This week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast features a conversation between Lucia Macro, VP/Executive Editor at William Morrow, and Dianna Rostad, author of You Belong Here Now. They discuss how the author/editor relationship began, the editing process (including an extended original opening scene in NYC), and the rich history behind this book.
More about You Belong Here Now (on sale April 6, 2021): In this brilliant debut three orphans journey westward from New York City to the Big Sky Country of Montana, hoping for a better life where beautiful wild horses roam free.
William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land said: "Set against the harsh backdrop of Montana, You Belong Here Nowis a novel as straightforward and powerful as the characters who populate it. I love this book, and I guarantee you won’t find a finer debut work anywhere.”
Listen to the episode here:
Listen to a clip from the audiobook here:
A big thank you to Lucia and Dianna for a wonderful episode!
An Unlikely Spy by Rebecca Starford: A twisting, sophisticated World War II novel following a spy who goes undercover as a part of MI5.
Nobody, Somebody, Anybody by Kelly McClorey: A darkly comic novel about a young woman who administers a self-made “placebo” treatment in an attempt to rebuild her life.
Down Range by Taylor Moore: An action-packed thriller featuring a DEA agent’s fight to protect his home on the Texas High Plains from a vicious criminal enterprise.
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen: 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: An intimate yet sweeping novel 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: Inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, a young pagan woman is betrayed by her village to a vengeful cleric seeking to exploit her magic in a quest of religious purity.
God Spare the Girls by Kelsey McKinney: Set in northern Texas, two sisters discover a dark secret about their father, the head pastor of an evangelical megachurch, that upends their lives and community.
Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson: A novel that reveals the untold, true story of the only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps and their dangerous voyage to Europe during World War II.
In Polite Company by Gervais Hagerty: A captivating novel that looks inside the private lives of Charleston aristocracy, where a former debutante learns that sometimes good behavior leads to bad decisions.
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris: A twisty mystery about a Black lawyer who is thrust into her employer’s shady executive circle after her boss mysteriously dies.
Additional debuts:
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams: A chance encounter and a list of library books help forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people—a lonely London widower and a troubled teenager.
Fault Lines by Emily Itami: A witty, sharp, and moving novel exploring the frustrations of motherhood, the imbalance of a marriage, and the loss of self as a family builds around you.
The Comfort of Monsters by Willa C. Richards: Set in Milwaukee during the “Dahmer summer” of 1991, a remarkable novel for fans of Mary Gaitskill and Gillian Flynn about two sisters—one who disappears and one who is left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath.
Edge Case by YZ Chin: When her husband suddenly disappears, a young woman must uncover where he went—and who she might be without him—in this striking novel of immigration, identity, and marriage.
The Radio Operator by Ulla Lenze: 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.
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.
We Two Alone by Jack Wang: A bold and brilliant collection, in the vein of The Refugees, which dramatizes the Chinese diaspora across the globe over the past hundred years.
Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam: When working together reignites their passion, will these former flames sizzle or get burned all over again?
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin: A brave testament to the power of living each day to the fullest, a tribute to the stories that we live, and a reminder of our unlimited capacity for friendship and love.
How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina: A fresh, bitingly hilarious, sweeping satire of modern-day India.
Lights Out in Lincolnwood by Geoff Rodkey: A suburban American family have to figure out how to survive themselves and their neighbors in the wake of a global calamity that upends all of modern life.
When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen: 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.
Her Turn by Katherine Ashenburg: A journalist who stumbles into an unusual relationship with the woman married to her former husband.
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams: A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.
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?
For this week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast, Chris Connolly sat down with Kathy Wang, acclaimed author of Family Trust, to talk about her upcoming novel Impostor Syndrome, on sale June 15th.
Following Julia, Russian spy and COO of Tangerine, one of America's hottest tech companies; Alice, a low-level employee at Tangerine who begins to suspect Julia of misdoing; and Leo, Julia's Russian handler, Impostor Syndrome is part spy thriller and part fly-on-the-wall peek into the tech industry's upper rungs. It also feels startlingly prescient as the world begins to reckon with the power of Google, Facebook, and other tech giants.
So, without further ado, we're happy to share the conversation below! Be sure to keep reading to see more praise for Impostor Syndrome.
"Kathy Wang’s Impostor Syndrome is a smart, ambitious, and hugely original novel that succeeds on every level. It’s part gripping spy thriller, part sharp-eyed Silicon Valley satire, part nuanced character study—and fully, deeply entertaining every step of the way." —Lou Berney, Edgar Award-winning author of November Road
"Like John le Carré filtered through Tom Wolfe, Impostor Syndrome encapsulates our Facebook anxieties perfectly." —The Millions
"A skilled satirist of the Northern California dream." —Harper's Bazaar
The Poetry Society of America has named N. Scott Momaday the 2021 recipient of the Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry!
The Frost Medal, named for Robert Frost, was first given in 1930 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in American poetry. Previous winners of the award include Marianne Moore, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Allen Ginsberg, to name a few.
A note from the Poetry Society of America’s Board of Governors on N. Scott Momaday:
"…his poems, often meditations on mortality, love, and loss, as well as reflections on the American landscape, evoke the essence of human experience. He is also a much beloved teacher who built his reputation specializing in Native American oral traditions."
You can see the full announcement and read a poem from N. Scott Momaday here.
Get a copy of his latest publication, Earth Keeper, and find a list of past publications here.
His Pulitzer Prize-winning classic about a stranger in his native land, House Made of Dawn, will be available as a limited Olive Edition from Harper Perennial on September 7, 2021.
You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!
This month, we are thrilled to share that The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett has been selected for the March LibraryReads List! We also have two new additions to the LibraryReads Hall of Fame: Talia Hibbert, author of Act Your Age, Eve Brown and Kate Quinn, author of The Rose Code. Rounding things out, LibraryReads Hall of Fame author Peter Swanson's latest novel Every Vow You Break was also selected.
Want to hear how our authors reacted to being selected for the March LibraryReads List? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear their responses!
The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett: The first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties, perfect for fans of The Crown.
"[A] pitch-perfect murder mystery…. If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple…the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit." —Ruth Ware
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert:In USA Today bestselling author Talia Hibbert’s newest rom com, the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.
"Their biting banter and saucy looks will delight readers who enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers tale that doesn’t shy away from epic sex scenes or raw emotions. Hibbert concludes the brilliant Brown Sisters series on high a note." —Booklist ⭐ review
Previous LibraryReads Selections: Take a Hint, Dani Brown (June 2020) Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Nov. 2019)
Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson: A bride’s dream honeymoon becomes a nightmare when a man with whom she’s had a regrettable one-night stand shows up in this electrifying psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Eight Perfect Murders.
"The further we go into [Swanson’s] devilishly twisty tales, the more hooks he sets…. Bride-to-be Abigail had a booze-fueled one-night stand…and is now being stalked by the man with whom she dallied. Fatal Attraction, right? Well, maybe, but we quickly see there's more to it than that." —Booklist
Previous LibraryReads Selections: Eight Perfect Murders (March 2020) All the Beautiful Lies (April 2018) Her Every Fear (Jan. 2017)
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn: 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.
"The Rose Code effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the Enigma codebreakers…. Quinn’s meticulous research and impeccable characterization shine through this gripping and beautifully executed novel." —Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight
Previous LibraryReads Selections: The Huntress (Feb. 2019) The Alice Network (June 2017)
Watch Kate Quinn on Door to Door!
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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!
On this week's podcast episode we welcome Lucia Macro, VP and Executive Editor at William Morrow, back to the podcast to speak with Alena Dillon, author of The Happiest Girl in the World.
More about The Happiest Girl in the World (on sale April 20, 2021): A gripping novel about a young woman’s dreams of being an Olympic gymnast—and the dark history that one has to keep secret on the road to the top.
Listen to the episode with Alena and Lucia below:
Alena's last book, Mercy House, was selected for the February 2020 LibraryReads list. Listen to Alena's reaction to making the list on our podcast here.
Find Alena's website here. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on her book event she mentioned in the episode.
The ALA Midwinter Conference was held virtually at the end of January. The Library Love Fest Team had a virtual booth at the show where we chatted with many of you and gave away egalleys. We also presented many of the great books HarperCollins has coming out this summer.
Several of our authors were featured speakers at this conference:
Cicely Tyson, Author of Just As I Am The late Cicely Tyson, actress, lecturer, activist, and one of the most respected talents in American theater and film history, discussed her memoir, Just As I Am, with Donald Bogle, film historian and author of the modern classic, Dorothy Dandridge, coming out for the first time in paperback in August 2021.
You can watch the replay on Facebook below, shared courtesy of the American Library Association.*
*Should you wish to share/repost, please be sure to credit the American Library Association.
Natalie Baszile, Author of We Are Each Other's Harvest Natalie Baszile, author of Queen Sugar—now a critically acclaimed series on OWN directed by Ava Duvernay—spoke about her upcoming book We Are Each Other's Harvest at the ALA Midwinter Diversity in Publishing stage. We Are Each Other's Harvest is a beautiful exploration and celebration of Black farming in America.
Sara Nisha Adams, Author of The Reading List Sara Nisha Adams, author of The Reading List, joined authors from Macmillan (Jayci Lee, author of The Dating Dare) and Workman Publishing (Polly Samson, author of A Theater for Dreamers) on a panel called "Forget Your Troubles" which was followed by happy* reading recommendations from Library Love Fest’s Virginia Stanley, Talia Sherer from Macmillan, and Annie Mazes from Workman.
*Happy, defined as: enjoyable, escapist, pleasant, feel-good, why we got into this business in the first place…
LLF's Lainey Mays moderated "Representing," a panel of three authors who discussed the importance of writing diverse characters.
You can watch the replay on Facebook below, shared courtesy of the American Library Association.*
*Should you wish to share/repost, please be sure to credit the American Library Association.
Book awards are announced at ALA Midwinter. HarperCollins did quite well! Awards ceremonies will take place in June at the ALA Annual Conference—which will also be virtual.
Here’s the list of winners and honors. Congratulations to all!
Rainbow Roundtable Award (Books that exhibit commendable literary quality and significant authentic LGBTQIA+ content)
Black Caucus of the ALA (For excellence in Adult fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by African American authors published in 2020)
The Honor Book for Fiction: Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick by Zora Neale Hurston
The Honor Book for Nonfiction: Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey
The Honor Book for Best Poetry: We Want Our Bodies Back by jessica Care moore
Notable Awards (An annual best-of list composed of 25 titles written for adult readers and published in the US including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry)
Reading List (Best in 8 different genres of fiction for adult readers as well as a shortlist of 4 honor titles)
Adrenaline – 3 shortlist titles included: A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Historical fiction – 1 shortlist title included: The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
Mystery – 1 shortlist title included: A Trace of Deceit by Karen Odden
Romance – 3 shortlist titles included: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
Science Fiction – 2 shortlist titles included: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots A Pale Light in the Black by K. B. Wagers
As you might have gathered from the above book collage, there are A LOT of fantastic titles coming your way in April. Not a bad problem to have! With a few more months of winter yet to come, we think getting a jump start on spring reading will warm us right up! We hope you agree. Happy reading!
-The LLF Team (Virginia, Chris, and Lainey).
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The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin For fans of: The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner and Wonder Valley by Ivy Pochoda The award-winning author of The Free and Don't Skip Out on Me 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.
"We…race to the end to see if good hearts can maybe, just this once, make a difference." —Bill Ott, Booklist ⭐ review
"The story resonates, with characters we come to feel we know and dialog that is so natural we hear it, not just read it…. This is literary art that will keep readers in their seats until the last page." —Library Journal ⭐ review
"This gritty page-turner sings with pitch-perfect prose…. Vlautin has achieved a brilliant synthesis of Raymond Carver and Jim Thompson." —Publishers Weekly ⭐ review
"Vlautin has written a soulful thriller for the age of soulless gentrification." —Kirkus ⭐ review
Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney For fans of: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett and The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin A warm, incisive new novel about the enduring bonds of marriage and friendship from the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Nest.
"Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney plumbs the depths of marriage, motherhood and friendship with warmth and wit. I devoured it in one gulp! Treat yourself to some Good Company." —Maria Semple, bestselling author of Today Will Be Different
"With candor and humor, Good Company tackles big issues—the reckoning between artistic ambition and family life, the strange tension between honesty and loyalty, the way time’s inevitable passage affects friendships and romance and our sense of self. Once again, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney has written a book you’ll stay up all night reading." —Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson For fans of: Someone We Know by Shari Lapena The New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Never Have I Ever builds on her success with 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.
"Terrifying, timely and thought-provoking, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Mother May I." —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Mrs.
Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins For fans of: The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré and Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson The New York Times bestselling author of This Will Be My Undoing and Wandering in Strange Lands makes her fiction debut with this electrifying novel, for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jacqueline Woodson, that brings to life one powerful and enigmatic family in a tale rife with secrets, betrayal, intrigue, and magic.
"The writing is sharp with an empathetic undertone, encouraging readers to understand characters' choices even if they don’t agree. Readers are taken through a spectrum of emotions with a satisfying payoff. On the heels of her excellent memoir Wandering in Strange Lands (2020), Jerkins solidifies herself as one of our guiding literary lights, no matter the genre." —Booklist ⭐ review
The Souvenir Museum by Elizabeth McCracken Also from the author: Bowlaway, Here's Your Hat What's Your Hurry, and The Giant's House One of the most treasured writers of our day, award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken, is an undisputed virtuoso of the short story, and this new collection features her most vibrant and heartrending work to date.
"McCracken’s sly, emotionally complex collection focuses on characters uprooted from their usual surroundings…. Each story opens to reveal a whole life spent within the web of a family, chosen or not. Full of gems, this collection is a winner." —Publishers Weekly ⭐ review
The Light of Days by Judy Batalion For fans of: The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone 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.
"In a vigorous narrative that draws on interviews, diaries, and other sources, Batalion delivers an objective view of past events that are too quickly being forgotten—and a story much in need of telling." —Kirkus ⭐ review
Listen to an interview with Judy Batalion on The Library Love Fest Podcast!
Love in Color by Bolu Babalola For fans of: Orange World and Other Stories by Karen Russell and Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi In her debut collection, internationally acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola retells the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology with incredible new detail and vivacity. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from long-erased places.
"Perfection in short story form, I am in love with every single word Bolu Babalola has written. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully." —Candice Carty-Williams, internationally bestselling author of Queenie
All the Children Are Home by Patry Francis For fans of: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane and Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal A sweeping saga following a foster family through almost a decade of dazzling triumph and wrenching heartbreak—from the author of The Orphans at Race Point.
"This beautifully wrought novel is a sometimes wrenching but ultimately uplifting story of murder and betrayal in the face of faith, family in its truest sense, and—most of all—love." —Booklist ⭐ review
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne For fans of: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai and The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory 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.
"Second First Impressions is the warmest, coziest, sweetest book of the year, an absolutely perfect blend of humor and heart. I want to live inside Sally Thorne’s brain." —Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers Also from the author: To Be Taught, If Fortunate and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Return to the sprawling, Hugo Award-winning universe of the Galactic Commons to explore another corner of the cosmos—one often mentioned, but not yet explored—in this absorbing entry in the Wayfarers series, which blends heart-warming characters and imaginative adventure.
"[A] delightful, cozy novel. Devoted fans and newcomers alike will thrill with this imaginative sci-fi confection." —Publishers Weekly ⭐ review
Sensational by Kim Todd For fans of: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott 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.
"Sensational brings the stories and battles of Gilded Age newspaperwomen to gritty, effervescent life." —Stephanie Gorton, author of Citizen Reporters
The Happiest Girl in the World by Alena Dillon For fans of: Whisper Network by Chandler Baker From the acclaimed author of Mercy House comes a gripping novel about a young woman’s dreams of being an Olympic gymnast—and the dark history that one has to keep secret on the road to the top.
"Whether readers can name every Olympian gymnast from the past 40 years or can't tell a Yurchenko from a Mustafina, Dillon's latest novel will enthrall. A natural next read for fans of Hannah Orenstein's Head over Heels (2020)." —Booklist ⭐ review
A Brief History of Earth by Andrew H. Knoll For fans of: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte Acclaimed Harvard geologist Andrew Knoll delivers a sweeping and definitive new narrative history of Earth, charting our home planet's epic 4.6 billion year history and placing our current environmental crisis in deep context.
"In A Brief History of Earth, Knoll treats us to a 4.6-billion-year detective story revealing the origins and inner workings of our home in the solar system. In these pages you'll discover something profound: how our past, present, and future are grounded in Planet Earth." —Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish and Some Assembly Required
Little and Often by Trent Preszler For fans of: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald A moving, beautifully written memoir of grief and love, understanding and forgiveness, and the curative power of creativity, detailing how the author coped with the death of his estranged father by building a wooden boat with the tools he had inherited.
"Little and Often is a beautiful memoir of grief, love, the shattered bond between a father and son, and the resurrection of a broken heart. Trent Preszler tells his story with the same level of art and craftsmanship that he brings to his boat making, and he reminds us of creativity’s power to transform and heal our lives. This is a powerful and deeply moving book. I won’t soon forget it." —Elizabeth Gilbert
World Travel by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever For fans of: Around the World in 60 Seconds by Nuseir Yassin A guide to some of the world’s most interesting places, as seen and experienced by the late writer, television host, and relentlessly curious traveler Anthony Bourdain.
"Charming…. Irresistible…. An exhilarating and worthwhile choice for those planning an actual trip and for stay-at-home travelers." —Library Journal ⭐ review
Goodbye, Again by Jonny Sun For fans of: We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby The wonderfully original author of Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too gives us a collection of touching and hilarious personal essays, stories, poems—accompanied by his trademark illustrations—covering topics such as mental health, happiness, and what it means to belong.
"This poetic, humorous, and heartfelt collection will have readers nodding along, laughing, and maybe even crying, but more than anything they will be engrossed and craving more. Similar to Sun’s previous work, this is another standout." —Library Journal ⭐ review
Permission to Dream by Chris Gardner: In the spirit of The Last Lecture, The Secret, and The Alchemist, this small book presents big ideas for turning your "one day" into today, including the generational transfer of a dream and a powerful blueprint for a masterpiece life—from the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir and major motion picture The Pursuit of Happyness.
I'm Waiting for You by Kim Bo-Young: In this mind-expanding work of speculative fiction, available in English for the first time, one of South Korea’s most treasured writers explores the driving forces of humanity—love, hope, creation, destruction, and the very meaning of existence—in two pairs of thematically interconnected stories.
Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves: From the author of The Silent Treatment, the heart-wrenching story of a woman's decade-long search for answers after the love of her life disappears—a timeless and deeply moving exploration of what it means to love and lose, and hope and carry on.
Sure, I'll Be Your Black Friend by Ben Philippe: In the biting, hilarious vein of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life—comes Ben Philippe’s candid memoir-in-essays, chronicling a lifetime of being the Black friend (see also: foreign kid, boyfriend, coworker, student, teacher, roommate, enemy) in predominantly white spaces.
Love in Case of Emergency by Daniela Krien: Writing with the wry realism of Sally Rooney, one of Germany's most promising literary talents demonstrates her incisive understanding of the complexities of relationships and the depths of the human heart in this witty and compulsively readable novel about five very different women whose lives intersect.
Promises to Keep by Nan Rossiter: In this heartwarming sequel to Promises of the Heart in the Savannah Skies series, USA Today bestselling author Nan Rossiter returns to Tybee Island off the Georgia coast to focus on beloved characters Maeve and Gage as their relationship is tested by secrets they are keeping from each other.
Stargazer by Anne Hillerman: Murder, deception, Navajo tradition, and the stars collide in this enthralling entry in New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman’s Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, set amid the beautiful landscape of the American Southwest.
Little Pieces of Me by Alison Hammer: Following her acclaimed debut novel, You and Me and Us, Alison Hammer offers a deeply moving story of family and identity. When a DNA test reveals a long-buried secret, a woman must look to the past to understand her mother and herself.
You Belong Here Now by Dianna Rostad: In this brilliant debut reminiscent of Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train and Kristina McMorris’s Sold on a Monday, three orphans journey westward from New York City to the Big Sky Country of Montana, hoping for a better life where beautiful wild horses roam free.
Meant to Be Immortal by Lynsay Sands: In the newest Argeneau novel from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, an immortal barely escapes a raging fire only to kindle a sizzling passion with his potential life mate.
Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey: A man and a woman continually cross paths in different realities in this speculative love story that explores what truly defines us and how our choices can change everything—a stunning, affecting debut with the emotional resonance and imaginative flair of Kate Morton and Audrey Niffenegger.
My Ride or Die by Leslie Cohen: A timely and hilarious millennial women’s fiction novel about two friends who decide to give up their search for a perfect man and devote their lives to each other—but their careful plan soon begins to unravel with unexpected consequences.
When the Library Love Fest team loves a book like The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin, we can’t stop talking about it!
If you've followed Library Love Fest over the years, then you know we're HUGE fans of Willy Vlautin's work, whether it's The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, The Free, or his most recent novel Don't Skip Out on Me, which was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and an ALA Notable Book. As Ann Patchett stated, "The straightforward beauty of Vlautin’s writing, and the tender care he shows his characters, turns a story of struggle into indispensable reading."
Truly, Willy Vlautin's combination of beautiful prose, unforgettable characters, and a tender eye for the stories of people struggling to persevere in a world in which they're rarely seen results in heart-wrenching and redemptive reads that earned Willy praise from Ursula K. Le Guin, who compared him to an "unsentimental Steinbeck, a heartbroken Haruf."
In his upcoming book The Night Always Comes, Willy Vlautin confronts many of the anxieties of our changing world, including working-class greed, class division, home ownership, and mental health. Set in contemporary Portland, Oregon, the novel takes place over the course of two days and two nights and follows a young woman on a desperate quest to collect enough funds to put a down payment on her family's long-time home before it's too late.
Below, you'll find the replay of our Door to Door with Willy Vlautin, where we talk more about the book, his music, and his unforgettable characters. As an added bonus, Willy performs a song he wrote!
The Night Always Comes has received enormous early praise:
"… '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
"The story resonates, with characters we come to feel we know and dialog that is so natural we hear it, not just read it….This is literary art that will keep readers in their seats until the last page." —Library Journal⭐ review
"This gritty page-turner sings with pitch-perfect prose, and Lynette’s desperation is palpable. Vlautin has achieved a brilliant synthesis of Raymond Carver and Jim Thompson." —Publishers Weekly ⭐ review
"Vlautin has written a soulfulthriller for the age ofsoulless gentrification." —Kirkus⭐review
"I finished reading this novel dripping with admiration for Willy Vlautin and the tough wonder he has brought forth. The Night Always Comes hits the high-water mark; there is skillful and beautiful objectivity to the writing, characters so real that when they bleed you get a few drops on your sleve, and a story of economic want and desperation and heart." —Daniel Woodrell, author of Winter’s Bone and The Maid’s Version
Another incredible aspect to Willy Vlautin's literary work is how closely connected it is to his life as a musician. The founding member of the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines, Willy has often talked about his novels beginning as songs, and growing from there.
We are very excited to share one of the songs from the upcoming The Night Always Comes book soundtrack, titled "Lynette's Lament," which is performed by Willy's band The Delines and written by band member Cory Gray. Click below to listen!
To learn more about Willy's thoughts on the connection between his music and his writing, check out the short clip below from our interview in 2018 on the publication day of Don't Skip Out on Me:
This was a very special interview, which Willy capped off spectacularly by playing the titular song "Don't Skip Out on Me." You can watch his performance below!
The full book soundtrack for Don't Skip Out on Me is available on Spotify. Click below to listen! You can also read Willy's notes on the soundtrack here.
This week's podcast episode is a MUST-LISTEN! We featured a conversation between New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson and her editor at William Morrow, Emily Krump. They talk about the misconceptions of the editor/author relationship, the double standard for successful working women, and literary Easter Eggs in Joshilyn's work, as well as her new domestic suspense novel Mother May I.
Listen to the interview below:
More about Mother May I (available April 6, 2021): The New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Never Have I Everbuilds on her success with 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—a chilling and thoughtful tale of power, privilege, lies, revenge, and the choices we make, ones that transform our lives in unforeseen ways.
Check out these great early reviews:
"Chilling, thought-provoking, and hauntingly written, Mother May Ikept me on the edge of my seat with its breathless race against time." —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl from Widow Hills
"Joshilyn Jackson does it again with this explosive, white-knuckle read about a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her family. Terrifying, timely and thought-provoking, I couldn't tear my eyes away…."
—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Mrs.
“Mother May Isets a new standard for the genre: it’s razor-sharp, merciless, and masterful.”
—Rose Carlyle, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Girl in the Mirror
February is Black History Month and we have some great reading suggestions that highlight Black voices. Find a list of recent and upcoming reads below and then head over to this link to learn about even more books that are available to fill your shelves.
We also hosted a Door to Door featuring anti-racist reads in June. Our panel included Wendy Bartlett, the Collection Development Manager/Book Buyer for the Cuyahoga County Library in Ohio, K.C. Boyd, Library Media Specialist at Jefferson Academy in the District of Columbia Public Schools System, as well as Tracy Sherrod, Editorial Director of Amistad at HarperCollins. Watch that video below and find a list of titles discussed here.
We are so excited to announce the adult HarperCollins titles that were nominated for the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, announced by Mystery Writers of America. These awards honor the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and television published or produced in 2020. Check out our nominated titles below:
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the end of the Holocaust and marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.
Below are some current and upcoming titles to help remember, learn, and heal.
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The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku: 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. On sale May 4th Request the egalley on Edelweiss+ Request the egalley on NetGalley
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. On sale April 6th Request the egalley and audiobook egalley on Edelweiss+ Request the egalley on NetGalley Request the audiobook egalley on NetGalley
The Note Through the Wire by Doug Gold: Praised as an "unforgettable love story" by Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, this is the real-life, unlikely romance between a resistance fighter and prisoner of war set in World War II Europe. On sale March 16th Request the egalley on Edelweiss+ Request the egalley on NetGalley
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris: This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity. Available now
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson: To survive the Holocaust, a young Jewish woman must pose as a Christian farmer's wife in this unforgettable novel from USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—a story of terror, hope, love, and sacrifice, inspired by true events, that vividly evokes the most perilous days of World War II. Available now
The Children's Train by Viola Ardone: Based on true events, a heartbreaking story of love, family, hope, and survival set in post-World War II Italy—written with the heart of Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours—about poor children from the south sent to live with families in the north to survive deprivation and the harsh winters. Available now
The Brothers of Auschwitz by Malka Adler: An extraordinary novel of hope and heartbreak, this is a story about a family separated by the Holocaust and their harrowing journey back to each other. Available now
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton: The New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Exiles conjures her best novel yet, a pre-World War II-era story with the emotional resonance of Orphan Train and All the Light We Cannot See, centering on the Kindertransports that carried thousands of children out of Nazi-occupied Europe—and one brave woman who helped them escape to safety. Available now
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. Available now
The Most Precious of Cargoes by Jean-Claude Grumberg: Set during the height of World War II, a powerful and unsettling tale about a woodcutter and his wife, who finds a mysterious parcel thrown from a passing train. Available now
The Survivors by Adam Frankel: A memoir of family, the Holocaust, trauma, and identity, in which Adam Frankel, a former Obama speechwriter, must come to terms with the legacy of his family’s painful past and discover who he is in the wake of a life-changing revelation about his own origins. Available now
The Art of Resistance by Justus Rosenberg: 100-year-old literature professor Justus Rosenberg escaped the Holocaust and spent four daring years in the French Underground during World War II. Now he finally writes his own unforgettable epic. Available now
50 Children by Steven Pressman: Based on the acclaimed HBO documentary, the astonishing true story of how one American couple transported fifty Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Austria to America in 1939—the single largest group of unaccompanied refugee children allowed into the United States—for readers of In the Garden of Beasts and A Train in Winter. Available now
And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer: The New York Times bestselling author of A Fierce Radiance and City of Light returns with a new powerful and passionate novel—inspired by historical events—about two women, one European and one American, and the mysterious choral masterpiece by Johann Sebastian Bach that changes both their lives. Available now
For this week's episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew J. Graff, whose debut novel Raft of Stars publishes March 23rd. Following two young boys who think they've committed a horrible crime and make a daring escape into the woods of Northern Wisconsin, Raft of Stars has a timeless quality and is filled with a cast of unforgettable supporting characters that make it a joy to read from beginning to end.
Listen to the episode below and keep reading to check out some of the praise!
Praise for Raft of Stars:
"The characters are expertly drawn in their shifting relationships, and the two boys’ closeness and bravery are especially affecting…. facing the life issues examined here in an unforgiving if beautifully rendered wilderness is no easy feat…. Highly recommended, whether you want literate thrills or thoughtful, affirming meditation." —Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal ⭐ review
"I had no idea people wrote books like Andrew J. Graff’s Raft of Stars anymore—a rousing adventure yarn full of danger and heart and humor and characters worth worrying about. It’s as if, after observing the deplorable state we’re all in right now, the author took it upon himself to raise our collective spirits. Bravo!" —Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls and Chances Are…
"Graff has crafted not only an adventure story with a warm heart at its center, but a whole town of characters for readers to fall in love with." —J. Ryan Stradal, author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota
You voted, they counted, and the winners have finally been announced!
This month, we are thrilled to share that The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson has been selected for the February LibraryReads List! Additionally, Alisha Rai has officially joined the LibraryReads Hall of Fame with the selection of First Comes Like!
Want to hear how our authors reacted to being selected for the February LibraryReads List? Listen to our latest episode of The Library Love Fest Podcast below to hear their responses!
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson: For fans of Tayari Jones and Jacqueline Woodson, a thought-provoking, page-turning debut about race, class, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream.
"The Kindest Lie is the story of one family that reveals the larger story of America itself. Taut and surprising, Nancy Johnson’s debut novel tackles complex issues—ambition, romance, class—with the lightest of touches." —Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
Watch Nancy Johnson and Nikki Giovanni on Door to Door!
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai: The author of The Right Swipe and Girl Gone Viral returns with a story about finding love in all the wrong inboxes.
"With twists and turns right out of a Bollywood drama, Rai's delightful romance introduces another Ahmed sister in her Modern Love series to a family struggling with fame and loss. Jia and Dev are appealingly dimensional, as is the varied cast of minor characters…. Another win from this rising romance star." —Booklist
Previous LibraryReads Selections: The Right Swipe (Top Pick, August 2019) Girl Gone Viral (April 2020)
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Thanks to all who participated and submitted votes for the February LibraryReads List! Be sure to submit your votes for the March LibraryReads List by February 1st.Click here to find out what we're recommending!
Happy book birthday to Viola Ardone's The Children's Train. There are so many great reviews for this powerful novel, based on true events, that tells a heartbreaking story of love, family, hope, and survival set in post-World War II Italy about poor children from the south sent to live with families in the north to survive deprivation and the harsh winters. You can get your copy here.
The New York Times Book Review included The Children's Train in their Globetrotting preview for 2021. Read the feature here.
Just check out some of the praise below!
"With a mix of stark realism and wistful reflection, Ardone succeeds in portraying the challenges of growing up under trying circumstances." —Publishers Weekly
"Beautifully written in Amerigo’s first-person voice, this sometimes melancholy novel, translated from Italian, offers a deeply satisfying portrayal of the universality of love." —Booklist
"Ardone’s novel will appeal to fans of Elena Ferrante, but it stands on its own as a fictionalized account of an exceptional—and exceptionally complicated—social experiment." —BookPage
"Ardone’s beautifully crafted story explores the meaning of identity and belonging…recommended to fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels." —Library Journal
Congratulations to Viola Ardone for this wonderful publication.
Hello librarians!
