Welcome to Check Your Shelf. Send lots of thoughts for a calm and boring work week – our director is taking the week off and she’s designated me as the point person while she’s gone. Fingers crossed for no staff illnesses, no irate patrons, and no building crises.
Don’t forget, whether you’re looking for romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.
Collection Development Corner
Publishing News
Denver’s Tattered Cover Bookstore files for bankruptcy.
Barnes & Noble sets itself free.
New & Upcoming Titles
Prep your hold lists…Erik Larson has a new book coming out in 2024.
Knopf is publishing Gabriel García Márquez’s lost novel, Until August, in March 2024.
Tiffany D. Jackson has two new books coming out! Her first YA fantasy novel for Marvel will come out in 2024, and her next YA thriller will come out in 2025.
Serena Williams has signed a two-book deal with Random House.
First look at Christina Lauren’s upcoming novel, The Paradise Problem.
51 of the year’s coziest mysteries.
25 of the best books of 2023, so far.
Weekly book picks from Crime Reads, LitHub, New York Times.
October picks from Crime Reads (psychological thrillers).
What Your Patrons Are Hearing About
The Woman In Me – Britney Spears (Entertainment Weekly, Good Morning America, New York Times, Parade, People, Vulture, Washington Post)
Tremor – Teju Cole (Guardian, LA Times, New York Times, Vulture)
Romney: A Reckoning – McKay Coppins (LA Times, New York Times, Washington Post)
Vengeance Is Mine – Marie NDiaye (New York Times, Washington Post)
Let Us Descend – Jesmyn Ward (Datebook, New York Times, Washington Post)
I Love Russia: Reporting From a Lost Country – Elena Kostyuchenko (Guardian, New York Times)
Worthy – Jada Pinkett Smith (USA Today, Washington Post)
If You Would Have Told Me – John Stamos (New York Times, People)
RA/Genre Resources
A look at how romance novel covers have transformed over the last several years.
On the Riot
How Simon & Schuster’s sale to KKR could affect the company.
What would an author-centered publishing company look like?
10 of the best books coming out this winter.
14 new October book club picks.
The best new weekly releases to TBR.
The use of enchanted forests in fantasy novels.
A look at the “it was all a dream” trope.
All Things Comics
The vibes at New York Comic Con this year were weird.
Abrams and IDW are developing a series of books and comics tied to the Monster High franchise.
How early graphic novels create lifelong readers.
On the Riot
10 comics to read before playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 game.
27 of the best-selling manga of all time.
Book Riot has podcasts to keep your ears listening for days! Check them out and subscribe.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
Children/Teens
12 beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture books to get lost in.
11 delicious picture books about apples.
Adults
25 of the best books about witches.
Modern books that provide a contemporary spin on Jane Austen.
5 horror novels set in seemingly idyllic small towns.
8 queer historical fiction books set around the world.
24 underrated books that everyone should read.
5 historical mysteries that feature unconventional and unforgettable women.
6 books about women working together.
6 thrilling books that blend folklore and horror.
The best light gothic romance novels.
5 cozy mystery series to satisfy your wanderlust.
13 cookbooks you need this fall.
10 historical fiction reads that span the 16th century.
8 emotional books that cut deep.
On the Riot
8 of the best children’s books about mental health.
Cozy witch books to curl up with this fall.
8 twisty thrillers that fictionalize real events.
9 of the best Halloween mystery novels for some serious spooky season sleuthing.
8 fantasy novels that are impossible to adapt to the screen.
9 short stories to get you ready for Halloween.
8 spooky books you have to read this season.
8 books to read after listening to the podcast Empire.
Not your typical monster books.
10 of the coolest lit fic books around.
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 has a guide to discovering upcoming diverse books, and Nora Rawlins of Early Word has created a database of upcoming diverse titles to nominate as well that includes information about series, vendors, and publisher buzz.
Do you think Dini knows how adorable he is?
One week till Halloween, friends. Get some good scary books and movies in! I’ll be back on Friday.
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.