LibraryReads August 2018: top ten books librarians love!

August 2018 LibraryReads List

Vox

by Christina Dalcher

Published: 8/21/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780440000785

“In the future world depicted in Vox, women are limited to speaking 100 words per day. Readers will want to shout every word in their heads, hoard every book in their libraries, and second guess the words of every person in their lives. A captivating, timely book that explores women’s rights in a fast-paced, compelling story.”

 Jennifer Gaenzle, Fort Fairfield Public Library, Fort Fairfield, ME

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Our House

by Louise Candlish

Published: 8/7/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451489111

“Full of secrets and surprises, Our House poses the question, “How well do you know the person you live with?” An attempt to co-habitate for the sake of the children leaves divorced mom Fiona alone and out in the cold. Readers will have a hard time putting down this twisty domestic suspense novel. Even after the last page is turned, the characters will linger.”

Annette Herbst, Columbia County Rural Library, Dayton, WA

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Bellewether

by Susanna Kearsley

Published: 8/7/2018 by Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781492665274

“A character-driven story with a nice surprise twist, this gothic-style fiction, set in 1759 Long Island, will not disappoint Kearsley’s many fans. Readers who enjoy good doses of romance, history, and magic will be pleased.”

Julie Raynor, High Point Public Library, High Point, NC

 

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Good Luck with That

by Kristan Higgins

Published: 8/7/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451489395

“Emerson, Georgia, and Marley met as teens at a “fat camp.” When one of them dies young, the others are forced to confront their own struggles with self-esteem and acceptance. With equal measures of humor and heartbreak, this book sparks questions about society’s idea of the perfect size and explores how body image can have far-reaching effects.”

Claudia Silk, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

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The Masterpiece: A Novel

by Fiona Davis

Published: 8/7/2018 by Dutton
ISBN: 9781524742959

“Disparate decades of New York City are capably brought to life through two strong and resourceful female characters in Davis’s latest work. At the center is the Grand Central Terminal, which served as an art school in the 1920s, is threatened with demolition in the 1970s, and connects the threads of Clara Darden’s and Virginia Clay’s lives. Well researched and captivating.”

Kelly Baroletti, Wantagh Public Library, Wantagh, NY

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The Other Woman: A Novel

by Sandie Jones

Published: 8/21/2018 by Minotaur Books
ISBN: 9781250191984

“Emily thinks she’s found the man of her dreams in Adam. But when she meets Pammie, the woman she hopes will be her future mother-in-law, things take a sinister turn. Fast-paced, gripping, and ultimately satisfying.”

Jenny Moore, Hillsboro Public Library, Hillsboro, OR

 

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Rust & Stardust: A Novel

by T. Greenwood

Published: 8/7/2018 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250164193

“Disturbing crime fiction based on real events that inspired Nabokov’s Lolita. In 1948, fifth grade Sally Horner is kidnapped by a man pretending to be a police officer.”

Ninoshka Aviles, Osceola Library, Osceola, FL

 

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Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding

by Rhys Bowen

Published: 8/7/2018 by Berkley Prime Crime
ISBN: 9780425283523

“The 12th book in the Royal Spyness mystery series finds our heroine, Georgie, juggling all manner of details as she prepares for her upcoming marriage to Darcy. A fun, breezy mystery.”

Cori Dodds, Derby Public Library, Derby, KS

 

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Meet Me at the Museum: A Novel

by Ann Youngson

Published: 8/7/2018 by Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250295163

“A touching epistolary novel about an English farmer’s wife and a museum curator who may be in for an unexpected second act.”

Marilyn Sieb, L.D. Fargo Public Library, Lake Mills, WI

 

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A River of Stars: A Novel

by Vanessa Hua

Published: 8/14/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780399178788

“A Chinese woman makes her way to America with her unborn daughter determined to make a life for them both. For readers who enjoy modern immigration stories like Behold the Dreamers and Little Fires Everywhere.”

Abby Johnson, New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, New Albany, IN

 

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

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LibraryReads July 2018: top ten books librarians love!

July 2018 LibraryReads List

Spinning Silver

by Naomi Novik

Published: 7/10/2018 by Del Rey
ISBN: 9780399180989

“A wonderful reimagining of the Rumpelstiltskin story. A tale of love, family, magic, and destiny, told from the perspective of three strong female characters.”

Melanie Liechty, Logan Library, Logan, UT

 

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Clock Dance: A Novel

by Anne Tyler

Published: 7/10/2018 by Knopf
ISBN: 9780525521228

“Willa Drake gets a second act when she steps in to care for a nine-year-old in a complicated situation. Character driven fiction and a sweeping storyline.”

Mary Anne Quinn, Warwick Public Library, Warwick, RI

 

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Dear Mrs. Bird: A Novel

by AJ Pearce

Published: 7/3/2018 by Scribner
ISBN: 9781501170065

“In 1940s London, Emmy takes a job as a typist that evolves into answering rejected letters sent to an advice columnist.”

Judy Hartman, Mechanicsville Public Library, Mechanicsville, IA

 

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Baby Teeth: A Novel

by Zoje Stage

Published: 7/17/2018 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250170750

“A fragile woman struggles against her mute daughter’s schemes for her father’s undivided attention. Dark, creepy, and downright scary.”

Kathryn Neal, Skiatook Library, Skiatook, OK

 

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Give Me Your Hand

by Megan Abbott

Published: 7/17/2018 by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316547185

“Kit competes for her dream job with a rival who was once her closest friend. Gripping psychological suspense.”

Kristy Gates, Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, Jonesboro, AR

 

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Believe Me: A Novel

by JP Delaney

Published: 7/24/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9781101966310

“An unemployed actress works for a divorce lawyer entrapping unsuspecting husbands until she finds herself ensnared in a murder investigation. This roller-coaster ride of a book will keep you guessing with an unreliable narrator and and a twisty plot.”

Linda Quinn, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

 

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Caught In Time: A Novel

by Julie McElwain

Published: 7/3/2018 by Pegasus Books
ISBN: 9781681777665

“The third book in the Kendra Donovan series finds our protagonist investigating the murder of a mill owner against the the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution.”

Melissa Barber, Lubbock Public Library, Lubbock, TX

 

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Somebody’s Daughter

by David Bell

Published: 7/10/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780399584466

“Michael Frazier is searching for the missing daughter he never knew he had. A multi-layered plot with so many compelling, complex characters, this book grabbed me from the first sentences.”

Evelyn Cunningham, Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk, CT

 

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The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna

by C. W. Gortner

Published: 7/10/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780425286166

“A look at Maria, Empress of Russia, and her trials before and after becoming the Russian Empress. Well written historical fiction.”

Janette McMahon, Fremont County Library System, WY

 

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Fruit of the Drunken Tree: A Novel

by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Published: 7/31/2018 by Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385542722

“Set against the violence of 1990s Columbia, a young girl and a maid form an unlikely and dangerous relationship. Equal parts heartwrenching and beautiful.”

Alejandra Rodriguez, Osceola County Library, FL

 

 

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

LibraryReads June 2018: top ten books librarians love!

June 2018 LibraryReads List

Bring Me Back: A Novel

by B.A. Paris

Published: 6/19/2018
by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250151339

“Intensifying psychological suspense. Twelve years after Finn’s girlfriend Layla disappeared, a discovery raises new questions.”

Catherine Coyne, Mansfield Public Library, Mansfield, MA

 

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There There

by Tommy Orange

Published: 6/5/2018 by Knopf
ISBN: 9780525520375

“A large cast of interwoven characters depicts the experience of Native Americans living in urban settings. Perfect for readers of character-driven fiction with a strong sense of place.”

Abby Johnson, New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, New Albany, IN

 

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Us Against You: A Novel

by Fredrik Backman

Published: 6/5/2018 by Atria Books
ISBN: 9781501160790

“The citizens of Beartown are about to lose their beloved hockey team and their rivals could not be happier. The narrator has you wondering who is going to die and why events occur as they do.”

Gail Christensen, Kitsap Regional Library, Bremerton, WA

 

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The Word is Murder: A Novel

by Anthony Horowitz

Published: 6/5/2018 by Harper
ISBN: 9780062676788

“A playful commentary on the mystery genre itself and the first in a promising new series. The author, Horowitz, plays the part of the narrator, and gets caught up in solving a murder with Daniel Hawthorne, an out-of-work detective.”

Amy Whitfield, Wake County Public Libraries, Cary, NC

 

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Jar of Hearts

by Jennifer Hillier

Published: 6/12/2018 by Minotaur Books
ISBN: 9781250154194

“A suspenseful thriller told from multiple perspectives. A Seattle detective must unravel a web of secrets dating back to his high school days.”

Gail Roberts, Fairfax County Public Library, Fairfax, VA

 

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Dreams of Falling

by Karen White

Published: 6/5/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451488411

“Set in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, this story does what Southern fiction does best: family, lies, and secrets. For fans of Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe.”

Leanne Milliman, Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix, MI

 

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The Kiss Quotient

by Helen Hoang

Published: 6/5/2018 by Berkley/Jove
ISBN: 9780451490803

“A wonderfully sweet and erotic romance featuring an autistic heroine who hires a hot male escort to teach her how to enjoy sex, but learns so much more.”

Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI

 

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All We Ever Wanted: A Novel

by Emily Giffin
Published: 6/26/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780399178924

“Great storyline that is relevant to issues both facing young people today and the people raising them. The story keeps you guessing.”

Sarah Trohoske, Erie County Public Library, Erie, PA

 

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Little Big Love

by Katy Regan

Published: 6/12/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451490346

“A portrait of a family and a boy’s search for the father who left them, told from multiple perspectives with authentic, likeable characters.”

Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis County Library, Austin, TX

 

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How Hard Can It Be?: A Novel

by Allison Pearson

Published: 6/5/2018 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 9781250086082

“Kate is holding it all together, unemployed husband, kids, and parents. So, she reinvents herself as someone younger to secure a job with the hedge fund.”

Toni Nako, The Public Library of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

 

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

LibraryReads May 2018: top ten books librarians love!

May 2018 LibraryReads List

Furyborn

by Claire Legrand

Published: 5/22/2018
by Sourcebooks Fire
ISBN: 9781492656623

“Fierce, independent women full of rage, determination, and fire. The first novel in the Empirium trilogy holds appeal for both young adult and adult readers. For fans of Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time, and The Hunger Games.”

Kristin Friberg, Princeton Library, Princeton, NJ

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The Other Lady Vanishes

by Amanda Quick

Published: 5/8/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780399585326

“Historical romantic suspense. Who would suspect that the quiet California seaside tea shop waitress is actually an escaped mental patient? The second book in Quick’s Burning Cove series has the same 1930s vibe and glamorous, gossipy Hollywood ambiance as The Girl Who Knew Too Much.”

Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, New Rochelle, NY

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The Death of Mrs. Westaway

by Ruth Ware

Published: 5/29/2018 by Gallery/Scout Press
ISBN: 9781501156212

“Ware’s best book by far. I finally stopped trying to puzzle it out and just sat back to enjoy the ride.”

Susanne Guide, Union County Public Library, Liberty, IN

 

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 The Perfect Mother: A Novel

by Aimee Molloy

Published: 5/1/2018 by Harper
ISBN: 9780062696793

“A frank look at mommy culture wrapped in an original twist on the suburban, psychological thriller.”

Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ

 

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Love and Ruin: A Novel

by Paula McLain

Published: 5/1/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9781101967386

“Biographical and historical fiction. Another fascinating Hemingway wife from McLain who always writes interesting women and great period detail.”

Elizabeth Angelastro, Manilus Library, Manilus, NY

 

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Tin Man: A Novel

by Sarah Winman

Published: 5/15/2018 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 9780735218727

“A beautifully written story of love, loss, grief, friendship, and acceptance. The story winds in and out of time in a figure eight like waves reaching shore and receding again.”

Donna Burger, Bryant Library, Roslyn, NY

 

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Our Kind of Cruelty: A Novel

by Araminta Hall

Published: 5/1/2018 by MCD
ISBN: 9780374228194

“Disturbing psychological suspense with an unreliable narrator. This is a love story. Or is it? It’s more a story of obsession.”

Jennifer Ohzourk, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO

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Paper Ghosts: A Novel of Suspense

by Julia Heaberlin
Published: 5/15/2018 by Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780804178020

“Grace has spent years secretly investigating the disappearance of her older sister. Grace’s prime suspect is Carl Feldman, a photographer, who has been acquitted of the crime and now suffers from dementia. Grace decides that a road trip may jog Carl’s memory.”

Galen Cunniff, Scituate Town Library, Scituate, MA

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The Favorite Sister

by Jessica Knoll

Published: 5/15/2018 by Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781501153198

“Perfect for the reality TV addicted, this book is gossip laden, full of edge, and contains plenty of surprises.”

Sharon Layburn, Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY

 

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The Ensemble: A Novel

by Aja Gabel

Published: 5/15/2018 by Riverhead
ISBN: 9780735214767

“Set against the backdrop of the highly-competitive and merciless world of classical music, this brilliantly written debut is an exquisite portrait of a group friendship spanning decades. Gabel weaves a lyrical tale of four young musician’s journeys and their complex, yet resilient, relationships with each other. For fans of The Interestings, A Little Life, and A Secret History.”

Mayleen Kelley, JV Fletcher Library, Westford MA

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

LibraryReads April 2018: top ten books librarians love!

April 2018 LibraryReads List

Circe

by Madeline Miller

Published: 4/10/2018
by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316556347

“Circe follows the banished witch daughter of the Titans as she practices her powers for an inevitable conflict with one of Olympus’s most vindictive gods. I found myself pondering motherhood, mortality, and feminism. For readers of historical and mythological drama or anyone who loves a strong female lead.

McKelle George, Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake, UT

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Other People’s Houses

by Abbi Waxman

Published: 4/3/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780399587924

“The story follows a stay-at-home mom. There is a satisfying rhythm to the book. Crazy things happen, and the next day the kids have to get to school and soccer practice. The shifting point of view, from the mother to various people living in the town is successful in imparting a snarky tone, bringing to life the gossipy small town setting.”

Claire Sherman, Clearwater Countryside Library, Clearwater, FL

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All the Beautiful Lies: A Novel

by Peter Swanson

Published: 4/3/2018 by William Morrow
ISBN: 9780062427052

“The latest from psychological thriller master Swanson is a whirlpool of darkness, taboos, and secrets. When his father commits suicide, Harry Ackerson returns home to Maine. Harry finds more questions than answers as he faces his attractive young stepmother, the attentions of a seductive stranger, and the many questions posed by the local investigators.”

Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY

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How to Be Safe: A Novel

by Tom McAllister

Published: 4/3/2018 by Liveright
ISBN: 9781631494130

“This novel uses fiction as a tool to show how guns and violence are affecting contemporary society. Anna’s fictional experiences illustrate the real-life hypocrisy, lack of leadership, and fear of expressing controversial opinions. Great fiction for readers who tend to stay in the nonfiction lane.”

Marilyn Sieb, L.D. Fargo Library, Lake Mills, WI

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Then She Was Gone: A Novel

by Lisa Jewell

Published: 4/17/2018 by Atria Books
ISBN: 9781501154645

“Part psychological fiction, part ghost story, both tragic and uplifting. A decade after the disappearance of her teenage daughter, Laurel Mack meets a charming single father with two daughters, the youngest of whom reminds Laurel deeply of her lost daughter Elle, and she becomes obsessed with her unanswered questions.”

Linda Quinn, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

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Unbury Carol: A Novel

by Josh Malerman

Published: 4/10/2018 by Del Rey
ISBN: 9780399180163

“This horror novel, set in the Old West, is creepy, atmospheric, and suspenseful. A husband has nefarious plans for his comatose wife Carol. James Moxie, a legendary outlaw, sets off on The Trail to save her. Hot on James’ tail is a sinister hit man with a thirst for murder-by-fire and a supernatural entity, Rot, who wants to collect Carol.”

Sonia Reppe, Stickney-Forest View Public Library, Stickney, IL

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The Female Persuasion: A Novel

by Meg Wolitzer

Published: 4/3/2018 by Riverhead Books
ISBN: 9781594488405

“A complex coming of age story. A college student finds herself transformed by her experience with a renowned feminist and activist in the center of the women’s movement. This is a story of women finding their way and making mistakes in the world of men. This is a novel that makes you feel and think in equal measures.”

Chris Markley, Hawkins County Libraries, Rogersville, TN

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You Think It, I’ll Say It: Stories

by Curtis Sittenfeld
Published: 4/24/2018 by Random House
ISBN: 9780399592867

“A collection of ten short stories from the author of Eligible. Literary fiction with young adult appeal. Well-developed characters in fascinating circumstances. Poignant, timely, sad, funny, and cohesive. Sittenfeld shows her craft in a new form.”

Leanne Milliman, Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix, MI

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My Lady’s Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel

by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris

Published: 4/3/2018 by Quirk Books
ISBN: 9781683690139

“A choose-your-own-adventure romance with Jane Austen flair. You are a spirited but penniless heroine in eighteenth-century society and courtship season has begun. Go!”

Victoria Catron, Neva Lomason Memorial Library,
Carrollton, GA

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The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After

by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil

Published: 4/24/2018 by Crown
ISBN: 9780451495327

“Wamariya has written a heartbreaking account of her survival of the Rwandan genocide. In 1994, she and her sister fled Rwanda and spent the next six years migrating through Africa, looking for a safe haven. Told in alternating chapters, between her harrowing escape and her arrival in the US as a refugee.”

Janet Kowal, Connetquot Public Library, Bohemia, NY

 

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

LibraryReads March 2018: top ten books librarians love!

March 2018 LibraryReads List

Let Me Lie

by Clare Mackintosh

Published: 3/13/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451490537

“For readers who enjoyed Mackintosh’s I Let You Go and I See You, you most certainly will enjoy her latest suspenseful thrill ride. Anna has been struggling to get on with her life after her parents’ suicides when she starts to receive clues that maybe her parents did not carry out the heinous act that everyone believed they committed.”

KC Davis, Fairfield Woods Library, Fairfield, CT

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The Broken Girls

by Simone St. James

Published: 3/20/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780451476203

“Parallel narratives, one set in Vermont 1950 and the other in Vermont 2014, are woven together in this intricate mystery. Timely themes of violence toward women and abuses of power resonate throughout. A well-crafted and unsettling tale for fans of Gothic horror and female centered thrillers.”

Kate Currie, Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, MN

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The Flight Attendant: A Novel

by Chris Bohjalian

Published: 3/13/2018 by Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385542418

“Cassie Bowden is a flight attendant with a drinking problem. Rock bottom comes when she wakes up in a hotel room in Dubai with a dead man next to her. Warning: do not read this on a plane!”

Marika Zemke, Commerce Township Public Library,
Commerce Township, MI

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 Sometimes I Lie: A Novel

by Alice Feeney

Published: 3/13/2018 by Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250144843

“For fans of the recent psychological thrillers, The Woman In the Window and The Wife Between Us, comes another one that will keep you on your toes. I felt like I needed a whiteboard to keep track of the twists and turns.”

Robin Beerbower, Salem Public Library, Salem, OR

 

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Burn Bright

by Patricia Briggs

Published: 3/6/2018 by Ace
ISBN: 9780425281314

“The latest installment in the Alpha and Omega series. The tension between humans and werewolves is ramping up and Charles and Anna are becoming more deeply involved in Pack business. For readers who enjoy Ilona Andrews and Kelly Armstrong.”

Shana Harrington, Las Vegas Clark County Library District, Las Vegas, NV

 

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Sunburn: A Novel

by Laura Lippman

Published: 2/20/2018 by William Morrow
ISBN: 9780062389923

“Polly leaves her husband and child while on a beach vacation and winds up in a small town in Delaware with almost nothing. She gets a job at the local bar and starts a relationship with Adam, someone who seems to have landed in the town by accident as well. As the novel progresses, we learn of Polly’s past and soon you won’t know what to believe. Sunburn is a twisted novel that will suck you in.”

Annice Sevett, New Hanover County Public Library, Wilmington, NC

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Every Note Played

by Lisa Genova

Published: 3/20/2018 by Gallery/Scout Press
ISBN: 9781476717807

“Richard is a successful concert pianist who has contracted ALS and now his right arm is paralyzed. His wife Katrina takes on the role of reluctant caretaker. Theirs is a marriage filled with secrets, blame, loneliness and disappointment. The book is beautifully written and visceral in its description of the progression of ALS. Most moving to this reader was both characters’ impassioned relationship to music.”

Maggie Holmes, Richards Memorial Library, North Attleborough, MA

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Girls Burn Brighter: A Novel

by Shobha Rao
Published: 3/6/2018 by Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250074256

“A beautiful tale of survival despite overwhelming destructive forces all around. After her mother’s death, Poornima is left to care for her siblings and father until her arranged marriage. When a free spirited Savitha enters, Poornima begins to imagine a different life. Told in alternating perspectives, the girls’ ambition keeps them going through unimaginable trials.”

Darla Dykstra, Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, MO

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Alternate Side: A Novel

by Anna Quindlen

Published: 3/20/2018 by Random House
ISBN: 9780812996067

“This book really captures contemporary New York, the increasing disparity between the wealthy Manhattanites and those who work for them and live in the outer boroughs, and the obsessive search for parking. The title hits exactly the right tone as “alternate side” has several meanings in this novel.”

Rosemarie Borsody, Lee Library Association, Lee, MA

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Tangerine

by Christine Mangan

Published: 3/27/2018 by Ecco
ISBN: 9780062686664

“This novel brings to mind Hitchcock. This is the story of two women, friends in college, until an accident drives a wedge between them. Years later, Alice is living in Tangier with her husband when Lucy shows up. A twisted tale told in alternating points of view.”

Terri Smith, Cornelia Habersham County Library, Cornelia, GA

 

 

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org

LibraryReads February 2018: top ten books librarians love!

February 2018 LibraryReads List

The Great Alone: A Novel

by Kristin Hannah

Published:2/6/2018 by St. Martin’s Press

ISBN: 9780312577230

“Leni and her troubled family embark on a new way of life in Alaska’s wilderness in 1974 – hoping this is finally the solution for her troubled, POW father. In Alaska, Leni and her family are tested and when change comes to their small community her father’s anger threatens to explode and divide the town. This is a beautifully written novel, descriptive and engaging with well-developed characters and a strong sense of place.”

Alissa Williams, Morton Public Library, Morton, IL

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An American Marriage

by Tayari Jones

Published: 2/6/2018 by Algonquin Books
ISBN: 9781616201340

“Celestial and Roy are newly married professionals leaning in to a bright future when Roy is convicted of a crime he did not commit. This is not a heroes vs. villains tale with a tidy resolution. It is a complicated, messy, moving, and thought-provoking story about love, family, and the wide-reaching effects of incarceration. Book clubs get ready!”

Jennifer Alexander, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis, MO

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The French Girl

by Lexie Elliott

Published: 2/20/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780399586934

“Six friends from Oxford University spend an idyllic week in the French countryside that ends with a missing neighbor, the enigmatic Severine. Fast forward ten years and Severine turns up. Or rather her skeleton does in a well on the property. All six friends are suspects. Will the loyalties hold and who put Severine in the well? This is a fun, taut thriller.”

Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT

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Force of Nature: A Novel

by Jane Harper

Published: 2/6/2018 by Flatiron Books
ISBN: 9781250105639

“When Detective Falk learns that an informant went missing during a corporate team building exercise in the bush, he realizes that she tried to call him in the middle of the night. Harper once again creates a compelling, fast-paced, and atmospheric mystery set in a remote wilderness area of Australia. Perfect for fans of Nevada Barr and Paul Doiron. Highly recommended.”

Vicki Nesting, St.Charles Parish Library, Destrehan, LA

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Surprise Me: A Novel

by Sophie Kinsella

Published: 2/13/2018 by The Dial Press
ISBN: 9780399592881

“Kinsella’s newest heroine has met and married Mr. Right – now how to spend the next 68 years? When Sylvie launches Project Surprise Me, she just might find that there’s always more to learn about the ones you love. Told in Kinsella’s trademark charming, relatable style.”

Ariel Kurst, Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud, MN

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Tarnished City

by Vic James

Published: 2/6/2018 by Del Rey
ISBN: 9780425284124

“Tarnished City, a contemporary fantasy with a healthy dose of world-building, is just as disturbing as its predecessor, Gilded Cage. I couldn’t resist diving deeper into the dark world of Equals and Slaves. James has pushed the characters in new ways, which makes the story riveting, intense, dark, and completely entrancing.”

Monicah Fraterna, La Porte Public Library, La Porte, IN

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As Bright As Heaven

by Susan Meissner

Published: 2/6/2018 by Berkley
ISBN: 9780399585968

“Beautifully written, heartbreaking story of four women in Philadelphia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. I loved this book, as I have other books by Meissner and would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.”

Cathy Branciforte, Ramsey Free Public Library, Ramsey, NJ

 

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How to Stop Time

by Matt Haig
Published: 2/6/2018 by Viking
ISBN: 9780525522874

“Even though there is something extraordinary about Tom Hazard and his aging process the problems and insights he experiences as he goes through life, are universal. Love, memory, and time play tricks on us all as this novel illustrates so exquisitely. This is an engaging,sweeping love story with all the elements of a great historical/time travel novel. For fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Life After Life.”

Mary Coe, Fairfield Woods Branch Library, Fairfield, CT

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Summer Hours at the Robbers Library: A Novel

by Sue Halpern

Published: 2/27/2018 by Harper Perennial
ISBN: 9780062678966

“Kit is a librarian who closes herself off from emotions and people until she meets Sunny, assigned to the library for community service. Add in a group of regulars in the library and the result is an absorbing story of developing friendships and the unveiling of secrets. Kit’s story unfolds as we meet many quirky characters in this story of love, loss, and hope.”

Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY

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Educated: A Memoir

by Tara Westover

Published: 2/20/2018 by Random House
ISBN: 9780399590504

“In her memoir, Westover recounts her childhood growing up in a strict Mormon family, ruled by an erratic father, and living off the grid in Idaho. Westover compellingly sketches her years growing up, her relationships with siblings, encounters in the town nearby, and the events that eventually drove her to leave and pursue formal education. For fans of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle.”

Andrea Gough, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA

 Courtesy of LibraryReads.org