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This is a MUST MUST MUST read if you like plants and a woman who kills terrible men! The plant lady is tense, bloody, and surprisingly heartfelt. Yoohee may blend into the background and be unassuming to the people around her, but to the reader, she is unforgettable.

Plant Lady by Kang Minyoung, (List Price: $28, Berkley, 9798217187577, August 2026)

Reviewed by Sarah, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, LA

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Though labeled a paranormal romance, I think this story is best enjoyed as steamy gothic fiction with a slow-burn cat-and-mouse romance intertwined. Speculative fiction writers gather in Key West for a conference, staying in a haunted hotel that has everyone on edge. July, a hard-shelled, enigmatic fantasy author, is reluctantly pulled to the ghostly presence on the property as well as the attention of fellow author Leo, who’s been drawn to her for a decade. Stellar writing that gives slightly more suspense than swoon— romance skeptics will appreciate this exploration of self-discovery, love, and real and metaphorical ghosts!

Old Flames by Nadine Gonzalez, (List Price: $18.99, MIRA, 9781335001214, August 2026)

Reviewed by Julia, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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This is indeed a ghost story, but truly a very eerie tale even for a spooky ghost story. The haunting begins with a realtor showing an empty house that includes an apparition of a young boy who lived in the house. The next time she enters the house, which seems to have a hold on her, the realtor also sees herself as a ghost. The haunting gets even stranger…..hold on….with suspended time and eternal recurrences with the boy and his family. Dear reader, you have not happened upon a more bizarre and lonely tale than Last Day of a Prior Life.

Last Day of a Prior Life by Andrés Barba, (List Price: $26, HarperVia, 9780063352056, August 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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As a child born and educated in Wilmington, North Carolina, who—like so many others—knew nothing of this massacre until adulthood, I am always grateful to see new scholarship on this topic. The author’s care in tying history to present conditions for descendants of the massacre makes this a particularly noteworthy document. Even the Philly Deli makes an appearance. Excellent work, which gives me hope more will eventually come to light in my lifetime.

They Stole a City by Lauren Collins, (List Price: $32, Penguin Press, 9781984878816, July 2026)

Reviewed by Alissa, South Main Book Company in Salisbury, NC

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An accessible, thorough analysis of the history of depraved art, this engaging book seeks to highlight the nuance between immorality, obscenity, and malevolence in art. Can art cause violence, or does it just stoke already volatile conditions? Dixon pays close attention to the way charges of depravity have been levied against the art of minority cultures throughout history to paint them as inferior. The book also offers a new perspective on “separating art from the artist”. Spoiler: often, you can’t! A fun, intelligent read, full of examples from classical art but also including music, film, and video games.

Depraved by Daisy Dixon, (List Price: $32, Viking, 9798217061846, August 2026)

Reviewed by Julia, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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Fascinating, enlightening, educational, and one of the best history books I’ve ever read. I love that Sam Kean interwove a fictional day-in-the-life story through all of his experiments, investigations, interviews, and travel information. In order to truly understand ancient peoples and cultures, Kean gets down and dirty with figuring out the HOWs and the WHYs throughout history. For archaeology enthusiasts, for history lovers, and for those who want to feel connected to those who paved the way many, many years ago.

Dinner with King Tut by Sam Kean, (List Price: $22.99, Back Bay Books, 9780316496537, May 2026)

Reviewed by Hannah, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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The Summer I Turned Pretty is a coming-of-age book that tells the story of the main character’s first love. The story itself has so many fun aspects, including the family dynamics along with the friendships between characters. This book is perfect for someone looking for a series that starts off lighthearted and then leads into more depth as the series progresses.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, (List Price: $11.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665922074, May 2022)

Reviewed by Grace, The Bookshelf on Church in Kilmarnock, VA

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This is the reminder every Black person in America needs. Beautifully illustrated and written with the soul of a poem, this book is more than a picture book; it’s a love letter. Read it and be inspired.

That You Are Here Is No Small Thing by Traci N. Todd, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593353028, September 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Marissa Eller delivers a sophomore novel with everything I loved about her debut, but even better. Nova is a high-achieving, neurodivergent student on the edge of burnout, surrounded by classmates facing similar problems. This novel highlights a much-needed conversation around student mental health and disillusionment, but it also manages to preserve some of the starry-eyed English Major nerd magic. Left on Read is for teens who read classics for fun, for former gifted kids with adult ADHD diagnoses, and for anyone who has strong opinions on the correct Pride & Prejudice adaptation.

Left on Read by Marissa Eller, (List Price: $19.99, Holiday House, 9780823460564, August 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC