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Two new books feature the once married couple Miller and Monroe, including a biography of playwright and actor Arthur Miller and one that considers Marilyn Monroe’s life through the books on her shelves.
Andrew Sean Greer takes readers on a charming Italian sojourn, while June Patrick sends them to beguiling Valencia, Spain, for a journey of self-discovery.
In these two suspenseful stories, fiction turns into reality as an author becomes embroiled in a plot reminiscent of his bestselling novels, while a romance writer meets a man who is the embodiment of the hero of her novel in progress.
These bookish rom-coms bring swoonworthy protagonists to life as a woman lives out a storyline from her favorite author and a romance novelist’s fictional villain appears on her couch.
“Marriages on the rocks” is a bit of an understatement as two novels explore distrust and bad intentions twisted within vows to love and honor.
As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a sure-bet survey last summer in advance of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. This month, we feature graphic novels. This format of storytelling offers readers an alchemy of elements—including text, image, page design, color, and line—to experience as they work together to craft a narrative. From manga to comic strips, from romance to horror, from memoir to history, there is an expansive canon of graphic novels to enjoy.
As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a sure-bet survey last summer in advance of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. This month, we feature poetry. This form of expression provides readers with an experience of language, construction, meaning, and moment, vastly larger than the sum of its parts, which themselves are refined and closely considered. Poetry’s appeal is in the space where line, thought, and word combine into a reading experience that offers a revelation beyond what the text appears to hold.
Looking to celebrate National Poetry Month in April or hoping to update your poetry collection? Take a look at this display shelf.
In recognition of Arab American Heritage Month, formally established by the Biden administration in April 2021, this reading list celebrates the varied cultures, achievements, and contributions of Arab American people. Through historical fiction, literary fiction, memoirs, and more, the following books reveal many facets of Arab American communities, histories, and experiences.
Autism Acceptance Month recognizes the deliberate shift away from the stigmatized term “autism awareness” toward an inclusive attitude of acceptance, respect, listening, parity, and empowerment. With romance, mysteries, memoirs, and more, the following reading list honors the many experiences and voices of people within the autistic community.
As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a sure-bet survey last summer in advance of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. This month, we feature the mystery genre. These beloved books center on a world pushed out of balance by a crime; a world that must be righted. Readers eagerly follow along, trying to solve the crime as they become invested in the characters and the setting of the story.
As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a sure-bet survey last summer in advance of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. This month, we feature suspense and thriller novels, those stories that center the plot around an unfolding threat, offering high stakes and plenty of twists and action while maintaining a gleeful level of escalating tension.
A ragtag smuggler, buried treasure, fake dates, and more feature in these five feel-good, sparkling stories of summertime love.
Authors sometimes make plain the various delivery systems of stories in their works. These appear as letters, excerpts, quotes, footnotes, collections of other tales, and much more. When this happens, a lovely sense of the story-ness of reading occurs. Examples spread across the development of fiction, when frame stories such as One Thousand and One Nights unfurled tale after tale within its own storyline or when Laurence Sterne interrupted his romping plot in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman to actually draw it on the page. Here are five more examples.
Reptile aficionados and shell admirers will find plenty to enjoy in these two "Earth Day" series titles that explore 24 hours of serpentine and molluscan lives.
Judge Stone by James Patterson & Viola Davis is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
In 1987, Women’s History Month was formally recognized in the United States by presidential proclamation, as a month-long celebration of women’s contributions, accomplishments, and voices throughout history. The following books spotlight extraordinary women from the distant and not-so-distant past, from the United States and from around the world—some imagined and some real, some famous and others little-known.
Take a yearlong journey exploring birding as a spiritual practice or experience the rich variety of avian species that visit or live in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Whether motivated by revenge or a paycheck, these women are a threat in two novels that mix humor with murder.
Lindsay Lovise's steamy Victorian spy series sizzles with danger and attraction in these entries that offer well-crafted scenes, smart turns, and a vibrant, emotional, and engaging read.
Two new novels to check out include a poignant story of the power of human connection in The Unforgettable Mailman by April Howells and Westward Women, a unique and riveting novel by Alice Martin.
As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a sure-bet survey last summer in advance of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. This month, we feature the romance genre. These are stories that follow the arc of a relationship as characters fall in love and navigate the various steps—both wonderfully swoony and heartrendingly rocky—along that path.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson envisioned a week-long commemoration to increase awareness of Black history and culture. In the 1960s, protests against racial injustice helped make it into a monthlong celebration, but the United States didn’t formally recognize Black History Month until 1976. This list spotlights collective and individual aspects of Black history and experience.
Sparks fly on the job in a thriller full of surprising plot twists from David Baldacci and a page-turning romantic suspense from Sandra Brown.
An essential collection of work from Amal El-Mohtar, one of today’s most poignant speculative writers; an enthralling collection that brings together some of Rebecca Roanhorse’s best short writing; and a marvelously varied collection of work by Michael Swanwick, one of the genre’s experts of short fiction.
A delightful romance that takes inspiration from When Harry Met Sally, a rollicking rom-com retelling of a gender-flipped My Fair Lady, and a sexy, slow-burn romance influenced by How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
To celebrate LJ’s 150th anniversary, we are featuring “The Reader’s Shelf” column this year, starting with a list created by its founder. Nancy Pearl, who worked as a librarian for nearly 40 years, earned a multitude of accolades and awards during her career, including LJ’s Librarian of the Year, LJ’s Fiction Reviewer of the Year, PLA’s Allie Beth Martin Award, RUSA’s Louis Shores–Greenwood Publishing Group Award, and the National Book Award Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Here she talks about keeping books.
Welcome to 2026 and the start of LJ’s yearlong celebration of our 150th anniversary. As readers always interested in finding and sharing titles, the book review editors launched a survey last summer, asking each other, librarians, our reviewers, and readers to share sure-bet reads. We begin with popular fiction. These absorbing books offer a mix of punchy, involving plots and jump-off-the-page characters, largely focusing on contemporary concerns set in (mostly) modern times. They can be funny, poignant, gossipy, or gripping (and often are all at once).
Nicci French offers a beguiling page-turner, while Rebecca Philipson writes a riveting, fast-paced debut, both of which feature Detective Inspectors from the Metropolitan Police.
Marie Benedict highlights the lives of two extraordinary women, Lady Evelyn Carnarvon and Queen Hatshepsut, and Saara El-Arifi tells the story of Cleopatra in these two tales of Egyptian rulers.
These popular series continue to thrill, as beloved sleuth Jessica Fletcher from “Murder, She Wrote” and Lieutenant Eve Dallas from J. D. Robb’s “In Death” return for their 62nd crime-solving adventures.
To mark National Native American Heritage Month, signed into law by President George H. W. Bush in 1990 and also referred to as Native American Heritage Month or National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this booklist recognizes the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and celebrates their achievements, contributions, and varied cultures.
Lucy Lehane offers a fresh and funny queer take on vampire romance, while Jenna Levine writes a slow-burn romance with emotional and steamy tension between a witch and a vampire.
Find your flour power, get started with sourdough, and learn to make the perfect loaf with an array of cookbooks filled with doughy inspiration.
Hispanic Heritage Month marks the achievements, histories, and cultures of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, including those from Indigenous and Afro-Latino communities. The following books celebrate the diverse contributions and experiences of Hispanic and Latine people.
Courtney Floyd's debut is a charming campus novel with a fantasy twist, and Rachel Greenlaw's latest is perfect for romantasy readers who love dark academia.
As LJ approaches its 150th year helping librarians curate collections, we offer modern reviews of titles published decades and centuries ago. These reviews highlight iconic works and provide professional assessments of classics that have appeared on banned-book lists.
Set during Christmas and Hanukkah, these titles offer love stories to curl up with during the winter holiday season.
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
Scott has written an assured, page-turning debut. Recommend to those who love Jack Reacher and King Oliver.
Library displays highlight the collection and aid readers as they browse and find their next read, view, or listen. To help prompt display ideas and find titles to keep them stocked, LJ offers Display Shelf. Use this list to generate a quick display on the circulation desk or to fill an end-cap. The suggestions also offer RA librarians a handy list of popular titles on a range of high-interest genres and subjects. Take a reading journey with these novels set on trains.
Books for bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those interested and soothed by reading about the natural world.
Disability Pride Month commemorates the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which President George H.W. Bush signed into law on July 26, 1990. In recognition of this month-long observance, the following list promotes the de-stigmatization of disability, combats ableism, celebrates visibility, and honors the accomplishments, influence, strength, and joy of the disability community.
In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than 3.5 million enslaved people living in Confederate states to be “forever free.” It wasn’t until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX, on June 19, two years later, however, that the enslaved first learned of their freedom. That date became known as Juneteenth, first celebrated in 1866 and declared a federal holiday in 2021. This booklist is a Juneteenth commemoration in the form of fiction and nonfiction about its history and the long-standing implications of enslavement and the Jim Crow era.
Library displays highlight the collection and aid readers as they browse and find their next read, view, or listen. To help prompt display ideas and find titles to keep them stocked, LJ offers Display Shelf. Use this list to generate a quick display on the circulation desk or to fill an end-cap. The suggestions also offer RA librarians a handy list of popular titles on a range of high-interest genres and subjects. Celebrate Pride Month with a display full of new romance titles featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.
First proclaimed Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 1999 and expanded by President Obama in 2011, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. The following books, ranging from romance and mystery to social sciences and memoirs, honor the experiences, legacies, and accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ people.
Library displays highlight the collection and aid readers as they browse and find their next read, view, or listen. To help prompt display ideas and find titles to keep them stocked, LJ offers Display Shelf. Use this list to generate a quick display on the circulation desk or to fill an end-cap. The suggestions also offer RA librarians a handy list of popular titles on a range of high-interest genres and subjects. This list features books perfect for a summer escape.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, observed in May, recognizes the achievements, contributions, and complex histories of Americans descended from 75 countries across the Asian continent. The following books, both fiction and nonfiction, provide a window into the resilience, creativity, and breadth of experience within this varied group.
First recognized by presidential proclamation in 2006, Jewish American Heritage Month celebrates the accomplishments, community, and culture of Jewish American people. The following booklist features history, biography, novellas, historical fiction, and more, all commemorating the breadth of experience and wide-ranging accomplishments of Jewish Americans.
Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of mental wellness and promotes advocacy, sharing, compassion, and the dismantling of stereotypes surrounding a wide range of mental health conditions. The following books include contemporary romance, literary fiction, poetry, memoirs, and more, all speaking to the importance of continued dialogue surrounding mental health.
In recognition of Arab American Heritage Month, formally established by the Biden administration in April 2021, this reading list celebrates the varied cultures, achievements, and contributions of Arab American people. Through poetry, literary fiction, memoirs, and more, the following books reveal many facets of Arab American communities, histories, and experiences.
Autism Acceptance Month recognizes the deliberate shift away from the stigmatized term “autism awareness” toward an inclusive attitude of acceptance, respect, listening, parity, and empowerment. With romance, literary fiction, memoirs, and more, the following reading list honors the many experiences and voices of people within the autistic community.
Library displays highlight the collection and aid readers as they browse and find their next read, view, or listen. To help prompt display ideas and find titles to keep them stocked, LJ offers Display Shelf. Use this list to generate a quick display on the circulation desk or to fill an end-cap. The suggestions also offer RA librarians a handy list of popular titles on a range of high-interest genres and subjects. This list features books that reimagine and incorporate myth and folklore from around the world into captivating new tales.
Library displays highlight the collection and aid readers as they browse and find their next read, view, or listen. To help prompt display ideas and find titles to keep them stocked, LJ offers Display Shelf. Use this list to generate a quick display on the circulation desk or to fill an end-cap. The suggestions also offer RA librarians a handy list of popular titles on a range of high-interest genres and subjects. This list features the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing across fiction and nonfiction titles.
In 1987, Women’s History Month was formally recognized by presidential proclamation as a monthlong celebration to honor women’s contributions, accomplishments, and voices throughout U.S. history. The following books spotlight extraordinary women from the distant and not-so-distant past—women both imagined and real, both famous and little-known, coming from diverse cultures, countries, and continents.
The morally gray, villainous characters in these stories are sure to find their way into readers’ hearts.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson envisioned a weeklong commemoration to increase awareness of Black history and culture. In the 1960s, protests against racial injustice helped make it into a monthlong celebration, but the U.S. didn’t formally recognize Black History Month until 1976. This list spotlights collective and individual aspects of Black history and experience.
For those participating in Dry January or anyone looking to consume less alcohol, here’s a tempting array of cookbooks containing ideas for nonalcoholic cocktails.
Start the new year off with a shelf full of inspiration for honing new habits for health, healing, and even fun.
In recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and also referred to as Native American Heritage Month or National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this booklist recognizes the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and marks their varied cultures, achievements, and contributions.
Get ready to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November with a display shelf of fiction from Indigenous authors.
Find ideas for getting cozy this fall, with books featuring a hygge-inspired home, harvest recipes, warm drinks, book nooks, and more.
Three titles offer sensitive portraits of sisters navigating tensions wrought by childhood trauma, mental illness, and grief, and the engaging, exasperating dynamics of family drama.
These three dynamic listens provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of the people behind the music, including the trailblazing all-women Liverpudlian band the Liverbirds, Hootie & the Blowfish lead Darius Rucker, and Serj Tankian, the lead of Armenian American heavy metal band System of Down.
A genre perfect for fall, these books feature academic pursuits that take an unexpected and often perilous turn.
This monthlong observance marks the achievements, histories, and cultures of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, including those from Indigenous and Afro-Latino communities. The following books celebrate the diverse contributions and experiences of Latine people and include literary fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poetry.
With picnics, barbecues, and backyard parties, summer seems made for cooking. Support patrons’ culinary plans with these tasty, wide-ranging suggestions.
Tie dye, potholders, and rock art—the simple, creative pleasures of camp crafts aren’t limited to weeks away at the lakeside. Help readers find summer hobbies with these instructive guides.
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