Staff Picks for the Long Weekend
A courageous memoir, a family drama, a true crime read about a group of moms who attempt to solve a cold case . . .
Check out these 7 unputdownable staff picks—perfect for the long weekend.
Rachel’s Pick:
“I’ve been a day-one fan of Harrison, and the streak continues. Play Nice is a possession horror after my own heart, where the houses are haunted and the (demon) girls just wanna have fun.”
—Rachel
Play Nice: A Novel by Rachel Harrison
A woman must confront the demons of her past when she attempts to fix up her childhood home in this devilishly clever take on the haunted house novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Black Sheep and So Thirsty.
“Play Nice packs a prickly punch by cleverly nesting its possession story within another kind of familial and familiar possession. While the demon at the center of it all terrorizes the women in Clio’s family when they are most vulnerable, the book is scary because there’s more than one kind of demon.”—Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author of Horror Movie and The Cabin at the End of the World
Available September 9th in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Miriam’s Pick:
“‘Walk like a girl. The phrase constantly hurled at me in an attempt to diminish me eventually became my life mantra,’ writes Prabal Gurung. The celebrated designer candidly and chronicles his journey from Nepal to New York in this courageous and moving memoir.”
—Miriam
Walk Like a Girl: A Memoir by Prabal Gurung
From acclaimed fashion designer Prabal Gurung comes a captivating, courageous literary memoir, a testament to the transformative power of creativity, and a celebration of the power of femininity and individuality.
“Walk Like a Girl is the story of an artist’s journey toward becoming, a story we do not know but must. A boy from Nepal fights violence, cruelty, and doubt, and through imagination, truth, and struggle, emerges as a designer of greater beauty, love, and power. Prabal Gurung went through a brilliant fire and came out refined, pure, and full of gold.”—Min Jin Lee, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Free Food for Millionaires and Pachinko
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook; Read by Prabal Gurung
Sharnell’s Pick:
“I’m reading Bones at the Crossroads this weekend, and it’s giving me all the autumn vibes. The mix of magic, mystery, and campus drama has me completely hooked!”
—Sharnell
Bones at the Crossroads: A Novel by LaDarrion Williams.
In the sequel to the “unforgettable” (People), New York Times bestselling fantasy debut Blood at the Root, a Black teenager with magical powers returns to Caiman University only to find new dangers and new secrets.
“A story as magically cool as it is emotionally heated.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Williams emphasizes heartfelt messages about the importance of Black men’s mental health and fostering a queer-inclusive community . . . A cliff-hanger ending ensures that readers will return to Caiman University in a heartbeat.”—Booklist
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Click for More Books in the Blood at the Root Series
Maureen’s Pick:
“Don’t sleep on this high-stakes family drama. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Seriously.”
—Maureen
Women, Seated: A Novel by Zhang Yueran; Translated by Jeremy Tiang
A riveting story of a powerful Chinese family’s fall from grace.
“A propulsive, tightly wound, and beautifully observed novel that explores ideas of power, secrets, motherhood, and sacrifice. I couldn’t put it down.”—Meg Wolitzer
“A tight modern thriller about monied elites and corruption in mainland China . . . These characters may live in your head for some time due to Zhang’s fine pacing and quirky scenes.”—Kirkus Reviews
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Elizabeth’s Pick:
“If you want something done, ask a mom to do it. No, seriously! I cannot wait to dive into this incredible true story of a group of moms who unite to attempt to solve a cold case. The LA Times calls it ‘A true crime mystery that reads like a novel.’ So, thriller lovers, true crime fanatics . . . and moms, this one is for you!”
—Elizabeth
The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan
The incredible true story of a group of moms who, united by a search for new purpose, attempt to solve a fifteen-year-old double murder.
“I’ll never look at the carpool lane the same way again. Hogan ingeniously unravels the lives of four women who transformed themselves into a crack team of amateur sleuths in a tale of true crime that’s as unbelievable as it is relatable.”—Graham Moore, author of The Wealth of Shadows
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Kelly’s Pick:
“Break out your fountain pen, this book will not only inspire you to want to write an actual letter on paper to someone you love, but it will remind you of the fragility of life and saying all the thing you need to say.”
—Kelly
The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans
*A LibraryReads Top Pick*
Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as “a cause for celebration”—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.
“The Correspondent is at turns amusing and poignant and ultimately, a pleasure to read. This moving novel unfurls its truths one letter at a time, filling in a complex and memorable picture of one woman’s life. Like a handwritten letter at its best, The Correspondent is meant to be savored.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Also Available in Spanish: La corresponsal
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Jen C.’s Pick:
“This irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy keeps you guessing. Perfect read to lose yourself in for a long weekend.”
—Jen C.
A Land So Wide: A Novel by Erin A. Craig
*A LibraryReads Pick*
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child comes an irresistible blend of dark fairytale and romantic fantasy. The town of Mistaken has a secret . . . and it’s up to one woman to uncover the truth, confront her past, and save the man she loves.
“Wonderous and haunting. Erin A. Craig strikes gold again.”—Marisha Pessl, New York Times bestselling author of Night Film and Darkly
“This book is an undeniable triumph. Beautiful and dark and unforgettable.”—Shea Ernshaw, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A History of Wild Places
Available September 2nd in Hardcover, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
Watch ‘The Magic of Love’ Author Panel Featuring Erin A. Craig
Kate’s Pick:
“Soaking in the final days of summer with this breezy beach read! Nancy Thayer knows how to drop you right onto Nantucket.”
—Kate
Summer Light on Nantucket: A Novel by Nancy Thayer
A touching novel about parenthood, first love, family bonds, and rekindled relationships from the New York Times bestselling author and beloved Nantucket storyteller Nancy Thayer.
No amount of that drama could change Blythe Benedict’s beloved annual family summer trip to Nantucket. But this summer’s getaway proves to be much more than she bargained for.
Yes, there are sunny days enjoyed at the beach. But Blythe must contend with teenage angst, her ex-mother-in-law’s declining health, and a troubling secret involving her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Blythe reconnects with her first love, her former high school sweetheart Aaden. But their second-time-around romance becomes complicated when another intriguing man enters the picture.
It’s all a bit out of Blythe’s comfort zone. This particular island summer may not be as relaxing as Blythe had hoped, but she’s never felt that life has given her more than she can handle—especially when she has the love and support of her family around her.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.