Welcome to Check Your Shelf! This is your guide to all things book talk worth knowing to help librarians like you up your game when it comes to doing your job (& rocking it).
“Check Your Shelf” is sponsored by The Rule of One, the first read in an epic series by real-life sisters Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders.
Don’t obey. Resist. In a dystopian United States, a one-child policy called The Rule of One is ruthlessly enforced. But Ava has a secret—she has an identical twin sister, Mira. For 18 years Ava and Mira have lived as one person, down to the most telling detail. But when their charade is exposed, their worst nightmare begins. Branded as traitors, hunted as fugitives, Ava and Mira rush headlong into a terrifying unknown. How far will they go to stay alive? An epic series from real-life sisters Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders begins with The Rule of One.
Before diving in, a quick set of announcements. I’m stepping back from putting together the “Check Your Shelf” newsletter after this week and passing it along to Katie…and “Check Your Shelf” will be hitting your inboxes every week beginning in November. More library love coming your way!
Libraries & Librarians
- 12 authors write about the libraries they love.
- Another piece from Susan Orleans relating to growing up in the library.
- Have you seen Meridian, Idaho’s new Tiny Library for early literacy? What a cool idea.
- While this post is geared for improving accessibility for bookstores, it’s absolutely worth sharing for consideration of accessibility when it comes to libraries.
- How libraries are creating LGBTQ+ affirming spaces. Here’s where young people weigh in on creating such environments in the library.
- The library and the book of cheese.
- Take a little tour of the National Library of Scotland.
- Then up your knowledge of the Obama Presidential Library.
- And finally, visit some of the oldest libraries around the world.
Book Adaptations in the News
- There’s a new adaptation of Dracula coming to Netflix.
- Have you tuned into the Netflix adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House? Here’s a bit more about it and why viewers are digging this take on Shirley Jackson’s classic.
- Her Body and Other Parties is being adapted.
- Coming soon to Netflix: The Chronicles of Narnia.
- Here’s what adaptations will be hitting this fall. Stock up on the books, since it’s likely there will be some demand.
- Enjoy the Pet Sematary trailer.
- There’s also a trailer for the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens.
- Circe has been optioned for television.
Books in the News
- As of writing this newsletter, I can’t find (an English!) source highlighting the fact Ta-Nehisi Coats has his first novel coming out next fall. But here’s proof.
- Are you going to use the new BuzzFeed Book Club as an opportunity for your library? It might be an excellent way to especially interest your younger adults.
- Growing up surrounded by books can have a powerful effect on one’s life. I only wish this piece also looked at the power of libraries in a young person’s life, since owning books isn’t indicative of much more than financial means to purchase them. But this piece has a lot to offer to librarians, especially those involved in early literacy or who work with parents.
- Barack Obama’s most recent reading list.
- There’s also a new Colson Whitehead book coming next year.
- Get ready for a new Elizabeth Gilbert as well.
- Oh, and a new Christopher Paolini book in the Eragon series.
By the Numbers
- Americans are reading more poetry and less fiction.
- A fun look at the most Instagrammed authors.
- Barnes & Noble claims to have seen sales of political books rise 57% over last year at this time. Have you seen this surge at your libraries?
Award News
- This year’s short lists for the National Book Award are here.
- The Governor General’s short lists across all categories in English and in French have been announced. This is a big deal award in Canada, but many of the titles are available and worth highlighting in the US and beyond, too.
- The Thurber Humor awards list is out.
- A peek behind the curtain with how judging works for The Man Booker Award.
- Here’s the long list for this year’s Women in Translation award.
- Meet the Alternative Nobel winner.
All Things Comics
- The Avengers have a new recruit — a ghost librarian.
- Black Panther 2 is in the works!
- The three Hellboy comics inspiring the movie hitting theaters next year. Speaking of Hellboy, here’s a guide to where to begin with that franchise.
- Add some creep to your comics.
- Anne Frank’s diary is now available as a comic.
- Keep your eyes on Lion Forge and what they’re doing in the world of comics.
- 50 must-read manga.
Audiophilia
- The best scary audiobooks to listen to.
- The best audiobook service options. This not only highlights paid subscriptions, but also apps and services the library provides. Bookmark this for curious patrons.
- October audiobook releases to know about.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
- A handy guide to YA books worth reading after watching the latest on-screen adaptations.
- Haruki Murakami has a new book out, but what about the other books he’s written? Here’s a definitive guide for where to start (& obviously, how to help readers find their perfect Murakami title).
- Black Folklore books everyone should read.
- Horror books for wimps.
- Add some new collective biographies about women and non-binary people through history to your shelves.
- Mental health books for every type of reader.
- Must-read contemporary romance novels.
- Great atmospheric reads for the big Fall Mood, minus the scares.
- Pick up and share some great Latinx reads, as recommended by Latinx readers and writers.
- 50 must-read books about the Revolutionary War.
- Great fantasy series to sink into.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
- Wear the Dewey Decimal system on your person.
- Laugh out loud with these great bookish tweets.
- This Harry Potter themed high school dance routine is seriously fantastic. (I did not go there).
- Inside the rooms where 20 famous books were written.
- How would you have died on The Oregon Trail? You know you want to know.
- Yeah, I’m including this: cat bookmarks. So many great cat bookmarks.
How cute is this set of buttons? Grab both “Librarian” and “Ask Me” for $3.
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Thanks for hanging out & we’ll see you again soon.
— Kelly Jensen, @veronikellymars on Instagram and Twitter.
Psst: Even though I won’t be writing this newsletter any longer, I am still hanging around Book Riot. If YA lit is your jam, subscribe to the twice-weekly “What’s Up in YA?” newsletter to keep me in your inbox.