The Gulf Coast Reads Committee has selected The Librarians by bestselling author Sherry Thomas as the 2026 Gulf Coast Reads selection. Throughout October, libraries across the region will host book discussions and programs inspired by this year's pick, inviting readers to discover the same story together.
Chosen by public vote in May, The Librarians edged out Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Hole in the Sky by Daniel H. Wilson to become this year's community read.
HCPL and all of the Gulf Coast Reads partner libraries invite you and all your friends to join us in the fun and community that is shared reading.
About the Book
The Librarians, a murder mystery set in Austin, is a bit of a departure for Thomas, who is known primarily as a writer of historical and contemporary romance as well as young adult fantasy. The novel has an ensemble cast led by four quirky librarians each of whom harbors a secret. They must work together to discover who murdered two patrons in order to save themselves and their beloved library.
About the Author
From Publisher's Website - penguinrandomhouse.com
Sherry Thomas burst onto the romance scene with Private Arrangements, one of the most anticipated debut historical romances in recent history and a Publishers Weekly Best of the Year book. Lisa Kleypas calls her “the most powerfully original historical romance author working today.” Her books have received stellar reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Romantic Times, along with enthusiastic praises from many of the most highly trafficked romance review websites and blogs.
Her story is all the more interesting given that English is Sherry’s second language—she has come a long way from the days when she made her laborious way through Rosemary Roger’s Sweet Savage Love with an English-Chinese dictionary. She enjoys creating stories. And when she is not writing, she thinks about the zen and zaniness of her profession, plays computer games with her sons, and reads as many fabulous books as she can find.
About Gulf Coast Reads
Every October, libraries, partner organizations, and readers from across Southeast Texas come together to read and discuss the same book. It’s a grassroots movement to reclaim connection through one of the simplest yet most profound acts we have: sharing a story.
Each year, a representative committee of librarians selects a title that has a broad appeal to adults in our communities, is recognized in authoritative and professional journals, is available in multiple formats from print to downloadable content, and preferably, is available in multiple languages. The title should also lend itself to related programming about its themes or subjects.
Gulf Coast Reads' goal is to encourage our communities to read the same title during the month of October in order to encourage readers to come together in discussions about it with neighbors, co-workers, friends, and their families, as well as in classrooms and in libraries throughout the region.
Learn more about Gulf Coast Reads
Join the Gulf Coast Reads Facebook Group
Related Content
HCPL Blog: Gulf Coast Reads: 6 Powerful Reasons Shared Reading Events Matter More Than Ever
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