EarlyWord

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on November 7, on Twitter/X. Future GalleyChats will occur on BlueSky. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, November 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. A “pinch hitter” compiled the chat from the tweets and searching by hashtag and keyword appears to be broken, so “Chatter(ers)” and “Popularity” columns are missing and will reappear in the future. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is November 1, for books publishing in December.

Please give special attention to our lists of diversity titles for 2024 and also for 2025.

In 2010, Nora Rawlinson of EarlyWord started a monthly chat with librarians to discuss forthcoming books, who soon discovered the value of knowing books readers were excited to see published and how helpful the compiled lists were for collection development.

The discussion continues but will move from “X” to BlueSky on December 5.

So please follow GalleyChat to our new home to talk with fellow librarians about your favorite (and not-so-favorite) recent galleys, held the first Thursday of the month) from 4 to 5 pm, ET.  Join us at 3:30 for “pre-Chat” virtual cocktails. Hashtag: #ewgc.

To join EarlyWord’s GalleyChat:

1. If you are not already on Bluesky, set up an account.
2. Set an alarm on your calendar to remind you of the chat dates and times.
3. Just before the discussion begins, log on to Bluesky or whatever interface you prefer.
4. To follow the discussion, enter #ewgc to track the GalleyChat posts.
5. To post a comment, make sure that you include hashtag #ewgc . Please write book titles in ALL CAPS, to make them stand out. Since this is a chat about galleys, we ask that you only post about forthcoming books, adult fiction or nonfiction.

We look forward to seeing you in our new home!

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on October 3, on Twitter/X. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, October 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT + popularity column indicating books with mentions by three or more unaffiliated chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is November 1, for books publishing in December.

Please give special attention to our lists of diversity titles for 2024 and also for 2025.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on September 5, on Twitter/X. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, September 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT + popularity column indicating books with mentions by three or more unaffiliated chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is October 1, for books publishing in November.

Please give special attention to our lists of diversity titles for 2024 and also for 2025.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on August 1, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, August 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT + popularity column indicating books with mentions by three or more unaffiliated chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, from 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is September 1, for books publishing in October.

Please give special attention to our lists of diversity titles for 2024 and also for 2025.

Our last GalleyChat occurred on July 11, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and to the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs (digital review copies). To read the full chat, log in to Twitter/X and search by hashtag #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, July 2024 –link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the titles and a popularity column with 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT+ for titles mentioned in GalleyChat multiple times (three or more). As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines are indicated. Notes on DRCs are only available on Netgalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

– Edelweiss catalog – includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is August 1, for books publishing in September.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles for 2024. We’re also looking ahead to diversity titles in 2025.

Our last GalleyChat occurred on June 6, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and to the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs (digital review copies). To read the full chat, log in to Twitter/X and search by hashtag #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, June 2024 –link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the titles and a popularity column with 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT+ for titles mentioned in GalleyChat multiple times (three or more). As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines are indicated. Notes on DRCs are only available on Netgalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

– Edelweiss catalog – includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is July 1, for books publishing in August.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles for 2024. We’re also looking ahead to diversity titles in 2025.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on May 1, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, May 2024 –link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the titles and a popularity column with 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT+ for titles mentioned in GalleyChat multiple times (three or more). As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

– Edelweiss catalog – includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is June 1, for books publishing in July.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles for 2024. We’re also looking ahead to diversity titles in 2025.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on April 4, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, April 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT+ popularity column indicating books with mentions by three or more chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is May 1, for books publishing in June.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on March 7, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, March 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT+ popularity column, indicating books with mentions by three or more chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is April 1, for books publishing in May.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on February 1, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, February 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes the chatters or marketers who chatted up the books and a new 3-PEAT or 3-PEAT + popularity column indicating books with mentions by three or more chatters. As always, diversity titles are noted. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is March 1, for books publishing in April.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.

New Year, new GalleyChat roundup!

Our latest GalleyChat occurred on January 4, on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Here are the links to the chat and the Edelweiss catalog where you can request and download DRCs. To read the full chat, log in and search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, January 2024 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes quotes from comments, notes on debuts, diversity titles, and those mentioned for the first time. LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs are only available on NetGalley.

NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet or have comments or issues, please let us know. There are new coordinators and compilers learning to do this in 2024, and this spreadsheet was cut and pasted by hand.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, 4 to 5 p.m. EST (virtual cocktails at 3:30 p.m. EST).

The next LibraryReads deadline is Februrary 1, for books publishing in March.

Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.

Roundups of the December GalleyChat, held on the platform formerly known as Twitter, are below. To read the full chat, search the platform by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, December, 2023 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes quotes from comments, notes on debuts, diversity titles, and those mentioned for the first time, LibraryReads deadlines and notes on DRCs only available on NetGalley. NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat is scheduled for Thursday, January 4th, 4 to 5 pm ET (3:30 for virtual cocktails).

The next LibraryReads deadline is January 1, for books publishing in February. Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.

Tom Lake

Yellowface

starling house

heaven

Northwoods

wager

Henry

Kind worth saving

December 21: Librarian Faves, The Top Ten Titles for 2023

Librarians are known for marching to the beat of different drummers in their favorite books, and 2023 was no exception. We received over 300 submissions with several surprise titles that have never graced other best-of-the-year lists. 

1. TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett (HarperCollins) and BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST by Travis Baldree (Macmillan) 

3. THE FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros (Macmillan)

4. ROMANTIC COMEDY by Curtis Sittenfeld and POVERTY, AMERICA by Matthew Desmond (both by Penguin Random House)

6. VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Penguin Random House)

7. IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS by T. J. Klune (Macmillan), HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE by Grady Hendrix (Penguin Random House), THE MAKING OF ANOTHER MAJOR MOTION PICTURE MASTERPIECE by Tom Hanks (Penguin Random House), and ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by S. A. Cosby (Macmillan).

Click here to see the entire list of over 300 entries.

December 13 UPDATE: 

Please remember to vote for your top ten favorite books of the year. Enter your books on the spreadsheet (link below), and if you notice your title is on the list, please enter it anyway, as that is how we will determine the library staff’s top ten books of the year. 

So far, the top contenders are Matthew Desmond’s POVERTY, AMERICA; Grady Hendrix’s HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE; T. J. Lune’s IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS, Travis Baldree’s BOOKSHOPS AND BONEDUST, and Ann Patchett’s TOM LAKE. 

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I’m sorry to say there is no #libfaves23 this year (titles submitted by library staff via X/Twitter), but we still wanted library staff to have a way to offer their favorite titles of the year. Rather than have submissions recorded and compiled by volunteers, this year’s event is a do-it-yourself affair.

Below is a link to a Google spreadsheet where you can submit your favorite adult books published in late 2022 and 2023. If you can restrain yourself (I know it’s not easy!), please limit your submissions to ten with the titles in all caps. Submissions start Monday, December 11, and continue through December 20. On the 21st, the titles will be sorted, and we’ll see which books receive the most votes.

Librarian Faves 2023

Roundups of the November, 2023, GalleyChat, held  on Twitter (aka “X”), are below. To read the full chat, search Twitter by #ewgc.

— EarlyWord GalleyChat, Nov, 2023 — link to a spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes notes on diversity titles, those mentioned for the first time, and LibraryReads deadlines. NOTE: If you have any trouble downloading the spreadsheet, please let us know.

— Edelweiss catalog — includes covers, publisher marketing information, and links to Edelweiss DRCs.

Our next chat will be held on Dec. 7th, 4 to 5 pm Eastern, even though it conflicts with a portion of PRH’s Winter Book & Author Festival. Remember that the festival is recorded, so you can watch it later if you chose.

The next LibraryReads deadline is December 1, for books publishing in January. Please give special attention to our list of upcoming diversity titles.