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Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
The delights of snacking bakes, the flavors of fruit, and the wonders of yogurt and whey help bakers and home cooks discover technique and tastes in the best cookbooks of 2023.
The Best Arts & Humanities titles of 2023 include intriguing conversation starters, special tributes to pioneers, and fresh takes on creative art forms and people.
Discover verse with style and substance, unsettling proclamations, and contained majesty in the best poetry collections of 2023.
The best memoirs and biographies of 2023 have three traits in common: they’re insightful, evocative, and direct.
Racism, poverty, and burnout are dominant themes of many of 2023’s best social sciences books. But there is also joy, along with journeys to find comfort and welcoming communities.
The best science and technology titles of 2023 entice, educate, and entertain readers. These books are a mixture of dirt, delight, and a demand for change.
Luna’s supportive concepts, cultural inclusiveness, frank talk, and unique spells should appeal to readers looking for feminist, representational, badass witchcraft.
A book about Mormonism that will stand the test of time. General readers should be riveted by a story well told; scholars will be engaged by arguments worth debating.
A well-researched and new take on one of Hollywood’s most notorious mysteries. True-crime fans and celebrity mavens will enjoy.
A well-researched work with many entries that feature production stills and promotional artwork. There are plenty of treasures here for mummy enthusiasts.
Best for readers interested in the historical context of biblical scripture and evangelical beliefs.
Recommended for its immediacy, this personal reminiscence tells readers what 1970s New York was like.
This is a very readable but scholarly work on a little-known part of literary history. The inclusion of historical art and texts gives readers the flavor of the Renaissance. Recommended for larger public libraries and audiences who enjoy literary history.
Fans of the Beatles and 1970s rock will appreciate this insider perspective of Lennon’s final day and the music business.
Musical theater enthusiasts and Superstar devotees will appreciate this candid perspective, the interviews with the show’s legends, and the stunning collection of photos.
PREMIUM
There She Goes Again: Gender, Power, and Knowledge in Contemporary Film and Television Franchises
A thoughtful, scholarly investigation into the complexities of how powerful women are conceptualized and presented in the current media landscape. Eminently suitable for libraries with feminist and women-in-media collections. Likely to be of particular use to those seeking analyses of postfeminist media centered on women protagonists.
PREMIUM
John Ford: Revised 2nd Ed.
An excellent early work on a legendary filmmaker. The update gives a more complete portrait of Ford and his films.
Music specialists and casual readers will find this an absorbing account of Rachmaninoff’s years in exile.
An incredibly detailed and successful book about Charlie Chaplin that does not lose film fans. More general readers can skip over much of the thorough analysis but still benefit from the book.
Madu’s book is difficult to categorize but hauntingly effective. It has no fail-safe audience but will reward whoever picks it up.
Some readers may view this as a covert attack on the authority of scripture, but many others will find the questions posed in this title to be incidental to gaining a deeper and more nuanced appreciation of biblical prophecy.
Fans of most sports and readers of varied interests and levels of spirituality will find humor, insight, and wisdom in Chopra and Levin’s book. It’s very readable and highly recommended.
PREMIUM
Black TV: Five Decades of Groundbreaking Television from ‘Soul Train’ to ‘Black-ish’ and Beyond
Readers who fondly remember watching programs such as In Living Color and Everybody Hates Chris will especially enjoy this. Same goes for TV enthusiasts looking for something to rewatch.
PREMIUM
On Locations: Lessons Learned from My Life on Set with ‘The Sopranos’ and in the Film Industry
This tale will grab readers from the first to the last page. It’s an interesting take on what went into making The Sopranos, the Rolls Royce of cable TV.
PREMIUM
Kubrick: An Odyssey
An admiring look at a fascinating figure. Likely to be the definitive word on Kubrick for years to come.
A biblically dense read and a valuable resource that encourages people to confront and understand what evil is and how to fight it.
With color photography the norm today, it’s fascinating to learn about the work and life of an artist who helped launch color photography.
In only four pages of text for each award winner, the book captures the strong feelings of camaraderie among the tight-knit film community, the tension-filled waiting period, the elation of victory, and the after-party giddiness or loneliness that the interviewees experienced. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
I Sing To Use the Waiting: A Collection of Essays About the Women Singers Who’ve Made Me Who I Am
Readers who enjoyed Jessica Hopper’s The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic and Hanif Abdurraqib’s They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us are the perfect audience for this book.
This book’s fierce attitude and biographies that pitch towards the positive will have plenty of appeal for readers seeking some inspiration from women who’ve carved out a place in rock music.
Those who thought they’d seen everything in street photography will find new themes and insights; newcomers will be introduced to photography that is thrilling for its inventiveness, creativity, and humanism.
This collection will entertain and enlighten readers interested in food writing, environmental issues, and BIPOC experiences.
Infused with all the warmth and charm of a babcia, Behan’s excellent introduction to the best of classic and modern Polish baking is a true delight.
A solid biography of the Moon. There’s plenty here for readers who enjoy planetary and earth science books.
Ritchie expertly coaxes readers out of the pit of despair and into a metaphorical lab that’s bright, working, and committed to ecological problem-solving.
Lake casts a wide net that embraces global Indigenous perspectives and modern science to discuss topics such as humanity’s origin, society’s relationship to nature, and the imperative need to halt and reverse climate change. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.
This expert untangling of complicated concepts will kindle curiosity and awe for quantum physics. An excellent recommendation for both science-fiction enthusiasts and readers of popular nonfiction.
Will likely be a popular selection as the 2024 election draws near. It will also be of interest to those teaching civics and journalism.
Readers of tarot will be drawn to the fabulous illustrations and intelligent interpretations in this guide. It’s intended for beginners but has something for all levels of tarot sophistication.
An honest look at how an open marriage can work, an excellent read for people interested in self-discovery or ethical non-monogamy. Recommended for readers of Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy’s The Ethical Slut and Eve Rickert and Franklin Veaux’s More Than Two.
Measurably advances the conversation about ways to meet people’s legal needs. This narrative demands the attention of readers interested in making the legal system work for everyone, regardless of their resources.
Numerology is less complicated and more straightforward than most divination systems; readers seeking insight into their or their loved ones’ lives will find Casper’s book a complete and accessible introduction to the art and science of numerology.
Fans of true crime will enjoy this collection of tales from the annals of American justice; they will surely come away eager to learn more about the crimes that have meaningfully shaped the judicial system.
A full portrait of a woman who saved thousands in Nazi-occupied Poland, with broad appeal for readers interested in Holocaust and eastern European history and survivor’s stories.
This scholarly examination of Xi’s leader-driven ideological revolution will appeal to readers interested in current-day China, especially Chinese political philosophy.
An excellent and thorough biography of a character whose true story is not widely known, and a wild ride through the Depression and the U.S. prison system; many will enjoy the journey.
An accessible, absorbing look into an evolving form of queer culture, written by a brilliant sociologist.
Cute and appealing. The wonderful list of suggested reading is a virtual who’s who of tarot (a good guide for parapsychology collection development). A helpful index completes the package.
This well-researched title is an important chronicle of the treatment of Black Americans and their mental health during the Jim Crow era. Beyond promoting systemic change, Hylton compels readers to look within to assess how they treat and view the people around them.
This compact book will delight readers of esoteric divination, witchcraft, and good old-fashioned fortunetelling.
Effectively shows the importance of innovation in modern economies while also making clear that innovation alone does not guarantee good outcomes. Will appeal to those studying or working in public policy or economics.
A beautifully rendered, sensitively told story about a veteran who returns home to a nation where many things are changing or already altered forever. A good choice for public libraries.
This treatise on Renaissance beauty highlights similarities to contemporary beauty standards. There’s appeal for casual readers, but the real value is for academics.
PREMIUM
Women Warriors in History
A dazzling overview of women’s contributions to warfare, starting with archers from the Bronze Age. It’s sure to intrigue readers looking for both big-picture observations and small details about women’s triumphs and defeats on the battlefield.
Highly recommended for readers interested in learning more about Chinese cuisine and its history. This riveting work will enthrall foodies.
PREMIUM
Nobody Needs To Know: A Memoir
Pagonis’s memoir is an intimate look into their life being intersex, offering readers a glimpse into their triumphs, struggles, and journey toward self-acceptance. A raw, can’t-stop-istening experience.
An informational and atmospheric audiobook that checks all the boxes. Recommended for Civil War buffs and anyone interested in literature, history, and stories well told.
PREMIUM
Dracula: A Full Cast Audio Drama
This dramatized adaptation of Stoker’s classic tale is a perfect spooky listen for those seeking a new experience of the original novel. Recommended for any audio classics or horror collection.
A uniquely told story full of vibrant characters and heart-wrenching emotion, this is a surefire recommendation for any library where memoirs and poetry circulate well.
McCrae has created a nonlinear and intricate patchwork, stitching together the forgetting and remembering wrought by childhood trauma. This poetic meditation on family and history should appeal to readers of Harrison Mooney’s Invisible Boy and Natasha Trethewey’s Memorial Drive.
Fans of Ree Drummond’s “Pioneer Woman” culinary brand and Jill Winger’s “Prairie Homestead” books will find Schoenith’s charming debut to be an equally beguiling introduction to cooking good old-fashioned food and living a simpler life.
Cookbook readers will delight in the beautiful exploration of ancestry, homeland, and food that Wilkinson weaves and relish bringing these foodways of Black Appalachians into their own homes.
Informative and full of big flavors, this is a delicious and accessible introduction to Caribbean food for novices; will be a welcome addition to library shelves.
An excellent choice for home cooks looking for deliciously uncomplicated weeknight meals that can also be impressive enough for company.
A good, thought-provoking acquisition about the deep changes that robots could bring to society. For technologically aware patrons.
While there is no dearth of cookbooks dedicated to the yummy treats of Great Britain (the books by contestants and judges on the Great British Bake Off alone would fill a small-sized library), beginning bakers, especially fans of Dunn’s blog, will appreciate her approachable writing style and easy-to-follow recipes.
These essays critically probe the native/nonnative paradigm of invasive-species ecology. Lee’s voice will stay with readers long after they finish this book.
PREMIUM
The Young Man
Although this audio is brief, listeners will be riveted by Ernaux’s exquisite insight and heartfelt memories of a precious year in her life. This latest addition to Ernaux’s oeuvre is a must-purchase for all nonfiction audio collections.
Libraries with low budgets would be well-served by acquiring this print edition about environmental issues. Those with serious research collections on environmental topics, however, will want to consider purchasing a subscription to the online database.
Delightfully offbeat views of Stars Hollow (The Gilmore Girls), Central Perk (Friends), and the Pie Hole (Pushing Daisies). Consider ordering a couple of copies, as this will likely stay in circulation.
PREMIUM
Girls from the County
This audiobook may be short, but it is seriously spooky. Recommended for those who love gothic poetry or true crime or listeners wanting to get in the Halloween spirit.
PREMIUM
Book of Queens: The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror
Narrative nonfiction at its finest. A solid recommendation for horse lovers and listeners interested in women’s rights, women warriors, and the ramifications of territorial infighting on a remarkable breed of horses.
PREMIUM
Kick Out the Jams: Jibes, Barbs, Tributes, and Rallying Cries from 35 Years of Music Writing
For listeners interested in reexamining musical gatekeeping, Marsh’s writing and Boutsikaris’s delivery provide a portrait of the music industry that goes well beyond the usual fare.
An elegantly narrated, fully fleshed account of a singular trip to an imperiled place. Listeners and readers of Margaret Lowman’s The Arbornaut or Naira de Gracia’s The Last Cold Place will love this.
Carew’s study makes a strong case for balanced ecosystems to support all Earth’s animals, including people, while sharing the often shameful history of humans’ lack of consideration for other species’ inherent rights. A natural selection for listeners who loved Ed Yong’s An Immense World.
This portrait of one community’s struggle to achieve racial equity should appeal to those interested in social justice, education reform, and civil rights.
Listeners won’t want to miss this informative and troubling look into the creation and ramifications of an iconic weapon.
Gulman’s profession as a performer translates into an excellent audiobook. This is unmissable and highly recommended for all audio memoir collections.
This well-researched narrative history is a delightful listen and a reminder of the power and importance of community.
A deeply affecting look at a tragedy involving three families. True crime fans will be enthralled and deeply moved by this impeccably researched account.
Richardson’s judicious approach makes complex political issues understandable. Readers of political history and current political affairs should find this book most informative.
Meticulous research paired with exceptional narration makes this timely account of a public health emergency, labor shortage, and enduring discrimination an essential addition to all nonfiction collections.
Flannery relives the nostalgia of early aughts Los Angeles with her revealing memoir. This disturbing look at the inner workings of American Apparel intrigues, though listeners shouldn’t expect a tidy conclusion.
Music lovers will be enthralled by this rewarding look at the history of recording at Abbey Road, arguably the most famous studio of them all.
A timely audio, highly recommended for those wanting to learn more about Ukraine’s tumultuous history and resilient culture.
With remarkable storytelling, heartfelt narration, and a powerful message, listeners will delight in stories of Marshall’s awkward teen years and sorrow as he describes moments of loss and grief. A perfect blend of heartwarming, hilarious, and horrendous, this memoir is unforgettable and highly recommended for all collections.
Listeners won’t want to miss this timely and troubling account of the reportedly ruthless woman poised to take control of a brutal and dangerous regime.
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