LibraryReads, the nationwide library staff-picks list, offers the top 10 June titles public library staff across the country love:
Top Pick
The Listeners: A Novel by Maggie Stiefvater (Viking, $30, 9780593655504). "Joan is the manager of a resort hotel in West Virginia. Life is good until the U.S. is pulled into World War II and the hotel's only guests are detained Axis diplomats. While Joan is very good at keeping secrets, this adds strain on the staff. Readers who adored Stiefvater's YA books will welcome this historical fiction that reads like a classic spy thriller." --Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, Tex.
Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady (Berkley, $19, 9780593640845). "When their boss decides to merge their beloved bookstores, romance-reader Ryan and literary 'Ice Queen' Josie vie for the title of bookstore manager. Readers will enjoy the witty banter, loveable cast of characters, spicy scenes, literary references, and the representation of the romance genre and romance bookstores as inclusive stories and places for anyone and everyone to find themselves." --Dana Treichler, Princeton Public Library, N.J.
King of Ashes: A Novel by S.A. Cosby (Flatiron Books/Pine & Cedar, $28.99, 9781250832061). "The Carruthers are a family living with multiple secrets and the trauma of losing their mother while the siblings were still young. When Roman, the oldest brother, returns home after their father is in a terrible accident, he gets drawn into gang warfare trying to protect his family. This page-turner is full of secrets." --Linda Quinn, Eastham Public Library, Mass.
The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (Tor, $29.99, 9781250338617). "Deputy courier Elen's journey across the Tranquil Empire in service to a haughty and haunted prince is a tale thick with political intrigue, family secrets, class hierarchy, dangerous escapes, and a deeply strange and touching friendship. Elliott captures the spirit of epic fantasy with a moving story, compelling characters, and a world full of ancient magic begging to be explored." --James Ludy, New Canaan Library, Conn.
The Poppy Fields: A Novel by Nikki Erlick (Morrow, $32, 9780063349339). "What if you could sleep your way through grief, but there was a chance you'd forget about the love you shared with a loved one? Four strangers make a trip to a remote sleep lab, each with a different reason for their journey. This touching novel is a tribute to the resilience of the human heart and the journeys we all must go through to heal." --Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, N.J.
Meet Me at the Crossroads: A Novel by Megan Giddings (Amistad, $28.99, 9780063337978). "Seven mysterious doors suddenly appear in different places across the globe, and when they open, they appear to lead to new dimensions in the universe. Two Black twin sisters get caught in the mystery as one sees paradise while the other sees peril. A spellbinding story about the choices that can both bring us together and tear us apart." --Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, Ill.
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau: A Novel by Kristin Harmel (Gallery, $28.99, 9781982191733). "This dual-timeline World War II saga tells the story of a feisty young Parisian woman learning the family legacy of jewel thievery, taking from the undeserving wealthy to help those in need. Harmel brilliantly creates absorbing characters, harrowing scenes, and, ultimately, goodness in a tale full of twists, moral dilemmas, and the enduring power of forgiveness." --Ron Block, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Ohio
The Summer We Ran: A Novel by Audrey Ingram (Zibby Publishing, $17.99, 9798989923069). "This compelling romance alternates between two timelines, propelling the story along and driving readers to find out how Grant and Tess go from teenagers in love to gubernatorial candidates with opposing political views who haven't seen each other for 25 years. Secrets and complicated family dynamics make this a page-turning summer read." --Amy Lapointe, Amherst Town Library, N.H.
The Phoenix Pencil Company: A Novel by Allison King (Morrow, $28.99, 9780063446236). "Monica is determined to reunite her beloved Grandmother Yun with her long-lost cousin after learning about her family's talent for imbuing ordinary pencils with extraordinary magic, capable of bringing memories to life. The way the author weaves together multiple generations and their intertwined stories creates a compelling saga spanning time and cultures." --Tamara English, Derby Public Library, Kan.
So Far Gone: A Novel by Jess Walter (Harper, $30, 9780062868145). "A zany thriller about a former journalist whose two grandchildren suddenly arrive at his door after their mother goes missing. He must then contend with the religious militia his son-in-law is involved in while tracking down his daughter. A heartfelt story about feeling lost and burnt out--and finding a way forward and re-connecting." --Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, Wash.
