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As I was reading, I kept falling in love more with the story. Kyoko is a relatable main character who highlights how it feels to work and feel stuck in something you originally loved. I love Hayami’s storytelling; it feels like you’re talking to a friend that you connect deeply with. This book feels perfect and personal.

How Can My Manager Be So Stupid? by Kazumasa Hayami, (List Price: $30, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9798217182299, September 2026)

Reviewed by Victoria, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Set in a seaside Colombian community wrought with struggle and apathy, this taut and gritty narrative packs an unbelievably desolate and poignant punch. Somehow, it nourishes and chokes you at the same time.

The Bitch by Pilar Quintana, (List Price: $18, Riverhead Books, 9798217434749, September 2026)

Reviewed by Joshua, The Underground Bookshop in Carrollton, GA

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This story of a giant jellyfish wreaking havoc on the residents of a small island in Maine grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let go. Jo Ness, a jellyfish researcher, is summoned to the island by an old friend to study it. But when Jo arrives, her friend is gone, and strange appearances begin to haunt Jo as she struggles to understand how and why the jellyfish can have such control over the residents. The story is haunting and suspenseful, but not fast-paced action. Spooky, but not scary. I found myself thinking of it all day and couldn’t wait to get back to it!

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang, (List Price: $30, Berkley, 9780593955826, June 2026)

Reviewed by Amy, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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*bones creaking* Back in my day, we called The Ick a “turn off”, but honestly, getting the icky feeling from someone’s weird habit nails it. It doesn’t have to be a major red flag; it’s just a feeling in your gut, usually early on, that this relationship is a non-starter. The Icktionary gathers a bunch of people’s confessions of what gave them the ick, some of them hilarious, some completely relatable, some gross, and even some that had me feeling the ick from the poster (Look, Jimmy, running out of toilet paper and using Christmas napkins as an emergency backup option isn’t crazy). This is the perfect book to read al oud with friends and share your own icks.

The Ick Files by Ari Cagan, (List Price: $22, S&S/Simon Element, 9781668245972, September 20261)

Reviewed by Kate, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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Imagine sitting in an Irish pub being regaled with the story of how a lost Irish tradition was revived. The flow of this memoir is very much like such a conversation. Keohan’s enthusiasm shines through as he shares his journey discovering lost lifting stones and encourages towns to embrace their history and a new generation to test their mettle lifting stones at least high enough for wind to blow under. The result is an engaging tale of discovery, camaraderie, and a singular passion.

The Wind Beneath the Stone by David Keohan, (List Price: $28, Chelsea Green, 9781645024897, September 20261)

Reviewed by Jan, Main Street Books in Davidson, NC

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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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Uhm, so that ending was crazy!! What a fun time I had while reading this. Truly, I was entertained the whole time! The full cast audiobook was amazing!! Definitely felt more engulfing and immersive. I won’t lie, I was rooting for the one romantic male lead that is pushed on the reader the whole time and was confused as to why the other romantic lead was even there, but then it hits you, and it hits you good. I genuinely cannot wait to see how Gray explores that relationship in the next book! Also, I understand why Vanessa would have so much rage throughout the book because of what happened to her, but sometimes it just felt too damn annoying. Like, we get it, girl, you have rage. The one thing I will say is this should definitely not be considered YA. Very much so adult themes throughout the whole book, but I digress.

Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray, (List Price: $13.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316584555, August 2026)

Reviewed by Itzy, 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