LibraryReads, the nationwide library staff-picks list, offers the top 10 June titles public library staff across the country love:
Favorite
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey, $27, 9780525620785). "A perfect gothic mystery with an updated sensibility that will appeal to the modern reader. Noemí is a Mexico City socialite in the 1950s. When her father receives a disturbing letter from his niece, he sends Noemí to check on her cousin at the remote house where she is living--a grotesque and rotting English-style mansion, built on dirt imported from England by the colonialist eugenicist family she has married into. Lush descriptions and the creepy atmosphere make this a good choice for readers who liked The Witch Elm, The Little Stranger, or The Haunting of Hill House." --Lorena Neal, Evanston Public Library, Evanston, Ill.
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (Forever, $14.99, 9781538716625). "In this contemporary romance, three women who were two-timed by the same man become friends. The unique, funny premise cleverly serves as a catalyst for why the women are trying to make changes in their lives. The romance is lovely and finds ways in which the couple struggles to be together. Give this to fans of Mia Sosa and Alisha Rai." --Ann Carpenter, Brooks Free Library, Harwich, Mass.
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks (Del Rey, $28, 9781984826787). "Nobody imagines the end of the world quite like Brooks! Here he takes a group of privileged idealists, sets them in a beautiful utopia where they can escape the headaches of the city but suffer none of the inconveniences, and then brutally removes all the comforts they expect to be delivered. Throw in some hungry Sasquatch and things get really interesting. For fans of Blake Crouch and Jeff VanderMeer." --Amy Hall, Jefferson County Public Library, Wheat Ridge, Colo.
The Empire of Gold: A Novel by S.A. Chakraborty (Harper Voyager, $28.99, 9780062678164). "This is a story about colonialism and cycles of trauma, giving an in-depth look at the politics and psychology of a land warred over by ethnic factions for centuries. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an imaginative fantasy with complex characters, well developed relationships, and insightful social commentary. For readers who enjoy N.K. Jemisin and Tasha Suri." --Lauren Mitchell, Neenah Public Library, Neenah, Wis.
The Girl from Widow Hills: A Novel by Megan Miranda (Simon & Schuster, $26.99, 9781501165429). "Miranda returns with another engrossing psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story is primarily told from Olivia's unreliable perspective. News reports, book excerpts, and other media are also used to fill out the story, which keeps the plot moving. For fans of Conviction (Mina) and The Other Mrs. (Kubica)." --Megan Coleman, Cecil County Public Library, Elkton, Md.
The Guest List: A Novel by Lucy Foley (Morrow, $27.99, 9780062868930). "A wedding celebration on a remote island off the coast of Ireland turns eerie and nightmarish in this gothic atmospheric mystery. A good choice for fans of Ruth Ware." --Bill Anderson, Scott County Public Library, Scottsburg, Ind.
The Last Flight: A Novel by Julie Clark (Sourcebooks Landmark, $26.99, 9781728215723). "Claire and Eva both have reasons for wanting to disappear, so when they happen upon each other at the airport, they decide to take the other person's flight. However, when one of the planes crashes, the danger they thought they were leaving isn't far behind. For readers who enjoyed The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine and The Passenger by Lisa Lutz." --Lora Bruggeman, Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien, Ill.
The Lies That Bind: A Novel by Emily Giffin (Ballantine, $28, 9780399178955). "Cecily is fresh off a break up and meets a 'too good to be true' stranger in a local dive bar. For fans of Me Before You by JoJo Moyes." --Stephanie Hall, Topeka Public Library, Topeka, Kan.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown: A Novel by Talia Hibbert (Avon, $15.99, 9780062941237). "Dani and Zaf have been low-key flirting forever when a gallant moment is turned into a viral video and the pressure is on for these two to become a couple. This is a fabulously fun and meta take on a classic romance trope, the fake relationship. For fans of The Wedding Date and The Kiss Quotient." --Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, Lansing, Mich.
The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett (Riverhead, $27, 9780525536291). "Centering on two twin light-skinned black girls who grew up in a strange town in the Jim Crow South, this book explores racism, colorism, sexism, and familial relationships through the interweaving storylines of vivid and complicated characters. For fans of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson." --Pamela Gardner, Medfield Public Library, Medfield, Mass.
