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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!
www.librarylovefest.com
