Did you ever wonder which new and upcoming book releases and authors librarians get excited about? Below, I listed the top 10 adult fiction and nonfiction books hand picked by librarians across the country, and roundly agreed upon to be worthy of our time and attention.
Book descriptions are contributed to Library Reads by working librarians around the country. Scroll all the way to the bottom to reveal this month’s top pick.
Out of the Woods: A Novel by Hannah Bonam-Young (Dell)
In this follow-up to Out on a Limb, high school sweethearts Sarah and Caleb find that over a decade into marriage, their relationship has changed. They resolve to rekindle things through a weeklong couples retreat, camping in the wilderness. This second-chance romance features flashbacks and great character backstories that elevate it from the typical trope.
—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
The Note: A Novel by Alafair Burke (Knopf)
Three friends reunite in the Hamptons only to have chaos ensue after a night spent out drinking. The fast moving narrative features multiple narrators and lots of unexpected twists. Burke has delivered another excellent psychological thriller.
—Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, CT
NoveList read-alike: We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
Babylonia by Costanza Casati (Sourcebooks Landmark)
Semiramis was abandoned by a fragile mother and raised by a cruel stepfather. She grows up learning that to belong in a male dominated society, she has to think and fight like a man. The author’s research, vivid descriptions, and memorable characters make for a great read.
—Linda Sullivan, Mission Viejo Library, CA
NoveList read-alike: Wings of Fury by Emily R. King
The Favorites: A Novel by Layne Fargo (Random House)
This novel looks at ambition and the elite figure skating world with a sharp eye and a fierce writing style. It’s a dishy story of an Olympic ice dancing couple with some truly romantic moments, the pacing of a thriller, and a documentary interview style that effectively propels the story along.
—Jodi Prather, Bartholomew County Public Library, IN
NoveList read-alike: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia (St. Martin’s Press)
Stephanie, heading to a work conference, meets Jasmine, who is running from an abusive relationship. They find themselves connected to Trent, a raging narcissist. When both women turn up missing, evidence is found at Trent’s house. This fast-paced plot will keep readers guessing until the very last page of the book.
—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ
NoveList read-alike: Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz
Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura (Berkley)
This delightfully madcap adventure through dangerous jungles and beautifully realized relationships will appeal to fans of Segura’s first romance, but can be read on its own. Perfect for patrons who are looking for the quirky banter of India Holton or the academic wit of Ali Hazelwood.
—Clay Chiment, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea
Water Moon: A Novel by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Del Rey)
At Hana’s pawnshop in Tokyo, people can sell their regrets. While Hana provides relief for them, she desperately seeks answers for her father’s disappearance. Enter Key and his scientific mind. A fascinating blend of magical realism, mystery, romance, and hope.
—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO
NoveList read-alike: Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill (Avon)
In this aching “what if?” story, Darby goes back to his Midwest hometown and finds everything has changed but the In Between Bookstore—in fact, when he walks in, the person behind the counter is the sixteen-year-old version of himself. A tender look at how events change and create us— and how not even the closest people to us can know what’s going on in our heads.
—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI
NoveList read-alike: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson (Poisoned Pen Press)
Poe, a popular true-crime podcaster, has the tables turned on her when a caller claims to know her past. Poe took out her mother’s killer years ago, but the caller says she got the wrong person. This tightly wound cat-and-mouse game asks all kinds of moral questions, and readers will enjoy the many twists and turns.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Bonus Pick:
Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman (Quirk Books)
Notable Non-Fiction:
Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything (Essays on the Future That Never Was) by Collette Shade (Dey Street Books)
Top Pick of the Month:
Good Dirt: A Novel by Charmaine Wilkerson (Ballantine Books)
When Ebby was a child, she witnessed her older brother’s murder. After being ditched at the altar years later, she escapes to France only to run into her exfiancé, Henry, and his new girlfriend. Ebby is forced to confront Henry and the trauma of her brother’s death. Through a treasured heirloom pottery jar, the novel chronicles the history of Ebby’s family and its resilience.
—Alison Zaya, Pollard Memorial Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks
The books listed above can be found in the Monarch catalog, often in a variety of formats. What to do if none of the library picks appeal? Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service. Learn more by clicking HERE. Library staff are more than happy to connect our community with great books for any occasion, ritual, emergency, and ordeal.
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