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We are so excited to share this week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast, featuring an interview between LLF's Chris Connolly and Helene Wecker, acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Golem and the Jinni and the upcoming sequel The Hidden Palace, on sale June 8th.
The Golem and the Jinni quickly became a librarian-favorite upon its publication in 2013, with its unique and immersive literary blend of fantasy and historical fiction. The excitement surrounding The Hidden Palace is surely rewarded with an ambitious, deeply satisfying story that welcomes readers back into the lives of beloved characters Chava, a golem, and Ahmad, a jinni, as they navigate their intertwining lives in early-20th century New York City.
Listen to the interview with Helene below to learn much more about this one-of-a-kind literary experience!
We are also excited to share an early STARRED review for The Hidden Palace from Kirkus Reviews:
"A blend of romance, Mary Shelley-esque horror, and folklore.... Wecker skillfully combines the storylines of Chava the Golem and Ahmad the Jinni and numerous other players, good and evil, in an enchanting tale that pleases on every page."
You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!
This month, we are thrilled to share that The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin and Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne have been selected for the April LibraryReads List! We're also excited to announce that LibraryReads Hall of Fame author Joshilyn Jackson's latest novel Mother May I was selected.
Want to hear how our authors reacted to being chosen for the April LibraryReads List? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear their responses!
Click here to see the full April LibraryReads List!
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The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin: Award-winning author Willy Vlautin explores the impact of trickle-down greed and opportunism of gentrification on ordinary lives in this scorching novel that captures the plight of a young woman pushed to the edge as she fights to secure a stable future for herself and her family.
"...'You never give up and you've got a good heart, a damaged heart, but a good heart.' We concur, of course, and race to the end to see if good hearts can maybe, just this once, make a difference. With Vlautin, you never know for sure." —Bill Ott, Booklist⭐ review
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne: From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.
"Each scene between the protagonists—whose first meeting will make you laugh and wince simultaneously—is a delight, as is Ruthie’s motley found family." —Kirkus Reviews⭐ review
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson: From the New York Times bestselling author of Never Have I Ever comes this addictive novel of domestic suspense in which a mother must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her child and the life she loves.
"Gripping.... The dark secret at the novel's heart rings all too true. Jackson knows how to ratchet up the suspense." —Publishers Weekly
Previous LibraryReads Selections: Never Have I Ever (July 2019) The Almost Sisters (July 2017) The Opposite of Everyone (Feb. 2016) Someone Else's Love Story (Nov. 2013)
Watch Joshilyn Jackson on Door to Door!
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Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the April LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the May LibraryReads List by April 1st.Click here to find out what we're recommending!
This week on the podcast, we feature a conversation between Mickey Maudlin, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at HarperOne, and Maryanne O'Hara, author of Little Matches. Little Matches is an emotionally raw and inspiring memoir that illuminates a mother’s grief over the loss of her adult child and considers the hope of soulful connections that transcend the boundary of life and death.
This is a very special book that addresses the universal experience of loss and how we move on. The wonderful thing about this interview is that you get a behind-the-scenes look at the editor and author relationship; a relationship that takes great care and thought. Mickey's thoughtfulness is apparent in the interview, bringing joyful moments with Caitlin to the forefront. We are very glad we get to share this episode with you.
March is Women's History Month and the LLF team has a ton of reading suggestions to fill your days with more #girlpower. Find a list of suggestions below.
Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson (available now): At last, the Academy, Tony, and three-time Emmy Award-winning actor and trailblazer, Cicely Tyson, tells her stunning story, looking back at her six-decade career and life.
The Women's March by Jennifer Chiaverini (on sale July 27, 2021):New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini returns with The Women’s March, an enthralling historical novel of the woman’s suffrage movement inspired by three courageous women who bravely risked their lives and liberty in the fight to win the vote.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (on sale March 9, 2021): The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.
When Women Invented Television by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong (on sale March 23, 2021): The New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia tells the little-known story of four trailblazing women in the early days of television who laid the foundation of the industry we know today.
Sensational by Kim Todd (on sale April 13, 2021): A vivid social history that brings to light the “girl stunt reporters” of the Gilded Age who went undercover to expose corruption and abuse in America, and redefined what it meant to be a woman and a journalist—pioneers whose influence continues to be felt today.
The Women's History of the Modern World by Rosalind Miles (available now): From the internationally bestselling author of Who Cooked the Last Supper?, The Women’s History of the World presents a wickedly witty and very current history of the extraordinary female rebels, reactionaries, and trailblazers who left their mark on history from the French Revolution up to the present day.
Own the Arena by Katrina M. Adams (available now): 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.
The Great Mrs. Elias by Barbara Chase-Riboud (on sale August 24, 2021): The author of the award-winning Sally Hemings now brings to life Hannah Elias, one of the richest black women in America in the early 1900s, in this mesmerizing novel swirling with atmosphere and steeped in history.
My Remarkable Journey by Katherine Johnson with Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore (on sale May 25, 2021): The remarkable woman at heart of the smash New York Times bestseller and Oscar-winning film Hidden Figures tells the full story of her life, including what it took to work at NASA, help land the first man on the moon, and live through a century of turmoil and change.
Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson (on sale August 3, 2021): Kaia Alderson’s debut historical fiction novel reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II.
We hope you all are safe, healthy, and enjoying the promise of spring!
Below, you'll find our staff suggestions for the May LibraryReads List. Whether you are looking for a stand-out coming-of-age story (definitely read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau!), a mystery with an unexpected but much-needed protagonist (might we recommend How Lucky by Will Leitch), or an impactful memoir (see My Remarkable Journey by Katherine Johnson and The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku), we are sure you'll find a new favorite amongst our full line-up of staff suggestions.
Happy reading!
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Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau For fans of: All Adults Here by Emma Straub and Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson Almost Famous meets Daisy Jones and the Six in this funny, wise, and tender novel about a fourteen-year-old girl’s coming of age in 1970s Baltimore, caught between her straight-laced family and the progressive family she nannies for—who happen to be secretly hiding a famous rock star and his movie star wife for the summer.
"I LOVED Jessica Anya Blau’s novel. Mary Jane is about an oppressed teenager being given a jolt of life and joy by an eccentric found family of therapists, a child, a rock star and a movie star in the 1970s.... If you have ever sung along to a hit on the radio, in any decade, then you will devour Mary Jane at 45rpm." —Nick Hornby
My Remarkable Journey by Katherine Johnson, with Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore For fans of: Code Girls by Liza Mundy and Chasing Space by Leland Melvin The late Katherine Johnson, the remarkable woman at heart of the smash New York Times bestseller and Oscar-winning film Hidden Figures, tells the full story of her life, including what it took to work at NASA, help land the first man on the moon, and live through a century of turmoil and change.
"Her brilliance and numbers helped me and many others reach the stars. A storied and rich legacy that will resonate with many generations of explorers." —Leland Melvin, astronaut and author of Chasing Space
Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur For fans of: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert In a delightful follow-up to Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur delivers another #ownvoices queer rom-com about a hopeless romantic who vows to show his childhood crush that romance isn’t dead by recreating iconic dates from his favorite films.
"Smart, sexy, and sweet. Readers will be over the moon for this rom-com." —Kirkus Reviews⭐ review
How Lucky by Will Leitch For fans of: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton Beloved journalist and sportswriter Will Leitch makes his fiction debut with this novel, as suspenseful as it is moving, about a young man suffering from a debilitating disease who believes he has witnessed the kidnapping of a young college student.
"It's a testament to Will Leitch's ability that he can blend seemingly disparate elements—mystery and illness and humor and football—and come away with something so winning." —Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing to See Here
Watch Will Leitch on ALA Midwinter's Diverse Characters Panel, shared courtesy of the American Library Association
Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin For fans of: It's Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan 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.
"Summer on the Bluffs...is a delicious, shimmering novel about the lives of Amelia Vaux Tanner and her three, grown-up godchildren. I was riveted by these fascinating, complicated women, and looked forward every day to opening Hostin's luminous novel and escaping, through its pages, to the golden dunes of Martha's Vineyard." —Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters
Girl in the Walls by A. J. Gnuse For fans of: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas A mesmerizing and suspenseful coming-of-age novel about an orphan hiding within the walls of her former family home—and about what it means to be truly seen after becoming lost in life.
"Tense and terrifying, with echoes of Shirley Jackson, Girl in the Walls is a spectacular debut. An elegant meditation on grief, love, and family, this truly extraordinary novel is a page-turner with deeply imagined characters, and A. J. Gnuse’s prose is as sharp and precise and muscular as any I’ve seen." —Elizabeth Wetmore, New York Times bestselling author of Valentine
The Anatomy of Desire by L. R. Dorn For fans of: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll For fans of riveting true crime docuseries a la Serial and Making a Murderer, The Anatomy of Desire is a modern tale of crime and punishment exploring unbridled ambition, blinding passion, and the dark side of desire.
"A truly innovative, fantastic book. Emphatically recommended. Reads like your favorite podcast, the hit crime doc you'll want to binge...." —Josh Malerman, New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box
The Radio Operator by Ulla Lenze For fans of: The German House by Annette Hess and Under Occupation by Alan Furst Based on a true story, a gripping historical novel about a German immigrant who becomes embroiled in a Nazi spy ring operating in New York City in the early days of World War II.
Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam For fans of: Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory and The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa With her debut novel, Thien-Kim Lam serves up a sexy second-chance romance about exes with unfinished business. When working together reignites their passion, will these former flames sizzle or get burned all over again?
"Unabashedly sex-positive, Happy Endings is a paean to second-chance romance—as well as friendship, family, food, and inclusive communities. The story's undeniable warmth makes it a pleasure to read." —Olivia Dade, author of Spoiler Alert
Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane For fans of: Beach Read by Emily Henry and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver Internationally bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane explores life-long friendships, long-buried secrets, and unexpected love in a heartfelt, emotional new novel, perfect for fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over Linda Holme and In Five Years by Rebecca Serle.
"McFarlane deftly balances the weight of grief and secrets with the lighthearted banter of both long friendships and surprising new connections.... Charming, emotionally satisfying, and unforgettable." —Booklist ⭐ review
Find You First by Linwood Barclay For fans of: Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris The New York Times bestselling author of Elevator Pitch and master of psychological suspense returns with a riveting thriller in which the possible heirs of a dying tech billionaire are mysteriously being eliminated, one by one.
"Find You First starts with a bang and ends with an even bigger one. Barclay is a terrific writer, but he’s outdone himself with this. It’s the best book of his career. I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t be able to, either. If you enjoy thrillers, this is the real deal. It never lets up." —Stephen King
The Mothers by Genevieve Gannon For fans of: If Only I Could Tell You by Hannah Beckerman What if you gave birth to someone else’s child? An emotional family drama about two couples, one baby, and an unimaginable choice. Inspired by a real-life case of an IVF laboratory mix-up.
"Engagingly and unflinchingly told, The Mothers is the story of every parent's worst nightmare.... Like all my favorite books, The Mothers is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it leaves you with a lot to think about after you turn the final page. I sobbed my way through this wonderful book." —Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Mother-in-Law
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku For fans of: Don't Give Up, Don't Give In by Louis Zamperini In this uplifting memoir in the vein of The Last Lecture and Man’s Search for Meaning, a Holocaust survivor pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom, and living his best possible life.
"A beautifully told, poignant story that should become required reading. Thank you, Eddie, for sharing your story of courage, resilience, kindness and love. Your book is our tonic, our medicine, our hope for living the happiest life we can." —Heather Morris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Secret Talker by Geling Yan For fans of: Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien Combining the dark twists of The Silent Patient with the unsettling beauty of The Vegetarian, a tense, gripping, and wholly original psychological tale of a woman with a secret admirer—who is hiding secrets of her own.
The Betrayals by Bridget Collins For fans of: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow An intricate and utterly spellbinding literary epic brimming with enchantment, mystery, and dark secrets from the highly acclaimed author of the #1 international bestseller The Binding.
"The Betrayals is a beautiful dystopian romance about coming of age as an artist and the love affair artistic collaboration can be, while also being an acute political novel about the fate of spiritual values in a totalitarian system. A rich delight." —Sandra Newman, author of The Heavens and The Country of Ice Cream Star
The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson For fans of: Little Weirds by Jenny Slate and This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps Laugh-out-loud, deeply insightful, and emotion-filled essays from multi-talented actress, comedian, podcaster, and writer Casey Wilson.
"Casey Wilson is laugh-out-loud funny, vulnerable, and honest. Reading this book made me feel like I’m hanging out with a best friend. What a pleasure and privilege to spend time with such an absolute treasure." —Phoebe Robinson, bestselling author of You Can’t Touch My Hair
This week on the podcast, we feature an interview with LaTanya McQueen, author of When the Reckoning Comes, a book that has completely knocked me off my feet and quickly became my favorite read of the season. It has a little something for everyone: a strong female protagonist, unknown history, a love interest, dark, thrilling scenes that will have your pulse pounding. It has so many things to discover, but I was drawn to the exploration of plantations and the timely discussion of using these historically horrific sites as romanticized "destinations" in the South. I hope you'll give the podcast a listen and check out this amazing read!
More about When the Reckoning Comes (on sale August 3, 2021): A haunting novel about a black woman who returns to her hometown for a plantation wedding and the horror that ensues as she reconnects with the blood-soaked history of the land and the best friends she left behind.
Bestselling author Nadia Hashimi's new novel, Sparks Like Stars, went on sale this week! This novel is about an Afghan American woman who returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives. So many rave reviews have been coming in for Sparks Like Stars. It was included in Ms. Magazine's "Most Anticipated Reads of 2021" round-up, as well as included in "Best Book" round-ups in POPSUGAR, Marie Claire, and Woman's Day.
Check out some more reviews:
“Hashimi's latest novel for adults, following A House without Windows (2016), is both thrilling and moving.” —Booklist
“History is usually impersonal and flat. With Sparks Like Stars Hashimi has brought history off the page, personified in one person’s struggle to deal with the consequences of being caught up in its turmoil…Hashimi has created a riveting, heartbreaking, and eventually, affirming story. You will find yourself hanging onto every word and breathing in every sentence.” —Seattle Post Intelligencer
“The novel is an elegiac tribute to family and civilization—fragile collective entities that should be cherished while they still hold.” —Bookpage
Find a list of debut titles listed in our March Library Journal ad below:
An Unlikely Spy by Rebecca Starford: A twisting, sophisticated World War II novel following a spy who goes undercover as a part of MI5—in chasing the secrets of others, how much will she lose of herself?
Nobody, Somebody, Anybody by Kelly McClorey: A moving and darkly comic debut novel about an anxious young woman who administers a self-made “placebo” treatment in a last-ditch attempt to rebuild her life.
Down Range by Taylor Moore: In this action-packed debut thriller for fans of C.J. Box, DEA agent Garrett Kohl fights to protect his home on the Texas High Plains when a vicious criminal enterprise threatens his family.
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen: The first novel in a captivating three-book series about modern womanhood, in which a young Black woman must rely on courage, laughter, and love—and the support of her two longtime friends—to overcome an unexpected setback that threatens the most precious thing she’s ever wanted.
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers: The award-winning poet and essayist makes her fiction debut with this magisterial epic—an intimate yet sweeping novel with the freshness and forcefulness of Homegoing, The Turner House, and The Water Dancer—that chronicles the journey of one American family from the centuries of the colonial slave trade through the Civil War to our own tumultuous time.
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid: In the vein of Naomi Novik’s New York Times bestseller Spinning Silver and Katherine Arden’s national bestseller The Bear and the Nightingale, this unforgettable debut— inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology—follows a young pagan woman with hidden powers and a one-eyed captain of the Woodsmen as they form an unlikely alliance to thwart a tyrant.
God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney: A mesmerizing debut novel set in northern Texas about two sisters who discover a dark secret about their father, the head pastor of an evangelical megachurch, that upends their lives and community—a coming-of-age story of family, identity, and the delicate line between faith and deception.
Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson: Kaia Alderson’s debut historical fiction novel reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II.
In Polite Company by Gervais Hagerty: This luminous and captivating debut novel sneaks the reader inside the private lives of Charleston’s aristocracy, following the journey of a former debutant who forges a path from tradition to seize a future meant for her all along.
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 in over her head 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.
Additional debuts:
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams: A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.
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.
Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam: With her debut novel, Thien-Kim Lam serves up a sexy second-chance romance about exes with unfinished business. When working together reignites their passion, will these former flames sizzle or get burned all over again?
The Anatomy of Desire by L.R. Dorn: A modern tale of American striving, social media stardom, a fatal love triangle, and a young woman on trial for murder—a mesmerizing reimagining of Theodore Dreiser's classic novel of crime and punishment, An American Tragedy.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams: An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter and a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people—a lonely London widower and a troubled teenager.
Fault Lines by Emily Itami: For fans of Sally Rooney and Helen Fielding, a witty, sharp, and moving debut novel exploring the frustrations of motherhood, the imbalance of a marriage, and the loss of self as a family builds around you.
Nice Girls by Catherine Dang: A pulse-pounding and deviously dark debut, written with the psychological acuity and emotional punch of Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, that explores the hungry, angry, dark side of girlhood and dares to ask what is most dangerous to a woman: showing the world what it wants to see, or who she really is?
-Lainey
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