Library Journal

Brynne Weaver’s BUTCHER & BLACKBIRD leads holds. People’s book of the week is Kate Christensen’s WELCOME HOME, STRANGER. Plus, the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards are announced!

‘Butcher & Blackbird’ by Brynne Weaver Tops Holds Lists | Book Pulse Butcher & Blackbird, Brynne Weaver’s first book in “The Ruinous Love Trilogy,” leads holds this week. People’s book of the week is Welcome Home, Stranger by Kate Christensen. Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting wins the An Post Irish Book of the Year. The 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards are announced...

Nethercott plays with language and structure in this collection of whimsical yet unsettling tales full of lush prose.

‘Fifty Beasts To Break Your Heart’ by GennaRose Nethercott | SFF Pick of the Month

Romance coming your way! Best-selling Ali Hazelwood and several LJ best-booked authors, including TJ Alexander, Liana De la Rosa, and Farrah Rochon, offer new books to enjoy this summer.

Romance | Prepub Alert, June 2024 Titles Best-selling Ali Hazelwood and several LJ best-booked authors, including TJ Alexander, Liana De la Rosa, and Farrah Rochon, offer new books to enjoy this summer.

December’s Romance Pick of the Month! A swoony contemporary romance that shines with the intricate characters that Dade has brought to life. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/At-First-Spite-by-Olivia-Dade-Romance-Pick-of-the-Month

‘At First Spite’ by Olivia Dade | Romance Pick of the Month This swoony contemporary romance is well-written and paced, but what really makes it shine are the intricate characters that Dade (Ship Wrecked) has brought to life.

Historical fiction for your list! Franco Bernini, Christina Dodd, and Tracy Chevalier transport readers to historic Italy; plus a fictional take on Jackie O's life, along with the story of a woman pirate who sails the Caribbean seas.

Historical Fiction | Prepub Alert, June 2024 Titles Franco Bernini, Christina Dodd, and Tracy Chevalier transport readers to historic Italy; plus a fictional take on Jackie O's life, along with the story of a woman pirate who sails the Caribbean seas.

This year’s best crime fiction novels contain simmering secrets, rage and revenge, dogged detectives, and plenty of murder and mayhem. Dig in! https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Best-Crime-Fiction-2023

Time lists the 10 best nonfiction books of the year. Vulture highlights the best comedy books of 2023. NYT profiles Nobel Prize-winning author Jon Fosse. Plus, page to screen.

More Best Books and Page to Screen | Book Pulse Time lists the 10 best nonfiction books of the year. Vulture highlights the best comedy books of 2023. ​​​​​​​NYT profiles Nobel Prize-winning author Jon Fosse. Andy Cohen relaunches a new book imprint with Crown. Poet Benjamin Zephaniah has died at the age of 65. Plus, page to screen.

From intensely unsettling to heartbreakingly beautiful moments, the best horror novels of 2023 offer fresh spins on terrifying tropes. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/best-horror-2023

Laura Lippman fans, take note! LJ asked Lippman for her favorite book of the year, and this is what she suggests. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Laura-Lippman-Pick-for-Best-Book-of-2023

Simon & Schuster announces a new board of directors. More Best of the Year lists arrive, including crime novels and memoirs. Plus, a California book club finishes Finnegans Wake 28 years after it starts.

Simon & Schuster Announces New Board of Directors | Book Pulse Simon & Schuster announces a new board of directors. More Best of the Year lists arrive, including crime novels and memoirs. The Penguin Random House Winter Book & Author Festival 2023 is today. A California book club finishes Finnigan's Wake 28 years after it starts. Megan Follows directs an all-st...

The top reads from our December issue, ranging across mystery, romance, fiction, science fiction, horror, arts, science, and social science.

Top Reads | December Starred Reviews

Check out these read-alikes for Liz Cheney’s holds-topping OATH AND HONOR!

Read-Alikes for ‘Oath and Honor’ by Liz Cheney | LibraryReads Oath and Honor by Liz Cheney is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Tyriek White wins the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize for WE ARE A HAUNTING. Patricia Engel wins the Dos Passos Prize. Plus, Reese Witherspoon selects Ella Berman’s BEFORE WE WERE INNOCENT for her December book club.

Tyriek White Wins Center for Fiction First Novel Prize for ‘We Are a Haunting’ | Book Pulse Tyriek White wins the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize for We Are a Haunting. Patricia Engel wins the Dos Passos Prize. Ten writers receive Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grants. Christianity Today announces its 2024 Book Awards. Reese Witherspoon selects Ella Berman’s Before We Were Innocent for...

The best pop fiction novels of 2023 journey to self-realization and survival, untangle family ties, slay social shibboleths, and uncover hidden histories. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Best-Pop-Fiction-2023

As the information landscape continues to evolve, and people access knowledge and entertainment in very different ways than just a generation ago, the role of libraries in their communities is shifting. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/sponsored/using-data-is-essential-to-library-operations.-heres-why-lj231204

Using Data Is Essential to Library Operations. Here’s Why. As the information landscape continues to evolve, and people access knowledge and entertainment in very different ways than just a generation ago, the role of libraries in their communities is shifting. Using data can help librarians ensure the resources they provide are relevant to the needs of the...

Flying pirate ships, a family finding its way, and a delightful rendition of the fake-marriage trope are just a few highlights of the best romance books of 2023. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Best-Romance-2023

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Best of the Year booklists and recommendations arrive from The Atlantic, Slate, The Millions, Vogue, LA Times, The New Yorker, and more. THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon is December’s GMA Book Club pick. Plus, Liz Cheney's OATH AND HONOR publishes today.

More Best of the Year Lists | Book Pulse Best of the Year booklists and recommendations arrive from The Atlantic, Slate, The Millions, Vogue, LA Times, The New Yorker, and more. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is December’s GMA Book Club pick. January's Indie Next Preview features #1 pick The Fury by Alex Michaelides. Plus, Liz Cheney's...

Cue the confetti! We are delighted to announce LJ’s choices for Best Books 2023. Throughout the month, we’ll share our 149 picks across 15 categories—we hope you’ll love these as much as we do. Image credit: Jim Tsinganos. https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/reviews

Today's the day! Discover Library Journal's Best Books of 2023. Image credit: Jim Tsinganos. https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/reviews

Liz Cheney’s OATH AND HONOR leads holds this week. Thirteen LibraryReads and 12 Indie Next picks publish this week, including Hall of Fame pick and People book of the week THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon. Plus, more best of the year lists, including LJ’s Best Books of 2023.

Liz Cheney’s ‘Oath and Honor’ Tops Holds Lists | Book Pulse Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney leads holds this week. Thirteen LibraryReads and 12 Indie Next picks publish this week, including Hall of Fame pick and People book of the week The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. December’s Costco Connection features a new paperback edition of Ne...

If you're seeing this, chances are you’re someone who identifies as a reader. And, as a reader, you may be shocked to discover that there are many American adults who just aren’t.

Re-ignite Reading If you're seeing this, chances are you’re someone who identifies as a reader. And, as a reader, you may be shocked to discover that there are many American adults who just aren’t.

May 2024 romances for your list! Christina Lauren and Vanessa Riley have new offerings, while Jayne Anne Krentz has a new series title, writing as Jayne Castle.

Romance | Prepub Alert, May 2024 Titles Christina Lauren and Vanessa Riley have new offerings, while Jayne Anne Krentz has a new series title, writing as Jayne Castle.

June 2024 mysteries to watch for! Sequels from Kat Ailes and Janet Evanovich, two big debuts, plus a list of forthcoming series titles.

Mystery | Prepub Alert, June 2024 Titles Sequels from Kat Ailes and Janet Evanovich, two big debuts, plus a list of forthcoming series titles.

Forthcoming titles for history readers! A discography of hip-hop, two considerations of WWII, from sea and air, WWI’s Eastern Front, and a new consideration of U.S. exploration.

History | Prepub Alert, June 2024 Titles A discography of hip-hop, two considerations of WWII, from sea and air, WWI’s Eastern Front, and a new consideration of U.S. exploration.

LJ caught up with Leslie Burger, the American Library Association's interim executive director, as she began settling into her new role to talk about the experience she brings and her plans going forward.

LJ Talks to ALA Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger On November 15, the American Library Association (ALA) announced that it had selected Leslie Burger as interim executive director, effective immediately. She succeeds Tracie D. Hall, who resigned on October 6. LJ caught up with Burger as she began settling into her new role to talk about the experie...

Sandra Day O’Connor, author and the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, has died. Penguin Random House sues Iowa over book banning. Plus, Page to Screen.

Sandra Day O’Connor Has Died | Book Pulse Sandra Day O’Connor, author and the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, has died. Penguin Random House sues Iowa over book banning. David R. Samson wins the $60K Balsillie Prize for Our Tribal Future: How to Channel Our Foundational Human Instincts into a Force for Good. Amazon's editors re...

Katherine Rundell wins Waterstones Book of the Year 2023 for her “instant classic” IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES. AudioFile showcases the Best Audiobooks of 2023. Plus, Best Books of the Year lists arrive from Publishers Lunch, The New Yorker, and WSJ.

Katherine Rundell Wins Waterstones Book of the Year 2023 | Book Pulse Katherine Rundell wins Waterstones Book of the Year 2023 for her “instant classic” Impossible Creatures. AudioFile showcases the Best Audiobooks of 2023. Best Books of the Year lists also arrive from Publishers Lunch, The New Yorker, and WSJ. New title best sellers include Nora Roberts, James Pa...

Two titles examine the United States' fresh-water crisis.

Not a Drop To Drink

Two how-to guides for readers interested in alleviating physical or mental stress via a yoga or mindfulness practice.

Flow into Reading | Yoga Books

This month's must-see documentaries feature eccentric art thieves, trailblazing women musicians, and submarine volcanoes.

Atomic Testing and Adventurous Music | Real Reels

THE MYSTERY GUEST by Nita Prose is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Read-Alikes for ‘The Mystery Guest’ by Nita Prose | LibraryReads The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom win Polari Prizes. Ransom’s book THE WHALE TATTOO will also be adapted for film. Apple reveals its top books of 2023. And Paul Greengrass is set to direct a film adaptation of T.J. Newman's novel DROWNING: THE RESCUE OF FLIGHT 1421.

Julia Armfield & Jon Ransom Win Polari Prizes | Book Pulse Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom win Polari Prizes. Ransom’s book The Whale Tattoo will also be adapted for film. Apple reveals its top books of 2023. Omid Scobie's Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival courts reviews and controversy. Two pop culture books arrive wi...

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Patty Hector, former director of the Saline County Library in Benton, AR, was fired on October 9, for refusing to move books about racism, LGBTQIA+ subjects, and sexual activity from areas where anyone under the age of 18 could access them. Now she’s running for office.

Fired Director in Saline County, AR, to Run for Local Legislative Seat When Patty Hector, former director of the Saline County Library in Benton, AR, was fired on October 9, it didn’t come as a surprise. A decision to shift control of the library from its board to county officials, driven primarily by Hector’s refusal to comply with a resolution to move certain boo...

NYT selects the 10 Best Books of 2023. Ed Yong wins the Royal Society Science Book Prize for An Immense World. Robbie Arnott wins the Voss Literary Prize for his novel Limberlost. Plus, Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.”

NYT Selects 10 Best Books of 2023 | Book Pulse NYT selects the 10 Best Books of 2023. Ed Yong wins the Royal Society Science Book Prize for An Immense World. Robbie Arnott wins the Voss Literary Prize for his novel Limberlost. NPR’s Morning Edition reports on how some groups are hoping to change how selection is handled in public libraries. In...

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Paul Lynch wins the Booker Prize for PROPHET SONG. THE MYSTERY GUEST by Nita Prose leads holds this week. Plus, NPR releases Books We Love, NYPL publishes its Best Books of 2023, and NYT announces its 100 notable books of 2023.

Paul Lynch Wins Booker Prize for ‘Prophet Song’ | Book Pulse Paul Lynch wins the Booker Prize for Prophet Song. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose leads holds this week. Jenna Bush Hager picks We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein (also People’s book of the week) for her book club. Two LibraryReads and five Indie Next picks publish this week. NPR ...