Introducing March’s Libby Reads title, Meet the Neighbors by Brandon Keim 

We’re thrilled to share the featured title for the first global Libby Reads program of 2026! From March 26 – April 9, readers worldwide can check out Meet the Neighbors by Brandon Keim with no waitlists or holds in the Libby app. A beguiling invitation to discover an expanded sense of community and kinship beyond our own species, Meet the Neighbors opens our eyes to the world of vibrant intelligence just outside our doors. 

About Meet the Neighbors 

Meet the Author of Meet the Neighbors 

Brandon Keim is a journalist specializing in animals, nature, and science. He is the author of The Eye of the Sandpiper: Stories from the Living World, and most recently, Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-than-Human World. His work appears regularly in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Nautilus, and elsewhere. He would like to think that his spirit animal is a bear, but more realistically it’s a groundhog or snapping turtle. He lives in Bangor, Maine. 

A Letter from Brandon Keim 

Dear book club friends, 

I can still remember the first time I visited the public library in my hometown of Bangor, Maine. It is a grand old stone building, the sort of place where footsteps echo as you enter and the air is cool in summertime, even without air conditioning. Back in those days a polished wooden card catalog lined one wall, an oaken monument to knowledge.  

It was a serious place, but the seriousness felt like a form of respectful welcome. Of course the librarians, stern at first blush, were warm and helpful and encouraging. If a kid wanted to smuggle in a hot chocolate on a winter’s day and curl up on a chair to read, they would pretend not to see it.  

Those experiences left me with a lifelong appreciation for libraries and what they represent. Nowadays the library in Bangor, like so many, plays an even larger role in the community than before, with programs and activities that help people in need and bring us together in an era of dislocation. I value libraries more than ever—and so I am honored to be part of the Libby Reads program and delighted that you chose to read Meet the Neighbors.  

Back when my book was still a fledgling of an idea, I thought it was going to be about the science of animal intelligence. That’s still a big part of it, but Meet the Neighbors became much more. It’s also a celebration of nature; a reflection on how we think about nature and about animals; and ultimately an invitation to weave a deeper awareness of other animals into your experience of the world around you.  

I hope you come away from it with a richer, more joyful connection to all your neighbors, human and nonhuman alike.  

Thank you for reading, 

Brandon Keim 

Programming & Promotion Ideas for Your Library 

Easy ways to promote the title to your readers 

• Highlight the book in your non-fiction or Librarians Recommend sections in your library. 

• Share on social with easy-to-use graphics and copy. 

• Add the QR code flyer to your bulletin boards or meeting rooms to encourage easy checking out on Libby. 

• Promote the title with bookmarks or screen-sized graphics around your community space. 

• Feature the title as a springtime read to prepare patrons to welcome wildlife back from their hibernation or migration. 

Get the marketing kit on the Resource Center   

Active and passive programming for readers of all ages 

• Lunch & Learn: Invite patrons to attend the live Q&A with author Brandom Keim and Book Lounge by Libby podcast host, Joe Skelley, on April 9 at 12 PM EST either virtually or via a watch party hosted at your library branch. 

• Native Species: Create a display of species (mammals, birds, and plants) that are native to your area. 

• Natural Collaboration: Partner with local parks to cross-promote any spring programming that they have and encourage patrons to explore the outdoors and get to know their neighboring natives.  

• Creature Crafts: Host a craft hour for families to create crafts inspired by their favorite local critters. 

If you end up coming up with your own way to promote the program, let us know! Send your ideas or pictures of your displays to libbyreads@overdrive.com.

About Libby Reads 

Meet the Neighbors will be available for simultaneous use in ebook and audiobook formats between March 26 – April 9. The title, along with a promotional spotlight on Libby, will be added at no cost. Contact your Account Manager with questions.