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!
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.
Sanityby 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 Doorhere. -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.
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.
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…
The Literary/Speculative Fiction Mix 10:30 – 11:10 AM ET
Claire Kohda, author of Woman, Eating A young, mixed race 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!
This month, we are thrilled to share that Olivia Dade's All the Feels (the #1 selection!) and Lori Rader-Day's Death at Greenway have been selected for the October LibraryReads list! We are also over the moon that Anthony Horowitz adds to his Hall of Fame list with the selection of his upcoming novel A Line to Kill!
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 October LibraryReads List!
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All the Feels by Olivia Dade: Following Spoiler Alert, Olivia Dade returns with another utterly charming romantic comedy about a devil-may-care actor—who actually cares more than anyone knows—and the no-nonsense woman hired to keep him in line.
"Dade’s charming, sexy contemporary romance will be hard to put down…. The writing is excellent, with witty, banter-filled dialogue." —Library Journal ⭐️ review
"[All the Feels] weaves in sharp wit and dry humor even as it tugs at the reader's heartstrings…. A consistently entertaining and often insightful romance." —Kirkus Reviews ⭐️ review
"After wowing readers with Spoiler Alert, Dade returns with another stunning contemporary romance that brilliantly celebrates the redemptive power of love." —Booklist ⭐️ review
Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day: From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One, 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.
"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
"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
Previous LibraryReads Selections: The Black Hour (July 2014)
A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz: The New York Times bestselling author of the brilliantly inventive The Word Is Murder and The Sentence Is Death returns with his third literary whodunit featuring intrepid detectives Hawthorne and Horowitz.
"The often prickly relationship between the Watson-like Horowitz and the Holmes-like Hawthorne complements the intricate detective work worthy of a classic golden age whodunit." —Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
Previous LibraryReads Selections: Magpie Murders (June 2017) The Word Is Murder (June 2018) Moonflower Murders (November 2020)
Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the October LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the November LibraryReads List by October 1st.Click here to find out what we're recommending!
Fall is in the air and we are back with a fresh round of reading suggestions for the November LibraryReads List! Reminder: votes for the November LibraryReads List are due October 1st.
Happy reading!
-The LLF Team (Virginia and Lainey)
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All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris For fans of: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
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, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.
“Wanda M. Morris hits all the right notes in All Her Little Secrets, a taut, sleek thriller that’s also a searing story about the secrets we can never manage to leave behind. A stunning debut.” —Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author
Watch Wanda M. Morris on Door to Door and listen to a podcast interview with LLF's Lainey Mays:
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich Also from the author: The Night Watchman, Future Home of the Living God, and LaRose
In this very brave, unusual, and forceful 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 error.
"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
"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 Reviews ⭐ review
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson Also from the author: Fall; or, Dodge in Hell and The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson returns with a visionary technothriller about climate change and the man-made forces that shape our present and future. Intricately imagined and richly plotted, Termination Shock is trademark Stephenson—a gripping and propulsive epic of the modern world that shows this remarkable author at his very best.
"This book is the rare climate thriller that's realistic about political stonewalling in the face of disaster yet unafraid to imagine a possible future where people might actually come together and try to save civilization. The kind of climate-change fiction we all need." —Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett Also from the author: The Dutch House and Commonwealth
The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships, and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays.
"An enviable life shared with candor, emotion, and knockout storytelling power." —Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review
"Breathtakingly candid, Patchett attains graceful velocity and tilt, her vibrant sentences serving as divining rods for piquant life lessons." —Booklist
The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton Also from the author: The Last Train to London and The Race for Paris
The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Train to London revisits the dark early days of the German occupation in France in this haunting novel—a love story and a tale of high-stakes danger and incomparable courage—about a young American heiress who helps artists hunted by the Nazis escape from war-torn Europe.
"Clayton's lyrical, thought-provoking prose breathes life into her characters. This sterling portrait of a complex woman stands head and shoulders above most contemporary WWII fiction." —Publishers Weekly ⭐ review
The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom Also from the author: Finding Chika and The Next Person You Meet in Heaven
What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be "the Lord." And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.
"Unanswerable questions wrapped inside a thought-provoking yarn." —Kirkus Reviews
The Collective by Alison Gaylin Also from the author: What Remains of Me
The USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author of Never Look Back and If I Die Tonight plumbs the dark side of justice and the depths of diabolical revenge in this propulsive novel of psychological suspense that melds the driving narrative of Then She Was Gone with the breathtaking twists of The Chain and the violent fury of Kill Bill.
"A nerve-shredding, emotionally harrowing ride that also speaks volumes about our current moment, the dangers of our digital world, the potency of female rage. Don’t miss it." —Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Turnout
Chouette by Claire Oshetsky For fans of: Plain Bad Heroines by emily m. danforth
An exhilarating, provocative novel of motherhood in extremis, following a mother who must care for her child who seems more predatory bird than baby.
"Claire Oshetsky’s novel is a marvel: its language a joy, its imagination dizzying." —Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
"Oshetsky's writing is virtuosic, laced with dry humor, and perfectly matched to the parable she unfolds…. A fever dream of a novel that will enchant fans of contemporary fabulism." —Kirkus Reviews ⭐ review
Reclamation by Gayle Jessup White For fans of: Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey
A Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings' family explores America’s racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestors—both the enslaver and the enslaved.
"Reclamation is a quintessential American story that should be required reading for anyone who doesn't understand the true contributions of African-Americans to this nation and how vital our presence was and remains to the core principles of democracy and freedom." —Bakari Sellers, New York Times bestselling author of My Vanishing Country
Burntcoat by Sarah Hall For fans of: Autumn by Ali Smith
An electrifying novel of mortality, passion, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a deadly global virus—from the "astonishing, miraculous" (Daisy Johnson) Man Booker–nominated writer.
"Hall's writing is alchemical, magnificent, divine, bodily. Here are new ways to understand what it feels like to be human…. Burntcoat is a masterpiece. I lay myself at the altar of everything Hall writes." —Daisy Johnson, author of Sisters
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu For fans of: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
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.
"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
The Surrogate by Toni Halleen For fans of: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
A probing novel about a newly married couple, the surrogate they hire to carry their baby, and the unexpected consequences of their decisions.
"The Surrogate is a thrilling, high-stakes debut, centering on a vulnerable newborn, and two women who will do almost anything to claim her as their daughter. With a collection of vividly rendered characters, this twisty tale will leave you thinking about the true meaning of motherhood long after you turn the last page. I loved it!" —Patry Francis, bestselling author of All The Children are Home
"In her novel Surrogate Toni Halleen does two things brilliantly; she writes a heart-wrenching story of a couple who hire a surrogate to carry their baby—and then turns that story into an unputdownable tale of psychological suspense… An amazing achievement!" —Michael Elias, author of You Can Go Home Now
A Blizzard of Polar Bears by Alice Henderson For fans of: Dark Sky by C. J. Box and One Last Lie by Paul Doiron
Wildlife biologist Alex Carter is back, fighting for endangered species in the Canadian Arctic and battling for her life in this action-packed follow-up to A Solitude of Wolverines, "a true stunner of a thriller debut" (James Rollins) and "a great read" (Nevada Barr).
Praise for A Solitude of Wolverines: "A Solitude of Wolverines sizzles with action, dripping with the kind of characters and environs that make for a long-lasting series in which readers can really sink their teeth." —Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Walt Longmire mysteries
The Teller of Secrets by Bisi Adjapon For fans of: Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang
In this stunning debut novel—a tale of self-discovery and feminist awakening—Esi, a feisty Nigerian-Ghanaian girl growing up amid the political upheaval of late 1960s postcolonial Ghana begins to question the hypocrisy of her patriarchal society, and the restrictions and unrealistic expectations placed on women.
"Despite her father’s constant mantra—'A woman’s glory is her husband'—Esi ultimately takes control of her body, her mind, and her whole being in ways that will merit a fist pump among feminists everywhere." —Booklist ⭐ review
Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies For fans of: When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor
From the author of The Tea Planter’s Wife, a stunning tale of sisters, secrets and bravery in the darkness of war-torn France.
"Dinah Jefferies weaves a rich tapestry of courage, passion and family secrets beneath the dark shadows of war. The three sisters at the heart of the story are strong, complex women who readers will be rooting for as layers of intrigue and danger unfold, while delicious details of the Dordogne add a wonderful sense of escapism." —Hazel Gaynor, author of The Girl Who Came Home and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter
Speaking of Race by Celeste Headlee For fans of: Biased by Jennifer L. Eberhardt
In this urgently needed guide, the PBS host, award-winning journalist, and author of We Need to Talk teaches us how to have productive conversations about race, offering insights, advice, and support.
"Celeste Headlee says we cannot go around, over, or under the subject of race in this country. We must go through it—and the way forward is to have conversations. This is simply the best book I’ve read on how to have those conversations." —Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and New York Times bestselling author of Grit
I Hope This Finds You Well by Kate Baer Also from the author: What Kind of Woman
The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller What Kind of Woman returns with a collection of erasure poems created from notes she received from followers, supporters and detractors—an artform that reclaims the vitriol from online trolls and inspires readers to transform what is ugly or painful in their own lives into something beautiful.
Praise for Kate Baer: "If you want your breath to catch and your heart to stop, turn to Kate Baer." —Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo
Do I Know You? by Sarah Strohmeyer For fans of: The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and Something She's Not Telling Us by Darcey Bell
A lightning-paced psychological thriller about two women, a tragedy that connects them as teenagers, and the terrible reckoning that will decide their fates a decade later—for readers of Liv Constantine and Megan Miranda.
“A fabulous read packed with suspense, unexpected twists, glamour and humor. Prepare to be gripped from the first to the last page!” —Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies
Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell Also from the author: Depraved Heart and Flesh and Blood
In this next novel in the electrifying, landmark #1 bestselling thriller series, chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta hunts those responsible for two wildly divergent and chilling murders.
“Scarpetta is back at her former job as chief medical examiner for the state of Virginia. She has a lot of cleaning up to do…. [Cornwell] pulls it off nicely. Scarpetta's return to her Virginia roots feels just right.” —Booklist
Lean Your Loneliness Slowly Against Mine by Klara Hveberg For fans of: Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday
A remarkable and heartbreaking debut novel with the lyrical beauty and emotional resonance of By Grand Central Station I Sat Down andWept and the thematic complexity of Asymmetry, that combines fractal mathematics and classical music to explore the infinitely complex patterns of love and the thin border between great passion and great loneliness.
Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones For fans of: Broken Faith
Educated meets The Vow in this story of liberation and self-empowerment—an inspiring and crazier-than-fiction memoir of growing up in and breaking free from the Children of God, an oppressive, extremist religious cult.
"In this outstanding debut, Jones recounts her upbringing in and escape from the infamous cult, the Children of God…. As Jones transports readers from Macau to Kazakhstan to the United States, Jones skillfully provides the mental framework to understand her past as an indoctrinated individual in hopes of helping others 'stand up for themselves.' This remarkable account of self-liberation is not to be missed." —Publishers Weekly ⭐️ review
The French Gift by Kirsty Manning For fans of: The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester
From Kirsty Manning, author of The Song of the Jade Lily, comes a gripping World War II set historical novel about murder, secrets, and survival.
"Kirsty Manning has delivered yet again with this epic novel about women, love and heartbreak—The French Gift. With passion and sensitivity, Manning takes the reader on a journey that is near-impossible to tear yourself away from…. A triumph!" —Sally Hepworth, international bestselling author of The Mother-in-Law
You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor & Janina Matthewson For fans of: Anyone by Charles Soule
A haunting, provocative novel, You Feel It Just Below the Ribs is a fictional autobiography in an alternate twentieth century that chronicles one woman’s unusual life, including the price she pays to survive and the cost her choices hold for the society she is trying to save.
"Readers who enjoy dystopian tales and unreliable narrators will find much to dissect in this haunting, heart-wrenching novel." —Publishers Weekly
The Month of Borrowed Dreams by Felicity Hayes-McCoy For fans of: 500 Miles from You by Jenny Colgan
Return to USA Today bestselling author Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s Finfarran Peninsula with this enchanting novel in the vein of Jenny Colgan, Maeve Binchy, and Nancy Thayer—humming with the rhythms of modern rural Irish life—in which librarian Hanna Casey and her family and friends face new challenges and possibilities.
"A sparkling, life-affirming novel—sunshine on the page." —Cathy Kelly, author of Other Women
"I started writing All Her Little Secrets on my lunch breaks from work at the library around the corner from my job (thank you Vinings Branch!). I sat in the same carrel and wrote for an hour and a half each day." —Wanda M. Morris' Library Journal interview
The Library Love Fest team loves debut novelist Wanda M. Morris' upcoming novel All Her Little Secrets. It has been named a Lead Read title for the sales team at HarperCollins. Wanda was recently featured on the COVER OF LIBRARY JOURNAL! Woah! See the image below. Suffice to say: everyone is in love with this pulse-pounding thriller about a black corporate attorney who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss. She will have to reveal the company's secrets in the present and repress her own secrets from the past. It's the perfect read 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.
“…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
"…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
"She also provides a knowledgeable portrait of Atlanta’s complex social structure…Corporate competition is not only racist and sexist, but deadly in this confident debut thriller." —Kirkus Reviews
"Wanda M. Morris’ All Her Little Secrets heralds the arrival of a new and necessary voice in thrillers." —Lori Rader-Day, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of Under a Dark Sky
“Wanda M. Morris hits all the right notes in All Her Little Secrets, a taut, sleek thriller that’s also a searing story about the secrets we can never manage to leave behind. A stunning debut.” —Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author
Wanda was just on our Door to Door episode with fellow author and friend Lori Rader-Day (Lori taught Wanda at the Yale Writers' Workshop!). Watch the replay here:
