Wish You Were Here, by Jodi Picoult (Ballantine), is the top holds title of the week (11/29/21). LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

“Picoult has written an intriguing tale of Diana and a few weeks when COVID changes her life. Diana’s relationships make this story interesting.The author’s description of the Galapagos, NYC, COVID, and life during this period are on target. For fans of Liane Moriarty and Sue Monk Kidd.”—Gail Christensen, Kitsap Regional Library, Bremerton, WA 

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (Ecco: HarperCollins)

Appeared on the October 2020 LibraryReads list

“What appears on the surface to be a simple story of a family on vacation morphs into a narrative about humanity,shared fear, misconceptions of people, and more. Amanda,Clay, and their two children rent an AirBnB. Then homeowners Ruth and G.H.appear on the doorstep in a panic, and suddenly nothing is normal. For readers who enjoyed Station Eleven and The Children’s Bible.”—Christi Hawn, Naperville Public Library, Naperville, IL

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak (Berkley)

Appeared on the October 2017 LibraryReads list

“The Birch family will be spending the Christmas holiday in quarantine, thanks to eldest daughter Olivia’s recent relief work in a disease-infested Liberia. She has returned to England but must be in quarantine for seven days. This family has not ever spent this much time in each other’s company. Each person has secrets that are slowly revealed over the course of the seven days. It is particularly interesting to watch them become the family they should have been all along: supportive and loving. An enjoyable read.”—Cheryl Braud, Iberia Public Library, New Iberia, LA

California by Edan Lepucki (Little, Brown)

Appeared on the July 2014 LibraryReads list

“Driven away from the violence of cities and a crumbling society, Cal and Frida live an isolated existence, struggling to survive on what they grow and forage. When an unplanned pregnancy pushes the couple to search for other people, they discover an unexpected community. This well-written debut is great for apocalyptic fiction fans and fans of realistic, character-driven fiction.”—Sara Kennedy, Delaware County District Library, Delaware, OH