Back to School Staff Picks (8/29/23)

It’s back to school season and we are getting ready with these four upcoming titles! Searching for your next read? Check out these staff picks and dive into some of MacLib’s favorites.

Amanda’s Pick: ONLY IF YOU’RE LUCKY by Stacy Willingham | 9781250887931 | 1/16/24

The author of LibraryReads picks A FLICKER IN THE DARK and ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS is back with a sharp and twisty exploration of female friendship.  Two polar opposites meet at the end of their freshman year at a small liberal arts college in South Carolina, and over the next year they have become the closest of friends, but by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from the house next door has been brutally murdered…and one of them is missing without a trace.  

Available for download on Edelweiss know more. LibraryReads votes due by December 1st.

Emily’s Pick: CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa | 9781250875754 | 4/9/24

After leading his school to their eleventh consecutive first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional, and then making out with the hottest guy he’s ever met, Rafael is riding high. But his spirits are lowered when his parents tell them that his family is moving to San Antonio before his senior year. Now he has to start over at a new school. But there’s one thing he can count on: he’ll be the star of his new school’s mariachi group. That is, until he arrives at the new school and learns that the group already has a leader . . . and it’s the guy he made out with last year. Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and I KISSED SHARA WHEELER, this heartfelt rivals-to-lovers romance celebrates Mexican culture, family, and joyous queer love.

Available for download on Edelweiss know more.

Samantha’s Pick: THE INTERN by Michele Campbell | 9781250274977 | 10/3/23

If you’re looking for an addictive page-turner that will hook you from the start, Michele Campbell’s THE INTERN is just that. Filled with perfectly imperfect women struggling in their own ways, this is a cat-and-mouse thriller with the most satisfying twist and ending. Harvard law student Madison Rivera snags the internship of her dreams working for the esteemed Judge Kathryn Conroy. What Conroy doesn’t know is that Madison’s brother was arrested, and Conroy was put on the case. Then Madison’s brother disappears, and she is left with more questions than answers. And many of those questions have to do with Kathryn Conroy’s true identity and motivation. In a world where ambition takes you to the top, Madison has to make sure that hers doesn’t kill her first. This modern legal thriller will blow away fans of How to Get Away with Murder, Ruth Ware, and John Grisham’s THE FIRM.

Available for download on Edelweiss know more. LibraryReads votes due by September 1st.

Michelle’s Pick: GOTHIKANA by RuNyx | 9781250334206 | 1/23/24

An erotic dark academia story of epic love! When Corvina Clemm is admitted to the mysterious University of Verenmore, she’s thrilled. But when she arrives to find a mysterious, ancient castle atop a secluded mountain, she’s not sure what she’s gotten herself into. Then she meets Professor Vad Deverell, someone who’s been around long enough to know the dangers the castle possesses. As Corvina and Vad become more and more drawn to each other, Corvina starts finding clues that will unravel a century-old mystery in the castle. She may be able to finally figure out why people have disappeared every five years from the castle if she can only piece together all of the signs she’s discovering. If you like gothic academia and/or romantasy, this will absolutely appeal to you!

LibraryReads votes due by December 1st.