Sponsored by Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, with Fierce Reads
The book that started a revolution—now a Netflix Original Film directed by Amy Poehler! In Jennifer Mathieu’s empowering novel, an unlikely teenager starts a feminist revolution at a small-town Texas high school.
Welcome to Check Your Shelf. A couple weeks ago, the optometrist set me up with some reading glasses for the first time since college, and now that my glasses have come in, I’m marveling at how well I can actually see! The words don’t blur together on my screen anymore! I can read food labels again! It’s a brand new world!
Collection Development Corner
Publishing News
What happens when a publisher becomes a megapublisher?
Who Can Get Your Book? grades accessibility in the age of exclusives and restrictive licensing.
Cafe Noir, an online bookstore that sells books by Black, POC and LGBTQ+ authors, is working to open a physical storefront in Memphis.
These Afro-Latina writers want to see more voices like theirs in publishing.
Is it time to kill the book blurb?
New & Upcoming Titles
Yup, Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny are indeed teaming up to write a political thriller.
Brian Stelter’s book Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth is getting a significant 20,000 word update for the paperback release, which will cover the tumultuous end of Trump’s presidency.
Cindy McCain is publishing the memoir Stronger: Courage, Hope, and Humor in My Life With John McCain in late April.
Farrah Rochon signs a two-book deal with Disney-Hyperion.
Paul McCartney announces a 900-page, two volume lyrical autobiography, which will be published in November. (WANT. VERY MUCH WANT.)
Akwaeke Emezi is making their romance novel debut in 2022.
Alix E. Harrow is working on her next novel, which will likely come out in 2023.
Actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is publishing a picture book called Remember to Dream, Ebere, which will come out in September.
Lois Lowry is working on a new middle grade novel, which will be published in 2022.
18 gripping new WWII novels.
35 must-read 2021 book releases by Black authors.
25 new books written by women of color we can’t wait to read this year.
Anticipated YA sequels for 2021.
7 new books that take you to unexpected places.
Weekly book picks from Booklist Reader, Bustle, Buzzfeed, Crime Reads, LitHub, The Millions, New York Times, Shelf Awareness, and USA Today.
True crime books and debut crime novels to read in February.
March picks from Barnes & Noble (adult and children), Epic Reads (YA), and New York Times.
What Your Patrons Are Hearing About
The Committed – Viet Thanh Nguyen (Entertainment Weekly, New York Times, New Yorker, Washington Post)
Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa – Matthew Gavin Frank (New York Times, NPR)
Klara and the Sun – Kazuo Ishiguro (LA Times, New York Times)
The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing – Sonia Faleiro (Washington Post)
On the Riot
Virtually together: the rise of digital book festivals.
20 must-read 2021 YA fantasy releases.
10 speculative short story collections to enjoy in 2021.
8 of the best book series ending in 2021.
Reading pathway for Mary Oliver.
All Things Comics
Victor LaValle is coming out with a new comic book series.
Blondie announce a new graphic novel about the band’s iconic rise in the New York art and fashion world.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is becoming a chibi comic for young readers.
On the Riot
10 webtoons and manga like One Punch Man.
Audiophilia
“Ted Cruz, go f— yourself!” John Boehner goes…er…off-script while recording the audio for his new book: On the House: A Washington Memoir.
Sean Astin will narrate the audiobook version of Max Brooks’ Minecraft: The Mountain.
Black History Month audiobook picks.
Soak in the sun and solve crimes with these mystery audiobooks.
On the Riot
6 audiobooks for your LGBTQ+ book club.
Book Lists, Book Lists, Book Lists
Children/Teens
Travel the world with these picture books for kids.
16 middle grade historical fiction books by Black authors.
50 Black YA authors you need to read.
13 YA books that show friendship stories are just as powerful as relationship stories.
Adults
16 of the most essential books on Black history to read before, during, and well after Black History Month.
Black booksellers recommend 25 books to read during Black History Month and beyond.
Books for, by, and about Black British LGBTQ+ people.
15 romance novels about Black love, written by Black authors.
11 otherworldly sci-fi and fantasy books written by Black authors.
Books about anti-Asian racism in America.
12 illuminating artists’ memoirs.
50 great classic novels under 200 pages.
9 of the best campus novels (and one memoir).
7 stories about mermaids, selkies, and sea-wolves.
Explore France with these 9 magnifique reads.
5 books set in a fantastical America.
On the Riot
20 biography books for kids to help them dream big.
15 great spy books for kids who love spy stories.
4 YA books to read if you stan Britney Spears.
12 books like The Selection to read after the series.
3 great YA books about DNA tests.
YA books featuring 19-year-old main characters.
10 amazing classics and fairytale queer retellings.
For your TBR: 2021 Asian Pacific American Award for Literature winners and nominees.
6 books to help you understand your South Asian heritage.
25 of the best thought-provoking books.
15 books about miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
15 of the best romance book club recommendations.
7 books about death and dying for comfort during trying times.
6 nerdtastic romances set at fan conventions.
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.
Have a good week, folks. See you on Friday! And if you’re able, go get your eyes checked!
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.