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Big Books of the Week

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Flatiron) leads holds this week. 

Other titles in demand include:

The Big Empty by Robert Crais (Putnam)

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (Berkley; LJ starred review)

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Random)

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow (Grand Central)

These books and others publishing the week of January 13, 2025, are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

Nine LibraryReads and eleven Indie Next picks publish this week:

Hall of Fame picks include Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter (Berkley), Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Morrow; LJ starred review), and Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese (Berkley).

Hall of Fame pick Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Flatiron) is also an Indie Next pick:

“The queen of twist does it again! This book exceeded my expectations. The story is packed with tension and unexpected twists that kept me up all night. Feeney does such a great job weaving suspense with character drama.”—Chelsea Praznik, Nacho Mama’s Bookshop, Hamilton, MI

Hall of Fame pick Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (Berkley; LJ starred review) is also an Indie Next pick:

“A beautifully haunting, thought-provoking story about societal views and motherhood that dabbles with witchcraft. There are moments where you laugh, feel scared, and even cry. That’s the beauty of this book: everything comes with a price.”—Caylee Wilson, Midtown Reader, Tallahassee, FL

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill (Avon) *Good for Book Clubs

“In this aching ‘what if?’ story, Darby goes back to his Midwest hometown to help his mother pack up their old home and finds everything has changed but the In Between Bookstore—in fact, when he walks in the person behind the counter is the sixteen-year-old version of himself. A tender look at how misunderstandings and events change and create us and how not even the closest people to us can know what’s going on in our heads.”—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Del Rey; LJ starred review)

“At Hana’s pawnshop in Tokyo, people can sell their regrets. While Hana provides relief for them, she desperately seeks answers for her father’s disappearance. Enter Key and his scientific mind. A fascinating blend of magical realism, mystery, romance, and hope.”—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“This delectable treat of a book is a triumph of worldbuilding. Around every corner is a charming, creative new detail of how Hana—a pawnbroker who deals in choices—and her world work. Perfect for a cozy read by the fire.”—Victoria Ford, Comma, a Bookshop, Minneapolis, MN

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia (St. Martin’s)

“Stephanie, heading to a work conference, meets Jasmine, who is running from an abusive relationship. They find themselves connected to Trent, a raging narcissist. When both women turn up missing, evidence is found at Trent’s house. This fast-paced plot will keep readers guessing until the very last page of the book.”—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“This story of two strangers meeting on a plane is full of suspense from start to finish. I read a lot of thrillers and I could not put this one down!”—Marilyn Negip, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Random)

“This novel looks at ambition and the elite figure skating world with a sharp eye and a fierce writing style. It’s a dishy story of an Olympic ice-dancing couple with some truly romantic moments, the pacing of a thriller, and a documentary interview style that effectively propels the story along.”—Jodi Prather, Bartholomew County Public Library, IN

It is also an Indie Next pick:

“I loved everything about this exhilarating novel. I raced through this epic love story set within the demanding, cutthroat world of competitive ice dancing filled with fascinating characters and all the drama we love both on and off the ice.”—Anderson McKean, Page and Palette, Fairhope, AL

Babylonia by Costanza Casati (Sourcebooks Landmark)

“Semiramis was abandoned by a fragile mother and raised by a cruel stepfather. She grows up learning that to belong in a male-dominated society, she has to think and fight like a man. The author’s research, vivid descriptions and memorable characters make this a great read.”—Linda Sullivan, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Six additional Indie Next picks publish this week:

Hello Stranger: Musings on Modern Intimacies by Manuel Betancourt (Catapult)

“This examination of belonging, vulnerability, privacy, and modern courtship puts into words those feelings that can be too painful to voice. Betancourt’s expansive definition of friendship and intimacy is salient in this time of division and loss.”—Viktor Hughes, Loudmouth Books, Indianapolis, IN

The Lost House by Melissa Larsen (Minotaur)

“In trying to uncover old family secrets, Agnes Glin travels to Iceland. She will have to live with the answers that may be revealed. The frigid setting will have you reaching for a blanket and the dark, suspenseful story will keep you turning pages.”—Betsy Von Kerens, The Bookworm of Omaha, Omaha, NE

Death in the Downline by Maria Abrams (Quirk)

“I absolutely loved this twisty thriller! Centered in the world of a women’s beauty brand multi-level marketing company, this book had me guessing from the get-go and made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. An incredibly strong debut!”—Val Partenheimer, Books Are Awesome!, Parker, CO

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova (Gallery: Scout)

“Lisa Genova pulled me into Maddy’s compelling story, and left me with a better understanding of the challenges someone with bipolar disorder faces. A fascinating read! Highly recommend.”—Angela Sides, Monkey and Dog Books, Fort Worth, TX

Good Girl by Aria Aber (Hogarth)

“Fans of Ocean Vuong and Kaveh Akbar, take note. Aria Aber’s bright coming-of-age novel centers a young woman grieving her mother, falling into a dangerous romance, and navigating the push and pull as the German-born daughter of Afghan immigrants.”—Laurel Rhame, Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, VT

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange (Celadon)

“Another wonderful novel by Tracey Lange, the addictive story of a couple rediscovering love after a tragedy upended their relationship. Readers will have empathy for good-hearted Casey and Kyle, and the novel’s ties with hockey add appeal.”—Chris Stuckenschneider, Neighborhood Reads, Washington, MO

In the Media

People’s book of the week is I’ll Come to You by Rebecca Kauffman (Counterpoint). Also getting attention are Playworld by Adam Ross (Knopf) and Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan (Random House Trade Paperbacks). “Atmospheric New Novels” include The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (Dutton), A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (Delacorte), and Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan (Harper Voyager; LJ starred review). 

“The Scoop” highlights Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s new memoir, People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations with Julie Lyles Carr (Thomas Nelson). Allison Holker discusses her forthcoming memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light (Harper Select). Plus, a recipe from Bobby Flay: Chapter One; Iconic Recipes and Inspirations from a Groundbreaking American Chef by Bobby Flay with Emily Timberlake (Clarkson Potter). 

Reviews

NYT reviews The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North by Michelle Adams (Farrar): “Adams recognizes that there is a long history in the Black community, including in Detroit, of hostility to integration, or, to put it another way, of belief in Black self-sufficiency”; Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Morrow; LJ starred review): “Okorafor pulls us so deeply into Zelu’s innermost workings that her wins and losses feel like our own even if we don’t fully agree with her choices”; My Darling Boy by John Dufresne (Norton): “My Darling Boy is a tale of parenthood, friendship and resolute love. But it’s also a book about the power of our personal myths”; and Good Girl by Aria Aber (Hogarth): “It’s thrilling to see her turn major poetic gifts toward the sweep of this Künstlerroman, the story of a young woman becoming other than she used to be.”

Washington Post reviews The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy (Vintage): “It’s an important investigation of a complex inventor, her flawed but revolutionary technology, and how it has never been allowed to live up to her hopes for it”; The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living a Good Life by Mark Rowlands (Liveright): “By meditating on the many beloved dogs with whom he has shared his life, Rowlands sketches their profoundly alien and distinctively ebullient way of navigating the world”; The Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neale Hurston (Amistad): “It is far from Hurston at her best, but it is nonetheless engrossing because of her unbridled enthusiasm for her subject, even when her passion works against her”; and Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (Putnam): “Just as I did, many readers are bound to find their home within the pages of Chen’s unforgettable debut.”

Briefly Noted

The Philip K. Dick Award nominees are announced.

The Story Prize finalists are announced.

NYPL acquires the archive of Jhumpa Lahiri, Infodocket reports.

SLJ shares “How to Help Those Impacted by California Wildfires.”

USA Today looks at alternative apps for the BookTok community.

People shares the best books of the month.

CrimeReads suggests 10 new books for the week. 

People recommends 10 football romance books to read during the NFL playoffs.

Performance coach Jim Murphy’s book Inner Excellence (Academy of Excellence) is the #1 bestelling book on Amazon after viral video captured Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown reading the title during the NFC wild-card game against the Green Bay Packers. USA Today has more on Brown’s viral reading habit. SI also has coverage.

The Atlantic has “What To Read When the Odds Are Against You.”

Washington Post has a feature interview with Grady Hendrix, author of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls (Berkley; LJ starred review).

NYT has a feature on author Nnedi Okorafor and her latest book, Death of the Author (Morrow; LJ starred review).

In LA Times, Brooke Shields discusses the pressure of aging and her new memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, written with Rachel Bertsche (Flatiron).

Authors on Air

On CBS Sunday Morning, Brooke Shields discusses her new memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed To Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, written with Rachel Bertsche (Flatiron). Shields is also interviewed on NPR and will appear on The View and Live with Kelly and Mark today.

Talk show host Graham Norton, author of Frankie (HarperVia), visits CBS Mornings.

Ramit Sethi, author of Money for Couples: No More Stress. No More Fights. Just a 10-Step Plan To Create Your Rich Life Together (Workman), will appear on GMA today.

Keila Shaheen, author of The Book of Shadow Work (Atria/Primero Sueno), will visit Today.

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