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Cardinal (The Storyteller’s Death) deftly blurs the boundaries between literary and relationship fiction, crafting a novel full of magical realism that unfolds with leisurely grace as it traces a plot that is deeply engaging. Swift yet reflective, intimate yet universal, this is a novel of deep rewards.

Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner Erdrich (The Sentence) yet again displays her storytelling skills.

The setting, characters, and structure of the novel are compelling, and, as the title suggests, there are secrets and lies aplenty. For fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins.

Fantasy fans and steampunk enthusiasts will enjoy Glover’s astounding, creatively envisioned Prohibition-era United States, where magical and historical events intertwine in a thrilling plot full of adventurous characters.

This sequel to Gilliland’s first romance, Witch of Wild Things, is sure to be just as popular.

Penny’s follow-up to A World of Curiosities plays on readers’ fears as she launches a new story arc that is completed in this installment but presents a cliffhanger. It’s a frightening novel of duality, of good versus evil, with an allegorical tale for today’s world, as only Penny can write.

Titles not to miss across fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and reference.

This must-have anthology is a treasure trove not to be missed.

Readers looking for a wild romp of a sci-fi caper story, complete with long games, big plans, wild heists, and epically flirtatious banter, are going to fall in love with Ada Lamarr every bit as much as Agent Rian White does in this first of a projected trilogy from Revis (Museum of Magic). Perfect for fans of Valerie Valdes and Constance Fay.

A superb, marvelously informative introduction to Latine cooking and cuisine in the U.S., enriched with intriguing snippets of Salazar’s heritage and culinary journeys.

With an eminently likable group of characters, a generous helping of wine and foodie culture, and an extra steamy and tender love story, YA author Khorram’s (The Breakup Lists) first foray into adult fiction will warm readers’ hearts.

Nguyen’s delicious efforts to bring her unique cuisine and personal style to print will be a hit with fans and newbies alike.

An affecting book and always slightly to the side, as indeed were all of Kafka’s writings.

Nail-biting suspense makes for an engaging and compulsively readable intro to yet another ambitious series from this writing team.

The weather conditions are an essential component in this sequel to All We Buried. Readers who appreciate the strong woman police chief in Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder books or the vivid landscapes of Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire mysteries will appreciate Taylor’s riveting crime novel.

Fans of Carmen Maria Machado will find in this debut novelist a new author to follow every bit as voraciously.

Well written and informative, with extensive research notes. Highly recommended for fashion merchandising and women’s studies readers.

Highly approachable and friendly to all skill levels, this book fits the bill for anyone who hesitates to prepare meals; a must-have for time-constrained cooks. Essential for every collection.

With its focus on books and book lovers, eccentric villagers and frauds, this first mystery from the author of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a delightful traditional, filled with fascinating characters. Those who escape to Louise Penny’s Three Pines might want to check out Great Diddling.

Lush scenery, well-drawn secondary characters, and believable, grounded conflicts lead to a sweet and satisfying ending for Kit and Theo in McQuiston’s (I Kissed Shara Wheeler) funniest, sexiest novel to date, here in a special edition with painted edges.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy reimagined legends.

This sparkling novel is highly recommended for all collections.

This compelling mix of horror, found family, and intricate mythology will appeal to those who loved Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys and The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin.

Wassmer’s debut novel succeeds in being the opposite of its title. He might become a new favorite for fans of John Scalzi and David Wong (a.k.a. Jason Pargin).

Readers who fell hard for Hazel Beck’s “Witchlore” series and Ann Aguirre’s “Fix-It Witches” books will be thrilled with these turn-of-the-century sister-witches in Sivinski’s debut.

To the oft-invoked online debate of man vs. bear, Tama offers a new question: man vs. bird. The magpie narrator offers more nuance and understanding to human relations than do most people. Chidgey (Pet) is a skilled storyteller and doesn’t stop surprising with this gorgeously haunting work. Endlessly faceted and highly recommended for book clubs.

A highly readable suspense novel in the style of Riley Sager, Alice Feeney, and Lisa Jewell, with a dash of Liane Moriarty thrown in for good measure.

Bowen is adept at writing mysteries filled with intriguing clues, satisfying solutions, expertly captured historical settings, and a little romance. A must-add to popular mystery collections.

“Warm and human even as it’s post human,” as Jo Walton observes in her introduction, Reed’s remarkable debut skillfully blends mind-bending speculation with riveting intrigue, alluring romance and harrowing drama, set in a prescient de-souled future.

Readers who enjoy the work of Nadia Hashimi and E.M. Tran are likely to embrace this deeply engaging and satisfying tale. Thanki is a new voice to definitely keep an eye on.

Clever, empathetic characters, an unusual world, and a rapidly paced story that keeps readers guessing will delight fans of Caruso’s (The Ivory Tomb) and create new ones.

Three pros unite again (after The Lost Summers of Newport) for this fun, dramatic mystery with an exotic setting and delightful characters. Readers who recognize and like satire will enjoy.

Robb’s (This Spells Love) sophomore outing has a swoon-worthy romance that gets an extra kick with the unique supernatural twist.

Titles to note across fiction, nonfiction, audio, graphic novels, and reference.

Short story fans might just discover their new favorite author in this arresting collection, a must-have.

Marked by Harkness’s deft evocations and appreciation of learning, this is a book to treasure. The portentous ending, rife with new story threads and threats, will leave readers hoping that she doesn’t wait another six years to continue the series.

With its mix of astute cultural analyses, quippy personal anecdotes, and deeper dives into sociopolitical and theoretical factors, this book does more than show disabled and chronically ill people that they belong. It also serves as a reminder that it matters how one shows up on dating apps and in relationships, in order to counteract the systems that try to render invisible the people whose bodies don’t conform to social norms.

Collecting one of the most popular, beloved, and influential comic strips ever created, this volume and the four preceding it are essential purchases for all libraries.

This brief, potent book offers a fresh understanding of diaspora; readers of contemporary poetry will seek it out.

An incredibly helpful guide for beginners, but readers who just want a refresher on crocheting techniques will appreciate this title too.

This touching, funny, sexy novel from Simone (Ravaged) is a joy to read and is sure to be popular where contemporary sports romances and multicultural fiction circulate well.

This highly entertaining and fun book is especially recommended for educators and caregivers of school-age kids.

Speaking to Jew and Gentile, believer and nonbeliver, this poetry collection makes our hungers radiant. Highly recommended.

Based on extensive primary research, this detailed case study will magnetize readers interested in U.S. Civil War history and politics.

A most moving, memorable memoir that expertly incorporates sensory details. Readers will be able to easily envision de Bastion’s grandfather, his love of music and great talent for it, his strength and resilience during the war, and the power of his music to keep him alive.

Will draw fans of redemptive family sagas that cross time and space, such as Amanda Dyke’s Set the Stars Alight and Heidi Chiavaroli’s Hope Beyond the Waves. Cox (He Should Have Told the Bees) is fast becoming an auto-buy for library collections.

Featuring wonderfully developed characters and fluid, well-paced writing, Roberts’s (Text Appeal) latest is highly recommended for fans of small-town and supernatural romances.

The summer edition of Life+Style features outstanding reads across cooking, crafts, fashion, gardening, interior design, self-help, travel, and more.

Librarians and educators will find this thorough and outstanding resource about misinformation highly useful for community activists and students.

Take the deadly mystery and vicious academic politics of The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older, stir in the magic and the romance of the “Emily Wilde” series by Heather Fawcett (but make it sapphic), add several drops of the political shenanigans of epic fantasy, and stir with a sharp, prickly thorn of a main character to get this fraught enemies-to-lovers fantasy. YA author Saft’s (A Fragile Enchantment) adult debut is highly recommended.

The devastating crime novel will appeal to readers who appreciate tragic family stories and fans of Julia Keller’s Bell Elkins books.

Fans of Patricia A. McKillip’s The Forgotten Beasts of Eld or Marie Brennan’s Driftwood will be in awe of Berry’s (The Manual of Detection) wonderfully odd ode to language, story, and family.

Soria’s newest book will wrap readers into a cozy world that they won’t want to leave. This fantasy romance is sure to enrapture readers looking for an atmospheric and lovable read, much like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett.

Not to be missed; sure to be one of the best collections of the year.

Slip into the evocative pleasures of language with stellar works of revelation, confrontation, and grace.

Ranging from performing arts memoirs to craft books to philosophy, this large section of the Book Review featured a number of outstanding titles in the first half of 2024.

Tread a faithful path through tribulations, relationships, and self-growth in novels that emphasize happy endings.

Stir up something tasty with guides to getting dinner on the table, explorations of regional foodways, and weekend bake-off inspiration.

Journey into imaginary realms full of wonder, chaos, comfort, and adventure.

Illustration, design, color, and text combine to create multisensory reading experiences in these extraordinary titles.

From World War II to the Renaissance to 1177 BCE, these works of nonfiction are time machines to the past.

Inspiration blooms in titles covering gardening and interior design, each a redolent invitation to beauty.

Sharks and whales, the planet and plants, trees, astronomy, and volcanoes are just a few of the topics covered in this wide-ranging list, which also includes pets, health, and medicine.

Give in to terror with tales of fear, exploration, confrontation, and all manner of haunts that hide under the bed—and in the mind.

Solve the clues and witness order being reestablished in standout stories of detectives, villains, and deadly deeds.

Love wins, feelings are affirmed, and swoony scenes unfold in these fantastic happily-ever-after titles.

Explore the near present and the far future in spectacular works of rational imagination and inquiry.

Change, anxiety, happiness, coping—these subjects and more are addressed in books that help readers achieve their best lives.

Explore the varied landscape of social sciences publishing via LJ’s top picks in anthropology, parapsychology, parenting, economics, memoir, and more.

High-octane pacing, twisty plots, seething, subterranean emotions, and plenty of danger are hallmarks of the genre; here are some super suggestions.

In this fantastic selection of literary fiction, readers will meet new people, travel next door or across the globe, and sink into stories that place characters in situations both familiar and extraordinary.

The abundance of brilliant books published this year create a galaxy of good reads.

These historical novels send readers to locations as far-flung as ninth-century Japan, 1930s El Salvador, and Cold War London.

These novels have it all—laughs, chills, romance, family strife, kidnappings, and murders, plus extravagant locales, over-the-top parties, and riotous road trips.

The first half of 2024 has been full of astronomical events—the eclipse, the northern lights, and sublime images of space. Here on Earth, LJ reviewers have discovered 490+ stars of their own, with books that have earned the magazine’s highest accolade, a starred review. To celebrate these dazzling reads, we have gathered their constellation of reviews, with an accompanying downloadable spreadsheet, sortable by subject/genre and BISAC heading.

With an eminently likable group of characters, a generous helping of wine and foodie culture, and an extra steamy and tender love story, YA author Khorram’s (The Breakup Lists) first foray into adult fiction will warm readers’ hearts.

A devastating story of sisterhood, community, and memory, quietly magical and utterly unforgettable.

Essential reading for both general audiences and scholars who are interested in an engaging overview of Japan’s complex history.

Ogawa (The Memory Police), an award-winning novelist both in her native Japan and in the United States, writes with exquisite artistry about the complications of a close-knit household whose members are quietly protective of its wounding secrets, as seen through the eyes of a young girl; the novel is beautifully translated by Snyder.

Wroblewski’s talent dances on the page in a searingly gorgeous novel written with piercing, insightful language.

Titles not to miss across fiction, nonfiction, audio, and reference.

Jones’s deeply personal account of her battle to regain her reputation and combat intolerance in libraries is essential reading and ultimately a clarion call for others to help defend intellectual freedom and democracy.

Eldritch horrors from beyond, plus the final pulse-pounding installment in a beloved but bloody trilogy.

Beach listens, spooky stories, history, poetry, and more. This summer’s audiobook stars offer something for every taste.

Modern takes on classic mysteries, plus a series finale that intrigues as it fills listeners with joy.

Spanning werewolves and vampires to sizzling sports stars, these alluring audio romances are sure to satisfy.

Speculative worlds come alive in intriguing, playful, and tense audiobooks.

Fans of Carmen Maria Machado will find in this debut novelist a new author to follow every bit as voraciously.

Harrow’s breathtaking debut delves deep into the raw emotions of grief and the pure beauty of rediscovering joy in an exquisite tale of second chances, featuring an enemies-to-lovers romance.

Debut author Wood has expertly mixed romance with mystery in a novel that leaves more questions than answers. This fast-paced thriller will work well for book clubs and fans of the unreliable narrator trope.

The top reads from our June issue, ranging across mystery, suspense, romance, fiction, horror, science fiction, fantasy, arts, science, and more.

This sometimes unsettling yet consistently delightful fairy tale feels like a marriage of the clever schemes of Trip Galey’s A Market of Dreams and Destiny and the metaphors of Kelly Barnhill’s The Crane Husband.

In this delightful spy thriller romance, disrespectful kids and mob bosses alike fall victim to special agent Gabby Greene, a stay-at-home mom with the lethal combination of a dart gun, just-dyed roots, and a minivan. Bad guys beware.

Inspired by a real-life crime in Australia, the sixth DI Fawley novel is an intricate, carefully plotted police procedural comparable to the best of Ann Cleeves’s Vera novels or Louise Penny’s mysteries.

Soltani’s debut is perfect for fans of Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive To Survive docuseries and brings a unique subcategory and delightful addition to the sports romance genre.

YA author Kim’s adult debut is an action-filled contemporary fantasy based in Korean mythology, featuring morally gray characters and a little heat.

This powerful, unforgettable historical mystery is for fans of Mary Anna Evans’s Justine Byrne series, and stories with strong women characters.

This sparkling novel is highly recommended for all collections.

The top reads from our May issue, ranging across audio, mystery, suspense, romance, fiction, horror, science fiction, fantasy, arts, science, and more.

The newest edition of Life+Style features key reads across cooking, crafts, fashion, gardening, interior design, self-help, travel, and more.