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Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz leads holds this week. Also in demand are titles by Danielle L. Jensen, Ocean Vuong, Carl Hiaasen, and Ron Chernow. Seven LibraryReads and six Indie Next picks publish this week. People’s book of the week is The Red House by Mary Morris. Plus, June’s Indie Next preview is out, featuring #1 pick Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab.
Trump has fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Winners of the Vermont Book Awards, winners of the Sarton and Gilda Women’s Book Awards, and shortlists for the UK Booksellers Association’s Indie Book Awards are announced. They Came for the Schools by Mike Hixenbaugh wins the NYPL’s Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism. Frank Herbert posthumously wins the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association’s Infinity Award. Plus, Page to Screen and interviews with Jennifer Hope Choi, Rachel Cockerell, Hamilton Nolan, and Jean Grae.
Finalists are announced for the Amazon Canada First Novel Award and the Trillium Book Awards for writers from Ontario, Canada. Margaret Atwood wins the Griffin Poetry Prize Lifetime Recognition Award. Carley Fortune recommends high-stakes romances. Plus, new title bestsellers and interviews with José Andrés, the hosts of the podcast We Can Do Hard Things, and Brendan Slocumb.
The Tenant by Freida McFadden is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
The Otherwise Award winners are announced. NYT explores the unusual process of awarding this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Fiction to Percival Everett’s James. My Friends by Fredrik Backman is B&N’s May book club pick, while Good Housekeeping selects Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang. Baltimore romantasy festival A Million Lives is dubbed the “Fyre Fest of books.” Dua Lipa’s book club and author interviews earn high praise. LibraryReads and LJ offer read-alikes for top holds title The Tenant by Freida McFadden. Vanity Fair provides a first look at the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk. Andy West’s prison memoir The Life Inside will be adapted at BBC. Plus, Practical Magic 2 gets a release date.
In this important work of early feminism, which shocked its readers but reflected its times, Chopin mirrors the sensibilities of her age while universally underscoring the desire to reject prescribed roles and definitions.
Outstanding reads and great picks across a wide range of fiction genres, audio, and nonfiction. Build TBR lists and find something to savor among this month’s top titles.
The Pulitzer Prizes are announced, with James by Percival Everett winning the top prize in fiction. Combee by Edda L. Fields-Black, Native Nations by Kathleen DuVal, Every Living Thing by Jason Roberts, New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe, Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls, and To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause by Benjamin Nathans also win Pulitzer Prizes. Earlyword’s May GalleyChat spreadsheet is out now. The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei is the May GMA book club pick. Diana Gabaldon’s 10th and final Outlander book will be titled A Blessing for a Warrior Going Out.
Audiobooks are a vital part of any public library’s collections, and streaming audio has become the preferred format among patrons. Yet, librarians often struggle to navigate the various access models available from publishers. Blackstone Audio has a solution to this challenge.
The Tenant by Freida McFadden leads holds this week. Also in demand are titles by Carley Fortune, Fredrik Backman, Florence Knapp, and Nate Bargatze. Ten LibraryReads and nine Indie Next picks publish this week. People’s book of the week is May Read with Jenna pick The Names by Florence Knapp. Audiofile announces the May 2025 Earphones Award winners. Plus, Columbia University will announce the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes today via livestream at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
Canisia Lubrin’s Code Noir: Fictions wins the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. The new Read with Jenna book club pick is The Namesby Florence Knapp. Winners of the Edgar Awards and the UK’s Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards are announced. Writers’ Union of Canada reveals the shortlist for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award for the best first collection of short fiction by a Canadian author. The longlists for the League of Canadian Poets Prizes are announced. Plus, Page to Screen and interviews with Margot Douaihy, Margaret Drabble, and David Grann.
Although this updated edition of a 44-year-old photobook would have been enhanced by the addition of maps and an index, it’s thorough and detailed enough for professional architects and engaging for general readers.
Providing a cozier fantasy experience that’s both familiar and distinct, Hines’s latest is recommended for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.
This well-researched look at athletic performance in the human body deflates many common misperceptions about the role of gender in sports. Highly recommended for teens and adults.
A thorough, easy-to-follow guide to wildlife identification techniques for amateur naturalists seeking to better understand and identify the biodiversity around them.
Book lovers will be charmed by the quirky and entertaining word histories to be discovered in this gem of a book. Recommended for those who enjoyed Claire Cock-Starkey’s Hyphens & Hashtags or Dennis Duncan’s Index, a History of the: A Bookish Adventure from Medieval Manuscripts to the Digital Age.
The latest from Brady (Until Next Summer) features a great cast of characters set in the wonderful world of books and is a perfect read for fans of the classic rom-com You’ve Got Mail.
Harding makes her solo debut (after cowriting the “For the Love of Austen” series with Audrey Bellezza) with this romance that has a fantastic New York City setting. A perfect balm for the love-shy heart.
Told in two timelines that show the evolution of Lauren’s relationships with both Spencer and Ben, Sussman’s signature sharp writing shines in this gripping, emotional read, even if she leans to much on telling readers what’s happening instead of showing them. Longtime fans of Sussman’s work will also appreciate catching up with Gabe and Chani from her 2022 novel Funny You Should Ask.
This engaging, heartwarming, steamy contemporary romance is well-written, with depth, emotion, and absolute sincerity on every page. Fans of Thompson’s With Love, from Cold World will enjoy seeing familiar characters, and readers who love second-chance romance and forced proximity will be in dual-trope heaven.
Carter’s follow-up to The Blonde Identity is a thrilling and amusing romance featuring finely drawn characters and a twisty, page-turning story. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, unable to put this book down until they discover what happens to Alex and Michael, in spydom and in love.
Paige (Weekends with You) has written what feels like an adult coming-of-age story, with a rather reluctant heroine unsure of the consequences of spreading her wings and the double-whammy of a swoony, fairy-tale-telling hero in a lush setting. Perfect for readers looking for a transatlantic romantic escape this summer.
Bradley’s Georgian-era “Cairncross Castle” series will charm readers with a delightful blend of romance, adventure, unexpected twists, and witty humor. This is an engaging page-turner that swiftly draws readers into the world of the Highland sisters, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Readers will love the drama of this emotional New Adult romance, set in the same world as The Sound of Us. Perfect for fans of Ana Huang and Anna Todd.
Everlee handles the complicated characters of Matty and Warren well and creates a believable and compelling historical gay romance, recommended for readers of Cat Sebastian and K.J. Charles.
Dade’s (At First Spite) hilarious, ridiculous, and steamy paranormal romance is full of puns and witty banter. The plot is fantastic, and readers will be turning pages long into the night to find out what happens next.
Poston writes another lyrical and magical tale set in a cozy beach town that will make readers want to savor reading it while sitting on the sand themselves. Hand to those who also enjoy B.K. Borison and Tarah DeWitt.
Wiswell (Someone You Can Build a Nest In) offers a unique and delightful retelling of the mythology of Heracles, balancing both tragedy and emotional character arcs with humorous dialogue and interactions.
The first in the “Dearly Beloathed” duology is a wickedly humorous, slow-burn love story between two protagonists who epitomize the opposites-attract trope. It’s sure to delight readers of debut novelist Knightley’s popular fanfic and garner her a new audience.
Anders’s (The City in the Middle of the Night) latest is a breathtaking work of magic, grief, and love. The vulnerable depiction of relationships and challenges within queer and trans communities is heart-wrenching but still reflects hope and optimism throughout.
An unputdownable novel of family bonds and ordinary people fighting corporate greed, sure to appeal to fans of Carrie Vaughn’s Bannerless and Cory Doctorow’s Walkaway.
Mallory’s third SF mystery outing (after Chaos Terminal) takes on murder and the future of the internet. The fast pace still leaves room for continuing character subplots and snappy dialogue.
Truelove’s (Crying Wolf) wild combination of pulp horror and classic sci-fi takes the best of both and makes something incredible out of “The Captain’s Log” chapter from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Readers who enjoy SF horror, such as Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes and The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown, will find this a delightfully creepy treat.
Filled with all Mandanna does so well, including lushly whimsical descriptions, engaging and charming dialogue, and gentle and sparkling romance, the book also has a melancholy edge.
Miller’s (The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill) atmospheric writing creates a richly detailed historical fantasy that lets readers see The Nutcracker in a unique way.
McEwan’s follow-up to the “Glacian” trilogy is another unique romantasy that seamlessly blends genres while weaving interesting political and emotional elements, like class warfare and betrayal, into the story. It will resonate with readers who have enjoyed McEwan’s previous series and books such as Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games and Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals.
Highly recommended for readers searching for new myths and difficult truths and anyone who loves the combination of legend and fantasy similarly embodied in the works of Nnedi Okorafor and Tobi Ogundiran.
The novel’s intriguing plot twists will appeal to fans of Game of Thrones who crave that same epic, sprawling sense of story, betrayal, sex, and politics, but Gratton more closely examines the effects of imperialism. It’s a smart idea that could use a more refined execution.
In Haddon’s (Reclaimed) latest, Murderbot meets Firefly in a Thelma & Louise–style, high-tech, thrill-a-minute hunt for freedom, justice, and revenge. In the novel’s world run by corporate hegemonies, the only way to freedom is to be the efficient worker-drone the companies require.
Jeffers has formed her garden, with the fertile roots laid down in her homage to Alice Walker’s In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens, and planted seeds that will inspire readers to seek out old stories with an understanding of feminism and intersectionality. These concepts are, in Jeffers’s hands, so beautifully rendered that her audience will be willing to accept the difficulty of the work she asks of them.
By giving voices and representation to 31 extinct species, Allen shows how these creatures lived and how to listen wholeheartedly to them and the other species (estimates range from 20,000 to two million) that went extinct during the last century.
An entertaining and heartfelt romp through some of the odder fields of scientific inquiry, and a counter to the sciences’ sometimes stodgy reputation. Ideal for high school and college students curious about pursuing scientific study and for general audiences.
An affecting portrait of urban life. While the audio requires close listening, it will resonate with those seeking literary fiction about community, purpose, and meaning.
Kirkpatrick (Beneath the Bending Skies) writes of Western expansion with an eye for people whom history books often forget. There are no 21st-century anachronisms in this tale based on a real-life couple. Readers who like to see the day-to-day unfolding slowly in unexpected ways, as in the work of Sandra Dallas and Tracie Peterson, will enjoy.
Brunsvold writes utterly realistic modern characters searching for connection and meaning. Literary fans will enjoy the plethora of references to authors with Midwest connections, from Langston Hughes to Laura Ingalls Wilder to Flannery O’Connor.
Multigenerational characters are well-represented with humor and zest, giving this novel broad appeal. Readers will be eager to travel vicariously in the next installment of Fisher’s new series, but Karen Barnett’s “Vintage National Parks” novels will satisfy until then.
Readers who enjoy nuanced French Resistance stories such as Sarah Sundin’s Until Leaves Fall in Paris and Pam Jenoff’s The Lost Girls of Paris will appreciate this novel and root for victory for its motley crew of ordinary people who become heroes during a terrible time in history.
Green (The Foxhole Victory Tour) expertly captures the complicated bonds between mother and daughter while writing a cracking spy adventure. Those who enjoyed Katherine Reay’s The Berlin Letters will be thrilled.
This work is a tremendous achievement: more literary and ambitious than Walter’s previous popular books, with an urgency that may make it one of the strongest realist but dystopian novels of the present era.
This is the book Trigiani’s fans have been waiting for. Her hallmark charm and love of family, along with a touch of romance, make for a captivating and memorable read. Recommend to those who enjoy the work of Dorothea Benton Frank, Lisa Scottoline, or Kristy Woodson Harvey.
From Reid’s tender introductory letter to readers, all the way through the final chapter, this gritty and glorious book challenges what it means to look at the universe from different vantage points, but it never loses sight of the plot’s urgency or authenticity of the characters.
This is McCall Smith, so expect a beautifully written and moving take on humanity, warts and all. The idyllic setting on a Scottish island and the romantic elements are reminiscent of Jenny Colgan’s cozy novels and should appeal to her fans. An excellent entry point for any McCall Smith newcomer.
Using diary entries to explore the power and danger of sharing one’s story, this epistolary, dual-timeline debut will appeal to readers interested in historical fiction, particularly about China during World War II and Chinese American experiences.
Fay’s enjoyable yet convoluted tale of friendship, love, and tribulations, set mostly in the breathtaking Grand Canyon area, is an intriguing look into the world of the Harvey Girls, with a well-developed plot and characters that bring the era to life.
The first work in Liveright’s Well-Read Black Girl Books line (a collaboration with the book club founded by Glory Edim) is recommended for readers who appreciate finely wrought descriptions of people, places, and moments in time and are open to redefining what constitutes a happy ending.
This powerful and unforgettable novel is a poignant and enlightening look into a sad chapter of recent history. Read-alikes include Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys and William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land.
Equal parts madcap caper, contemporary allegory, and wartime reckoning, Reva’s debut offers a fresh take on the current Russia-Ukraine war from a diasporan point of view.
A perfect cozy mystery, from the setting and characters to the pacing and plot development. Readers may prefer to start with book one, but this installment has enough background that it could be read independently; of course, readers might then want to go back to find the earlier entries.
Chibnall’s spectacular novel offers intriguing suspense and drama, plus an outstanding cast of characters and a mystery that will keep readers riveted until the fulfilling climax. Fans of Knives Out and Murder on the Orient Express should thoroughly enjoy.
Lapena has written another solid domestic thriller with all the twists and red herrings that her readers have come to expect. The author’s fans and those who enjoy twisty domestic thrillers will flock to this one.
Goodman’s latest (after Return to Wyldcliffe Heights) delivers a mash-up of Greek mythology and Agatha Christie’s classic mysteries, to delightful effect. Readers who enjoy Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series, where a journey into history and culture weaves through a twisty mystery, will find lots to appreciate here.
This is another standout thriller from Robotham. Fans of Peter Swanson and Liz Moore will delight in the complex characters and layered plotlines that he delivers.
Hart (The Paradox Hotel) launches a fun and clever thriller series. It’s rare for a novel to be so engaging and intense while also leaving a smile on readers’ faces. Hart knows how to tell original stories with strong characters, and his latest should be on every thriller fan’s to-be-read list.
Flawed protagonist Jake, driven to do the right thing, centers this complex, gripping thriller. Fans of Michael Connelly’s “Lincoln Lawyer” novels should jump on this one.
Preston and Child were brilliant to team up Kelly and Swanson in their own series, bringing the legends and geography of the New Mexico badlands to life. This installment would be a great launching point for readers who haven’t read one of their books.
The time-travel element adds something fresh for the author and the readers. Fans of Griffiths, police procedurals, and/or historical mysteries will find a lot to enjoy.
Infused with humor and heartbreak, playwright and screenwriter Pennant’s delightful first novel is for readers who enjoy community-based mysteries led by amateur detectives of an older generation, like Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers or Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club.
This new entry in Hart’s solid series is just as good as the first, with thrills, humor, and an ingenious plot. The cast of characters continues to grow, and each is fleshed out enough to lead their own book. Readers should get on the Assassins Anonymous wagon.
Not since Michael Crichton entertained and thrilled readers with science-driven novels like Sphere and Jurassic Park has there been anything this frightfully fun.
Readers will be drawn into the story by what feels like a backstage peek into the world of influencers and kept there by the fast pace and twisty plot.
Anyone familiar with the reputation of Billingham’s outstanding police procedural series won’t be surprised at the novel’s ending. Readers who’ve quaffed a pint in a pub with Ian Rankin’s John Rebus or Colin Dexter’s Endeavour Morse will welcome this generous ploughman’s lunch with Tom Thorne.
Winners of the Christian Book Awards and nominees for the Splatterpunk Awards are announced. For the first time, S. & S. will distribute books into the Spanish-speaking market in the U.S. and around the world through a partnership with Urano World Publishing Group. Authors Equity has partnered with German new adult romance imprint LYX Books to bring bestselling LYX titles to readers in North America. Plus, new title bestsellers and interviews with Lili Taylor, Geena Davis, and Ana Huang.
Full of hands-on activities and diagrams, this exploration of open-ended play makes creating fun spaces doable for those with small homes and limited incomes.
