Spare by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex (Random House), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book. 

In his highly anticipated memoir, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, details his life so far from his childhood to his current rift with the royal family. Full of insights and revelations big and small, including the grief over his mother’s death, his therapeutic drug use, the contentious relationship with his brother, his marriage, and the toll of being constantly scrutinized by the media, Prince Harry’s story will captivate.—LJ Reviews

Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand (Dey Street)

Royal reporters Scobie and Durand go beyond the headlines to reveal the true story of Harry and Meghan’s relationship and their lives together, offering an up-close look at the famous couple that dispels rumors and misconceptions and delves into their choices to break with tradition and forge a new path.—LJ Reviews

Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan by Christopher Andersen (Gallery)

An intimate and riveting look into the private lives of Princes William and Harry, featuring unreported details and stunning revelations. Andersen’s biography covers the last twenty years of the princes’ lives and explores their growth into adults, including the impact of marriage and parenthood on their lives along with continual controversy.—LJ Reviews

The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor—the Truth and the Turmoil by Tina Brown (Crown)

Brown (the former Tatler and Vanity Fair editor in chief, and author of The Diana Chronicles and The Vanity Fair Diaries) uses research and interviews to chronicle the events of the British monarchy since Princess Diana’s 1997 death. The book backtracks somewhat to discuss Queen Elizabeth’s courtship and marriage to Prince Philip and the rocky marriages of their children, but Brown focuses more on contemporary events like the weddings of Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan. Brown investigates the scandals of Sarah, Duchess of York; the deaths of the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and Prince Philip; and Harry and Meghan’s move to the United States. She also looks into accusations against the disgraced Prince Andrew and his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Brown vividly describes the events and the personalities of the royal family, captures the essence of royal life, and shares numerous amusing anecdotes, but is also somewhat bristly and reveals her biases. For instance, she blames the Spencer family (not infidelity) for the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage. It’s also clear that Brown is not a fan of Harry or Meghan: her book often refers to Harry as “emotionally fragile” and uses Meghan’s estranged father as a primary (and negative) source. VERDICT An intriguing account of the royals that should provoke much discussion (and many arguments). Fans of the British royals and royal history will be seeking out Brown’s book, particularly as 2022 is Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee year.—Lucy Heckman