Knowing all about good books before they come out is just one of many rabbits librarians keep in their magic hat. (Another tool: strained metaphors!) In this Very Special Bonus Episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, we peel back the curtain on one of the ways librarians get advanced buzz on good books: The Booklist Read n Rave.

We are joined by Rebecca Vnuk, Executive Director of Library Reads, who put together Booklist’s first Read n Rave lo those many years ago. She and host Susan Maguire talk about how Read n Rave started and what makes a good Read n Rave pick. Most importantly, they rave about some upcoming titles that they’re real psyched about.

The Books About Which Were Raved:

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems by Randall Munroe

Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America by Nefertiti Austin

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan

Full show notes and more info can be found on www.booklistonline.com/shelf-care