Sponsored by Workman Publishing.
So Embarrassing is a comics-style narrative of vignettes and stories about all the things that make kids feel awkward and embarrassed. Written and drawn by Charise Mericle Harper, the bestselling creator of the Fashion Kitty and Just Grace series, this lively nonfiction graphic novel for ages 8–12 combines humor, scientific facts (what happens when we blush, for example), tips for recovering quickly, and practical advice, like what to say to comfort a totally embarrassed friend.
Welcome to Check Your Shelf. This issue of CYS is brought to you in part thanks to the efforts of my new at-home supervisor, who made sure I stayed on task this afternoon.
Collection Development Corner
Publishing News
- Brooklyn Book Festival moves to an entirely virtual format.
- An interview with Phoebe Robinson on spotlighting diverse voices through her new imprint.
New & Upcoming Titles
- Former president George W. Bush is releasing a book of 43 immigrant portraits he’s painted himself, along with the people’s accompanying stories.
- Stephen King will be publishing a new crime novel in March.
- Goodnight Moon is getting a pandemic-era spoof called Good Morning, Zoom.
- 35 standout debut novels for Summer/Fall 2020.
- New and upcoming fiction from Black voices.
- August 2020 picks from Amazon, Bustle, Den of Geek (fantasy), Entertainment Weekly, io9, Lambda Literary, LitHub, The Millions, Pop Sugar, Shondaland, Time, Town & Country, Tor.com (YA SFF), Vogue, and Vulture.
- Summer reading picks from O: Oprah Magazine and USA Today.
What Your Patrons Are Hearing About
- The Death of Vivek Oji – Akwaeke Emezi (NPR, USA Today)
- Lobizona – Romina Garber (Tor.com, USA Today)
- Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots – Morgan Jerkins (New York Times, USA Today)
- Migrations – Charlotte McConaghy (LA Times, New York Times)
- Harrow the Ninth – Tamsyn Muir (NPR, Vox)
RA/Genre Resources
- Black storytellers are using horror to battle hate.
- Taye Diggs “on why representation matters in kids’ books.”
- Library Journal has a collection development resource on Christian fiction.
On the Riot
- This Authors for Black Voices auction will benefit racial justice organizations.
- 3 new thought-provoking horror novels.
All Things Comics
- Nia DaCosta, director of the upcoming Candyman reboot, will direct Captain Marvel 2.
- Best comics for August.
On the Riot
- A brief guide to comic book art styles.
- New & upcoming middle grade and YA graphic novels.
- I watched the SDCC small press panel and now I am 86% rage bees.
Audiophilia
- The best audiobooks, chosen by writers.
On the Riot
- The benefits of audiobooks for your heart and mind.
- 6 of the best audiobooks for Women in Translation Month.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
Children/Teens
- Books about all kinds of families.
- 25 middle grade novels to get your hands on ASAP.
- 12 YA reads better than required school reading.
Adults
- 7 books about coming of age in a small town.
- Best Instant Pot cookbooks.
- 8 mystery novels with collections.
- 9 books that predicted the future.
- 10 books about book lovers.
- 8 SFF romances.
On the Riot
- 10 informative picture books about women’s suffrage.
- 5 YA fantasies with feisty princesses.
- 8 YA books set in post-apocalyptic cities.
- 20 must-read YA books about cults.
- 20 must-read books about the women’s suffrage movement.
- Books about women’s suffrage movements across the globe.
- 11 biographies of US suffragists.
- 5 books about the influence of Black women in the suffrage movement.
- 8 books about the history of women’s suffrage in America.
- 10 of the best Middle Eastern cookbooks.
- Plus-size romances.
- 10 small-town thrillers to read this summer.
- 16 books like Taylor Swift’s Folklore to add to your TBR.
- 23 delightful light fantasy novels.
- 14 books for a more inclusive look at American history.
- 7 postmodern mystery novels.
- 9 of the best books about astronomy.
- 8 collections featuring underrepresented voices.
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 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.
Mask up and stay hydrated. See you on Friday!
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.