Sponsored by Lerner Publishing Group.
With rhythmic verse, this picture book follows two girls—one non-Black Puerto Rican, one Black—as they discover the stories their hair can tell. Preciosa has hair that won’t stay straight, won’t be confined. Rudine’s hair resists rollers, flat irons, and rules. Together, the girls play hair salon! They take inspiration from their moms, their neighbors, their ancestors, and cultural icons. They discover that their hair holds roots of the past and threads of the future. With rhythmic, rhyming verse and vibrant collage art, author NoNieqa Ramos and illustrator Keisha Morris follow two girls as they discover the stories hair can tell.
Welcome to Check Your Shelf. September is gearing up to be a super jam-packed month with all kinds of big work projects and important personal obligations scheduled, and my anxiety is already in high gear trying to avoid looking at the calendar. Obviously, that would be a recipe for disaster, but sitting down and planning ahead makes me want to scream a little, so we’ll see how this goes.
In the meantime, let’s distract ourselves with some book news, shall we?
Collection Development Corner
Publishing News
Hilary Mantel and William Boyd warn of a book industry collapse if post-Brexit copyright rule changes go into effect.
Why authors are turning down lucrative deals in favor of Substack.
In literary organizations, diversity disputes keep coming.
New & Upcoming Titles
Indie publisher Milkweed Editions announces a new disability-focused literary series that focuses on neurodivergence and “different ways of languaging.”
James Norbury, the self-published author of Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, snags a six-figure publishing deal.
LeBron James is writing his second children’s book.
Take a look at Marlon James’ Moon Witch, Spider King, which is a follow-up to Black Leopard, Red Wolf, and will be published in February 2022.
Padma Lakshmi is publishing a picture book with a message.
Here’s a first look at Nghi Vo’s upcoming novel, Siren Queen, and the cover is just as gorgeous as The Chosen and the Beautiful.
Indie speculative fiction picks for August.
Weekly book picks from Bustle, Crime Reads, New York Times, and USA Today.
September picks from Barnes & Noble, BookMarks (SFF), Brightly (children’s/YA), Bustle, Crime Reads, Entertainment Weekly, Kirkus, NPR, and Washington Post.
Fall picks from Esquire, LitHub, Publishers Weekly (indie releases), and Time.
A running list of the best books of 2021.
What Your Patrons Are Hearing About
My Heart is a Chainsaw – Stephen Graham Jones (Crime Reads, Slate, Tor.com, Washington Post)
A Slow Fire Burning – Paula Hawkins (USA Today, Washington Post)
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois – Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (New York Times, NPR)
RA/Genre Resources
Here’s a list of readalikes for patrons who are waiting for A Slow Fire Burning.
How 9/11 has influenced literature over the last 20 years.
Why small towns are perfect settings for romance.
The new canon of “dark academia.”
On the Riot
Must-read September children’s and YA releases.
Where to find the best children’s book reviews.
Use the #TransBooks365 hashtag to find tons of great trans reading recommendations!
Romance tropetonite: famous fake flings.
All Things Comics
Alicia Keys is adapting her song “Girl on Fire” into a graphic novel.
On the Riot
Is DC really making Superman gay?
10 comics to put on your pull list this month.
A quick-ish history of licensed comics.
Audiophilia
The September 2021 Earphones Award Winners have been announced.
How to become an audiobook narrator.
Celebrating Women in Translation Month with European mysteries on audio.
4 romance audiobooks that mix the professional with the personal.
On the Riot
8 Native memoirs on audio from Erin & Dani’s Book Club.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
Children/Teens
17 children’s books by Latinx authors to add to your kid’s bookshelf.
3 books perfect for middle-school readers.
11 books to read after They Both Die at the End.
11 YA books about addiction and recovery.
12 YA romances that take place abroad.
Adults
The American Library Association’s ranking of the 100 Most Banned Books.
8 books about women dealing with professional jealousy.
10 books by Malaysian women authors.
Books to inspire activism and advocacy.
Books that channel the powerful force of women’s anger.
8 books about women breaking free, losing control, and taking charge.
9 of the worst jobs in literature.
5 books that changed Megan Rapinoe’s life.
16 self-help books to empower you.
18 books that deserve more hype.
On the Riot
8 uplifting and feel-good speculative YA books.
9 of the best dark YA dystopias.
9 books like Verity by Colleen Hoover.
8 books about voter suppression to ignite your inner activist.
9 LGBTQ enemies-to-lovers romance novels you’ll love reading.
10 bibliomemoirs about the life-altering power of reading.
Monstrify your bookshelf with these horror novels about monsters.
8 horror novels about witches that are truly scary.
13 LGBTQ books that will make you cry.
The best slasher novels for a bloody good time.
15 top investment books for new investors.
Level Up (Library Reads)
Do you take part in Library Reads, the monthly list of best books selected by librarians only? We’ve made it easy for you to find eligible diverse titles to nominate. Kelly Jensen created a database of upcoming diverse books that anyone can edit, and Nora Rawlins of Early Word is doing the same, as well as including information about series, vendors, and publisher buzz.
Hopefully your schedules aren’t making you want to scream right now. I’ll see you all on Friday!
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter. Currently reading Don’t Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM by Sarah Berman.