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Schoenbrun’s first novel infinitely expands the world we’ve glimpsed through their films: We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, I Saw the TV Glow, and most recently Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Public Access Afterworld is an epic for the digital age; an absolute tome of speculative fiction with a wandering timeline (Oppenheimer makes an appearance), a cast of unreliable narrators, a trans final girl/Chosen One, and a sense of humor against all odds. Buckle up, losers! We’re going to the TV dimension.

Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun, (List Price: $33, Hogarth, 9780593978382, October 2026)

Reviewed by Ryan, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC

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Set in a future that feels quite plausible, or in an alternative reality, Ply feels both close and very real to me. Diaz has a way with words that makes you see everything plainly in front of you. The prose is beautiful and lulls you throughout the book, like our protagonist at the beginning of this story. I think this book shows humanity at its core: the beauty and the destructive power of ourselves, the unavoidability of freedom alongside the need for structure. Absolutely gorgeous! It shook my soul the way only true art can.

Ply by Hernan Diaz, (List Price: $32, Riverhead Books, 9780593719541, September 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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A dark fable underlined by a glowing current, this slim novel is an incantation, a reminder of the human story we all already know in our bones. Sketched anew in stark contrast against the ocean, the land, and the car mechanic shop, this is a story of parentage, destined lovers, brutal bikers, and the underbelly of a city. Doesn’t daylight show us the contours of darkness itself, asks McAdam? In the words of the author: “It might not look like love, but it was.” Anyone with a romantic bone in their body will be enchanted by McAdam’s prose and the way this dark story will slide into your heart: sturdy, reliable, true in the old way.

Daphnis and Chloe by Colin McAdam, (List Price: $18.95, Biblioasis, 9781771967235, October 2026)

Reviewed by Julia, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

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I’ll always hang out where poetry and memoir meet. Beth Ann Fennelly twists the memoir genre upside down and inside out, weaving stories and memories into a satisfying whole.

The Irish Goodbye by Beth Ann Fennelly, (List Price: $22.99, W. W. Norton & Company, 9781324117407, 2026-02-24)

Reviewed by Liz, E. Shaver, booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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This is a beautiful, intimate collection deeply rooted in place. The poet illustrates the complicated relationship many queer people have with the South, and uses form to show how contradictions can exist alongside each other. It’s about grief and memories and love and change, and about finding language to talk about all of them.

Small Talk by Acie Clark, (List Price: $16.95, Hub City Press, 9798885740814, September 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Paul Bochner fell completely in love with an injured, abandoned fawn that approached him at his home in Weschester County, New York. She was quite alone and he assumed her mother had run her off because of her injured foot. Thus began this love story with this caring, gentle man who began to nurture this fawn with apples and adoring words of comfort. He named her Penelope and set morning alarms to feed her, and she began to visit twice a day for companionship and pampering. The author felt that he and Penelope had common ground as the author had abandonment issues from neglect in his youth. Paul Bochner had been close to animals his whole life and had loved dogs and even raised a lamb from birth. Penelope began to thrive with his attention and pampering and take food from his hand as he offered. Paul would also protect her from any attacking deer and show his favoritism to her in front of any other deer. He encouraged her to enter his sunroom and feed if ever he couldn’t be there. Penelope had a foal he named Carol and both came to him for cooked chestnuts and fruits. The following year she gave birth to twins he named Iris and Cyrus. This charming tale is complete with pictures of this beautiful deer and the man with whom she clearly had a deep relationship. Readers will not be able to put the book down until the very last page of this memorable total love story.

Penelope by Paul Bochner, (List Price: $30, Crown, 9798217399413, October 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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A beautifully illustrated story about Elaine the chicken who loves all the art in her city. A great reminder to find creativity in the things that make us our own selves.

Elaine by Anden Wilder, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593906071, October 2026)

Reviewed by Claire, River & Hill Books in Rome, GA

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For the dog lovers in your life, no matter the age. This book will put a smile on your face and make you nod in agreement. The pictures are cute and the rhymes are silly. I loved the book Selma: The Story of a Stellar Spider, and Tini Malina is showing how versatile an artist she is: from a simple story full of meaning and open to multiple interpretations to something that will put a smile on your face. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina, (List Price: $19.95, NorthSouth Books, 9780735846272, October 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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I have read so many books on ADHD, and this sweet graphic novel absolutely made me feel more seen than any of them. This so perfectly depicts what it is like to be INSIDE of the ADHD experience and how alienating it feels to not know why everyone around you seems so much more capable. Capable of things everyone expects to be automated levels of easy. Honestly, every single person who loves a person with ADHD needs to read this. And to my fellow ADHDers, I hope this helps heal your inner child. It’s truly perfect.

Feeling Like an ADHD Alien: A Graphic Novel by Pina Varnel, (List Price: $17.99, Rocky Pond Books, 9780593325568, September 2026)

Reviewed by Jenny, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC