Booklist Reader

Published by Booklist, an imprint of the American Library Association. Booklist Reader features diverse book and audiobook recommendations, for readers and listeners of all ages. Filled with high-interest, themed lists that showcase books for your family or book discussion group.

From the Editor & Publisher

Booklist Reader

Mysteries & Thrillers • This year’s top 10 mysteries and thrillers include titles that tackle disturbing contemporary social issues and others that use history to reflect on themes that still resonate today.

Debut Mysteries & Thrillers • Our favorite debut mysteries and thrillers are tangible proof that today’s first-timers are not only sticking with what’s hot right now—domestic suspense and psychological thrillers—but are also trying their hands at reinvigorating some genre staples, from classic noir through old-school adventure.

True Crime • Cold cases, cons, doomsday visions, bad memories, and journalistic zeal propel these gripping true-crime chronicles.

New True Crime from Art Thefts to Cons, Kidnapping, and Murder • Our fascination with true crime runs high, whether it involves bloody murder or outrageous fraud, inspiring the creation of investigative, suspenseful, and revealing chronicles. Here are some gripping true tales of crimes, criminals, and the pursuit of truth and justice.

Podcasters in Crime Fiction • The sleuths of yesterday could be spotted by their trench coats and fedoras. Nowadays, it’s iPhones and selfie sticks, and it was inevitable that the world of true-crime podcasts would insinuate its way into crime fiction. This list brings together a sampling of the many thrillers and procedurals over the last few years that have featured podcasters or podcast devotees. It used to be a little tricky to keep coming up with believable reasons why sleuths would bother taking the time to dig into cold cases when the warmer ones offered better rewards. Cold cases, on the other hand, are podcasters’ bread and butter. It’s a marriage made by clicking the record button.

Bibliophile Thrillers • In Andrew Cartmel’s Paperback Sleuth, reviewed opposite, Cordelia Stanmer cares only for vintage paperbacks, but the sleuths in the bibliophile thrillers below covet rare books of all varieties, and their passions lead them into all manner of capers. Paralleling the tone of Cartwel’s gritty but delightfully witty story, we’ve limited the field here to thrillers and hard-boiled fare, leaving out the many cozy mysteries starring booksellers and librarians, a category that could fill several more columns.

Recent Latinx Nonfiction • Journalists, historians, and writers reflect on the Latinx experience past and present in memoirs, reportage, travelogues, and works of cultural and artistic exploration.

Adult • Get your hands on these hotly anticipated books, all out this month.

September 2023 • The Top Ten Adult Fiction and Nonfiction Chosen Monthly by America’s Library Staff

HALL OF FAME TITLES • The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly list since 2013.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month PBS Program Feature

International Crime Fiction on Audio • Crime fiction audiobooks by authors with roots beyond our borders are bountiful, with Juan Gómez-Jurado’s Red Queen as a prime example. Across the mystery genre, first-rate narration offers an immersive and often eye-opening way to experience suspense and thrills, as well as new takes on international society.

Mysteries & Thrillers on Audio • Historical settings and connections to true-crime podcasts are notable trends among these top 10 mystery and thriller audiobooks.

Mysteries & Thrillers on Audio for Youth • Great narration can add a suspenseful element, and keen mystery...