GalleyChat Roundup, Dec., 2021
Roundups of the titles from the December chat are below. To read the full chat, search Twitter by #ewgc.
And for those looking back at their favorites of the year, #Libfaves2021 runs through Dec. 17th. It began yesterday, Dec. 8, with library folk posting their top ten favorite 2021 titles, countdown style. Don’t worry if you missed the first day, you can catch up by adding the titles for the days you missed.
— EarlyWord GalleyChat, Spreadsheet — link to spreadsheet of the titles on Google Docs. Includes excerpts from notable tweets, notes on debuts, diversity titles, those mentioned for the first time as well as LibraryReads deadlines and DRC availability. 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 Thursday, January 6th, 4 to 5 pm ET (3:30 for virtual cocktails). Click here for the schedule of upcoming chats.
The next LibraryReads deadline is January 1st, for books publishing in February. Please give special attention to our list of diversity titles for LibraryReads consideration.
Several February titles (LR votes due Jan 1) have received heartfelt recommendations from GalleyChatters.
Slocumb, Brendan, The Violin Conspiracy, (PRH/Anchor, 9780593315415, February 1, 2022)
DEBUT, Beth Mills, “…great main character, loved the classical music background.” — Jane Jorgenson, “Engrossing and heartbreaking at turns. Hero is a young black man who has to work exponentially harder to get into the world of being a classical violinist, then has his family heirloom (and extremely valuable) violin stolen.” — JenniferSchultz, “…a mystery about a Black violinist who, against all odds, creates an extraordinary violinist career, which is threatened when his priceless violin goes missing. Fascinating & gripping.” — Mara, “…a compelling mystery, but also a fascinating look at the world of classical music and a moving tribute to the power of music education. I really enjoyed it!”
Chang, Lan Samantha, Family Chao, (W. W. Norton, 9780393868074, Feb. 1, 2022)
Mara, “Loved the character development in this story of three very different brothers thrust into the spotlight after their father’s suspicious death.” The author is featured Booklist’s Webinar along with Mary Roach and Glory Edim,
Black, Daniel, Don’t Cry for Me, (HarperCollins/Hanover Square Press, 9781335425737, Feb. 1, 2022)
Louisa, “Love love love DON’T CRY FOR ME! Need to remember to vote [for LibraryReads, due Jan 1] — Leslie DeLooze, “I just started DON’T CRY FOR ME by Daniel Black, and I can’t put it down. Surprising because of the serious nature of the novel. So compelling.”
March titles getting attention (LibraryReads deadline, 2/1/22)
Wilkes, Ally All the White Spaces (S&S Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 9781982182700, March 22, 2022)
Mara, “I’ve been raving about All The White Spaces by Ally Wilkes to anyone who will listen this month! A thrilling tale of polar exploration where something sinister is lurking out there on the ice. Great use of a post-WWI setting where almost everyone is haunted by their pasts.”
Sutanto, Jesse Q. Four Aunties and a Wedding (PRH/Penguin Berkley, 9780593440766, March 29, 2022)
Jenna Friebel, “…such a delightful and fun follow up to Dial A For Aunties. Loved being with those characters again in another ridiculous situation.”
A well-loved title originally scheduled for February, has been moved to May, giving more people time to read it before its new LibraryReads deadline, 4/1/22.
LaCour, Nina. Yerba Buena. Macmillan/Flatiron, May 31, 2022)
ADULT DEBUT — Carol Ann Tack, “I read Yerba Buena in two days and wished I hadn’t rushed through this remarkable story of love and family.” — Jenna Friebel, “If I could rave about only one novel right now, it’d be Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour. Her adult debut is like Sally Rooney in terms of character study/ relationships focus, but with the sparse yet poetic prose LaCour is known for from her YA books. And it’s queer”!