Question: when is the busiest time of the year at the library?

Some possible answers:
• Summer (Summer Reading Program)
• Winter (Checking out books before long vacations)
• Spring (New budgets)

Turns out if you work in cataloging, the busiest time of the year is fall. And by fall I mean the last part of August through mid-October. Publishers save some of their biggest blockbusters for back-to-school time. You wouldn’t think so judging by the weather, but we are definitely in the thick of the fall publishing season. Here at EPL our loading dock remains steadily busy as we receive more and more amazing books. Our staff works hard to ensure books are released on their street date without a delay.

Stress? What stress?

Since I devour books (um, that’s a metaphor; I don’t actually masticate and digest reading material) and get to see them when they’re shiny and new and just unpacked, I am happy to give you my top picks each week this month. Links, as always, will take you straight to the spot where you can place your hold.

A 52-Hertz Whale by Bill Sommer & Natalie Tilghman
Summary: An unlikely friendship develops via email correspondence between 14-year-old James, who studies the Urban Dictionary in hopes of making sense of his bewildering peer interactions, and 23-year old Darren, who is trying to win back his ex-girlfriend while doing grunt work on the set of a sitcom.
Why I’m stoked: I freaking love whales! While the title is what first tempted me, the fact that the Urban Dictionary plays a pivotal role sealed the deal. Fair warning: clicking through the Urban Dictionary may become more of a time-suck than “just looking up a recipe” on Pinterest. Also, I realize I’ve spent more time talking about the Urban Dictionary than I’ve spent discussing this book. Suffice it to say I’m super-excited to get my hands on what will surely become the latest, “I don’t remember the title, but the cover was blue” book at EPL.

Are You Still There by Sarah Lynn Scheerger
Summary: After her high school is rocked by an anonymous bomb threat, ‘perfect student’ Gabriella Mallory is recruited to work on a secret crisis helpline that may help uncover the would-be bomber’s identity.
Why I’m stoked: Have you ever seen the 1965 Sidney Poitier film The Slender Thread? It’s about a man working a crisis hotline who receives a call from a woman considering suicide. It was filmed in Seattle and is an extremely moving piece of cinema. The summary of Are You Still There reminded me of that film, but with a twist. I simply can’t wait to read it and see if I’m correct or if the book goes in a new and exciting direction.

Has to be Love by Jolene Perry
Summary: Years ago, Clara survived a vicious bear attack. She’s used to getting sympathetic looks around town, but meeting strangers is a different story. Yet her dreams go far beyond Knik, Alaska, and now she’s got a secret that’s both thrilling and terrifying–an acceptance letter from Columbia University. But it turns out her scars aren’t as fixable as she hoped, and when her boyfriend begins to press for a forever commitment, she has second thoughts about New York. Then Rhodes, a student teacher in her English class, forces her to acknowledge her writing talent, and everything becomes even more confusing–especially with the feelings she’s starting to have about him. Now all Clara wants to do is hide from the tough choices she has to make. When her world comes crashing down around her, Clara has to confront her problems and find her way to a decision. Will she choose the life of her dreams or the life that someone she loves has chosen? Which choice is scarier?
Why I’m stoked: What caught my eye is the fact that the cover art contains the same photograph of a couple as Being Sloan Jacobs. But the story sounds compelling. I’m also wondering if it will wander into New Adult territory. New Adult is something I haven’t read as much of this year as I would have liked, so hopefully this will help fulfill that desire.

The Shepherd’s Crown by Terry Pratchett
Summary: Tiffany must gather all the witches to prepare for a fairy invasion.
Why I’m stoked: If this doesn’t sound like much of a plot, especially compared to the verbose summary directly above it, you obviously don’t read the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett. This book is the final Discworld book, the final Tiffany Aching book, and the final book we will ever read from Sir Pratchett, who tragically passed away last year. Tiffany Aching lives in the realm of Discworld, but her adventures are unlike any other in the series. She’s not another Moist von Lipwig. She’s different from other Discworld characters in that I actually cared about her, her family, and what the heck is going to happen to her next. If you haven’t ever read either series, consider this your formal invitation from me. Start with The Wee Free Men and thank me later.

As previously mentioned there are a plethora of books coming out September 1st and this month in general. This is just the tip of the iceberg. What books are you looking forward to reading? Which ones should I add to my TBR?