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Is it a space opera? A heist escapade? A retelling of the Orpheus myth? Yes! Yes! Yes! The best thing about this book is that I can’t classify it: it hits on so many levels. One of my favorite aspects of it is the examination of art, the reproduction of art, and what defines art’s value. Is a perfect reproduction as good as the real thing? If not, what makes them different? Tanzer manages that theme and several others, along with a strong depth of character and a moving love story. Also action. Also sentient fungi. Also clones and replicants? And in only 96 pages??? Enjoy!

And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer, (List Price: $24.99, Tordotcom, 9781250382054, May 2026)

Reviewed by Kelly, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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I absolutely loved Pot Shot by Laura Pipper Lee. This book was so well written, with incredible character and plot development that kept me fully invested from start to finish. There’s a bit of spice, but it never overpowers the story—which I really appreciated. The emotional depth and growth of the characters are what truly shine. Julian starts off as closed-minded and a little uptight, but through his rotation in family medicine—and seeing firsthand how people benefit from medicinal marijuana—his perspective begins to shift. Watching him confront his own biases and personal demons added so much depth to his character. Nomi, on the other hand, is more of a free spirit, though she carries her own private struggles with her bowel disease. She’s compassionate, forgiving, and grounded in a way that perfectly balances Julian. Together, they just work. Their dynamic felt authentic and meaningful, and I found myself really rooting for them. Laura also did a fantastic job with the side characters—they weren’t just background noise, but added real depth to the story. I genuinely cared about these people, which made the whole reading experience even more impactful. I’ve already recommended this book across my social media platforms, and it’s definitely one I’d love to own a physical copy of. Such an enjoyable and memorable read!

Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee, (List Price: $18.99, Union Square & Co., 9781454965558, May 2026)

Reviewed by Savannah, Story Hollow in Madisonville, Tennessee

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If you love a character-driven suburban drama, Coyoteland delivers with a timely, pandemic-era story full of urgency and relevance. Each character is navigating something big — family conflict, economic pressure, systemic bias — creating a web of tension that feels very of-the-moment. Thoughtful, messy, and compelling, it’s a novel that tackles a lot and does it well.

Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua, (List Price: $28.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250395511, May 2026)

Reviewed by Jamie, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Jesmyn Ward presents us with a series of essays which give us a peek into the skeletons upon which her stunning fiction is built, the sweet and sour life and experiences and family which leads her to lament in the opening piece: “Sometimes, I wish I could write easier stories…” The language is vivid, florid, precise, and beautiful all at once, as she covers topics such as family, Katrina, Faulkner, representation, book banning, book reviews, movie reviews, justice, leaving home, and returning home again – common themes treated with absolute tenderness and honesty.

On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward, (List Price: $29, Scribner, 9781668064269, May 2026)

Reviewed by Doron, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA

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“This book is my panoramic assault on nihilism. I wrote it in an effort to be helpful, but toward the end, I felt I was writing it to save my life…the largest gesture of hope I could muster.” In a world of mounting time pressure–one in which we dutifully recite “rest is productive” so that we don’t feel guilty for taking a break–it’s become clear that a paradigm reset is in order. Saving Time is an evisceration and a balm: a thorough, necessary breakdown of our current state of affairs, and a primer for how to begin thinking differently if we hope to save ourselves from the ticking capitalist clock.

Saving Time by Jenny Odell, (List Price: $20, Random House, 9780593242728, January 2024)

Reviewed by Talia, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC

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As I was reading this, I felt like I needed to get the word “respair” tattooed on my body. That’s how deeply this collection affected me. The essays all felt different from one another, yet connected through themes of grief, resilience, survival, and healing. What stayed with me most was how each essay gave me something different to sit with — some left me heartbroken, some reflective, and some unexpectedly hopeful.

On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward, (List Price: $29, Scribner, 9781668064269, May 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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A longer graphic novel with an incredibly poignant story about discovering who you are & using your voice. With themes of identity, being “Muslim enough,” familial expectation, alongside the realities of colonialism, genocide, and Eurocentric ideals. A family story, a coming-of-age story. This book did so much so well.

Landing in Place: A Graphic Novel by Sherine Hamdy, (List Price: $25.99, Kokila, 9780735229440, May 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Picture books that center around finding fun and whimsy in our real world are like catnip to me, so when I saw this and noticed Gómez was the illustrator (from Bookie & Cookie fame!), I knew this would be my spring children’s book. The importance of green spaces in our communities, and how we can come together to make these little pockets of wildlife for our pollinator neighbors, all with cheeky rhyming language and nostalgic illustrations. And of course, facts in the back for the curious, future green thumb kids!

A Pathway for Pollinators by Michelle Schaub, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324082118, May 2026)

Reviewed by Grace, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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If any book should be required reading for booksellers, librarians, and educators, this is it. Abandon your preconceived notions of what children’s books should be, and let Mac Barnett remind you how magical they can be. This message comes at the perfect time and makes a lovely gift for people who want to spread the joy of reading to all ages.

Make Believe by Mac Barnett, (List Price: $20, Little, Brown and Company, 9780316601122, May 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC