GalleyChat Roundup, Jan. 2022
The first chat of the new year was blazing, with nearly 250 titles mentioned. Roundups are below. To read the full chat, search Twitter by #ewgc.
— EarlyWord GalleyChat, Jan, 2022 — 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, Feb. 3rd, 4 to 5 pm ET (3:30 for virtual cocktails). Click here for the schedule of upcoming chats.
The next LibraryReads deadline is Feb. 1, for books publishing in March. Please give special attention to our list of diversity titles for LibraryReads consideration.
GalleyChatters’ Favorite March Diversity Titles
Sutanto, Jesse Q.
Four Aunties and a Wedding
PRH/Penguin Berkley
Fiction / Mystery & Detective
Chris @marbooks, “…a great book to start the new year of reading. The situations (and fashions) Meddy & her family find themselves in as they celebrate Meddy’s wedding to Nathan had me laughing out loud. ” — DEC, Nanette Donohue @surferrosa, “…thrilled to hear that there will be two more Meddy Chan books!” — NOV, Jenna Friebel @jenna_friebel, “…such a delightful and fun follow up to DIAL A FOR AUNTIES. Loved being with those characters again in another ridiculous situation”
Abu-Jaber, Diana
Fencing with the King
W. W. Norton
Fiction / Cultural Heritage
Louisa @llws, “A short book that begs you to linger, immersive, with a rich cast of characters.” — Norton Library Mktg @WWNortonLibrary, “Library Journal gave [it] a star: ‘A resonant and pointedly perceptive story about family, Middle East history, and creating new narratives, whether as individuals or nations.'” — OCT, Jennifer Dayton @jenniferdayton, “wonderful. Her books never fail to delight. Family returns to Jordan to reconnect with its past.” — Janet Lockhart @HartGami, “I didn’t want this book to end. The writing is sublime.”
Byeong-mo, Gu
Old Woman with the Knife
HarperCollins/Hanover Square Press
Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological
The e-newsletter dedicated to early reviews of mystery titles, First Clue, by former LJ/SLJ editors, Brian Kenny and Henrietta Verma, brought this to the attention of several GalleyChatters. From the review, “This startling work upends every stereotype of old ladies and killers. Known as Hornclaw, our protagonist is only 65 but welcomes the invisibleness of appearing elderly so as to better function as a disease control specialist: a hired killer.…The story, which immerses readers into everyday life in Seoul, is made unforgettable by Gu’s language …For lovers of literary fiction and book clubs that will try something different.” GalleyChatter Louisa @llwsm calls it “[One of] My 2 top adult reads of the new year …short, potent literary thriller about an aging assassin, …Highly rec for fellow Smiley fans.”
Garrett, Kellye
Like a Sister
Hachette/Mulholland Books
Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
Janet Lockhart @HartGami, “[Protagonist] Lena completely rejects the idea that Desiree’s death was an overdose. She doesn’t care what it looks like, she knew her sister. Or did she? How well we know those closest to us is poignantly explored in the stellar crime novel.” — RedheadFangirl @RedheadFangirl, “Liked the Harlem setting and the insta/reality world sister vs. the student sister.” — DEC, Mara @mrlzbth, “a suspenseful read about a woman investigating the mysterious death of her reality TV star sister. I really liked the character development in this one!” — OCT, Cari Dubiel @caridubiel, “…Go get the galley now! About a young woman reckoning with her famous sister’s death…perfect for those thriller fans who are clamoring for more.”
Shepherd, Peng
Cartographers
HarperCollins/William Morrow
Fiction / Literary
Mara @mrlzbth, “I didn’t want to put down THE CARTOGRAPHERS by Peng Shepherd, the suspenseful story of a precious map with magical qualities and the people who would do anything to get their hands on it. Got to love the New York Public Library’s Map Division at the heart of the plot!” — Kimberly Mcgee @kimsbookstack, “…A secret society, magical maps and murder mystery set partially in the New York Public Library. Indiana Jones meets Brigadoon. Loved this book and tried to read it slow.” — DEC., Beth Mills @BethMills2, “…What an imaginative take in maps and map makers” — From the Publishers Summary, “Peng (pronounced “Pung”) Shepherd is a diverse author who has lived across the globe and her writing and characters accurately reflect our complex world.”
Wilkes, Ally
All the White Spaces
S&S Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Fiction / Horror
Jenifer May @jennyjump79, “Ally Wilkes’ ALL THE WHITE SPACES has been my late night reading this past week. I feel like I’m right there with Jonathan, the young, inexperienced stowaway, on this haunted 1919 Antarctic expedition. So good and so eerie!” — NOV, Mara @mrlzbth, “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.” — SEPT, Ingram Library Services @TheLibraryLife_, “If you’re looking to grow your transgender genre collections, consider ALL THE WHITE SPACES by Ally Wilkes @UnheimlichManvr. Keywords according to the author’s twitter acct: post WW1 setting, Antarctic, ships, ghosts, death, trans.”
Williams, Sheila
Things Past Telling
HarperCollins Amistad
Fiction / Historical / Civil War Era
Kimberly Mcgee @kimsbookstack, “A sweeping saga like ROOTS. Told by a smart over 100 year old woman who doesn’t let anyone take her dignity or name away from her. Civil War historical masterpiece.” — librarylovefest @librarylovefest, “Ok, when I heard THINGS PAST TELLING launched as ‘combining the epic romance and adventure of OUTLANDER, the sweeping drama of ROOTS, and the haunting historical power of BARRACOON.’ Say no more-I’m in!!”