What books are librarians reading?

The June Library Reads newsletter Top 10 Books Librarians Love  mentions a number of new releases by popular authors, such as, B.A. Paris, Anthony Horowitz, and the sequel to Fredrik Bachman's Beartown.

Working behind the circulation desk we are often asked for reading recommendations. We have "Patron Picks" and "Staff Picks" that are readily available for check out and we change out these selections regularly. What are we reading? Probably no different that what you are reading - our best sources are our patron recommendations.

With an endless stream of books new and old being passed through our hands on a given day we are always on the lookout for repetitive checkouts and transit items. Unfortunately, our online "hottest holds" often has books that are on order and not available for release. Elin Hildebrand's latest "The Perfect Couple" has been on order and available for holds since February and has been on our "hottest holds" list for months. (Note: it is set for release on June 19). Bestselling lists are geared toward the more popular repeat authors who have automatic name recognition and generate thousands of pre-orders based on reputation. Looking for a way to discern bestselling books? Look at the number of weeks they are on the list. Kathryn Stockett's "The Help" was on the list for 131 weeks and Celeste Ng's "Little Fire's Everywhere" has been on the current list for 37 weeks.

Thus, with all of us having limited time for reading enjoyment, how can we become more discerning in our selections? Duxbury's tech service department entered over 1000 new items into circulation last month so you can imagine how many new books catch our eyes. Many of us take home piles of books that catch our interest, but only are able to get through one or two of them.

I often check Goodreads.com if a book looks promising based on the cover description or I've noticed that it continues to be popular with patrons. Through Goodreads they provide detailed descriptions and book reviews and ratings entered by readers. If it has a large reading audience and rates over 4.0 then most often I've found the books to be enjoyable reads.

Come in, browse our shelves, take home that pile of books, and read the ones that catch your interest the most. Has it been a while since you found a really good book? Ask friends for recommendations, browse our patron recommendations, and utilize the tools we have available on our website that help you find books based on theme, favorite author, or favorite title.

Want to know what librarians are reading?  Here are the Duxbury Library Staff Picks.

Want to know what is being "buzzed about" in the publishing world? Here are highlights that were recently published by "Novelist". Diane Setterfield's "Once Upon a River", Neil DeGrasse Tyson's "Accessory to War", Michelle Obama's upcoming memoir "Becoming", Australian author Markus Zusak's YA novel "Bridge of Clay", Adriana Trigiani's "Tony's Wife", and Louise Penny's "Kingdom of the Blink". 

Most of all - share your latest favorite with us by placing it in our "Awesome Box" by the circulation desk and we will spread the word.