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Book lovers will delight in a display full of titles that feature books, bookstores, libraries, and writers across both fiction and nonfiction. 

It’s not all sugar plums and stockings in this holiday season’s mysteries.

From bookstores to small towns, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in these novels of charm, kindness, and corgis too.

Reading goes to the birds in these excellent works about birds, birding, and vanishing wildlife. 

Books about books get even more meta when narrators read them aloud.

SFF takes on well-known tales, including “Aladdin,” “Hansel and Gretel,” The Nutcracker, and Slavic folklore.

Fall in love with Hollywood while reading these romance novels about the film industry.

Two forthcoming natural history titles feature birds and best practices for humans to interact with them. 

In 1990 Congress officially passed a joint resolution signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, designating a National American Indian Heritage Month. Since 1994, this monthlong celebration, often referred to as Native American Heritage Month or National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, has been observed during the month of November. With a mix of literary fiction, mystery, history, and even a cookbook, this booklist recognizes the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and marks their cultures and accomplishments.

The finalists for the 2023 Kirkus Prizes are announced. The finalists for the 2022 Sidewise Award for alternate history are announced. NYT reports on YA novelist John Green’s involvement in ensuring access to books in Indiana libraries. 

Readers can beat the heat (in their minds at least) with these wintry books full of snowy settings that span all genres.

In these Christmas mysteries, the Queen of England investigates, a bookbinder suspects a Scottish librarian, and a Regency-era widow is snowed in with a murderer.

These wintry holiday romances feature Christmas, the winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Ramadan.

Peter Attia, Bill Gifford, Mark Hyman, and William W. Li are just some of the names topping the charts.

While those on Earth continue to contemplate whether life exists elsewhere, there are definitely aliens inhabiting library bookshelves. Gather up these riveting space operas and stories of first contact for an out-of-this-world display.

In two new titles, the film Maurice is examined for the historical and significant role it played in gay cinema, and the TV sitcom Will & Grace gets some much deserved recognition.

Elvis is in two new books that offer a fresh look at the King of Rock and Roll. The books address the man who helped propel him to fame, the song “Hound Dog,” and the wider cultural implications of different streams of pop and rock music.

In these fantasy novels, hexologists track down a blackmailer, an auditor of magic investigates a dangerous ritual, and a 15-year-old ghostalker is caught in a locked-castle mystery.

Soccer players star in a steamy opposites-attract romance from Meryl Wilsner and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance from Elena Armas.

Whether readers are stocking up for vacation or looking to travel vicariously, these romances, thrillers, memoirs, and histories all feature memorable road trips and would make a great display. 

Prolific playwright, screenwriter, and actor Charles Busch offers a joyful memoir to capture the hearts of theater and movie buffs, and theater critic Patti Hartigan delights with an outstanding biography of the great playwright August Wilson. 

Encounter a trio of dashing dukes in these historical romances featuring plot twists, hijinks, and happily-ever-afters.

Swashbuckling adventures await readers on this display shelf of fictional forays and true tales of the high seas.

Grady Hendrix, Victor LaValle, and Stephen Graham Jones are just some of the names topping the charts.

Welcome the summer reading season with these beachy books, featuring historical fiction, mystery, and romance.

Go deep into punk history with John Malkin’s oral history about the roots of activism in punk rock and Marie Arleth Skov’s art-historical look at the incendiary artworks created by a “no future” punk art movement.

Looking to celebrate Pride Month or hoping to update your collection with new romance titles featuring LGBTQIA+ characters? Take a look at this display shelf.

In these cozy mysteries, the crimes are solved by a grandmother-granddaughter team (where Grandma calls the shots) and a Golden Girls–esque duo of combative sisters-in-law.

Cookbooks do more than help readers make good food; they can also evoke place and time, transporting readers across landscapes.

Find a sexy summer escape in this pair of beachside romances, featuring sizzling nights, witty dialogue, and authentic characters.

Two YA novelists make their adult fantasy debuts with gladiatorial games and a Cinderella retelling.

Stock up on clever, twisty reads that our reviewers enjoyed.

Swoony picks that readers will fall for.

Great reads to buy, know, and share.

Spooky tales that will make readers keep the lights on.

Stock up on fast-paced reads with these winners.

Get swept away to new worlds with these outstanding novels.

Excellent reads across (multiple) universes.

Choice picks from reissues.

Excellent visual reads.

Fall under the spell of language and mood.

Find help, and maybe answers, across these titles.

Wonderful books on a range of arts and artists.

Inspiration for building an enriched life.

Important reads ranging across multiple subjects.

Make great meals with these tempting picks.

Discover new ideas and explore the world with these titles.

Delve into the past and learn lessons for today.

Don’t miss these great reads, offering a range of characters and writing styles.

Fans will clamor for these top picks.

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, Ilyon Woo, and Timothy Egan are just some of the names topping the charts.

LJ’s second annual historical fiction preview looks at the trends and titles of the upcoming season.

In these graphic biographies, the life of legendary Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz is depicted in the form of a newspaper comic strip, and the career of Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee is plotted through a succession of tightly crafted scenes, none more than a single page long.

Two memoirs offer reflections on travel, food, locale, and the natural world.

These two books set within the beauty industry offer insight into consumerism, self-worth, and influencers.

Readers avidly tuning into Growing Floret now have two seasons to enjoy Erin Benzakein’s garden, but it likely will not be enough. Support fans of all things Floret with these resources.

All the November 2023 Prepub Alerts in one place, plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all titles from every post.

Calling all vegetarians and veggie lovers; the inspiration you have been looking for might be found in these new cookbooks out in May.

Edith Wilson and Eleanor Roosevelt (and Roosevelt’s friend Mary McLeod Bethune) take center stage in these historical novels.

Prince Harry, Michelle Obama, and Matthew Perry are just some of the names topping the charts.

A beguiling prince vanishes and Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmother takes center stage in these mixed-up tales.

From a nonfiction work about the gentle giants gliding through the deep and vast seas, to a speculative-fiction book imagining getting swallowed alive by one of these goliaths, LJ’s May issue offers readers of many interests a whale of a story.

This lively mix of big names and new discoveries offers quickly engaging plots and summery settings whether readers are miles from the beach, atop a city skyscraper, at a lake house, or on the sidelines of a Little League game. Get ready to dive into the deep end. Summer will go swimmingly with these 19 selections.

All these years later, beloved author Jane Austen still inspires authors. Check out these 67 fiction titles that include retellings of her classic stories, feature Austen herself, or simply pay homage.

July’s Disability Pride Month commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which President George H.W. Bush signed into law on July 26, 1990. This month-long observance promotes the de-stigmatization of disability, combats ableism, celebrates visibility, and honors the accomplishments, influence, strengths, and joys of the disability community. The titles on this list communicate a wide range of perspectives and include memoirs, literary fiction, contemporary romance, and more.

All the October 2023 Prepub Alerts in one place, plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all titles from every post.

This eclectic mix of titles below highlights the many facets of social justice. Many of the characters and nonfiction subjects encounter multiple forms of discrimination and hatred. While some handle their situations quietly, others sound the alarm with calls to action.

Authors explore the lives of women artists in these works of historical fiction, centering the talents, concerns, and interests of those who made their way in the world through creative endeavors.

Featuring meditation, manifestation, astrology, breathwork, and more, these are the 20 body, mind, and spirit titles that library patrons are seeking.

Books themselves take center stage in these SFF novels about the magic of the written word.

Love lupine paranormal romances? Try these two picks timed perfectly for summer reading.

In these reissues of his memoirs (reviewed in the April 2023 issue of LJ), record producer Simon Napier-Bell, known for his work with Wham! and the Yardbirds, gives readers a racy but shrewd glimpse of the British music scene. 

First proclaimed Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 1999 and expanded by President Obama in 2011, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month marks the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. The titles on this list range from short stories to a dystopian novel and from a graphic memoir to social sciences. This list also contains historical fiction and nonfiction history titles that librarians may want to feature in October, the month designated in 1994 to spotlight exemplary figures of the LGBTQIA+ community and their contributions.

With themes ranging from nature and climate change to love and war, these 18 resonant collections from debut and established poets make strong suggestions for reading during National Poetry Month.

In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than 3.5 million enslaved people living in Confederate states to be “forever free.” It wasn’t until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX, on June 19 two years later, however, that the enslaved first learned of their freedom. That date became known as Juneteenth, first celebrated in 1866, first declared a federal holiday in 2021. This book list is a Juneteenth commemoration in the form of fiction and nonfiction about its history and the long-standing implications of enslavement and the Jim Crow era.

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and recognizes the complex histories of Asians, Asian Americans, and Indigenous Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The following books include historical fiction, mysteries, graphic novels, memoirs, and short stories, all of which provide a window into the resilience, creativity, and breadth of experience within this diverse group.

Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of mental wellness and promotes advocacy, sharing, compassion, and the dismantling of stereotypes. The following books—literary fiction, romance, memoirs, and essays—were written by authors who have personal experience living with mental health challenges and speak to the importance of continued dialogue surrounding mental health.

Women’s history is not confined by borders or dates. It is unfolding in the headlines every day, around the globe. It is in the pages of these books too, which range across time and continents while considering the varied lives and histories of women.

Occurring in April, Autism Acceptance Month recognizes the conscious shift away from the stigmatized term “autism awareness,” towards an inclusive attitude of respect, listening, parity, and empowerment. The following titles by scientists, teachers, romance novelists, memoirists, and more offer great stories and a range of perspectives. Readers will find literary fiction, science fiction, and social science titles among these selections. The following books are currently in print and are ready to be shared far and wide.

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, first recognized by the Biden administration in April 2021, this booklist celebrates the diverse experiences, cultures, and contributions of Arab American people. The authors illuminate a wide range of topics, from gender identity and coming of age to politics, history, diaspora, romance, poetry, cooking, comedy, and so much more. These books are currently in print and are ready to be shared with friends, family, patrons, and readers everywhere.

Featuring wildlife gardens, flowering houseplants, the basics of succulent care, and more, these are the 20 gardening titles that library patrons are seeking.

Hiking, biking, Disney World, and the urban wild—these are the 20 titles library patrons are seeking.

If you're looking for display inspiration or need to update your collection, check out these 26 books on organizing, decluttering, and cleaning.

Searching for display inspiration or looking to update your collection? Here are 54 enticing vegan cookbooks.

African American culture and experiences are celebrated in this Black History Month booklist. These essential works of forthcoming fiction and nonfiction will enrich collections in the coming months, and they reflect that Black history is made every day: it’s not just a thing of the past. The books on this list were written by both debut and experienced authors, and the topics range from poetry, trauma, enslavement, and freedom, to civil rights, ongoing obstacles for Black people, triumphs, justice, and workplace successes. 

The restaurant cookbook is a classic subgenre. This menu of titles is designed to highlight recent restaurant cookbooks that include a true sense of place and impressive recipes. The books evoke memories of restaurant visits past with their beautiful photography, and also share their locale, as they center the communities that influenced them. Steeped in the inspiration that chef-authors used to open their restaurants and create signature recipes, these books will motivate readers to recreate wonderful meals in their home kitchens.

From the earliest days of the novel, works of fiction have attempted to pass themselves off as nonfiction. These fictional works all imitate that most popular form of nonfiction, true crime.

Featuring witches, magic, time twists, and more, these are the 20 SFF titles that library patrons are seeking.

Desert Star, by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown; LJ starred review), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

All the April 2023 Prepub Alerts in one place, plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all titles from every post.

Going Rogue, by Janet Evanovich (Atria), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Starred titles reviewed in our November 2022 print issue, spanning audio, mystery and suspense, SF/fantasy, romance, and more.

In the coming season, folklore, fairy tales, and ancient stories become new fantastic tales, while others speculate about the near and far future of life on Earth and beyond.

No Plan B, by Lee Child & Andrew Child (Delacorte), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

From Augmented, about the attempt to link the brain to robotic limbs, to The Beatles: Get Back, an intimate and lyrical insider look at the band, these are documentaries to dig into this month. 

Don't miss the essential The U.S. and the Holocaust from Ken Burns or several newly restored gems, including Lost Highway directed by David Lynch and The Rainmaker from Joseph Anthony. 

Drama, dramedy, and comedy are in store for viewers this month with winning picks such as Exotica, The Duke, and I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing. 

Perfect for the spooky reading season, these novels feature evil spirits that refuse to stay dead, as well as the people they’ve decided to torment.

Travel the world with these selections of top fall titles of translated fiction.

From witches falling in love to classics getting romantic retakes, the upcoming season offers many titles to add to TBR piles with many happily-ever-afters in store for readers.