When I am in a reading slump I often shake myself out of it by learning what other people are excited about. Below, the top ten adult fiction and nonfiction books chosen monthly by America’s library staff have been listed. Most are currently available in the Monarch catalog in a variety of formats.
Crafting for Sinners: A Novel by Jenny Kiefer (Quirk Books)
Ruth makes a big mistake by shoplifting from the religious craft store in her small town. Things get messy, and she’s trapped and fighting for her life. The rest is a scary bloodbath with clever uses for craft supplies. The zealots are after Ruth and others they deem sinners (gays, atheists, or just non-conformists). This quick read is very scary and super gory.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin TX
NoveList read-alike: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong (Ace)
When a new depository is needed for minor magical objects, two seemingly very different women are chosen to lead the mission. Sent to a small depressed village, they develop an unexpected relationship, and magic starts to happen. This was an easyread romance that will keep readers captivated.
—Ron Haislip-Hansberry, Springfield City Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Red City by Marie Lu (Tor Books)
Lu’s tale follows two young outsiders with a powerful connection who are brought up to wield both power and magic on opposing sides of a gang war. Both deeply emotional and electrifying, this will remind readers of Fonda Lee and Erin Morgenstern.
—Gregg Winsor, Johnson County Library, MO
NoveList read-alike: Silvercloak by L.K. Steven
The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller (William Morrow)
Generations of women in the Duncan family have an important and magical legacy. Three members of the latest generation are going to turn the tide against patriarchal men, reclaiming the planet for the Old One and restoring Earth’s balance. Readers will find it hard to put down this magical and fascinating story.
—Judy G. Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Strange Folk by Alli Dyer
Wreck by Catherine Newman (Harper)
Rocky is a mom who feels everything to the maximum degree. Her grown children and her dad still occupy most of her waking life. When tragedy strikes, she has to find a balance that will allow her to just breathe and be thankful for the life they have. Written with real emotions and much humor, many moms will relate to this followup to Sandwich.
—Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador, MA
NoveList read-alike: Small World by Laura Zigman
Bog Queen by Anna North (Bloomsbury)
The body of a woman is unearthed in Northern Britain in this intricate and engaging atmospheric thriller. It offers three female perspectives that reveal to readers the inner thoughts of a contemporary newly trained forensic anthropologist, a young druid healer from centuries past, and a voice from the wild peat moss bog.
—Shirley Braunlich, Lawrence Public Library, KS
NoveList read-alike: Daughter of Black Lake by Cathy Marie Buchanan
The Missing Pages by Alyson Richman (Union Square & Co.)
Harry is tragically lost when the Titanic sinks, having gone back to his cabin to retrieve a treasured book. His mother has the Harry Widener Memorial Library built at Harvard to honor his memory and to house his book collection. Years later, a young woman working at the library while dealing with her own devastating loss starts to notice strange ghostly events in and around the library.
—Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick
Remain: A Supernatural Love Story by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan (Random House)
Part romance, part ghost story, part murder mystery, this novel’s chilling yet heartfelt exploration of the bonds of family is written in the emotionally resonant style of Sparks and infused with Shyamalan’s signature suspense. This is a seemingly familiar tale with a haunting twist.
—Cathleen Clifford, Groton Public Library, CT
NoveList read-alike: The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen
Conform: A Novel by Ariel Sullivan (Ballantine Books)
This debut is a fascinating look at a dystopian future based on a strict caste system that relies on fear and heavy indoctrination to maintain peace. Emmaline, a relatable protagonist, is used as a pawn by both sides of a simmering rebellion, but will she settle for this fate? Readers will eagerly await a sequel.
BONUS PICK:
Vampires at Sea by Lindsay Merbaum (Creature Publishing)
NOTABLE NONFICTION
F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings, and Other Timeless Classics by Liz Gotauco (W. W. Norton & Company)
As always, staff at Mead Library are happy to help assist requesting materials or troubleshooting tech stuff. We are also happy to create book suggestion lists catered to individual taste. Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service if it’s reading slump season in your neck of the wood.
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