Flying off the shelves:what to read while you wait

In yesterday's post we highlighted the 10 books in the library system that have the most holds: today I'll offer some readalike suggestions for books to read while you're waiting for those ten. It seems like every day there is a new story in the news about the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy: whether it's who will direct or star in the now planned film adaptation, or how its popularity is bringing erotica in the mainstream of reading. Romance novels have always been a big part of library collections, and in recent years that has also meant erotica.

While you're waiting on your hold for 50 Shades of Grey, you might check out the Channel Series (M) by well known romance author Bertrice Small which revolves around a television channel for women that allows them to fulfil their fantasies. Wifey (M) by Judy Blume is about a thirty something woman who becomes bored of her suburban lifestyle and decides to explore her sexual identity. We recently had a post that included past classics of the erotica genre that has other great suggestions.

And while Fifty Shades of Grey is decidedly for the adult market, the other trilogy on our top ten holds list— The Hunger Games trilogy—was originally written for teens, but has crossed over to the adult reading market in a big way. Adults and teens alike may enjoy either Enclave (M) by Ann Aguirre or Blood Red Road (M) by Moira Young, both novels that like The Hunger Games feature a young female protagonist battling for her life in a near-future dystopia.

Veronica Roth's Divergent Series (M) is also getting a lot of attention these days for fans of The Hunger Games looking for something else (you'll have to place a hold on those ones too though—although the wait list is shorter). If dystopian fiction is your interest, check out this past post from the Reader on that very subject.And the remaining books on our list? Here's a few more suggestions:

While you wait for Unwritten Laws by Greg Iles, the obvious choice might be earlier titles in the Penn Cage series, but if you're a big fan you've probably already read those, so why not consider The Ranger (M) by Ace Atkins? Like the Iles books The Ranger is a fast-paced thriller set in Mississippi that features a recently returned army vet investigating the death of his uncle, the former county sheriff. Iles' Mississippi setting and legal thriller genre, leads to a perhaps too-obvious leap to John Grisham (which also have similar pacing but not the violent action) but do you also know Blood on the Leaves (M) by Jeff Stetson? The pacing is less break-neck, but the book still provides plenty of legal thrills while asking big questions about race and racism in the South.

While you wait for Why Men Lie by Linden MacIntyre, earlier titles in the series are again an obvious suggestion—The Bishop's Man and The Long Stretch. If you've not yet read No Great Mischief (M) by Alistair MacLeod now might be the time: both books follow modern day families with Cape Breton connections. Though Why Men Lie is connected to MacIntyre's previous novels, readers looking for a continuation of the storyline examined in the Bishop's Man may be disappointed. In a book trailer MacIntyre describes Why Men Lie as a book about "men, as they are understood by a middle aged woman".

Another book that focuses on relationships in middle age (and that also features a male author writing from the perspective of a woman) is Valeria's Last Stand (M) by Marc Fitten. The Lemon Table (M) , a series of short stories by Julian Barnes also examines similar themes.

The last two titles on the list 11th Hour by James Patterson and What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen are both linked to established series. Patterson fans may want to go back to earlier titles in the Women's Murder Club series or try Leslie Glass's April Woo (M) or Clyde Phillips' Jane Candiotti (M) series: both fast-paced mystery/suspense sequences featuring female protagonists. Johansen's new book focuses on a character first introduced in an earlier volume of her Eve Duncan series. Johansen fans may also appreciate the series just noted for Patterson readers.

Are you waiting for any of these titles? Or maybe you've already read one. What other books would you suggest for fans? Tell us in the comments below!