December 2022

Lit Hub released their compilation of books on "best of…" lists! The books mentioned were on four or more lists. We are thrilled that multiple HarperCollins titles have been included:

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (on sale 10/18/2022): From the acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees, a brilliant novel that enthralls, compels, and captures the heart as it evokes a young hero’s unforgettable journey to maturity.
• Babel by R.F. Kuang (on sale 8/23/2022): From award-winning author R. F. Kuang
  comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.
• The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken (on sale 10/4/2022): A taut, groundbreaking new novel from bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken, about a writer’s relationship with her larger-than-life mother—and about the very nature of writing, memory, and art.
• How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (on sale 1/18/2022): 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. 
• South to America by Imani Perry (on sale 1/25/2022): 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.
  
  
• Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson (on sale 11/8/2022): An exuberant, bighearted novel about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful summer, and the art they make that changes their lives forever.
• Finding Me by Viola Davis (on sale 4/26/2022): In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.
• The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland (on sale 10/18/2022): Award-winning journalist and bestselling novelist Jonathan Freedland tells the incredible story of Rudolf Vrba—the first Jew to break out of Auschwitz, a man determined to warn the world and pass on a truth too few were willing to hear—elevating him to his rightful place in the annals of World War II alongside Anne Frank, Primo Levi, and Oskar Schindler and casting a new light on the Holocaust and its aftermath.
• American Midnight by Adam Hochschild (on sale 10/4/2022): From legendary historian Adam Hochschild, a "masterly" (New York Times) reassessment of the overlooked but startlingly resonant period between World War I and the Roaring Twenties, when the foundations of American democracy were threatened by war, pandemic, and violence fueled by battles over race, immigration, and the rights of labor.

So many of our books have appeared on other "best of" lists and have received stunning reviews. For instance, Wanda Morris' Anywhere You Run has appeared on multiple lists like the New York Times' Best Mystery Novels, South Florida Sun Sentinel's Best Mystery Novels, and NPR's Books We Love. It was also an ALA's Editor's Choice Pick for 2022.

We are beyond grateful for all of the love our books received this year, and are looking forward to another wonderful year in 2023!

We are thrilled to hear about all of the buzz surrounding Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's upcoming book INDEPENDENCE (on sale 1/17/2023)! This stunning historical fiction novel, set during the partition of British India in 1947, follows three sisters and their everlasting bond. Simultaneously deeply moving and informative, this book is sure to stay with you for a long time.

Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, stating, "Divakaruni seamlessly weaves the political upheaval into the characters’ lives…while also depicting the beauty, vitality, and vastness of India. This is a must." 

INDEPENDENCE also received a starred review from Booklist, praising Divakaruni's nuance and attention to detail. Booklist says, "Woven throughout their stories is the violence, rage, and anguish of a divided nation, all stirringly depicted by Divakaruni in unforgettable prose."

Other fantastic reviews…

"Lyrical and richly detailed, Independence explores the implications of its title not only for a country, but for the young women who must learn to deal with a perilous, exciting new world." — Shelf Awareness

"The author’s latest novel is an engaging family saga that explores resilience against a backdrop of violent national upheaval. The story is well paced as it follows its cast of characters through a chaotic world while still capturing the rich interiority of each of the three daughters." — Kirkus

"Divakaruni tells the story of India’s independence through the eyes of three sisters, each of whom is uniquely different, with her own desires and flaws. I cheered for them and cried with them as they move through the history of their country that is at once devastating, inspiring, and triumphant. You will, too." — Lisa See, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The Library Love Fest team had the pleasure of talking to Chitra during our Historical Fiction Door to Door in November. You can watch the replay here. After hearing all of these stunning reviews, I'm sure you want to dive into reading! Head over to Edelweiss or Netgalley to get your digital copy of the galley. Congratulations to Chitra on all of the praise for INDEPENDENCE!

-Grace

Hello, librarians!

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

This month, we are thrilled to share that Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and Joanna Shupe's The Duke Gets Even have been selected for the January LibraryReads list! 

See the full January 2023 LibraryReads list here.

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:

Reminder: RSVP for our February 14th buzz here.

Hello, librarians!

We hope you are having a wonderful start to the holiday season! You won't be lacking any reading recommendations this month! A list of staff suggestions eligible for the February LibraryReads List is here. Reminder: votes for the February LibraryReads List are due January 1st.

One more reminder: sign up for our next WORLD-FAMOUS BOOK BUZZ for even more reading recommendations, and most importantly, never-before-buzzed books coming in 2023! RSVP for the Spring/Summer 2023 Adult Preview on February 14th at 2:00 PM ET here.

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