Top ten books published this month
June 2025
The Listeners
by Maggie Stiefvater

"Joan is the manager of a resort hotel in West Virginia. Life is good until the U.S. is pulled into WWII and the hotel's only guests are detained Axis diplomats. While Joan is very good at keeping secrets, this adds strain on the staff. Readers who adored Stiefvater's YA books will welcome this historical fiction that reads like a classic spy thriller."

Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: In the Country of Others by Leila Slimani
Battle of the Bookstores
by Ali Brady

"When their boss decides to merge their beloved bookstores, romance-reader Ryan and literary "Ice Queen" Josie vie for the title of bookstore manager. Readers will enjoy the witty banter, loveable cast of characters, spicy scenes, literary references, and the representation of the romance genre and romance bookstores as inclusive stories and places for anyone and everyone to find themselves."

Dana Treichler, Princeton Public Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Love to Hate You by Marina Adair
King of Ashes
by S.A. Cosby

"The Carruthers are a family living with multiple secrets and the trauma of losing their mother while the siblings were still young. When Roman, the oldest brother, returns home after their father is in a terrible accident, he gets drawn into gang warfare trying to protect his family. This page-turner is full of secrets."

Linda Quinn, Eastham Public Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Sins of Survivors by Blair Underwood and Joe McClean
The Witch Roads
by Kate Elliott

"Deputy courier Elen's journey across the Tranquil Empire in service to a haughty and haunted prince is a tale thick with political intrigue, family secrets, class hierarchy, dangerous escapes, and a deeply strange and touching friendship. Elliott captures the spirit of epic fantasy with a moving story, compelling characters, and a world full of ancient magic begging to be explored."

James Ludy, New Canaan Library, CT
NoveList read-alike: Road to Ruin by Hana Lee
The Poppy Fields
by Nikki Erlick

"What if you could sleep your way through grief, but there was a chance you'd forget about the love you shared with a loved one?  Four strangers make a trip to a remote sleep lab, each with a different reason for their journey. This touching novel is a tribute to the resilience of the human heart and the journeys we all must go through to heal."

Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ
NoveList read-alike: The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland
Meet Me at the Crossroads
by Megan Giddings

"Seven mysterious doors suddenly appear in different places across the globe, and when they open, they appear to lead to new dimensions in the universe. Two Black twin sisters get caught in the mystery as one sees paradise while the other sees peril. A spellbinding story about the choices that can both bring us together and tear us apart."

Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, IL
NoveList read-alike: Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling
 
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
by Kristin Harmel

"This dual-timeline WWII saga tells the story of a feisty young Parisian woman learning the family legacy of jewel thievery, taking from the undeserving wealthy to help those in need. Harmel brilliantly creates absorbing characters, harrowing scenes, and, ultimately, goodness in a tale full of twists, moral dilemmas, and the enduring power of forgiveness."

Ron Block, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Best of Lupin by Maurice LeBlanc
The Summer We Ran
by Audrey Ingram

"This compelling romance alternates between two timelines, propelling the story along and driving readers to find out how Grant and Tess go from teenagers in love to gubernatorial candidates with opposing political views who haven't seen each other for 25 years. Secrets and complicated family dynamics make this a page-turning summer-read."

Amy Lapointe, Amherst Town Library, NH
NoveList read-alike: Same Time, Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
The Phoenix Pencil Company
by Allison King

"Monica is determined to reunite her beloved Grandmother Yun with her long-lost cousin after learning about her family's talent for imbuing ordinary pencils with extraordinary magic, capable of bringing memories to life. The way the author weaves together multiple generations and their intertwined stories creates a compelling saga spanning time and cultures."

Tamara English, Derby Public Library, KS
NoveList read-alike: A Thousand Times Before by Asha Thanki
So Far Gone
by Jess Walter

"A zany thriller about a former journalist whose two grandchildren suddenly arrive at his door after their mother goes missing. He must then contend with the religious militia his son-in-law is involved in while tracking down his daughter. A heartfelt story about feeling lost and burnt out -- and finding a way forward and re-connecting."

Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, WA
NoveList read-alike: The Horse by Willy Vlautin
Find more great reading recommendations in NoveList!
Southampton Free Library
947 Street Road
Southampton, Pennsylvania 18966
215.322.1415

https://www.southamptonfreelibrary.org
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