Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love.

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook / Audiobook
“Delphine is returning to Paris to choreograph her own ballet. Here she meets up with her lifelong friends and fellow dancers Margaux and Lindsay. This absorbing and thrilling character-driven novel explores the world of ballet and its mysteries and secrets. Give to fans of Luster, Trust Exercise, and My Dark Vanessa.”—Terri Smith, Cornelia Library, Mt. Airy, GA
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook
“Hauntingly tragic and beautifully tender, the story of Jade Ahn is interwoven with the fate of Korea in the early 20th century. Jade is apprenticed to a courtesan at a young age, and her friendships there form an unbreakable bond that leads them through multiple tragedies and loves. Recommended for fans of Min Jin Lee and Amy Tan.”—Joy Matteson, Downers Grove Public Library, Downers Grove, IL
Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
Library Collection: Print
“A searing portrait of addiction and recovery, told in the voice of Sonya, a former actress, raging alcoholic, and mother to four-year-old Tommy. When she almost sets the house on fire,
her father forces her to rehab, if not for her sake, then for Tommy's. Sonya travels the difficult road to reintegrate into society and reclaim her beloved son. For fans of Shuggie Bain and All Fall Down.”—Lisa Burris, Bear Public Library, Bear, DE
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
Library Collection: Print
“A used bookstore, a grieving teen with an appreciation of reading, and a talking cat! What more could you ask of a fantasy? Throw in a mission to free lost and damaged books and a bit of readers' advisory, and you have a thoughtful exploration of the truths behind the pleasures of reading. For fans of author Roselle Lim and The Little Paris Bookshop.”—Lucy Lockley, St. Charles City-County Library, St. Peters, MO
A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw
Library Collection: Print
“Travis has a gift: when he touches something, he experiences the memories associated with it. His path to find a missing author leads him to a remote commune. Then he too disappears. When one of the residents of that commune finds his truck years later, he realizes that the darkness they fled may already be in Pastoral. For fans of Saint X and The Girls.”—Deborah Smith, Weber County Library, Roy, UT
The Love Con by Seressia Glass
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook
“Engineer Kenya is a finalist on the reality show Cosplay or No Way, but to win she needs pal Cam to pretend he’s her boyfriend. This is a fun friends-to-lovers, fake dating romance that will best suit folks into cosplay, cons, or geeky pursuits. For fans of Jen Deluca and Sara Desai.”—Alezandra Troiani, Sno-Isle Libraries, Marysville, WA
Murder Under Her Skin: A Pentecost and Parker Mystery by Stephen Spotswood
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook / Audiobook
“These fun throwback hardboiled mysteries feature two female sleuths in the postwar 1940s–Lillian Pentecost, an unorthodox Brooklyn detective, and her unlikely partner, circus runaway Will Parker. Their second case involves a murder at Will’s former circus, and is perfect for readers of Rex Stout and Agatha Christie.”—Patti Cheney, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ
My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle
Library Collection: Print
“Atlanta restaurateur Cam Lasky seemingly has it all, until a fire at his eatery and a terrifying home invasion threaten to destroy all he holds dear. With multiple perspectives adding to the mystery, this is another clever, fast-paced thriller from Belle. For readers of Lisa Gardner and Chevy Stevens.”—Jayme Oldham, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, IL
The Replacement Wife by Darby Kane
Library Collection: Print
“Elisa's best friend, fiancée to her brother-in-law Josh, has disappeared and no one else seems worried. Elisa is suspicious of Josh, especially since he already has one dead wife. Will anyone believe her before it’s too late? For readers of The Girl on the Train and other unreliable-narrator thrillers.”—Chris Markley, Kingsport Public Library, Kingsport, TN
True Crime Story by Joseph Knox
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook
Hoopla: eBook
“What happened to Zoe Nolan? She walked out of her dorm room and hasn’t been seen since. Knox weaves together interviews, emails, and police reports into an immersive missing persons case that will leave readers gasping for breath up until the last page. For fans of The Word Is Murder and the Six Stories series.”—Carol Ann Tack, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY
The Midnight Hour by Elly Griffiths
Library Collection: Print
OverDrive & Libby: eBook
“When retired theater impresario Bert is fatally poisoned in 1960s England, his wife—the prime suspect—hires the detective duo of former police woman Emma Holmes and Sam Collins to investigate. Griffiths is always excellent at plotting and character development, and this sixth Brighton mystery is no exception. Give this to fans of Louise Penny.”—Linda Tilden, Mount Laurel Public Library, Mount Laurel Township, NJ