Librarians’ Favorite Reads this February

Among our most popular shares here on Shelf Talk happen each December when we share our Staff Favorites for Ficton and Non-Fiction, as well as books for kids and teens. But did you know that librarians and library workers from all across the country vote on their ten favorite titles each month? It’s called LibraryReads, and 2023 is its tenth year. You can find previous selections in their archive, and here are some of the winning picks for titles coming out in February, together with what librarians had to say about them, and an added suggestion from the fantastic readers advisors at NoveList database – a matchless readers’ resource availble to you with your library card.

I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makkai. “Engaging story of a boarding school murder being solved 20 years later by true-crime podcasts enthusiasts. Or is it a story of memories and how you interact with them, depending on your stage of life and your biases, or one about how as a teen you simultaneously know everything and nothing? Or is it all three? For fans of Jean Hanff-Korelitz.” – Lorri Steinbacher, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, NJ.
NoveList read-alike: The It Girl, by Ruth Ware.

The House of Eve, by Sadeqa Johnson. “Johnson’s latest historical features dialogue that snaps and settings that perfectly evoke 1950’s Philadelphia and Washington DC. Readers will be captivated by this story of two young women who struggle to overcome racism and misogyny to have a family and a meaningful future.” – Jodi Prather, Bartholomew City Public Library, Columbus, IN.
NoveList read-alike: The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett.

The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz. “Alex and her best friend, Wren, along with three other women are picked for a writing retreat with infamous author Roza Vallo. They must finish writing their books in a month’s time, and the best one will be published. Roza is a mercurial taskmaster, becoming stranger while the awe the women have for her turns to fear. This is an unusual horror story with many twists and turns.” – Judy Gaynes Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, Eastham MA.
NoveList read-alike: The Dark Game, by Jonathan Janz.

Find out more about these monthly picks, and sign up for their monthly newsletter, at LibraryReads.org. (If you’re curious what librarians up north are loving, check out Loan Stars, the Canadian version of LibraryReads, at LoanStars.ca.)

     ~ Posted by David W.