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Cross Down by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois leads holds this week. Other buzzy books include: Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey, Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan, The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel, and Pageboy by Elliot Page. AudioFile announces the June 2023 Earphones Award Winners. The 2022 Aurealis Awards winners are announced, along with the 37th Annual Asimov’s Readers’ Award winners. Seven LibraryReads and 10 Indie Next picks publish this week. People’s book of the week is Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea. The June Costco Connection features Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See and The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. Plus, a poem written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón will travel to a moon of Jupiter.
A new national NPR/Ipsos poll reveals that 52% of Republicans are opposed to banning books from schools, whereas book bans are supported by 5% of Democrats, 16% of Independents, and 35% of Republicans. Paige Cowan-Hall has won the Women’s Prize Trust 2023 Discoveries Prize for her yet-to-be-published historical fiction novel Marooned. The Society of Authors announced this year’s Authors’ Awards shortlists across 11 categories. Donna Tartt’s agent has debunked the rumor that she is releasing a new novel in June 2023.
This is an unashamedly weird (but also funny) novel, but if readers can get beyond the morbid premise, there is much enjoyment to be had with Moore’s unique style, particularly the extended, loopy dialogue, replete with wordplay, song lyrics, conspiracy theories, literary and pop culture references. By its end, it becomes a moving tale of longing, grief, and acceptance.
PREMIUM
Shy
A bold formal statement that’s both a continuation of Porter’s thematic interests and an artistic expansion; if it doesn’t quite rise to the level of his previous work, fans of the author and adventurous readers alike should still find plenty to chew on.
With vivid and realistic characterizations, Schulman (This Beautiful Life) has written a work of fiction that should be read and discussed widely. Part mystery, part thriller, and at its heart an examination of why and how women can treat each other so callously and despicably, it’s tough to set down. Ironically, it would make a tremendous movie.
Eye-opening reading for horse racing fans. Will also likely appeal to readers interested in sports history in post–Civil War America.
PREMIUM
Defectors: How the Illicit Flight of Soviet Citizens Built the Borders of the Cold War World
This diplomatic history is dense and detailed. Best suited for academic libraries with collections in modern European history.
A pithy, easy-to-read collection, with an excellent introduction, especially for devotees of the author.
PREMIUM
The Humble Lover
All told, this is a quirky journey from White, recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, that will undoubtedly deliver to devotees as well as those new to the prolific author.
Prince fans and others interested in popular music will find much to love and ponder in this engaging collection.
From those who sought to help the Adlers in Vienna to the bonds between Samuel and his wife, Selena and Anita, and Anita and her grandmother, there’s much love in a book whose poles are moments of great violence. Classic Allende enlarging her framework, as she did with A Long Petal of the Sea and Violeta.
PREMIUM
Rent To Be
This funny, steamy, and heartfelt romance from Hartl (Heartbreak for Hire) is perfect for readers searching for their next friends-to-lovers meets fake-dating fix.
Recommended for business collections and to those considering entrepreneurship or applying Hsieh’s business philosophy.
PREMIUM
Be Mine: A Frank Bascombe Novel
While not the best of the four Bascombe novels (e.g., Let Me Be Frank with You), it is still a worthy conclusion to a series that ranks with Updike’s “Rabbit” novels for its incisive take on American life across several decades.
PREMIUM
Innards: Stories
Soweto-born Makhene uses her unique voice to characterize South Africa much as Ben Okri does for Nigeria or NoViolet Bulwayo for Zimbabwe. Her debut collection is necessarily difficult and disturbingly intense, as any stories of life under apartheid must be, but careful reading will unearth kernels of the inherent resilience and humor of her people.
PREMIUM
Pete and Alice in Maine
Following the widely acclaimed Modified: GMOs and the Threat to Our Food, Our Land, Our Future, Maine resident Shetterly has written a masterly debut novel about the first year of the plague and its corrosive effects on one family in the United States struggling to survive intact. Readers will be hard-pressed to leave this story behind.
Not just for fans of Russian literature, though casual readers may be challenged; the discerning will find much brilliance here.
Readers will love the fast-paced wit of both Amy and the supporting characters while she discovers who she is, where she wants to be, and what is truly in her heart.
PREMIUM
My Magnolia Summer
Plot discrepancies and uneven pacing detract from full enjoyment the narrative, but fans of Dorothea Benton Frank will appreciate revisiting Sullivan’s Island.
PREMIUM
Time’s Mouth
Those who enjoy reading about California counterculture and cults may be intrigued.
PREMIUM
One Summer in Savannah
While emotionally ambitious in its choice of topic, this debut takes on too many challenges and fails to fully execute.
PREMIUM
The Lookback Window
This forceful, necessary novel, which includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault, depicts the often silent suffering and unfathomable effects of sexual abuse. Readers of Garth Greenwell or Eimear McBride will find it well worth diving into.
PREMIUM
The Last Lifeboat
Gaynor’s immersive novel pairs well with Jessica Mann’s nonfiction book Out of Harm’s Way: The Wartime Evacuation of Children from Britain, in which firsthand accounts and extensive research relate the experiences of children who were removed from their families and taken to foreign countries. Similarly, Julia Kelly’s novel The Lost English Girl takes place at the very beginning of the war when children were being evacuated to the countryside.
PREMIUM
A Child for the Reich
Newton’s latest historical novel (following The Girls from the Beach) brings to light the kidnapping of Czech children during World War II. Readers who like this genre will enjoy.
Smith wrestles contemporary themes surrounding women’s independence, racism, and class disparity from centuries-old events in her beautifully crafted historical. Readers of Geraldine Brooks or Hilary Mantel will be enthralled.
PREMIUM
The Year of Second Chances
The level of chaos in Robin’s life overwhelms the issue of widowhood at times in the novel, but there is a strong setting and many elements to engage readers. Recommended for fans of Emiko Jean or Marisa de los Santos.
This page-turner has depth of feeling and intriguing historical details that will sweep readers off their feet.
PREMIUM
Gone to the Wolves
Wray deftly explores late adolescence with its roller-coaster intensity of friendship and the music that binds everything together, in this case heavy metal and its mythological fantasies, which here become all too darkly real.
PREMIUM
The War Pianist
Robotham’s entertaining and well-paced novel is a great addition to any collection of World War II historical fiction.
PREMIUM
Where Ivy Dares To Grow
Thompson combines a gothic novel, a time-travel romance, and a frank depiction of living with mental illness. Most compellingly, the protagonist’s mental state is central to the narrative without driving the plot.
Libraries with strong film and horror sections will find this irresistible two-volume reference an essential purchase.
A solid and unbiased source of primary documents on the most contentious political challenges facing the nation. For readers at all levels, especially high schoolers and undergrads.
PREMIUM
Silver Nitrate
Moreno-Garcia (The Daughter of Doctor Moreau) has written a love letter to Mexico City’s film industry and an excellent entry into the popular horror subgenre of occult films. Suggest to fans of The Shoemaker’s Magician by Cynthia Pelayo, Experimental Film by Gemma Files, and The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman.
PREMIUM
The Paris Mystery
This atmospheric historical mystery by the author of The Jade Lily reveals a Paris on the verge of war, in all its captivating beauty and excess. Suggest for fans of Cara Black or Betty Webb’s Lost in Paris.
PREMIUM
All That Glitters Isn’t Old
Whitney may be the amateur sleuth, but Goldy certainly calls the shots in this third book of the series (following Something Fishy This Way Comes). Perfect for cozy fans who enjoy a solid narrative, adventure, and a dash of romance.
Two-time Hugo finalist Tingle (Straight) has a huge cult following, and his brilliant mainstream debut does not disappoint. Suggest to fans of authors such as V. Castro and Hailey Piper, who take well-worn tropes and explore them through marginalized perspectives, creating something breathtaking and wholly new.
Yet another not-to-miss release by the popular and critically acclaimed Tremblay (The Pallbearers Club), showcasing a discomfort that is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson but still new and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
The Body in the Back Garden
Luke is an exasperating amateur sleuth, but readers who crave LGBTQIA+ cozies may enjoy his escapades.
PREMIUM
The Murder Wheel
Fans of Golden Age locked-room mysteries will appreciate the homage in Mead’s sequel to Death and the Conjuror.
PREMIUM
The Isolated Séance
The author of the Crispin Guest mysteries writes about Victorian street life and desperation in a pastiche relieved by humor. Suggest Vicki Delany’s “Gemma Doyle” series as a read-alike.
From its resourceful, resilient protagonist to its seamlessly constructed, au courant plot, everything about Ware’s newest novel is guaranteed to keep her fans up way past their bedtimes.
This book can be enjoyed from cover to cover or as a choose-your-own spooky adventure; either way, it will entice all who encounter it to seek out more horror. Libraries should consider having a reference and a circulating copy and may want to make extra copies of the reading checklist in the back to hand out.
PREMIUM
The Last Dance
Exuberant, apposite, and very amusing, Miller’s wit and his observations about modern life and policing will delight new fans.
PREMIUM
You Can Trust Me
Readers who enjoy an on-the-run thriller such as Adrian McKinty’s The Island or Wanda M. Morris’s Anywhere You Run, mixed with a dash of seduction, suspense, and twists, will enjoy this compelling tale.
PREMIUM
Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble
This Golden Girls–style cozy mystery has plenty of humor and style. Readers should expect a slow burn, since the narrative action fails to ignite until midway through the story. Perfect for cozy aficionados looking for a new series and some laughs.
PREMIUM
The Splinter in the Sky
Ashing-Giwa’s debut will appeal to fans of A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine and those who enjoy a decisive protagonist who throws herself into the action.
PREMIUM
The Sun and the Void
Written with passion by an debut novelist born and raised in Venezuela; all of the hallmarks of an epic fantasy are here, but the story gets off to a slow start.
PREMIUM
Immortal Longings
Best-selling YA novelist Gong’s (Last Violent Call) adult epic-fantasy debut combines a plot of corrupt politics and rotting empires with the adrenaline rush of combat and intrigue and a romance that is literally for the ages, based on the tempestuous relationship in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Lovers of Sarah J. Maas’s epic romantasy novels and the kickass fighting queens in Jennifer Estep’s “Gargoyle Queen” series won’t be able to turn these pages fast enough.
Terrific action sequences do not detract from the emotional arc that Kel follows as a war survivor. Valdes (Fault Tolerance) delivers with her epic worldbuilding and characterizations in this sharp and poignant novel.
PREMIUM
Gryphon in Light
This book begins a new trilogy within the Valdemar world. Readers who discovered or rediscovered Valdemar in Lackey’s recent Beyond will find enough links to the events of that origin story to see this later Valdemar as a new but still beloved place, as will regular readers of the series.
PREMIUM
The Saint of Bright Doors
Dreamlike and inventive, this unusual novel is a complicated read that ably pairs the mundane with the mystical.
PREMIUM
Cassiel’s Servant
While many parts of the story are familiar, Joscelin’s point of view will revitalize fans of the series and draw new readers to this lush epic fantasy. Libraries should prepare for requests for the original series.
PREMIUM
The Weaver and the Witch Queen
Gornichec showcases her knowledge of Icelandic folklore and history, while her storytelling reveals the complex and engrossing lives and emotions of her characters.
This novel is a whole lot of fun. Fenra and her gang are both smart and smart-alecky, keeping themselves and readers going on a rising tide of witty banter and out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire action. Highly recommended for those who like a little swash in their buckle and enjoy watching smart people save the day.
Strahan (The Book of Dragons) has compiled a delightful collection of original stories about an iconic fantasy archetype.
PREMIUM
Wildwood Magic
Full of women wielding the magic of the land, often through skills like beekeeping, sewing, or singing, Reece’s latest is an enchanting tale full of magical moments that also confronts the harm that hate and fear can inflict.
This captivating debut literary thriller entwines the searing stories of several women who suffered at the hands of the same man. This cautionary tale satisfies in its culmination of long-overdue justice for spurned women.
PREMIUM
Vampires of El Norte
The many fans of The Hacienda will be eager for Cañas’s second novel, which will also thrill and chill readers who’d enjoy a mash-up of Alma Katsu’s historical horror, Andy Davidson’s In the Valley of the Sun, and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
PREMIUM
She Started It
Gilbert’s debut thriller is an intensely compelling and clever tale of revenge. Readers who enjoy multiple perspectives unveiling the storyline, as in the works of Liane Moriarty, will relish this.
PREMIUM
Honey Drop Dead
The many descriptions of tea and tea foods make this book a tasty treat, although some readers may be disappointed by the way the ending wraps up. Fans of the series will be pleased to see many of their favorite characters return, but they may find the crimes to be more violent than in previous books.
PREMIUM
What Kind of Mother
Chapman (Ghost Eaters) is becoming a not-to-miss horror novelist. Suggest this one to a varied audience of fans who enjoy intense psychological tales like Paul Tremblay’s The Pallbearers Club, body horror like Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad, and parental horror like Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth; don’t forget fans of the pulp classic “Clickers” series, originated by J.F. Gonzalez.
PREMIUM
What the Neighbors Saw
This title will still find favor with dedicated domestic suspense fans but is an optional purchase for most libraries.
To aid readers, there are a 23-page glossary of terms and a nine-page alphabetical index. Recommended for general or school libraries.
While the scientific lingo can feel a little overwhelming at times, readers who persist through to the end will likely find themselves enlightened and eager to listen and learn.
King’s engaging narrative exposes the maneuvering of lumber companies that plundered redwood forests for decades, with the collusion of powerful individuals in politics, academia, and civil service.
The Einstein Effect: How the World’s Favorite Genius Got into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms, and Our Minds
Readers won’t find a livelier celebration of Einstein’s work and life. A great recommendation for teens and adults alike.
Fans of Jaws and “Shark Week” will love this book, but it’s also a compelling read for anyone interested in oceans, wildlife, conservation, or scientific adventures. An excellent title for readers who’ve ever been at the ocean’s edge and wondered what was out there.
This book urges readers to consider that there are already solutions to the world’s water crisis, though humankind may not have the political, social, and cultural will to implement those solutions. Highly recommended for all libraries.
An intimate, moving narrative peppered with harsh statistics, love, angst, and the author’s own admirable vulnerability.
PREMIUM
A Lady’s Guide to Scandal
Once the story gets going, it is easy to cheer for Eliza as she takes control of her life.
PREMIUM
Unorthodox Love
Orthodox Jewish protagonists aren’t common in romance, and Shertok (And Along Came Layla) deftly informs readers about Penina’s faith as part of the plot in this chaste, opposites-attract romantic comedy.
Series readers will be delighted, and those yet to discover Long will have found a treasure, quickly seeking the full series run.
PREMIUM
Flirting with Fire
Prolific Porter’s (Flirting With the Beast) newest delivers on heat and heart.
This humorous debut from Levine is perfect for readers who enjoy the roommates-to-romance trope and a dash of sexy vampire.
This unputdownable novel will fly off shelves, and readers will clamor for Desai’s (The Singles Table) backlist.
PREMIUM
Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review
While a second-chance romance is at the center of Mejia’s (Lucha of the Night Forest) adult debut, this novel builds on the complicated life of the title character to weave a sometimes traumatic but ultimately beautiful story of a complex woman finding her way in the world.
PREMIUM
My Rogue to Ruin
One of the best Regency series going; this latest entry will delight fans and earn new readers.
PREMIUM
The Hollywood Jinx
A highly recommended purchase for libraries where contemporary romances and rom-coms are popular.
PREMIUM
Dealbreakers
Fans of workplace romances such as The Hating Game by Sally Thorne will enjoy this take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, once they get past the initial unpleasantness of the main characters.
PREMIUM
The Déjà Glitch
Readers will love getting stuck in James’s (Nothing But the Truth) uniquely sweet and heartfelt love story.
PREMIUM
To Free the Stars
Action-packed and thought-provoking; recommend this to readers looking for something completely different in their historical romance.
Kae (In the Event of Love) gives readers a world where queerness is open and accepted, people support each other during mental health breakdowns, and true love comes with a side order of self-awareness. Fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexandria Bellefleur will fall in love with this small-town, friends-to-lovers romance.
PREMIUM
The Summer Girl
Young love, sizzling nights, and the welcoming characters of Avalon Bay make this a perfect beach read for anyone needing a sexy summer escape.
PREMIUM
The Love Plot
When Young (A Cosmic Kind of Love) puts together a joyful gig worker and a grumpy veterinarian for a fake-relationship scheme, it creates a steamy, tension-filled read.
PREMIUM
Say Yes to the Princess
The first in a new series by Michaels (A Duchess by Midnight), this is a slow-burn historical with enough adventure and intrigue to keep readers turning pages until the happy ending. Fans will anxiously await the next sibling’s story. Hand to fans of Mary Balogh and Eloisa James.
Both fantastic storytellers, Kowal (The Spare Man) and Kingfisher (What Moves the Dead) are a perfect pairing for this excellent Southern gothic, an essential purchase.
Mirabella’s ambitious novel tackles relationships, sexual orientation, and physical and mental healing. A layered tale that should appeal to fans of Emily Ruskovich’s Idaho or Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life.
PREMIUM
Cursed Bunny: Stories
Fans of unsettling short stories should give Chung’s twisted modern folk tales a listen. These visceral, smart tales, teaching their lessons through suffering, make an impact.
PREMIUM
The Woman Beyond the Sea
Yishai-Levi’s sensitive story of mother-daughter relationships and lives overturned by devastating circumstances makes an impact. Share with fans of Kelly Rimmer’s The Things We Cannot Say or Lena Manta’s The Gold Letter.
LaValle’s gorgeous prose and dynamic characters, combined with the horrific supernatural, make for a compelling listen. Share with fans of Alma Katsu, Erin E. Adams, and Isabel Cañas.
Listeners will love Damani’s attitude and resourcefulness as she confronts her daily struggles in this scathing and funny debut, flawlessly narrated by the author.
PREMIUM
Western Lane
Maroo’s brief but moving debut is in good hands with Soroya as a narrator. Recommend to readers of Alice McDermott and Lydia Millet and those who enjoy reflective coming-of-age stories. It should also have tremendous YA crossover appeal.
PREMIUM
House of Cotton
Fans of lushly described surroundings and winding plots will enjoy. An atmospheric, engrossing story for readers of Octavia E. Butler and Tananarive Due.
PREMIUM
Big Swiss
A unique story, blending grim humor with intimate, multilayered romance. Share with fans of Ottessa Moshfegh.
While scenes from the past and present are rough to hear, both narrators skillfully keep pace without losing sight of the characters. Listeners will pity young Gretel but want to invite the elder Gretel over for tea.
PREMIUM
This Other Eden
This quick listen packs a punch. An affecting novel that should appeal to fans of Jamila Minnicks’s Moonrise over New Jessup.
These stories will resonate with listeners and are excellent for book clubs. Pair with Omolola Ogunyemi’s Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a small-town coming-of-age story about sorrow, shame, and survival. Recommended for fans of Delia Owens, Kristin Hannah, and Lisa Wingate.
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