Welcome to August, and the eighth month of the Read with MLC 2025 Reading Challenge! This month’s goal is to read a book published in the last 12 months. August sees thousands of children across the state and nation preparing to go back to school with new clothes, backpacks, and school supplies. We figured parents needed some new stuff as a reward, too, and what better reward than a new book?

The big question is, where to start looking? The “best of” book lists from last year are a great place to start. You can use NoveList (sign into MAGNOLIA and then click through) or, if you’re a cool person with an MLC card, NoveList Plus, to find the lists for your favorite morning show or radio station. If you aren’t looking for a specific best-of list, you can search for a genre or appeal factor that you’re in the mood for, and narrow down your results so that only the books from the last twelve months show up.

If you’re still stuck trying to decide, we have a few more suggestions. You can check out the list of panelists for this year’s Mississippi Book Festival. Many of the featured authors published their books within the past year. You’ll also have the added advantage of getting to meet them on September 13 at the Mississippi State Capitol. Last, MLC’s BookMatch service should be your go-to, what-the-heck-do-I-read-now resource. Fill out our short form telling us about your reading likes and dislikes; we’ll send you a list of suggested titles that were published within the last year, tailored to your specific tastes.

Until next time, happy reading!

Elisabeth Scott
Reference Librarian