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With the release of its 10th-anniversary edition, Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale leads holds this week. People’s book of the week is Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma. The March LibraryReads features top pick Saltwater by Katy Hays. The Southern Book Prize winners and Walter Scott Prize longlist are announced. PEN America will honor Sarah Jessica Parker and Macmillan CEO Jon Yaged at its gala in May. Actress Julianne Moore responds to her children’s book being removed from schools run by the U.S. Department of Defense. An Iowa House bill proposes to remove obscenity-law exemption for libraries and schools. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s memoir will be adapted for film. Plus, Hulu cancels its adaptation of Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses.”
Longlists are selected for the Reading the West Awards. Finalists are revealed for the Compton Crook Award, for best debut sci-fi, fantasy, or horror novel. Isabel Allende receives the Bodley Medal for her contributions to literature. Giada Scodellaro’s Ruins, Child wins the Novel Prize. Publishing Perspectives analyzes the longlists for the UK Carnegie Medals for children’s books and finds a trend of books about masculinity. Plus, Page to Screen and interviews with Helen Fielding, Charlamagne Tha God, and Charlotte Wood.
The novel’s action moves back and forth between the obliteration of the town in 2001 and a final confrontation with Nabler 20 years later. It’s all very Stephen King–ish but somehow too much; the bouncing back and forth between past and present doesn’t help. Not one of Barclay’s best.
As enchanting as Barnard’s debut, this retelling of Irish mythology is a compelling exploration of transformation, mortality, and the delicate balance between humankind and the divine.
This tale of romance, selfhood, aging, and the transient nature of desire would make a compelling addition to any contemporary fiction audio collection. An appealing selection for book clubs and also recommended for fans of Miranda July and Jana Casale.
A must-read for boxing purists and aficionados and sure to be an entertaining, tell-all look at the sport that has captured the attentions and imaginations of millions of fans from around the world.
A carefully plotted thriller, sure to please listeners seeking a complex, Sherlock Holmes style–mystery with a Swedish twist. Recommended for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction in the vein of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s The Keeper of Lost Causes.
Heady and intellectual yet sexy and deeply felt in its explorations of loss, identity, and relationships, this is fiction that brings theory into practice in a romantic comedy of sorts that will leave readers thinking about much more than Jane Austen’s truth universal.
This work is a useful resource for general readers and for middle and high school students, especially those doing reports on this much-debated subject.
While Wheeler’s technical skill and inventiveness, particularly her ability to write what seem like two poems at once, are salient, they never upstage the urgency inherent in her subject matter: the complex interplay between the raw, lived experiences of ordinary life and the uncertain, unknowable forces--he mycelium--that generate those experiences.
For fans of traditional private-eye mysteries, this story blends the harsh reality of addiction with dysfunctional family dynamics. Wetsel’s twisty plot and well-drawn characters will have listeners hoping for a sequel.
Rich in historical examples and scientific research, this groundbreaking book highlights insidious sociopolitical factors that have impacted the ways women and girls have been excluded from or minimized by sport, as well as the legal, institutional, and social pressures that have hindered women from finishing strong in the race toward equity.
Steck (author of the Matthew Redd thrillers) continues the swashbuckling style of Bell, successfully juggles several plotlines, and lovingly details weapons and cars in what he aptly terms Hawke’s “globe-trotting, England-saving escapades.” Hints of James Bond, Indiana Jones, and even Tom Swift will help blur readers’ disbelief, as the action never stops. Fans of the series will approve.
Mellors crafts a poignant narrative that explores what it means to move on after loss. Considering the weight of grief, sisterhood, and addiction, this powerful listen is recommended for those who enjoyed Claire Lombardo’s The Most Fun We Ever Had.
Recommended for readers who have a firm understanding of early 20th-century modernist art and can absorb the complex concepts surrounding the abstract art of this period.
A quick pace, witty characters, and conspiracy twists will bring readers along for this fast ride of a fantasy that concludes the appealing “Warden” series (following Necrobane).
Brilliantly performed and thoroughly entertaining, this exploration of identity and relationships in the internet age is a must-listen for those who enjoy laugh-out-loud storytelling.
Those who prefer a slow-burn story with an increasing sense of unease will enjoy this book, and fans of suspense novels with a small-town setting could find this a perfect way to try some gothic horror. Read-alikes include The Invited by Jennifer McMahon and The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons.
Winners of the Society of Authors Translation Prize, the Albertine Translation Prize, and the Westminster Book Awards are revealed. A shortlist is announced for the Athenaeum Literary Award for books from and about Philadelphia. Authors Against Book Bans successfully prevents a book ban in a Florida school district. Plus, a reexamination of the work of Janet Malcolm, interviews with Joe Piscopo and Brigitte Giraud, and new title bestsellers.
Zooming in on titles publishing in the next several months, LJ’s Reviews editors explore the many appeals of genre fiction, especially focused on series titles (likely because they multiply the delights of character and setting). Also on our reading lists is a swath of issue-focused and expansive nonfiction, with books that draw attention to contemporary needs and offer historical context.
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
Margaret Atwood announces she will publish a memoir, The Book of Lives, in November. The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction longlist and the Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize shortlist are announced. LibraryReads and LJ offer read-alikes for top holds title We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes. Barbara Hoffert previews a year of titles to watch for LJ. Plus, Amy Adams will star in and produce the Apple TV+ series Cape Fear, based on John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners.
As the new year steams into action, the book season gets in full gear as well, greeting spring, summer, and fall with a long list of titles worth noting. From fiction that focuses on a range of contemporary concerns, to nonfiction reminding us that the past is always prologue, to poetry that summons attention, these are works to know, share, and read.
The 10th-anniversary edition of The Nightingale by patron favorite Kristin Hannah releases next week. The attempted-murder trial of the man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie onstage in 2022 begins. AAP, IPA, and other groups release a joint statement on AI and copyright. Macmillan CEO Jon Yaged warns about the dangers of banning books. Plus, Thomas Ray’s novella Silencer will be adapted for the big screen.
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes leads holds this week. Also getting buzz are titles by Anne Tyler, Brynne Weaver, B.K. Borison, James Patterson and James O. Born, and Heather Fawcett. People’s book of the week is Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks. The March Indie Next preview is out, featuring #1 pick Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. Grove Atlantic will launch the new Atlantic Crime imprint this fall. Novelist Tom Robbins has died at the age of 92.
Vanessa Miller is a bestselling, award-winning author and playwright. Her writing has been centered on themes of redemption and books about strong Black women in pivotal moments of history. Her latest novel, The Filling Station, tells the story of the horrific 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre from the perspective of two young sisters.
Penguin issues new “First Impressions” editions of Jane Austen with refreshed covers, meant to appeal to young readers, romance fans, and “the BookTok demographic.” The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlist is revealed. Poets & Writers reflects on 20 years of its annual celebration of debut poets. Spotify adds audiobooks from Crooked Lane and Podium. Plus, Page to Screen and new novels from Ian McEwan and John Irving.
The second entry in Pettrey’s suspense/Christian fiction “Jeopardy Falls” series, after One Wrong Move, does not disappoint. The action keeps readers on their toes, while the characters’ deep soul searching makes for a compelling read. Fans of Patricia Bradley and Lynette Eason will enjoy.
A key addition to collections, this is more than just another tech book: it’s a guide to navigating the era of AI with awareness, and the writing encourages readers to think critically about how humans interact with the technology.
Sceptics, stargazers, and scientists will discover new ways of looking at (and toward) old stars as they venture with Regis almost to the outer edges of the galaxy.
Tidwell connects his very local story to the global consequences of climate change and covers potential technologies, such as geoengineering and tree burials, that might become part of a solution.
While some readers may find there’s too much emphasis here on conspiracy theory, Carpenter successfully offers food (or drink) for thought on how big businesses spread disinformation.
Whether they’re artists, designers, filmmakers, or musicians, readers of this book will find practical takeaways that resonate with the challenges and aspirations of the creative path. For anyone who has ever dreamed of building an innovative business or taking their existing one to new heights, this is a timeless resource.
A valuable addition to collections focused on education, sociology, and U.S. cultural studies. It is both an academic resource and a great read for general audiences interested in understanding the complexities of the private education system. Libraries aiming to provide well-rounded perspectives on education in the United States will find this title a worthy addition.
Gies has written a standout, poignant, and much-needed look into what many disabled children are forced to deal with (often against their will or consent) and the ways it affects their mental health and wellbeing for their entire lives. It’s sure to appeal to readers of the work of Alice Wong and other disability rights’ activists.
This first volume in a print edition of a popular, long-running webcomic will become a favorite for fans of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper and Jasmine Walls’s Brooms.
While Yarros’s legion of fans will still thrill over each new development for Violet and Xaden, this entry is not as swoony as the first two books in the “Empyrean” series, and the precipitous cliffhanger ending wears thin.
What sets this book apart is Sielski’s ability to weave sports storytelling with thoughtful historical and cultural analysis. Readers are treated to iconic moments and behind-the-scenes accounts of players who revolutionized the game, and basketball enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed recounting of legendary players and plays. Those interested in U.S. history and cultural studies will find valuable insights into the expression of sport through race and culture.
YA author Baker (The Blood Orchid) writes an adult debut that frightens to the bone, deftly illustrating trauma and paranoia in aching prose and with perfectly timed grim humor. Those who enjoyed Monika Kim’s The Eyes Are the Best Part and fans of Erika T. Wurth, Gretchen Felker-Martin, and Stephen Graham Jones won’t want to miss it.
While promoted as dark humor, Younis’s debut sometimes falls short in this regard, relying instead on juvenile jokes that can undermine the seriousness of Nadia’s mission and the trauma that the ISIS brides experience.
The winners of the UK PEN Translates Awards are announced. Notes to John, Joan Didion’s diary from 1999, will be published by Knopf. Literary organizations release a joint statement decrying the Trump administration’s anti-trans executive order. Plus, a new horror novel from Nick Medina, interviews with Sarah Chihaya, Elinor Lipman, and Alton Brown, and new title bestsellers.
Mary’s story is a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head as she takes charge of her own life and rescues everyone with the help of her friends. Highly recommended for readers caught up in the recent trend of feminist retellings of well-known tales.
Another winner from Jimenez. Readers won’t be able to put down this laugh-out-loud funny romance and will be cheering for Samantha and Xavier even when the chips are stacked against them.
One needn’t have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this installment, but don’t be surprised if readers want to go back and see what they missed. Come for the historical Parisian setting and mystery, stay for the food and wine.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson envisioned a weeklong commemoration to increase awareness of Black history and culture. In the 1960s, protests against racial injustice helped make it into a monthlong celebration, but the U.S. didn’t formally recognize Black History Month until 1976. This list spotlights collective and individual aspects of Black history and experience.
The year in audio celebrates stories that prove as timeless as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and as modern as Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr!, each a testament to the pure joy of being read a story.
The best videos released on DVD/Blu-ray in 2024 offer a wide sweep of feature films and documentaries, including one originally made in 1941 and many more just recently created. From an upbeat look at the future to a dramatic consideration of Vatican politics, these films highlight just how illuminating on-screen stories can be.
The best videos released on DVD/Blu-ray in 2024 offer a wide sweep of feature films and documentaries, including one originally made in 1941 and many more just recently created. From an upbeat look at the future to a dramatic consideration of Vatican politics, these films highlight just how illuminating on-screen stories can be.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction longlist is announced. LJ reveals the Best Media of 2024. Reese Witherspoon selects Isola by Allegra Goodman for her February book club. Jessica Soffer’s This Is a Love Story gets a four-star review from USA Today. LibraryReads and LJ offer read-alikes for top holds title Deep End by Ali Hazelwood. Forthcoming memoirs from Christie Brinkley, Debbie Gibson, and Christine Brown Woolley gather buzz. PEN America releases the Banned Books List 2025, while the Big Five U.S. publishers sue Idaho over book-removal language in House Bill (HB) 710.
The Libby Book Awards finalists are announced. Mac Barnett is named U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, ed. by Ada Limón, is the 2025 Seattle Reads pick. February book club picks include This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer (Read with Jenna and B&N), Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine (GMA), and Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su (Amazon’s Sarah Selects). Clarkson Potter plans to reissue Martha Stewart’s 1982 book Entertaining, after it finds appeal with a new audience. Mat Youkee’s forthcoming Forty Days in the Jungle will be adapted for the big screen. Plus, authors weigh in on the pros and cons of blurbing.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood leads holds this week. Also getting buzz are titles by J.D. Robb, Tessa Bailey, Jonathan Kellerman, Pam Jenoff, and Bill Gates. Jimmy Carter wins a posthumous Grammy for the audiobook Last Sundays in Plains. Finalists for the Gotham Book Prize are announced. Audiofile announces the February 2025 Earphones Award winners.This month’s Read with Jenna pick is Jessica Soffer’s This Is a Love Story. People’s book of the week is Too Soon by Betty Shamieh. Plus, February booklists arrive.
The clever, witty, and powerful women at the heart of this story make for a promising start to an adventurous new series from Matthews (“Belles of London” novels). The next book can’t come soon enough.
Readers will relish the rewarding culmination of all the interconnected “Primas of Power” storylines in this sensational final installment (after A Lot Like Adiós).
Gagnon’s (Love You, Mean It) smart, fast-paced romance successfully blends elements of science fiction and relationship fiction to create a unique and thoughtful love story.
A relentless and beautifully balanced romantasy/legal thriller, offering blood and hope in equal measures. Recommended for fans of any of the genres it borrows from.
Fans will be clamoring for the series’ next book. A grimmer tone and lots of heat will appeal to fans of the morally gray protagonists of Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas.
While the novel’s premise and many beloved tropes will draw romantasy readers in and keep them till the end, the worldbuilding and character development are lacking.
YA author Griffin (Other Words for Smoke) makes her adult debut with a queer take on Little Shop of Horrors that offers a unique narrator, a celebration of dying malls, and all the facets of love and desire. Fans of John Wiswell’s Someone You Can Build a Nest In should pick this up.
The first in Martineau’s (Shadows of the Lost) gothic fantasy duology is filled with unique magic, romance, and intrigue. Strong characters, rich worldbuilding, and mounting tension make this a delightful read.
Originally self-published by Thorne (The Water Witch) and now picked up by a Big Five publisher, this steamy romantasy series starter is perfect for fans of slow-building and mysterious magic and will leave readers hungry for the next installment.
Full of flirty dialogue, strong conflict, and a heartwarming love story, this book feels like drinking a warm cup of tea and is perfect for fans of cozy queer romantasy.
The slow burn of the sapphic romance and the inch-by-inch growth of a relationship from contempt to reliance to love make this a story to savor, while the epic walking tour of the dead empire blends ancient history with fantasy in ways that will remind readers of Guy Gavriel Kay’s epic historical fantasy. Highly recommended for epic romantasy and historical fantasy fans who love a slow burn and the bitterest of bittersweet endings.
Lawrence offers the final gut-wrenching book in his “Library Trilogy” (after The Book That Broke the World) with a storyline about the beginning of the Holocaust driving home the power of books to hold the past, present, and future.
Mary’s story is a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head as she takes charge of her own life and rescues everyone with the help of her friends. Murphy’s (Women Up to No Good) latest is highly recommended for readers caught up in the recent trend of feminist retellings of well-known tales.
This Holmes and Watson–like investigative duo are compelling to follow, and the truly epic fantasy world where the series is set, with its falling empire, corrupt politics, and magic pharmacopeia engineered from monster blood, takes the familiarity of mystery and creates a truly fantastic fever-dream of a world and a story.
This engaging high fantasy from Knighton (The Executioner’s Blade) offers an inventive take on the classic chosen-one trope while weaving in themes of loyalty, loss, and the rebellious power of books and knowledge. Perfect for fans of Raymond E. Feist.
Fellman (The Two Doctors Górski) writes a literary sci-fi novel about trans identity that will appeal to fans of Charlie Jane Anders or Izzy Wasserstein’s These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart and those who were fascinated with the play on histories and identities in T. Kingfisher’s “Sworn Soldier” series.
Peacock’s lyrical writing will draw readers in and keep them interested. This memoir will appeal to those interested in one man’s experiences in several contemporary music spaces.