Library Reads May 2026
Sometimes, I know exactly what I want. Whether it’s a slice of pizza, a bowl of ice cream, or some other form of dopamine gathering, usually the answer comes fairly quickly. Step one, I want that thing. Step two, go get that thing (It’s that easy right?) But what if it weren’t that easy? Which brings me to choosing a good book.
With a vast number of books being published daily, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the proverbial diamonds in the rough. So, why not let librarians help you find that next great novel? Below, I listed the top 10 adult fiction and nonfiction books handpicked by library workers and enthusiasts across the country, and roundly agreed upon to be worthy of our time and attention.
Book descriptions are contributed to Library Reads by working librarians around the country.
Maggie O'Farrell
Land: A Novel
(Knopf)
A breathtakingly beautiful story of one Irish family and the fates of its members as they navigate the world in the years just after the Great Famine. O'Farrell's rich writing vividly captures both the characters and the wild beauty of the Irish landscape, creating an unforgettable and emotionally riveting narrative that will have readers rapt.
—Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: Clear by Carys Davies
The Children
Melissa Albert
(William Morrow)
Childhood in their family's isolated Vermont farmhouse was magical for siblings Guin and Ellis, until it wasn't. Years later, facades and a carefully curated life begin to crack, and they must face the truths of what happened two decades ago. This page-turning novel is full of magic and heartbreak.
—Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: The Book of Love by Kelly Link
The Housewife
Natalie Barelli
(Poisoned Pen Press)
Jodie can't go to the police with suspicions about how her husband’s first wife died, because she's hiding something too. The secrets are on a collision course, with an early twist that only breeds more questions. The suspense builds steadily and the payoff genuinely delivers, keeping readers second-guessing right up to the last page.
—Lupe Herrera, Mount Pleasant Public Library, TX
NoveList read-alike: The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
Villa Coco
Andrew Sean Greer
(Doubleday)
“Our young man" narrates this quirky story of falling in love with Tuscany while doing all manner of work (except the work he was actually hired for, cataloging her belongings) for the wealthy 92-year-old Baronessa. Odd developments, interesting relationships, and excellent storytelling combine for a winning summer read
—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO
NoveList read-alike: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
The Shampoo Effect
Jenny Jackson
(Pamela Dorman Books)
Caroline receives a scholarship and moves into a cottage near the shore of Massachusetts. There, she meets an attractive young man and is drawn into his friend group. Caroline finds it challenging to fit in and discovers there’s a lot of baggage among these friends as well as a few secrets. This novel is a fantastic character-driven read.
—Toni Nako, Cincinnati Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder
Tropesick
Lauren Okie
(Avon)
A clever, wink-and-a-nod masterpiece that is as much a puzzle as a romance. Katie and Tyler find that the romantic conventions they are writing for a reclusive author are manifesting in their real lives. The novel playfully deconstructs the mechanics of fate and storytelling. A joyful celebration of the genre that manages to be both self-aware satire and deeply felt love story.
—Lee V., New York Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
The Disaster Gay Detective Agency
Lev AC Rosen
(Poisoned Pen Press)
When Brandon leaves his front desk duty and sleeps with a handsome hotel guest who then disappears, his campy group of friends gets pulled into a murder mystery they might just regret. This is a lighthearted wild goose chase with spying dog walkers, tattooed assassins, and a lovelorn desk clerk certain that his one night stand was anything but.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas Didomizio
Marion: A Novel
Leah Rowan
(St. Martin's Press)
This gripping and darkly entertaining reimagining of Psycho will keep readers hooked from start to finish. The story is fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of twists, with a protagonist who is messy, morally complex, and impossible not to follow. Rowan balances suspense, dark humor, and chaos in a way that makes the book both thrilling and oddly fun.
—Amanda Ladd, DeRuyter Free Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: Molka by Monika Kim
Scandal of the Summer
Alexandra Vasti
(St. Martin's Griffin)
Three ladies masquerading as royal staff at a secluded villa clash with a band of smugglers posing as the actual servants. When Captain Malcolm Archer tries to scare them off, the clever Lady Ruby refuses to budge, sparking a fierce, witty battle of wits in this spicy grumpy/sunshine Regency romance.
—Nicole Guerra-Coon, Morrill Memorial Library, MA
NoveList read-alike: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
The Jellyfish Problem
Tessa Yang
(Berkley)
Blaming herself for her cowriter’s fatal diving accident, a heartbroken scientist studying jellyfish accepts an invitation to a troubled Maine island. When she discovers an unknown creature that locals want to exterminate, she is plunged into a mystery of loss and connection. A book readers will savor and remember.
—Di Herald, Mesa County Libraries, CO
NoveList read-alike: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
====================================
As always, your local librarians at Commerce Twp Community Library are ready and able to assist you with requesting materials and helping connect you with the right book.
See you at the library, and happy reading.
