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A new perspective into Harpman’s beautiful mind! If you loved < em>I Who Have Never Known Men, this collection will give you deeper insight into that novel, as well as into Harpman’s thought processes and experiences as a young girl that clearly inspired her future work. Wouldn’t recommend as an intro to the author, however – more for those familiar with her work and wanting more.

We Were Forbidden by Jacqueline Harpman, (List Price: $18.95, Transit Books, 9798893380583, July 2026)

Reviewed by Mackenzie, Thank You Books in Birmingham, AL

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Man, Tia Williams knows how to write a stellar romance! After a chance encounter on a flight, guarded — but delightful — Sasha enlists the help of former detective turned BBQ-ist Wes to help her find her missed connection. I loved the banter between the two main characters and found their predicaments so entertaining and unique. Truly, I’ve never read anything like this before! If you’re feeling burnt out on romance, you can always turn to Tia Williams, who will never disappoint.

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams, (List Price: $29, Grand Central Publishing, 9781538770269, June 2026)

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

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Really loved this book! I couldn’t get enough of it. Elisa Faison has such a good eye for meaningful details that deepen the understanding of her characters. It’s a story about a couple navigating non-monogamy, but it covers so much of the human experience: love, loss, sensual pleasure, pandemic loneliness, etc. This is literary fiction at its best. The characters don’t take themselves too seriously (healthy doses of humor throughout), yet there is always another level to explore beyond the surface.

Skin Contact by Elisa Faison, (List Price: $29, Cardinal, 9781538776018, June 2026)

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

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Nephi Craig’s memoir takes the reader deep into his life, exploring substance abuse, the passion for cooking, and the power of food. Craig’s dedication to sharing the history of Indigenous food with restaurants around the world and his choice to return home to serve the community on his reservation make this such a compelling read. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy food memoirs but also stories of decolonization and healing.

Our Knives Will Save Us by Nephi Craig, (List Price: $32, Penguin Press, 9780593831908, July 2026)

Reviewed by Beth, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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It turns out everything Matthew Quick has written up to this point- all nine best-selling novels- have been prequels to this memoir; a book that should be considered his masterpiece, defining much of his work thus far. Powerful, painful, heart-wrenching, and heart-lifting, Matthew bravely lays bare his heart, soul, and most of all his relationship with his difficult father. Throughout this ‘letter’ to his Dad, the reader watches over and over the inexplicable trauma one man inflicts upon his son and sees the many ways in which it would mold him. Sobriety and analysis team up to help him break the cycle and as Alzheimer’s strips his father of so much, Matthew returns to walk this last journey by his side with love and dignity. If we could all forgive as Matthew has forgiven his father, Michael, the world would be an entirely different place.

Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick, (List Price: $30, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster, 9781668091753, July 2026)

Reviewed by Jamie, Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books in Duck, NC

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Reading Stranded in the Future is like being dropped into a casual conversation with the long-time rocker, surrealist, and memoirist Robyn Hitchcock. With shades of Monty Python, but also the Marx Brothers and especially Fry & Laurie’s love of wordplay, this is an exquisitely English self-referential memoir. Hitchcock sure has a way with words (“His singing voice was light blue”), and while it took me a minute to get used to the sardonic, whimsical style, I was soon luxuriating in evocative, descriptive gems such as: “We are greeted by the classic Smoke Age pub gig odours: stale beer, stale tobacco, stale urine, and fresh disinfectant…” or that punk: “galvanizes what, until last year, has been a fairly cosy generation of kids, grazing peacefully in the mid-1970s, sitting cross-legged on the floor at concerts. But not any more: now they have to stand and spit…” A slice of 60s/70s rock and roll life, especially enjoyable with a Soft Boys playlist playing in the background.

Stranded in the Future by Robyn Hitchcock, (List Price: $24.95, Akashic Books, Ltd., 9781636142999, July 2026)

Reviewed by Doron, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA

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I loved this cursed Savannah field trip!! Six main characters? No way they could all be interesting and given time to develop– but they are! Reclusive and independent Ashlyn is forced to bond quickly with her new high school classmates when they wake up each night in a shared nightmare world. With lively art and scary monsters, this Webtoon is wonderfully translated into graphic novel form. And very funny!

School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by Red, (List Price: $18.99, Ink Pop, 9798217122868, June 2026)

Reviewed by Ross, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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A street-smart, sticky-fingered Valory teams up with piano-prodigy, agoraphobic Rook to solve the mystery of the empty apartment across the alley, which is suddenly filled with mysterious music and eerie doll parts. It’s Only Murders in the Building for tweens about how friendship can bring out the best parts of you.

Sneaks by Amy Tern, (List Price: $18.99, Holiday House, 9780823461622, July 2026)

Reviewed by Candice, The Haunted Book Shop (C) in Mobile, Alabama

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I loved the colorful pictures of Toad on the Go, a book about making mistakes and realizing that it’s okay and that all of us make them. Simple story that can help kids admit their mistakes and feel safe… a useful skill in this day and age.

Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774883501, June 2026)

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