HDL Staff Picks September 2026Like this list

26 items

• Prince of Swords

  Kova, Elise

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  Recommended by Cam

• The Frenzy

  Stories

  Oates, Joyce Carol, 1938-

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  "I don't know that there's a more gifted writer of short stories than Joyce Carol Oates. This collection (re)visits some of Oates' perennial subjects: the (impending) threat of violence and characters trapped in existential crisis. The Bicycle…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Last to Drown

  Ihli, Noelle

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  "If you love suspense, true crime, and nature, you will love Noelle. W. Ihli’s latest book." - Jordan

• Behind Five Willows

  Hur, June,

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  "This is a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in South Korea in 1792 during a time when fiction books were being banned. It was really interesting to read a story set in this time period and the dual POV was nicely done." - Heather

• The Calamity Club

  a Novel

  Stockett, Kathryn,

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  "It's definitely a tome—but worth the read or a listen (the two narrators are phenomenal)!" - Lori

• London Falling

  a Mysterious Death in a Corrupt City and a Family's Search for Truth

  Keefe, Patrick Radden, 1976-

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  "Another confounding investigation from the mind behind Say Nothing and Empire of Pain. Patrick Radden Keefe writes the most perfectly unsatisfying books (if you know, you know) in existence. Definitely a recommendation for fans of weird…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Maybe Tomorrow I'll Know

  Ritany, Alex,

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  "If you're a fan of time loop mysteries with a touch of romance and a lot of figuring out your identity, this book is for you." - Amanda

• The Best Little Motel in Texas

  a Novel

  Lane, Lyla,

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  "The Golden Girls, but make it a brothel in Texas. (Plus, the author is local!)" - Lindsay

• Is This a Cry for Help?

  Austin, Emily (Emily R.),

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  Recommended by Nikki

• Twilight Tactics

  Eason, Lynette,

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  Recommended by Kelly

• Yesteryear

  a Novel

  Burke, Caro Claire,

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  "It's the scariest not-scary book I've ever read." - Lindsay | "Yesteryear is provocative, intense, and kept me guessing until the end. Ignore the haters and dive in right away." - Elizabeth

• The Tapestry of Fate

  An Amina Al-Sirafi Adventure

  Chakraborty, Shannon, 1985-

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  Recommended by Jen

• The Spy Keeper of Marseille

  White, Roseanna M.,

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  "Fictionalized account of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the head of one of the spy rings of the Resistance. Add in a former concert pianist who is allowed to leave a POW camp, and we see another way the Resistance fought for freedom." - Carol

• Perfect Life

  A Novel

  Lavender, Meredith • Shores, Kendall

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  Recommended by Nikki

• Three Bags Full

  Swann, Leonie, 1975-

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  Recommended by Dan

• Don't Trust Fish

  Sharpson, Neil,

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  Recommended by Lindsay

• Badass Bonita by Kim Guerra

  View on mel.org

  Recommended by Vanessa

• Good Inside

  Kennedy, Becky (Psychologist),

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  "I may have suggested this before (it's taken me a long time to read)! This book is all about understanding how the minds of kids work and that they are inherently Good Inside. I enjoy this book because it helps parents to appreciate that children…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Dead Romantics

  Poston, Ashley

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  "Great characters and fun premise. A ghost book that's actually cute!" - Lindsay

• The Cartographers

  a Novel

  Shepherd, Peng,

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  Recommended by Jen