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Astonishing debut – expertly crafted thriller with fully-formed characters trying to fill the void of a missing Eldest Sister. Life on their reservation has been dominated by bleak funerals since her disappearance after a bonfire over a year ago and her Middle Sister is essentially raising their younger siblings while their parents grieve on their own. I will think of this family, and all the missing girls who do not “merit” Amber Alerts, for a long time. I cannot wait to see what comes next from this incredibly talented new voice in authorship.

Another Name for Red by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala, (List Price: $30, Pantheon, 9780593702369, October 2026)

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

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Public Access Afterworld is a sprawling modern epic, perfect for internet weirdos and TV lovers. This novel is the perfect center between Schoenbrun’s other works, I Saw the TV Glow and We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. Even though it’s 600 pages, I flew through this book. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.

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

Reviewed by Em, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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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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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 feline-friendly retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca! Feral and fearful Kitty finds her forever home. But it’s haunted by her predecessor, the sleek and savvy Licorice… or is it? This eerie tale takes many twists and turns as it tugs on readers’ heartstrings. A must middle grade read this fall!

Licorice by Kara LaReau, (List Price: $18.99, Scholastic Press, 9781546185949, October 2026)

Reviewed by Sheri, novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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What a giggle! This silly little picture book is the perfect spooky season gift to get your kiddos moving, playing, and working off some post-Halloween candy energy! Beautifully illustrated in an updated midcentury style, these are bound to be the cutest ghosts (and bats…I’m obsessed with the bats) you’ll see all autumn. Consider me charmed!

Giggling Ghosts! by Fiz Osborne, (List Price: $12.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665990875, July 2026)

Reviewed by Jenny, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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A wonderful book about community and celebration of a beloved holiday – Halloween – sharing new experiences.

The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter, (List Price: $18.99, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 9781250375995, July 2026)

Reviewed by Judith, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA