GoodReads Cross-Genre Trends As a Resource to Help Your Readers

One of my favorite resources to use as I help readers is Goodreads. Look, I know the site has issues, but it is the best resource we have to access data and trends about readers in real time. I can go there and get a snapshot of what people are reading and how they feel about it. Yes, I know some people use it to be racist, sexist, homophobic etc.... but the vast majority of information is from passionate readers sharing their opinions in a public space.

The people behind the database know this as well and they use the data they are gathering on every single user in so many ways, some probably nefarious, but also, some that help us serve readers better. 

At our individual libraries., we are never going to be able to get a wide enough picture of what people are most interested in reading in real time. We might find out about trends after they crest, when really we need to be ahead of the wave so that we can not only have the books but also have them displayed in a way that shows people we know what they are looking for without them having to ask.

Here is a great example of how Goodreads uses their data in a way that helps us. At the beginning of the month they had this article listing the Five Cross-Genre Trends that they are noticing. I have posted the introduction below, but please click through and see what they have gathered and then look at the comments as well. Of course normally the comments are a place to avoid, but in this case, it is simply a continuation of the conversation but readers adding their own thoughts. 

This is a treasure trove of information about readers-- from all over-- and their preferences right now. Also, since cross-genre books are one of the biggest trends in all of fiction AND it is a trend that has been driven by readers, following this conversation is essential to staying relevant in the eyes of your patrons.

First and foremost, an article like this one is a resource for you. Make sure you are aware of these cross-genres and the titles that readers are excited about. Order them if you don't have them. Suggest them or readalikes for them as you place holds.

Second, turn these 5 categories into mini-displays or lists. You can use Goodreads or NoveList or simply a Google search to find more titles that you already own to add to these ready made display titles. Get those displays up in your buildings, on your websites, and out on social media. Use a link to the Goodreads article to draw even more interest.

Do not underestimate how much more alluring your displays look to your patrons when they see that the wider book world is talking about the same thing as their library. Too often we think that references make us look less competent when it comes to helping leisure readers, but that is completely wrong. When we show our readers that we are engaged with and part of the larger "book atmosphere" (credit Robin Bradford on that phrase), they trust us even more. 

Third, this article is a great example of a conversation starter like the ones I suggest in this "Conversation Starter to Display" handout. Why not show your patrons that you want to know what they are enjoying. Put up a display simply entitled, "Cross-Genre Trends." Don't specify the specifics of which genres are crossing. Trust me, they won't care. The "cross-genre" alone will be a huge draw. Then use the information in my "Conversation Starter to Display" post to gather information from you patrons about their favorite genre blends, both specific titles and any names they are giving to those blends. 

There is so much we can do with the data Goodreads is already collecting. This post is simply a starting point. They are not going to stop and readers are there in numbers we cannot replicate, so why not use it all for good.

From Time Travel to Tech Startups: Five Cross-Genre Book Trends We're Noticing 

As life’s rich pageant of books passes through Goodreads World Headquarters, we often take note of certain thematic and topical trends that suddenly feel like they're everywhere. These aren’t genre trends, exactly. In fact, what makes them interesting is that they often manifest across multiple genres.
 
We like to catalog these strange little pulses while they’re still in circulation, so we've gathered below a selection of new (published since 2022) and upcoming books sorted into five cross-genre trends we're currently spotting. Some are familiar and tend to come in waves over time—vampires are back, for instance—while others feel like distinctly 21st-century concerns. What's with all the books that are set in 2040, anyhow?
 
We’ve added some quick introductions and synopses. Click on the book cover images for more information about each book. Have fun, and if you want to add books or compare notes on other cross-genre trends you're noticing in books these days, feel free to continue the discussion in the comments section!

Click here to read the whole article. which includes annotated book lists, and use it to start conversations with your readers.

A Unique Take on Best Books: Tournament of Books 2024

The Morning News' Tournament of Books is one of my favorite "best books" resources for a few reasons. 

Every year, I take a moment, after the competition is completed to remind you of what a great resource the ToB is to help your readers looking for thought provoking reads across the full spectrum of genres and storytelling styles.

Click here to see the 2024 list of books with summaries.

On the surface this appears to be just another list of "best books," so why do I think it such a valuable resource? Well you can read their full explanation here, on their "About" page here, but here is an excerpt that I think sums up why I like it so much:

But it’s not really a contest. We’re not even sure it’s a “tournament.” What the ToB has been and will be, as long as we’re putting it on, is a month-long conversation about novels and reading and writing and art that takes place on weekdays in March.

Here’s how it works. Throughout the year, we gather, read, and assess the works of fiction we think would make worthy Tournament competitors. In December we present our findings in the form of a "long list." We then cull it to a final shortlist of 16 or so books. (Some years we expand the list beyond the core 16 to include an extra set of two or more books that compete in a pre-Tournament play-in match.)

When the Tournament of Books begins in March, each weekday two works of fiction go head to head, with one of our judges deciding which book moves forward in the brackets, according to whatever criteria matters to them. Along the way, the judges reveal their biases and interests, any connections they have to the participating authors, and, most importantly, an elaborate explanation of how they decided between the two books.

The ToB is not your average book award and not only because it is a battle between the books as judged by other writers using a bracket system. With ToB we also get the most diverse list of “best books” you will see anywhere, both diverse in authorship and genre. 

And because it happens in March each year, but the books are from the year before-- so the 2024 ToB uses 2023 books--there are a lot of titles that are already off holds. So it's a current "best list" option of a wide range of best books, many of which are on the shelf.

With ToB you not only learn about great books and why they are wonderful, but you also learn about the judges themselves, also a very diverse group of people throughout the publishing industry. You can learn about the judges who always get their own page here. Just the list of judges alone makes for it's own resource to suggest books to readers.

Each “battle” has a full write up which gets to the heart of the two books’ appeal and structure. These essays give us valuable information on who would like the book and why. Readalikes are also often mentioned. This is the easiest link to use to pull up each match-up and enjoy it for fun while also learning something new and unique about these popular books. 

Oh and the comments. The readers who follow along religiously and have entire discussions about each pairing of books for pages and pages are THE BEST. Following just the comments is like reading a novel itself. Plus those are the comments of regular readers. There is even a running commentary on the battle itself by the tournament organizers. Again use this link and click on one of the matches to see what I mean.

And don’t forget the back list. From 2005 to the present. Each with their own full bank of the above mentioned information and more! It is no longer all on one page like it used to be but, if you want to see the archive of ToB from the old format from 2005-2020, click here and scroll to the bottom of the right gutter for all the links. And then click on the years for 2023, and 2024 to see the details of those tourneys. For 2021 and 2022, I cannot figure out the link (they don't do a full list with links to the matches after 2020), but you can see their announcement of the books for the 2021 and 2022 tourneys my clicking on the year.

ToB has also become my go-to resource for "literary fiction." Why? Because the ToB takes the idea of "literary" titles, titles worthy of being deemed as worth your time [which I hate, but it is a thing], and gives it a wide berth. I especially love using the backlist titles for book discussions. 

Speaking of backlist, I love the "Wall of Champions," which you can click here and scroll down to see. That page alone is an awesome "sure bet" resource.

In terms of actively using the ToB to help readers, beyond keeping the cache of suggestions readily available, you can stage your own ToB at any time. Use theirs as an inspiration. Here's an example, kick off Summer Reading by taking a look at your most circulated titles-- overall or in specific genres-- or stage a tourney based on your Summer Reading Theme. This is a great participatory display that can be put up in the building or online. Have your patrons vote yes, but also have your library workers do commentary. Get everyone on staff involved who wants to be and have fun with it. You will showcasing your staff's expertise and your collection.

I hope you use the ToB as a resource to get your patrons excited about reading. You can use all of the past years to create a diverse (in every way) display to attract a wide swatch of readers.

If you want to take a deeper dive, you can read "A Brief History of the Tournament of Books." 

If you want more "Rooster Events," scroll to the bottom of the "About" page to see the "Super Rooster" (a contest to decided the champion of champions), "Camp ToB" (a summer book club of past titles: 2023 event is here; archive is here), and "The Nonfiction Pop-Up" (a one time event).

Graphic Novels Preview via LJ (Includes an Interview with Emil Ferris)

Today I am finishing up my Horror Review Column for the June issue of Library Journal and then later this week, I will begin my Horror Genre Preview article for the July issue. As I mentioned a few months ago here, LJ has streamlined their Genre Preview articles to make them more standard and as a result, more helpful. 

This month, they have a format preview-- Graphic Novels. And guess what the first trend is? Horror!

Click here to read
the interview

Below you will find the introductory paragraph, a direct link to read the full article, and the downloadable list of titles to make your ordering easier.

But first, each preview is also paired with an interview of a key person in the Genre at that moment (or format in this case). I have an AWESOME person lined up for mine, a LibraryReads Hall of Famer who has one of the hottest books of the Fall. But the Graphic Novel Preview issue may rival my upcoming interview as they chatted with Emil Ferris about My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book 2, which I have already preordered. Click here to read that.

Graphic Novels Preview | Forthcoming Reads and Format Trends

by Melissa DeWild and Neal Wyatt
Apr 10, 2024 | Filed in Reviews+

The opportunity to experiment with line and form, matching design to mood and carrying story through innovative panel layout and art, clearly holds deep appeal for graphic novel creators and readers alike. Design of both story and page is the point in many of the key works this season. Frank Silva, marketing and communications coordinator at Mad Cave Studios, notes, “The trend of presenting stories in unconventional formats…showcases a growing interest in experimenting with narrative structures.” Look toward Attaboy, Iris, and Between Two Sounds for examples. At the same time, underscoring the format’s avid readership, trends from text-only fiction and nonfiction are finding equal home in graphic novels—particularly with a focus on horror, SFF, adaptations, and memoirs. A downloadable list of all titles mentioned can be found here.

Click here to read the full Graphic Novel Preview. 

LibraryReads: May 2024

      It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All

1. I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
2. I can remind you that even though the newest list is always fun to see, it is the older lists where you can find AWESOME, sure bet suggestions for patrons that will be on your shelf to actually hand to them right now. The best thing about LibraryReads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips through this archive OR the sortable master list allowing you to mix and match however you want.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any LibraryReads titles because there is a book talk right there in the list in the form of the annotation one of your colleagues wrote for you. All you have to say to your patron is, “such and such library worker in blank state thought this was a great read,” and then you read what he or she said.
4. Every upcoming book now has at least 1 readalike that is available to hand out RIGHT NOW. Book talk the upcoming book, place a hold for it, and then hand out that readalike title for while they wait. If they need more titles before their hold comes in, use the readalike title to identify more readalike titles. And then keep repeating. Seriously, it is that easy to have happy, satisfied readers.

So get out there and suggest a good read to someone today. I don’t care what list or resource you use to find the suggestion, just start suggesting books.

Please remember to click here for everything you need to know about how to participate. Click here to see a database of eligible diverse titles sorted by month.

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to the May 2024 list.... 

The Last Murder at the End of the World

Stuart Turton

(Sourcebooks Landmark)

After a deadly fog decimates most of humanity, the small population that’s left lives on an island. As one villager begins investigating a murder, what once seemed like utopia begins to reveal dark secrets that no one could have predicted. Turton raises tantalizing social questions, presents an inventive world structure, and keeps readers intrigued and surprised throughout the novel.

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, NY

NoveList read-alike: Clean Air by Sarah Blake

Now for the rest of the May 2024 list!

The Ministry of Time: A Novel
Kaliane Bradley
(Avid Reader Press)

An employee of the Ministry of Time becomes a "bridge," helping an Arctic explorer adjust to modern life after being rescued from the lost Franklin expedition of 1845. But as she begins to grow closer to him, she finds herself wondering who she can trust, what the real reason for pulling people out of time may be, and whether her life might be in danger. Totally gripping, with great character development.

—Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

Daughters of Shandong
Eve J. Chung
(Berkley)

At times both heartbreaking and uplifting, this novel follows the journey of the women of the Ang family from their farm in rural China to Taiwan during the horrific land reforms of 1948-1950. With this story based on Chung’s grandmother’s experience of a turbulent era, readers will be riveted from page one by the mother/daughter bonds and their will to survive.

—Martha DiVittorio, Bellmore Memorial Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata

Savor It
Tarah DeWitt
(St. Martin's Griffin)

This Pacific Northwest rom- com has delicious tension from the first interaction. Add in fake dating and a steamy scene in a library, and who could ask for more? Readers will appreciate how much attention and care DeWitt put into creating fully-formed characters grappling with grief, chasing dreams, and figuring out how to live in the moment.

—Ebby Bowles, Hingham Public Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander

This Summer Will be Different
Carley Fortune
(Berkley)

Filled with emotional moments as well as fun and flirty scenes, this wonderful story set in picturesque Prince Edward Island is about friendships and found family. More than a love story, this novel has a lot that readers will relate to, including friendship and family. A perfect steamy romance book for the summer.

—Karen Troutman, LibraryReads Ambassador
NoveList read-alike: How To Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson

Lies and Weddings: A Novel
Kevin Kwan
(Doubleday)
Arabella Leung is doing everything she can to match her son Rufus to a very wealthy titled woman in this romp around the world with controlling parents, one of whom is desperately matchmaking to save the family estate. Readers who love high entertainment and the bad behavior of the haves and the have-even-mores will devour this wild ride.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX
NoveList read-alike: Family Trust by Kathy Wang

When Among Crows
Veronica Roth
(Tor Books)

This painful and fascinating (but ultimately hopeful) urban fantasy set in Chicago is a packed novella steeped in Slavic folklore. Dymitr is on a quest to retrieve a guarded plant that might relieve the demon Ala of a deadly curse so he can bargain with her for a hint on how to seek an audience with Baba Yaga herself.

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI
NoveList read-alike: Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott

Long After We Are Gone
Terah Shelton Harris
(Sourcebooks Landmark)

This moving story follows four siblings trying to hold onto their family property. Secrets and dubious life choices threaten to break the family apart as the siblings experience despair followed by self-discovery and self-determination, seeking what truly matters. An engaging and satisfying read, featuring believable, complex characters.

—Monica McAbee, PGCMLS Surratts-Clinton Branch, MD
NoveList read-alike: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club
Helen Simonson
(The Dial Press)

Constance, companion to an elderly woman, meets Poppy, a young woman trying to start a business for women motorcycle riders. Constance gets drawn into the circle of friendship and independence the motorcycle ladies enjoy. Readers will love the characters, the setting, and the portrayal of life after The Great War.

— Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador
NoveList read-alike: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
Rebecca Thorne
(Bramble)

This book is so cozy, readers will want to snuggle under a heap of blankets with a delicious cup of tea. Kianthe and Reyna were the perfect opposites-attract couple—determined to make things work no matter the obstacles. Lots of humor with a serious amount of heart. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes.

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: Notorious Sorcerer by Davinia Evans

Board Bonus pick:

The Return of Ellie Black
Emiko Jean
(Simon & Schuster)

Notable Nonfiction:

The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
Zoë Schlanger
(Harper)

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly LibraryReads list since 2013. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order.

Summers at the Saint
Mary Kay Andrews
(St. Martin's Press)
NoveList read-alike: An Island Summer by Jenny Hale

If Something Happens to Me
Alex Finlay
(Minotaur Books)
NoveList read-alike: Just Another Missing Person by Gillian Mcallister

The Paradise Problem
Christina Lauren
(Gallery Books)
NoveList read-alike: The Fiance Farce by Alexandra Bellfleur

Love at First Book 
Jenn McKinlay
(Berkley)
NoveList read-alike: Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin

Mind Games
Nora Roberts
(St. Martin's Press)
NoveList read-alike: Hold Back the Dark by Kay Hooper

You Should Be So Lucky
Cat Sebastian
(Avon)
NoveList read-alike: The Prospects by KT Hoffman

The Guncle Abroad
Steven Rowley
(G.P. Putnam's Sons)
NoveList read-alike: The Bump by Sidney Karger

One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
(Gallery/Scout Press)
NoveList read-alike: The Guest List by Lucy Foley

What I'm Reading: Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

This is a book I curse for be allowed only 200 words to review it. I loved it so much and needed so many more words.  In the end, for the published review, I settled on the most important plot info you need and doubled down on the feel of the book but there is so much more here than this review can articulate. But good news, I can give you "bonus" review content here. But that's getting too far ahead of ourselves. First, that draft review:

STAR

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

June 2024. 288p. Morrow, $30 (9780063070011). 
First published April 15, 2024 (Booklist).

Tremblay returns with a terrifying novel about the creation of art and its effect on all it touches. Told with a strong Gen X perspective and dark humor, readers are led by, “The Thin Kid,” identified solely by his character’s name in the 1993 cult film Horror Movie, a film marked by tragedy (he is the only surviving team member). Although never released in full, the film has risen to cult status and is being rebooted 30 years later. Moving effortlessly between “Then” and “Now,” “The Thin Kid” speaks directly to readers, placing them under his spell, despite repeated warning signs not to trust him, explaining the details of the original film, its current reboot, and including sections of the original screenplay. The result, a suspenseful story that is indelibly marked by its relentless unease and disturbing revelations, about the characters, yes, but also, the readers themselves. An immersive reading experience that will forever alter the way those who encounter it watch any Horror movie, ever again. For fans of the cursed film trope like in The Remaking by Chapman or How To Make a Horror Movie and Survive by DiLouie, but it pairs even better with the menacing, intricately plotted, and unputdownable storytelling of Catriona Ward.

Three Words That Describe This Book: cursed film, disturbing, immersive 

Further Appeal: As promised I have no many notes and thoughts that I didn't get to. Here we go:

• This novel was clearly a direct result of his experience watching CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD be made into a movie. It is about the creation of art, cult fandom, Horror movies in general. How what artists create becomes its own thing outside of their creation….like his experience with seeing a movie made out of his book.
• Tremblay is the master at breaking you as a reader in a way that you are crushed but also so glad you read the book. Yes, he did it again. 
• The Thin Kid is both sympathetic and sinister. The story building and twists upon itself until you are all knotted up in it, implicated even, and then you are forced to watch it unravel in a way that is horrifying but also it makes sense in the story. Live with that feeling! I have to now, soon you will too.
• We never completely trust The Thin Kid and yet, we are drawn to him– in all of his iterations. Which is the real Thin Kid? Does he even know? Where does the human end and the character begin? Is there a difference anymore? The fact that he never has a name is important to this point/feeling. 
• The levels of storytelling here are compelling as a reader, but also awe inspiring when you think about the narrative's conscious and meticulous construction that somehow feels like it was effortless. The fact that it works so well proves that it was the opposite of effortless. Take this into account-- the book is told in the "then" and "now" timeframes. There is also the screenplay which carries some of the storytelling. And it all feels real. And yet-- all of it is a construct- a story on top of a story, on top of a story, surrounded by 2 movies.
• Great storytelling– 4 distinct layers– adds even more unease that build to outright terror. The audio book we are “reading” The story of the making of the film and the story of its reboot and finally, the script as written by Cleo.
• But for all the layers and intricacies, none of it is at the expenseof the pacing and the ease of falling into the story. 
• You experience this book-- immersive-- whether you want to or not.
• This is one of the best, most original, and most terrifying books about a cursed movie ever. And no surprise, but Tremblay nails the ending. 
• There is no coddling here. It is intense but also enjoyable to read. Again, live with yourself after finishing it and knowing this is true. Captivating, compelling, you can’t stop reading, even as the tension builds to outright terror.
• Finally, it is true here-- The Book Was Better Than The Movie. (if you know, you know).

Readalikes: There are so many, and yet this book is so unique, there are none. That contradiction defines the feel of the story.

Of course we have the cursed film readalikes from the two above and many more, but this book is both about a cursed movie but unlike all books about cursed movies that have come before it. We Eat our Own by Wilson is another good title in this subgenre.

It has a similar feel to Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward-- a layer, meta book also about story telling itself. Others by her too, but this one for sure.

He dedicated the book to Peter Straub, and I can see that as well. 

This one pairs very well with The Pallbearers Club as a Tremblay double feature.

My bonus 5th column for The Lineup in 2024 posted recently and since today is my weekly #HorrorForLibraries giveaway over on the Horror blog, I thought today would be a good day to post this one.

Please note, it is part of a larger trend in both Horror and all genre fiction. Space Horror is hot, yes, but so is the entire concept of merging two genres into one awesome reading experience.

Click here to read the article and enjoy the links to related articles or see below for my draft text. Click here to see everything I have written for The Lineup as well.

From the Haunted Stacks: Space Horror That Actually Terrifies 

These books have an other-worldly fear factor.

• 
• Photo Credit: John Fowler / Unsplash

By Becky Spratford | Published Apr 4, 2024

The universe is vast, cold, empty, and mostly unknown. Sounds like the perfect setting for a Horror novel, right? It is, but honestly, until recently, there were not many Space Horror tiles to choose from. Sure there are many books, including some newer titles, set in the Aliens movie franchise universe and there are a few anthologies of classic scary Science Fiction stories set in space such as In Space No One Can Hear you Scream edited by Hank Davis, but what about some intentional 21st Century takes on the subgenre? Books that set out to scare in space, not just Science Fiction featuring some serious chills that are good enough for Horror readers.

Today, I am here to help you navigate the current Space Horror landscape, with nine books that offer a range of scare levels, inventive otherworldly monsters, storytelling styles, and settings from generation ships to exploring new planets and more. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

The first book in the Locked Tomb series, this novel is set in a fantasy world similar to  an epic Fantasy series like Game of Thrones, except it is in space. Gideon, our narrator, is a lesbian neuromancer, who must compete in a violent series of events all driven by the Undead Emperor. She is snarky, hot tempered, complicated, and utterly fascinating to follow. Gothic, tense, and violent, this is a story that is driven by the way it invokes real, raw emotions. Readers who are new to Space Horror but already familiar with Dark Fantasy, will find this to be a great bridge title to dip their toes into a new genre.

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

Clarie Kovalik, is leading a final mission on the farthest outpost in space, when the crew are shocked to discover a lost luxury ship, one that held a who’s who of the rich and famous, before it went missing. After some deliberation, the crew decides to enter the ship to see what happened to everyone inside, but immediately, they can tell this was no ordinary disaster, and, even worse, they might be the next victims. Featuring a compelling ghost ship frame, sustained visceral unease, an exclusive first person narration from Koalik’s increasingly unreliable point of view, and biting social commentary, Barnes is quickly cementing herself as the go-to author in Space Horror. Look for her next standalone, Space Horror novel, Ghost Station, to be published in April 2024.

Hematophages by Stephen Koziniewski 

Paige, a historian on a team sent to salvage a ship that has been lost for centuries, has never left her space station home base. She narrates, giving the reader insight into a future where the male gender is extinct, corporations have replaced governments, and most humans live off-Earth. But when the team reaches the ship, the true terror begins, a terror which springs from the hematophages, lamprey-like creatures, who attach onto their prey and suck out their insides for nourishment. They especially enjoy the brain. Think Office Space meets Event Horizon, with excellent world building, dark humor, a fast pace, awesomely gross scenes, and a perfect Horror ending. Readers may also want to check out the prequel novella, Skinwrapper.

The Scourge Between the Stars by Ness Brown

Generation ships are a big subgenre within Science Fiction and Space Horror has titles that embrace the theme such as in this critically acclaimed, fast paced, and emotionally resonant, debut novella by Brown, a self proclaimed “speculative fiction author by day and astrophysicist by night.” Jacklyn “Jack” Albright is the Captain of a doomed generation ship populated by the last humans, with nowhere left to go. She is not only trying to keep the peace among her understandably anxious passengers, but also, there appears to be something evil, and not human, stalking the ship as well. This is a great choice for readers who want their chills wrapped up in a scientifically accurate blanket.

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

In this intensely claustrophobic novel, Starling brings readers to a near future dystopia, sending them deep underground on a non-earth planet while introducing them to two captivating but very unreliable women. Gyre, our narrator, lies her way into a great paying job, exploring a system of caves. Em is the person above ground who acts as her guide and is monitoring Gyre’s well being through a very intricate bodysuit. But as Gyre begins to find the dead bodies of past explorers, the entire story takes a terrifying and monstrous turn. This is a psychological horror tale that will burrow into your soul. Starling is a rising star in Horror, an author who is a great choice for all Horror fans, but please note, this is her only title in the Space Horror category.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen

Grace Park is the psychologist on the Deucalion, a ship that is scouting the icy planet Eos, to see if it is habitable. None of the crew like Park and treat her poorly, but it gets worse as a radiant storm cuts off all communication with the outside world. And then,  the crew begin acting strange, as if possessed. But by what? And how can she figure out why? There are dangerous secrets about Eos and the mission being withheld, and her only hope to find answers may be the ship’s androids, with whom she has a unique relationship. This atmospheric debut satisfyingly straddles the line between Science Fiction, Thriller, and Horror.

Salvation Day by Kali Wallace

Cult Horror fans, rejoice as there is a perfect Space Horror novel for you to devour. Zahra and her team, acting on a plan devised by their leader, set out to find their exiled cult a new home on the exploration spaceship, House of Wisdom, now deserted because a virus killed everyone on board. In order to gain access to the ship, however, Zahra and her team must kidnap the only survivor of the House of Wisdom disaster so that they can access the ship using his genetic signature. And because this is solidly a Horror novel, once on board, they find out the truth behind what killed the previous crew, a secret that is not happy to be awakened. Featuring great characters, an intricate plot, and suspenseful tone, this is a riveting and creepy read.

Screams from the Void by Anne Tibbets

Mechanics Ensign, Reina is done with living on the freighter Demeter after two years in deep space, stuck with a small crew, collecting plant life from other planets, all alongside her abusive ex, a fellow crew member. However, she may have even bigger problems, as a wolfesque creature appears to have snuck on board during one of their stops. As it literally tears through the crew, Reina needs to figure out how to stop it. Horror fans will be uneasy from the start as the ship’s name will ring a doomed bell. This is also a great choice for fans of the Aliens film franchise.

Paradise-1 by David Wellington

I began this list with a title that was a great way for Dark Fantasy fans to try Space Horror, and now I want to end with a great option for Hard Science Fiction readers. Special Agent Petrov and Dr. Lei Zhang are being given another chance to serve the interstellar government by being sent to Earth’s first deep space colony, Paradise-1. However, the second they are woken from their travel sleep, their ship comes under attack by frozen yams!?! Working with the ship’s Captain and its inventive and scene stealing robot, Rapscallion, the crew realize that they are surrounded by dozens of spacecraft that appear to be devoid of life. Balancing a steady stream of increasingly dire action, creepy world building, satisfying character development, an original monster, and the right dose of humor, readers will be eagerly awaiting the sequel, Revenant-X coming in November of 2024.

Using Most Anticipated Lists as a Resource for Being Prepared as As a Backlist Resource

Click here to see the list

Earlier this week, The Millions released their Great Spring 2024 Preview here. It covers April through June and is part of their excellent and regular "most anticipated" coverage.

This lists obviously helps you to prepare for the coming months. Those of you who do collection development will want to use this list to get your orders in while those who work at the services desk need this information to get ready with their "while you wait" readalike suggestions for many of of the high demand titles and to get ready to promote some promising new voices.

But this post is not only about upcoming books, it is also here to remind you that these "anticipated" lists make an even better recourse after the fact. Let me explain.

Use this link to see all of The Millions' "most anticipated" coverage. And there are a lot because The Millions is always doing lists of upcoming titles to be excited about. Vetted by their editors and contributors, these lists feature fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels, books in translation, literally everything of note that adult services library worker who are helping leisure readers should be aware of. These lists are diverse and inclusive as well. But, most importantly, they are also annotated! This means for every title you have a talking point about it to share with a patron. You don't need to know anything other than how to access these lists; then you read the annotation written by an expert, and viola, you have a booktalk for that title, as well as a way to start a conversation about upcoming books.

[Remember you can and should use the words of others to book talk a book.]

Not only are the titles all annotated, you can pull up every "most anticipated" list in reverse chronological order with this link.

Why use the backlist? I mean if you read this blog you should know, but some of you are new here and others need the reminder.

Any title that has appeared on any of their "most anticipated" lists, especially those from 2-5 years ago, make great suggestions. Why?

First, the titles were vetted by experts meaning they are worth your attention at any time, not only when they are new or upcoming. 

Second, there is a good chance if they were on lists like this that you ordered them for your collections so you own them and probably have not weeded them yet. 2-5 years means they are probably still relevant as well. 

Third, the book talk for you to handsell the title-- verbally or on a list [web or in the library]-- is right there for you on that list. No work beyond knowing where to click to pull up these lists.

Fourth, and this is the most important point, when you suggest titles to your patrons that they could not have found on their own, that's when you shine. Reminding people of the treasures that are in the stacks is fun and useful. We need to show them that we are here to help with their leisure reading needs so that they continue to value and seek out our services. When we recommend great titles they may have missed, our users understand the breadth of our collections  and the care with which we have built them, which is something we are not great at communicating to the public.

So yes, go look at the bright and shiny list for Spring 2024 from The Millions, but also make sure you are also using the backlist of  "most anticipated" content to help readers all the time.