August 2023

Happy Book Birthday to Karin Slaughter! After That Night, her latest installment in the Will Trent series, is on sale today, August 22, 2023. 

More about After That Night: 

Will Trent and Sara Linton are back in an electrifying thriller featuring GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton. Fifteen years ago, Sara Linton’s life changed forever when a celebratory night out ended in a violent attack that tore her world apart. Since then, Sara has remade her life. A successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves, she has finally managed to leave the past behind her. Until one evening, on call in the ER, everything changes.

This book is getting SO much love! Check out these reviews: 

“It’s a signal achievement of Slaughter that the climactic revelations add still another layer of horror to her tale.” —Kirkus ★STARRED★ review 

“Slaughter's fans will be avid for the latest in this bestselling series, while its costar, state investigator Will Trent, has inspired a show on ABC, further expanding Slaughter's already vast audience.” —Booklist ★STARRED★ review 

“Slaughter skillfully weaves misogyny, wealth, violence, power, and control into a thrilling police procedural while poignantly addressing the lasting effects of trauma and the toll cases take on investigators.” —Library Journal 

Be sure to take a look at Karin's website for all you need to know about her books and the TV series!

Congrats to Karin on another fantastic thriller! 

Watch the full episode on : https://youtu.be/ESABqSdkjAc

Hello, librarians!

You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced! We have an AMAZING list of selections this month!

We are thrilled to share that Hannah Kaner’s Godkiller has been selected for the September LibraryReads list! We also are thrilled to announce that Sy Montgomery's Of Time and Turtles has been selected as the Bonus Pick and Meg Cabot's Enchanted to Meet You has made the Hall of Fame! Congratulations to all!

Want to hear how our authors reacted to the big news? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast to hear from our authors:

Hello, librarians!

How is it almost Fall??? We are coping by downloading some egalleys and going to the park to soak up the last few rays of Summer. Will you join us? 

Find out more about our picks for the October list and download egalleys here. Don't forget to get your votes for the October LibraryReads list in by September 1st!

Happy reading,

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

Library Love Fest is thrilled to share a letter to librarian by Nina Simon, author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night! She details her background in the library world in this compelling piece to librarians.

More about Mother-Daughter Murder Night (on sale 9/5/23): The Maid meets The Last Thing He Told Me in this fun, fresh, and twisty debut whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio who come together as amateur sleuths to solve a murder in their coastal California town.

Download an egalley on Edelweiss+ or NetGalley. 

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Dear Librarians,

I’m thrilled my debut novel, Mother-Daughter Murder Night, is coming out so soon, September 5, 2023.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would write a murder mystery. I’ve spent the past two decades working with museums and libraries to build more relevant, joyful community spaces. But I’ve always been a voracious reader. My mom first introduced me to whodunnits as a young girl, at the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library. My love started with Nancy Drew, but I quickly graduated to my mom’s picks—Sue Grafton, Faye Kellerman, Janet Evanovich. Every week, we’d borrow stacks of books featuring savvy female detectives and pass them back and forth.

When life hit me hard in 2020, I found myself going back to the books that bring me comfort. And then, I decided to try to write my own mystery, with a character like my mom—a tough, smart California businesswoman—as the amateur detective. Now, Mother-Daughter Murder Night is being published, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Libraries have always been central to my life, both personally as an enthusiastic user and professionally as a designer and advocate for equity and inclusion. Over the past twenty years, I've collaborated with thousands of librarians on in-service days, IMLS projects, and global library conferences. I love visiting my neighborhood branch and volunteering with my local Friends group. And when I’m on the road, I always stop into the public library. I know I’ll find diverse communities and passionate professionals behind your doors. 

Some authors dream of bestseller lists. Me? I hope I might someday write a book worthy of a Lucky Day shelf at a public library. I like to imagine a reader walking in, perusing the shelves, stumbling on this story of mothers, daughters, and murder. Mother-Daughter Murder Night brought so much pleasure to me while writing, and I hope this story might bring joy to the readers in your community—and to you, too.

With appreciation,
Nina Simon

***

Thank you, Nina, for your heartfelt message to librarians. We know that everyone will love Mother-Daughter Murder Night as much as we do!

Check out Nina's website here.

-Grace