him comes a chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders.

"A devilish premise combined with jaw-dropping execution…. Mystery fans will be salivating as the plot unfolds, trying to outsmart the confoundingly unreliable narrative… Swanson hits every note in this homage to the old-school crime novel, and the turnabout ending will leave readers reeling in delight."
—Booklist  review

"The perfect gift for well-read mystery mavens who complain that they don't write them like they used to."
—Kirkus Reviews review

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
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Previous LibraryReads selections for Peter Swanson: 
Her Every Fear
All the Beautiful Lies

***

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

Click here to learn more about LibraryReads.

-Chris

Listen to an interview with librarian Robin Bradford—a 2018 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and a 2016 RWA Cathie Linz Librarian of the Year Award recipient—on the latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast. 

We talk about Robin's advocacy for diversity in romance, her experiences working in collection development and readers advisory, and what she's reading and loving! Listen to the episode and find a list of the titles we discussed below.

Titles discussed:

• On the Corner of Hope and Main by Beverly Jenkins
• Sweet Talkin' Lover by Tracey Livesay
• The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
• Polaris Rising, Aurora Blazing, and Chaos Reigning by Jessie Mihalik

 Want to learn more about these titles? We have audio book samples available here.

We also discussed Becky Spratford's website RA for All and Robin's original article on LitHub.

Links discussed (and a few Robin provided after the recording) for romance readers advisory:

• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
• Romance.IO
• Robin also said she advises people to search 'story tropes' online in order to find helpful Goodreads lists.

At the end of the show, Robin offered to answer any questions you may have. Leave a message at our new voicemail number: 212-207-7773. Let us know who you are and your question; Robin will answer the questions and we will feature them on the show. Make sure to tell us how to contact you and we will send you a book for participating! 

A big thank you to Robin Bradford for taking the time to chat with us!

-Lainey

We L-O-V-E-d chatting about books this morning on Facebook Live! If you missed the live video, you can watch it on Facebook now or watch the recorded video below.

First, we welcomed William Morrow Executive Editor Jessica Williams into the tiki hut to discuss some of her upcoming titles and a few that you can buy now. Titles available now:

• The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
• Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok    
  -Listen to Jessica's interview with Jean Kwok on the podcast:

Forthcoming titles Jessica presented:

• My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
  -Listen to Jessica's interview with Kate Elizabeth Russell here:

• Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski
• Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
  -Listen to Jessica's interview with Elisabeth Thomas:

Watch Elisabeth speak at ALA Midwinter:

• The Lightness by Emily Temple
• Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth, Illustrated by Sara Lautman
  -Find the behind the book essay here.

After Jessica wrapped up, we presented the following titles:

• Wandering in Strange Lands by Morgan Jerkins
• The Light of Days by Judy Batalion
• Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
• The Brilliant Death of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
• Nine Shiny Objects by Brian Castleberry
• Weird but Normal by Mia Mercado
  -Watch the hilarious video we mentioned here. It gives you a great idea of the wit and charm that comes alive in the pages of Weird but Normal.

We ended with a reminder that we have a new voicemail number! Give us a call at 212-207-7773 and let us know what book you are reading and loving—you just might hear it on the podcast!

Until next month,

-Lainey

Couldn't make it to ALA Midwinter 2020? Not to worry! Catch up with the audio recording of our world-famous HarperCollins Adult Book Buzz, videos of our three incredible author panelists, as well as short video introductions to our wonderful signing authors who attended the show!

Catch the Replay of the
HarperCollins Adult Book Buzz!

Click below to view all the titles we buzzed about and to listen to the audio recordings of our individual presentations!

Watch Our ALA Midwinter Author Panelists!

Elisabeth Thomas, author of Catherine House
Catherine House is a gothic-infused debut of literary suspense, set within a secluded, elite university and following a dangerously curious, rebellious undergraduate who uncovers a shocking secret about an exclusive circle of students…and the dark truth beneath her school’s promise of prestige.

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
Request the egalley from NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: April 1, 2020

Elisabeth spoke at the LibraryReads Author Breakfast on Monday, January 27th. Watch her presentation below! 

And here is Elisabeth at the HarperCollins booth on the show floor!

Judy Batalion, author of The Light of Days
The Light of Days tells one of the most important stories of World War II: a spectacular, searing history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who became resistance fighters—a group of unknown heroes whose exploits have never been chronicled in full, until now.

Find out more on Edelweiss+
LibraryReads Votes Due: May 1, 2020

Judy spoke at the United for Libraries Gala Author Tea on Sunday, January 26th. Watch her presentation below! 

And here is Judy at the HarperCollins booth on the show floor!

Elizabeth Wetmore, author of Valentine
Valentine is an astonishing debut novel that explores the lingering effects of a brutal crime on the women of one small Texas oil town in the 1970s.

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
Request the egalley from NetGalley

This week, I had the great honor of sitting down with Sarah Weinman, editor and curator of Unspeakable Acts, an upcoming anthology of modern true-crime writing that illustrates the appeal of this powerful and popular genre. We talked about all things true crime, including the method behind how Sarah picked the pieces included in this collection. 

Listen to the podcast here:

Sarah also listed some of her latest true crime podcast listens:

• You're Wrong About
• Ear Hustle
• Uncover
• The Ballad of Billy Balls
• You Must Remember This

Be sure to check out The Crime Lady Newsletter here and find out more about Sarah on her website here. We also mentioned the podcast In the Dark and Sarah's previous book The Real Lolita.

You can also download an egalley of Unspeakable Acts on Edelweiss and NetGalley now!

A big thank you to Sarah for coming on the podcast!

-Lainey

This month, we featured several diverse titles in our Booklist ad. Find a list of titles included in the ad below.

Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey

• A chillingly personal and exquisitely wrought memoir of a daughter reckoning with the brutal murder of her mother at the hands of her former stepfather, and the moving, intimate story of a poet coming into her own in the wake of a tragedy.

Kid Quixotes by Stephen Haff

• The unlikely yet inspiring true story of a teacher struggling with mental illness, a silent daughter of an undocumented mother, and the amazing one-room schoolhouse that helped them find their voices, heal their pain, and become empowering models of resilience.

My Vanishing Country by Bakari Sellers

• What J. D. Vance did for Appalachia with Hillbilly Elegy, CNN analyst and one of the youngest state representatives in South Carolina history Bakari Sellers does for the rural South, in this important book that illuminates the lives of America’s forgotten black working-class men and women.

Black Bottom Saints by Alice Randall

• An enthralling literary tour-de-force that pays tribute to Detroit's legendary neighborhood, a mecca for jazz, sports, and politics, Black Bottom Saints is a powerful blend of fact and imagination reminiscent of E.L. Doctorow's classic novel Ragtime and Marlon James' Man Booker Award-winning masterpiece, A Brief History of Seven Killings.

The Son of Good Fortune by Lysley Tenorio

• A bighearted debut novel following an undocumented Filipino teenager as he redefines his relationships with his mother, his culture, and the place he calls home.

The Hispanic Republican by Geraldo Cadava

• An illuminating and thought-provoking history of the growth of Hispanic American Republican voters in the past half century and their surprising impact on US politics.

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

• For the first time, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson opens up about his amazing comeback—from tragic personal loss to thriving businessman and cable’s highest-paid executive—in this unique self-help guide, his first since his blockbuster New York Times bestseller The 50th Law.

Own the Arena by Katrina Adams

• From the former President and CEO of the United States Tennis Association—the first black woman and youngest person ever to hold the position—comes a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership skills involved in hosting the U.S. Open, the largest and most lucrative sports event in the world—lessons that can be applied across business and to any life challenge.

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

• An addictive and groundbreaking debut thriller set on a Native American reservation.

Wandering in Strange Lands by Morgan Jerkins

• From the acclaimed cultural critic and New York Times bestselling author of This Will Be My Undoing—a writer whom Roxane Gay has hailed as “a force to be reckoned with”—comes this powerful story of her journey to understand her northern and southern roots, the Great Migration, and the displacement of black people across America.

Prey by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

• The New York Times bestselling author of Infidel, Nomad, and Heretic analyzes how waves of Islamic immigration are ushering in massive cultural changes and transforming sexual politics in Western Europe.

The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama

• From the New York Times bestselling author of Women of the Silk and The Samurai's Garden comes a gorgeous and evocative historical novel about a Japanese-American family set against the backdrop of Hawaii's sugar plantations.

Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig

• A memoir-in-essays from Rebekah Taussig, disability advocate and creator of the Instagram account @sitting_pretty, reflecting on identity, accessibility, and representation and processing a lifetime of memories to paint a more beautiful, nuanced portrait of a body that looks and moves differently than most.

The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

• A laugh-out-loud, tug-at-your-heartstrings tale of love, family, and freedom centered around three generations of Bengali women.

Mother Land by Leah Franqui

• From the critically acclaimed author of America for Beginners, a wonderfully insightful, witty, and heart-piercing novel, set in Mumbai, about an impulsive American woman, her headstrong Indian mother-in-law, and the unexpected twists and turns of life that bond them.

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield

• The #1 Sunday Times bestseller—a remarkable story of the heroic and unbreakable bond between a father and son that is as inspirational as The Tattooist of Auschwitz and as mesmerizing as The Choice.

The Book of Rosy by Rosayra Pablo Cruz and Julie Schwietert Collazo

• A searing tale of the human lives behind the Trump administration-made immigration crisis, written by two remarkable mothers—a Central American woman whose children were taken from her by the United States government at the southern border, and the American who helped reunite the family—and offers a timely and urgent look at a migrant experience, family separation and reunification, and the power of individuals banding together to overcome even the cruelest and most unjust circumstances.

The Light of Days by Judy Batalion

• One of the most important stories of World War II, already optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture: a spectacular, searing history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who became resistance fighters—a group of unknown heroes whose exploits have never been chronicled in full, until now.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

• The Emissary meets The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime in this poignant and triumphant story about how love, friendship, and persistence can change a life forever.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

• RITA Award Winning author Alexis Daria brings readers an unforgettable, hilarious rom-com set in the drama-filled world of telenovelas—perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin and The Kiss Quotient.

En busca de Emma by Armando Lucas Correa

• The first book from the Editor-in-Chief of People en Español, En busca de Emma is the moving story of two fathers that overcame incredible obstacles to bring their daughter into this world that is both a personal acccount of the building of a 21st-century family, as well as a universal tale of love.

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang 

• From the author of Three Souls and Dragon Springs Road comes a captivating historical novel—the third in a loosely-connected trilogy—in which a young woman travels across China with a convoy of student refugees, fleeing the hostilities of a brutal war with Japan.

Missed Translations by Sopan Deb

• A bittersweet and humorous memoir of family—of the silence and ignorance that separate us, and the blood and stories that connect us—from an award-winning New York Times writer and comedian.

Passage West by Rishi Reddi

• A sweeping, vibrant first novel following a family of Indian sharecroppers at the onset of World War I, revealing a little-known part of California history.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

• Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity and unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and depth of feeling of a master craftsman.

The Death of Sitting Bear by N. Scott Momaday

• Pulitzer Prize winner and celebrated American master N. Scott Momaday returns with a radiant collection of more than 100 new and selected poems rooted in Native American tradition.

The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams

• Spanning nearly a century, from 1930s Siberia to contemporary Brighton Beach, a page turning, epic family saga centering on three generations of women in one Russian Jewish family—each striving to break free of fate and history, each yearning for love and personal fulfillment—and how the consequences of their choices ripple through time.

Then the Fish Swallowed Him by Amir Ahmadi Arian

• An critically-acclaimed Iranian author makes his American literary debut with this powerful and harrowing psychological portrait of modern Iran—an unprecedented and urgent work of fiction with echoes of The Stranger, 1984, and The Orphan Master’s Son—that exposes the oppressive and corrosive power of the state to bend individual lives.

The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernández

• A rising New York Times reporter tells the compelling story of The Compton Cowboys, a group of African-American men and women who defy stereotypes and continue the proud, centuries-old tradition of black cowboys in the heart of one of America’s most notorious cities.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

• Talia Hibbert returns with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him “rescuing” her from their office building goes viral.

The Shape of Family by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

• From the international bestselling author of Secret Daughter and The Golden Son comes a poignant, unforgettable novel about a family’s growing apart and coming back together in the wake of tragedy.

On the Corner of Hope and Main by Beverly Jenkins

• NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins celebrates her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas.

¡Cuba libre!/Cuba libre (Spanish edition) by Tony Perrottet

• The surprising story of Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and the scrappy band of rebel men and women who followed them.

Twisted by Emma Dabiri

• From Guardian contributor and prominent BBC race correspondent Emma Dabiri comes a timely and resonant essay collection exploring the ways in which black hair has been appropriated and stigmatized throughout history, with ruminations on body politics, race, pop culture, and Dabiri’s own journey to loving her hair.

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

• From the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors comes another clever, deeply layered, and heartwarming romantic comedy that follows in the Jane Austen tradition—this time, with a twist on Persuasion.

You Ought to Do a Story About Me by Ted Jackson

• The heartbreaking and redemptive story of a fallen-from-grace NFL player discovered by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist on the streets of New Orleans, and the transformative friendship that binds them.

No, You Shut Up by Symone D. Sanders

• In this rousing call to leadership, the self-described millennial spokesperson for the culture, CNN’s designated "woke AF" former commentator, and the youngest national press secretary in the history of the United States shares her take-no-prisoners approach to life, politics, and career success, and shows a new generation how to be loud and powerful in their own right.

The Coyotes of Carthage by Steven Wright

• A blistering and thrilling debut—a biting exploration of American politics, set in a small South Carolina town, about a political operative running a dark money campaign for his corporate clients.

Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin

• Emmy Award winner, renowned lawyer and journalist, and The View cohost Sunny Hostin makes her literary debut with this dazzling novel about a life-changing summer along the beaches of Martha's Vineyard.

Fear Is a Choice by James Conner, with Tiffany Yecke Brooks

• ACC Player of the Year and star Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner recounts his devastating struggle with cancer, revealing the lessons he drew from his miraculous recovery and his extraordinary comeback.

Muslim Women Are Everything by Seema Yasmin and Illustrated by Fahmida Azim

• A full-color illustrated collection of riveting, inspiring, and stereotype-shattering stories that reveal the beauty, diversity, and strength of Muslim women both past and present.

The Gay Agenda by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham

• A joyful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s development, history, and culture, packed with facts, trivia, timelines, and charts, and featuring 100 full-color illustrations.

Infinitum by Tim Fielder

• Sure to become a treasured collectible, a gorgeous, groundbreaking, full-color Afrofuturist graphic novel that captures the spirit of the record-breaking film Black Panther and its mantra “Wakanda Forever.”

Other diverse titles:

Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo

• This unforgettable memoir from a prize-winning poet about growing up undocumented in the United States recounts the sorrows and joys of a family torn apart by draconian policies and chronicles one young man’s attempt to build a future in a nation that denies his existence.

Lakewood by Megan Giddings

• A startling debut about class and race, Lakewood evokes a terrifying world of medical experimentation—part The Handmaid’s Tale, part The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

The Only Child by Mi-ae Seo

• An eerie and absorbing novel following a criminal psychologist who has discovered shocking and possibly dangerous connections between a serial killer and her stepdaughter.

This Is What America Looks Like by Ilhan Omar

• An intimate and rousing memoir by progressive trailblazer Ilhan Omar—the first African refugee, the first Somali-American, and one of the first Muslim women, elected to Congress.

Mixed Plate by Jo Koy

• A hilarious, fearlessly honest, and profoundly relevant memoir by superstar Filipino-American comedian internationally celebrated for his family-inspired humor.

We're Better Than This by Elijah Cummings, with James Dale

• Part memoir, part call-to-action, Elijah Cummings' final words present a behind the scenes look at the House Democratic leadership, offering an eye-opening account of the relentless and unprecedented obstructionism by both the President and GOP.

Lot Six by David Adjmi

• Acclaimed playwright and winner of the 2011 Guggenheim Fellowship considers his adolescence as a Syrian Jew in Brooklyn and the cultural figures—from Jean Paul Gaultier to Alfred Hitchcock to Friedrich Nietzsche—who impressed and influenced his development and his dreams.

Chicano Eats by Esteban Castillo

• The creator of the popular Chicano Eats blog and winner of the Saveur Best New Voice People’s Choice Award takes us on a delicious tour through the diverse flavors and foods of Chicano cuisine—Mexican food with an immigrant sensibility that weaves seamlessly between Mexican and American genres and cultures.

Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

• A bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.

Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta

• A paradigm-shifting book in the vein of Sapiens that brings a crucial Indigenous perspective to historical and cultural issues of history, education, money, power, and sustainability—and offers a new template for living.

The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini

• Magnificent in scope, internationally lauded, and transcendent, the novel in verse that inspired the sensational West End and Off-Broadway play of the same name. The Lehman Trilogy follows the epic rise and fall of three generations of that infamous family and through them tells the story of American ambition and hubris.

Separated by Jacob Soboroff

• NBC News and MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff, winner of the 2019 Walter Cronkite Award for his reporting on the child separation crisis, delivers a profoundly personal and moving report from the border and beyond, revealing the wrenching human story behind one of the most disturbing passages of modern American history.

Say It Loud! by Tiffany Cross

• A breakout media and political analyst delivers a sweeping snapshot of American Democracy and the role that African Americans have played in its shaping while offering concrete information to help harness the electoral power of the country’s rising majority and exposing political forces aligned to subvert and suppress Black voters.

The Florios of Sicily by Stefania Auci

• A grand, sweeping international bestseller that captures the many lives of Italy’s greatest family, the Florios, from their humble origins as Sicilian shopkeepers to their dominance as titans of industry.

Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

• In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

A Taste of Sage by Yaffa S. Santos

• From talented new writer, Yaffa S. Santos, comes this unforgettable, heartwarming, and hilarious rom-com about chefs, cooking, love, and self-discovery that is a cross between The Hating Game and Sweetbitter.

We Want Our Bodies Back by jessica Care moore

• A dazzling full-length collection of verse from one of the leading poets of our time.

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa    

• Critically acclaimed author Mia Sosa delivers a sassy, steamy enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about a woman whose new job requires her to work side-by-side with the best man who ruined her wedding: her ex-fiancé’s infuriating, irritating, annoyingly handsome brother. Perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, and Sally Thorne.

Hello, librarians!

We made it back from ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia! There were fantastic authors, thrilling book buzzes, and, of course, cheesesteaks! If you couldn't attend the show, do not fret: we recorded our world-famous book buzz, our three incredible author panelists, and all of our signing authors for your listening and viewing pleasure!

Below, you'll find our staff suggestions for the April LibraryReads List.  

As a reminder, votes are due March 1st!

Happy reading!

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

***

Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles
For fans of: Varina by Charles Frazier and
The Son by Philipp Meyer
The critically acclaimed, bestselling author of News of the World and Enemy Women returns to Texas in this atmospheric story, set at the end of the Civil War, about an itinerant fiddle player, a ragtag band of musicians with whom he travels trying to make a living, and the charming young Irish lass who steals his heart.

Listen to an audiobook sample below!

"Jiles brings her singular voice to the young couple's travails, her written word as lyrical and musical as Simon's bow raking over his strings. Loyal Jiles readers and fans of Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See (2014), and Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge (2008) will adore the author's latest masterpiece."
—Booklist  review

Request the egalley from Edelweiss+
Request the egalley from NetGalley
LibraryReads Votes Due: March 1, 2020

The Coyotes of Carthage by Steven Wright
For fans of: The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem and 
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
A blistering and thrilling debut—a biting exploration of American politics, set in a small South Carolina town, about a political operative running a dark money campaign for his corporate clients.

"The Coyotes of Carthage is at once timely and timeless, an astonishing and assured debut. Like two-faced Janus, it looks back at where we’ve been and forward to where we might be going. Steven Wright's novel should be required reading for 2020—or any year in which there’s an election at any level."
—Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author of The Lady in the Lake

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Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
For fans of: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne and The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, following The Right Swipe, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.

"Rai follows up The Right Swipe with a sweet and spicy romance that delves into some deep issues of mental health for both main characters (severe anxiety and PTSD), as well as the effects of social media on people’s lives. Essential for public libraries."
—Library Journal review

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The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernández
For fans of: Maid by Stephanie Land and
Dopesick by Beth Macy
A rising New York Times reporter tells the compelling story of the Compton Cowboys, a group of African-American men and women who defy stereotypes and continue the proud, centuries-old tradition of black cowboys in the heart of one of America’s most notorious cities.

"Thompson-Hernández's portrayal of Compton's black cowboys broadens our perception of Compton's young black residents, and connects the Compton Cowboys to the historical legacy of African Americans in the west. An eye-opening, moving book."
—Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Figures

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The Silent Treatment by Abbie Greaves
For fans of: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh and Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering
Resonant with the emotional power of the bestselling novels of David Nicholls and Jojo Moyes, a rich and poignant debut about lies, loss, and a transcendent love at the heart of a troubled marriage.

"Abbie Greaves held me spellbound with this intimate, emotional story of the brutal power of silence and ostracism. Yet this deep dive into a troubled marriage is ultimately uplifting as Frank and Maggie make their way through the challenges of isolation, mental health, aging, and the yearning for connection. Keep the tissues handy for this lovely read."
—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Oysterville Sewing Circle

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Something She's Not Telling Us by Darcey Bell
For fans of: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell and
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
From the New York Times bestselling author of A Simple Favor comes an electrifying domestic thriller of how one woman’s life is turned upside down when her brother brings his new girlfriend to visit—and no one is telling the truth about who they really are.

Listen to an audiobook sample below!

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The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni
For fans of: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield and
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
From the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of the Angelology series comes a bewitching gothic novel of suspense that plunges readers into a world of dark family secrets, the mysteries of human genetics, and the burden of family inheritance.

"The Ancestor is a wonderful shape-shifter of a novel. One minute you’ll suppose you’re in a haunted house: think Shirley Jackson. The next, you’re transported into the sort of world Mary Shelley might have created for Frankenstein."
—Chris Bohjalian, bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and The Red Lotus

Click below to watch a video of Danielle Trussoni at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia!

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Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan
For fans of: Still Me by Jojo Moyes and First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
From the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things comes a surprising and uplifting story about the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, and the magic of chosen family.

Praise for The Keeper of Lost Things:
"Hogan’s writing has the soothing warmth of the cups of cocoa and tea her characters regularly dispense…old-fashioned storytelling with a sprinkling of magic."
—Kirkus Reviews

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Have You Seen Me? by Kate White
For fans of: Sunburn by Laura Lippman
From New York Times bestselling author Kate White comes a gripping novel about one woman’s dangerous quest to recover lost memories someone would rather she never find.

"Provides the twists and shocks that any reader of domestic thrillers expects and savors, but she also manages to use some of our expectations to create clever dead ends…. An engaging novel that turns some clichés of recent thrillers on their heads."
                             —Kirkus Reviews

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Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst
Also from the author: The Deepest Blue  
In this epic standalone fantasy, the acclaimed author of the Queens of Renthia series introduces an imaginative new world in which a pair of strong and determined women risk their lives battling injustice, corruption, and deadly enemies in their quest to become monster racing champions.

"Durst imbues a thrill-filled story about monster racing with impressive thematic depth and a refreshing spectrum of female characters…. Durst consistently defies expectations in both plot and characterization while exploring sophisticated themes of found family, integrity, and morality. This excellent epic fantasy will appeal to adult fans of Tamora Pierce and Megan Whalen Turner."
—Publishers Weekly  review

Click below to watch a video of Sarah Beth Durst at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia!

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The Astonishing Life of August March by
Aaron Jackson
For fans of: Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
In this enchanting first novel, an irrepressibly optimistic oddball orphan is thrust into the wilds of postwar New York City after an extraordinary childhood in a theater—Candide by way of John Irving, with a hint of Charles Dickens.

"Aaron Jackson's debut is a footlight parade of post war originals in a story that will break your heart and put it back together again with wisdom, hilarity and hope. August March is a misfit miracle. You will root for him every step of the way on his path to true love in this most glorious debut."
—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tony's Wife

Click below to watch a video of Aaron Jackson at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia!

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Passage West by Rishi Reddi
For fans of: Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli and
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
A sweeping, vibrant first novel following a family of Indian sharecroppers at the onset of World War I, revealing a little-known part of California history.

"Reddi’s engrossing first novel (after the collection Karma) explores the immigrant experience of Indian-Americans in early 20th-century California…. Reddi vividly evokes the landscape and the characters’ place in it, making the conclusion all the more wrenching. Reddi’s Steinbeck-ian tale adds a valuable contribution to the stories of immigrants in California."
—Publishers Weekly

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You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer
For fans of: Still Me by Jojo Moyes and Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins
The heartbreaking, yet hopeful story of a mother and daughter struggling to be a family without the one person who holds them together—a perfect summer read for fans of Jojo Moyes and Marisa de los Santos.

"You and Me and Us is that rare novel you want to savor even as you’re turning the pages as fast as possible. This poignant and heartrending story of a family redefining their roles in the face of a crisis made me smile and cry. Alison Hammer is an exciting new voice in women’s fiction, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next."
—Camille Pagán, bestselling author of I’m Fine and Neither Are You

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The German Heiress by Anika Scott
For fans of: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris and The Huntress by Kate Quinn
For readers of The Alice Network and The Lost Girls of Paris, an immersive, heart-pounding debut about a German heiress on the run in post-World War II Germany.

"Meticulously researched and plotted like a noir thriller, The German Heiress tells a different story of WWII— of characters grappling with their own guilt and driven by the question of what they could have done to change the past."
—Jessica Shattuck, New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle

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Kid Quixotes by Stephen Haff
For fans of: Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas and
The Education of Eva Moskowitz by Eva Moskowitz
The unlikely yet inspiring true story of a teacher struggling with mental illness, a silent daughter of an undocumented mother, and the amazing one-room schoolhouse that helped them find their voices, heal their pain, and become empowering models of resilience.

"A kindhearted, engaging story of helping modern immigrant children via a 400-year-old classic text."
—Kirkus Reviews
 
"Educators, immigration activists, and school reformers will find inspiration in this frequently lyrical account."
—Publishers Weekly

Click below to watch a video of Stephen Haff at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia!

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First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn
Also from the author: The Other Miss Bridgerton and The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband
Continuing her delightful Bridgerton Prequel series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents the latest love story between the Bridgerton and Rokesby families.

Praise for Julia Quinn:
"Quinn is a master of historical romance."
—Entertainment Weekly

"Quinn’s clever dialogue makes the characters sparkle."
—Publishers Weekly

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Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski
For fans of: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne and What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
Set in early 1980s Poland against the violent decline of communism, a tender and passionate story of first love between two young men who eventually find themselves on opposite sides of the political divide—a stunningly poetic and heartrending literary debut for fans of André Aciman and Alan Hollinghurst.

"Tomasz Jedrowski is a remarkable writer, alive to the ramifications of history and politics, in which the violence of a corrupt state can never fully stamp out the flourishing of beauty, grace, and resistance."
—Justin Torres, bestselling author of We the Animals

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Growing Old by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
For fans of: Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher and The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
From the revered author of the bestselling The Hidden Life of Dogs, a witty, engaging, life-affirming account of the joy, strength, and wisdom that comes with age.

"Octogenarian Thomas tackles old age in this clever and astute memoir…. Thomas is an inspiring example of a life well lived, and her sense of humor, honesty, and curiosity will resonate."
—Publisher’s Weekly  review

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

The deadline to submit your votes is March 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

Jessica Simpson's incredible memoir, Open Book, goes on sale today.

Jessica recently appeared on Today, which you can watch above. This is a powerful video that pulls back the curtain on the trappings of celebrity. In this case, the celebrity is Jessica Simpson. Fans will love Open Book. But one does not need to be familiar with this artist’s work to appreciate what she has been through and how incredibly raw, honest, and vulnerable she is in her memoir and in this interview.  Unforgettable.  

-V