Booklist

Booklist is the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication. Since 1905, Booklist has been proud to publish thousands of book and audiobook reviews each year, helping library and education workers decide what to buy and how to guide patrons and students of all ages in choosing what to read, view, or listen to.

Letter from the Editor / Donna Seaman

Adult Nonfiction

Focus on Crafts & Gardening

Fall Travel Guides, 2026

Adult

The Booklist Interview • Booklist was thrilled to speak with acclaimed poet, memoirist, educator, and cultural advocate Alexander, currently president of the Mellon Foundation, about her new book, Signals Across Vast Distances: Essays and Tales, as well as her perspective on art and literature under siege. Her previous books include Crave Radiance: New and Selected Poems (2010), The Light of the World (2015), and The Trayvon Generation (2022).

All about Movies • Movies have never been more accessible and available for repeated and prolonged scrutiny, engendering high interest in every aspect of their creation and impact. These film histories illuminate intriguing facts, tell compelling true stories, and offer expert critiques.

Adult Fiction

Self-Published Books Showcase • These books are recommended by BlueInk Review, a fee-based review service devoted to both traditionally and independently published books. Every month, BlueInk compiles a list of its favorite independent titles for Booklist, as a service to librarians hoping to incorporate self-published work into their collections. BlueInk was founded by Patti Thorn, former book review editor of Denver’s Rocky Mountain News, and Patricia Moosbrugger, a literary agent who represents several best-selling authors. The company delivers professional, unbiased reviews written by critics drawn largely from major mainstream publications and by editors from respected publishing houses. Stars reflect the decisions of BlueInk reviewers and editors. Booklist is happy to bring this curated collection of the best in self-publishing publishing for adults and youth to our audience.

Appalachian Gothic • West Virginia may almost be heaven, but in these horror tales, the Appalachian region is more comparable to hell. Lately, authors have found plenty of inspiration in these ancient hills, where cryptids are said to roam and mountain magic runs rampant. Readers will read these gothic stories through splayed fingers until they beg, “country roads, take me home!”

Graphic Novels

MANGA ESSENTIALS Pokémon Buyer's Guide

Youth Nonfiction

Series Nonfiction Preview • This announcement section offers a selected preview of nonfiction series for youth that are launching or adding new titles to existing series in the fall 2026 season. When possible, discounted prices for school and library professionals are used.

Youth

Tween and Teen Comedians • Like any kind of performing art, stand-up comedy requires practice, creativity, and dedication—and just because it’s for laughs doesn’t mean it’s easy! In these recent novels for teens and tweens, comedy prodigies and creative kids who take their jokes very seriously will amuse readers with clownish antics, puns galore, and clever banter that’s sure to bring on the giggles.

Youth Fiction

Studio Laika Read-alikes • For more than 20 years, stop-motion animation studio Laika has been producing exceptional feature films, including ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019)—and now, Wildwood (2026), based on the 2011 middle-grade novel by Colin Meloy. To celebrate its release, we’ve rounded up our favorite middle-grade books that capture the huge heart, wild creativity, and fantastical spirit that is the hallmark of Studio Laika...