Off the Shelf: Curious about Library Staff Members' Choices for Books? LibraryReads has the Answers
By Sharon Saye on January 15, 2020 from Off the Shelf
LibraryReads is a monthly nationwide list of library staff picks for recommended adult fiction and nonfiction books published that month. The goal is to “help connect librarians’ favorite books to as many readers as possible, while drawing upon the incredible power that public library staff has in helping to build word-of-mouth for new books, and the important role that libraries play in creating audiences for all kinds of authors.”
The goal is not to pick “the best” of anything, but to provide readers with the favorites that library staff members love to read and cannot wait to share. Participation is open to everyone who works in a public library who can then recommend their choices for that month.
The list includes books scheduled for publication that month, so not all the books are available on the 1st of each month.
The top pick for January is “Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano, the story of the sole survivor of a plane crash. Described as “a dear dear wondrous novel,” this January release is one of the most talked about books of the winter months. Another books that is garnering a lot of attention is “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins; this is a thriller about a mother and her young son who flee their home in Acapulco trying to make it to the border.
“Long Bright River” by Liz Moore is a police procedural set in an opioid-wracked neighborhood in Philadelphia. “How Quickly She Disappears” by Raymond Fleischmann looks at a 20-year disappearance and the threatening stranger who claims to know the truth.
“All the Ways We Said Goodbye: by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White about three women connected with the fight against the Nazis in the Ritz Paris. “When We Were Vikings” by Andrew David MacDonald follows a young woman born with fetal alcohol syndrome who is also a fierce Viking enthusiast. It is recommended for anyone who loved “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”
Four other books make up this month’s recommendations including: “Love Her of Lose Her” by Tessa Bailey, “Highfire” by Eoin Colfer, “Followers” by Megan Angelo, and “You Were There Too” by Colleen Oakley.
LiraryReads’ participants also recommended three books by authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly lists. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into the Hall of Fame. This month includes “Big Lies in a Small Town” by Diane Chamberlain, “Lady Clementine” by Marie Benedict and “A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende.
If you are looking for previous recommendations all the monthly lists are available at www.LibraryReads.org.
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