Sponsored by Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett, to be published by Celadon Books May 5th
Hollywood Park is a remarkable memoir of a tumultuous life. Mikel Jollett was born into one of the country’s most infamous cults, and subjected to a childhood filled with poverty, addiction, and emotional abuse. Yet, ultimately, his is a story of fierce love and family loyalty told in a raw, poetic voice that signals the emergence of a uniquely gifted writer. E-galley available on Edelweiss. LibraryReads voting deadline: April 1.
Welcome to Check Your Shelf! This is your guide to help librarians like you up your game when it comes to doing your job (& rocking it).
We made it to February, and I am still reeling from that amazing Half Time show on Sunday. That’s the kind of energy I needed for this week!
Collection Development Corner
Publishing News
- A report on the publishing industry in the 2010’s.
- Which celebrity book club is “more potent”: Oprah’s or Reese Witherspoon’s?
New & Upcoming Titles
- Jodi Picoult and David Mitchell both announce new books for 2020.
- Dave Matthews is publishing a middle grade fantasy novel with an environmentalist edge.
- Margaret Atwood is publishing her first poetry collection in over a decade.
- Solaris Books is publishing Yoon Ha Lee’s next book, although there’s no word on a US release date yet.
- Tasha Suri has a new epic fantasy trilogy coming out.
- The Millions has a list of writers to watch in Spring 2020.
- Most anticipated YA of 2020.
- Books to look forward to in 2020.
- Most anticipated books for February from Library Journal, LitHub, New York Times, Pop Sugar, and Washington Post.
- Tor.com has new fantasy, sci-fi, YA SFF, and genre-bending titles for February.
What Your Patrons Are Hearing About
- Run Me to Earth – Paul Yoon (New York Times, Washington Post)
- Kingdomtide – Rye Curtis (NPR)
- The Missing American – Kwei Quartey (Washington Post)
- The Majesties – Tiffany Tsao (NPR)
RA/Genre Resources
- What happens to your brain when you read true crime.
On the Riot
All Things Comics
On the Riot
- 4 comic book roles for Oscar Isaac. Because let’s be real, we all need more Oscar Isaac in our lives.
- Best manga of 2020.
Audiophilia
- How to book that first audiobook narrator gig.
On the Riot
- How does Libro.fm work?
- Australian audiobooks for your TBR.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
Children/Teens
- 10 books about football for kids.
- 16 YA book recommendations inspired by the 2020 Oscar nominees.
Adults
- 18 new books about the immigrant experience that aren’t American Dirt.
- 30 of the best books to read by black authors in your lifetime.
- 15 essential Colombian novels you should read.
- 15 female detectives to read while you mourn Nancy Drew.
- 14 contemporary books by Native American writers to get excited about.
- 4 super claustrophobic thrillers.
On the Riot
- Inspiring children’s books about the environment.
- 6 YA books about assassins.
- YA books set during a single night.
- 10 books like Beloved by Toni Morrison.
- 18 books about wolves.
- 10 of the best books on sleep.
- 14 authors like John Grisham. (Every librarian should have a copy of this at the ready for those patrons that gobble up legal thrillers like they’re going out of style.)
- 40+ celebrity books to read this year.
- 8 serious queer novels without queer suffering.
Level Up (Library Reads)
Do you take part in LibraryReads, 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.
See you on Friday!
Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.