It has been a few months since we’ve had a blog post that covered the monthly LibraryReads list. Library staff around the country vote on what their favorite new books are. You’ll see this month’s picks below, along with a book similar to its corresponding pick for the month. Remember, Mead’s librarians are always willing to recommend your next read if none of this month’s picks match your tastes.

Top Pick: Land by Maggie O’Farrell

A breathtakingly beautiful story of one Irish family and the fates of its members as they navigate the world in the years just after the Great Famine. O’Farrell’s rich writing vividly captures both the characters and the wild beauty of the Irish landscape, creating an unforgettable and emotionally riveting narrative that will have readers rapt. – Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: Clear by Carys Davies

The Children by Melissa Albert

Childhood in their family’s isolated Vermont farmhouse was magical for siblings Guin and Ellis, until it wasn’t. Years later, facades and a carefully curated life begin to crack, and they must face the truths of what happened two decades ago. This page-turning novel is full of magic and heartbreak. – Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: The Book of Love by Kelly Link

Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

“Our young man” narrates this quirky story of falling in love with Tuscany while doing all manner of work
(except the work he was actually hired for, cataloging her belongings) for the wealthy 92-year-old Baronessa. Odd developments, interesting relationships, and excellent storytelling combine for a winning summer read. – Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO
NoveList read-alike: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

Caroline receives a scholarship and moves into a cottage near the shore of Massachusetts. There, she meets an attractive young man and is drawn into his friend group. Caroline finds it challenging to fit in and discovers there’s a lot of baggage among these friends as well as a few secrets. This novel is a fantastic character-driven read. – Toni Nako, Cincinnati Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder

Tropesick by Lauren Okie

A clever, wink-and-a-nod masterpiece that is as much a puzzle as a romance. Katie and Tyler find that the romantic conventions they are writing for a reclusive author are manifesting in their real lives. The novel playfully deconstructs the mechanics of fate and storytelling. A joyful celebration of the genre that manages to be both self-aware satire and deeply felt love story. – Lee V., New York Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rosen

When Brandon leaves his front desk duty and sleeps with a handsome hotel guest who then disappears, his campy group of friends gets pulled into a murder mystery they might just regret. This is a light hearted wild goose chase with spying dog walkers, tattooed assassins, and a lovelorn desk clerk certain that his one night stand was anything but. – Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas Didomizio

Marion by Leah Rowan

This gripping and darkly entertaining reimagining of Psycho will keep readers hooked from start to finish. The story is fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of twists, with a protagonist who is messy, morally complex, and impossible not to follow. Rowan balances suspense, dark humor, and chaos in a way that makes the book both thrilling and oddly fun. – Amanda Ladd, DeRuyter Free Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: Molka by Monika Kim

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

Three ladies masquerading as royal staff at a secluded villa clash with a band of smugglers posing as the
actual servants. When Captain Malcolm Archer tries to scare them off, the clever Lady Ruby refuses to budge, sparking a fierce, witty battle of wits in this spicy grumpy/sunshine Regency romance. – Nicole Guerra-Coon, Morrill Memorial Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

Blaming herself for her co-writer’s fatal diving accident, a heartbroken scientist studying jellyfish accepts an invitation to a troubled Maine island. When she discovers an unknown creature that locals want to exterminate, she is plunged into a mystery of loss and connection. A book readers will savor and remember. – Di Herald, Mesa County Libraries, CO
NoveList read-alike: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

See the full list here: LibraryReads June 2026