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The week of May 13, 2025 Small but mighty and so very important. [Editor’s Note: In our list of Asian American and Pacific Islander writers in last week’s newsletter, we erroneously categorized Loud by Drew Afaulo as fiction. It is nonfiction, memoir and self-esteem. We apologize for the mistake.]  “The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories.”― Mary Catherine Bateson Last week’s sweeping cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants directly impacts people who love to read, and people who love stories. Among the myriad of arts organizations whose grants were summarily terminated are many literary organizations, including some publishers that SBR readers will be familiar with, because Southern indie booksellers often speak about their books. The Hub City Writers Project in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is one of the organizations to have promised funding canceled. Dedicated to "finding and spotlighting extraordinary new and unsung writers from the American South," Hub City Press has brought writers like Minrose Gwin and Julia Franks to readers. Milkweed Editions, another publisher targeted by cuts, "seeks to be a site of metamorphosis in the literary ecosystem. We take risks on debut and experimental writers," and in pursuit of that mission first brought Janisse Ray to readers when they published her memoir, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood. Southern readers showed their belief in Milkweed’s mission by selecting Margaret Renkl’s Late Migrations as the recipient of the Southern Book Prize in 2021. Here are some books from publishers that have lost their NEA grants, and what Southern booksellers think about them: Becoming Little Shell by Chris La Tray (Milkweed Editions, Autobiography) Beautiful Dreamers by Minrose Gwin (Hub City Press, Fiction) The Wilderness by Aysegül Savas (Transit Books, Memoir) When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities by Chen Chen (BOA Editions, Ltd., Poetry) Every writer now beloved by readers began as a debut author. Each one had the good fortune to find someone who recognized their talent and made it their mission in life to bring that writer’s work to readers. Support that mission. Make a point of buying and reading books by small presses. Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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Foreign Fruit: A Personal History of the Orange by Katie Goh Adult Nonfiction, Agriculture & Food, Asian & Asian American, Biography & Autobiography, Cultural Botany, Nature The very ordinariness of oranges hides a complex history, a tool of colonialism spanning the globe and leaving a trail of losses and some gains. Goh thoughtfully interweaves her own complex family history into that of oranges, creating a compelling hybrid of science, history, and memoir. Her blend is much more satisfying than the juice in supermarket stores. Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina |
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The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds Adult Fiction, Fiction, General, Historical This story bursts with light, color, and the sensuality of art, food, and intimacy. In 1920s Provence, a renowned but bitter artist called Tata paints in recluse, alone except for Ettie, the niece he has raised. She longs to paint too, but is forbidden by the controlling Tata and subjugated to serve as his assistant. Joseph, a young journalist, comes to stay to write about Tata. As the summer heats up, a desire blooms between Joseph and Ettie that they must hide from Tata. Suspense builds, secrets are revealed, and everything is put at risk for art, food, love, and ambition. Simply wonderful. Reviewed by Patience Allan-Glick, Hills & Hamlets Bookshop in Carrollton, Georgia |
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The Names by Florence Knapp Adult Fiction, Fiction, Women What’s in a name? A lot – at least in Florence Knapp’s thought-provoking and assured debut novel. It’s 1987, and a young mother trapped in an abusive marriage is about to register the birth of her new son. Her controlling husband expects the child to be named after him, but she wants to give him his own identity. What follows is a Sliding Doors-esque split narrative, in which Knapp imagines three parallel futures for the child: in each one he’s given a different name, which alters the trajectory of his life. While at times The Names makes for difficult reading, there’s a beauty and tenderness at the heart of this novel that meant I couldn’t put it down. Reviewed by Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi |
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My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende Adult Fiction, Fiction, Literary 
A May Read This Next! Title My Name Is Emilia Del Valle by Isabel Allende follows Emilia, a bold and curious young writer who pushes the boundaries of what’s expected of women in her time (19th century). As one of the first female journalists, an assignment takes her from San Francisco to Chile, her late father’s homeland. Emilia is drawn into a country on the brink of civil war and into the heart of her own identity. I didn’t know I wanted to read about the Chilean civil war until Isabel Allende had me hooked. Her writing is descriptive and clear without being overly flowery, and I loved Emilia’s character; she’s not only a fierce woman ahead of her time, but someone I could see myself being friends with, which brought a sense of comfort to an otherwise heavy story. Allende does a remarkable job showing how war ravages not just countries, but the hearts and minds of everyone it touches. There is an element of romance that does not overshadow the story, but seamlessly adds another beautiful layer to it. I equally loved watching Emilia reclaim her Chilean roots. It’s clear this book was written not just to illuminate history, but also as a love letter to Chile from Allende through Emilia’s journey. Reviewed by Bianca Eckhoff, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis Fiction, Indigenous
A May Read This Next! Title Be forewarned: begin reading Aaron John Curtis’s Old School Indian and you’ll quickly fall into a conspiratorial relationship with the protagonist Abe’s alter ego, Dominick Deer Woods, a poet, and a tell-it-like-it-is fella. Suffering from a life-threatening illness baffling his doctors, Abe goes home to the Ahkwesáhsne reservation to see his family and escape the isolation of his marriage. Dominick Deer Woods’s familiar tone when schooling the reader on the true history of Indigenous peoples in America is brutal, funny, and heart-wrenching. It’s an honor to witness Abe’s journey to remember and embrace his past while seeking clarity for the future. Old School Indian is gorgeously written and brutally beautiful. Reviewed by Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee 
A Gardin Wedding allows readers to take an emotional journey with Martha—one where she drops her tough exterior and heals the hurt inside. While this heartwarming family and friendship drama with romantic elements is the second book in my Gardins of Edin series, it can also stand alone. I welcome readers who are familiar with the Gardin family because they enjoyed The Gardins of Edin as well as those who haven’t read it yet. Rosey Lee is a pen name. I like to say that my “alter ego” is a physician. My commitment to empowering people with health information carries over to my creative life through the health themes in my stories. A Gardin Wedding highlights mental health, the connection between high blood pressure and dementia, and couple’s counseling. And because my “alter ego” works in community health, I know firsthand that it’s frequently easier for people to relate to physicians in community settings than it is in a hospital or doctor’s office. So, Martha, who is a physician, partners with a local library for a talk about high blood pressure, where she demonstrates how to use a blood pressure monitor, highlights the library’s blood pressure monitor lending program, and later joins the library patrons and staff on a community walk. I won’t spoil what happens at the events. I’ll only say that the attendees aren’t the only ones to learn something there. (Hint: Martha may have learned a little something too.) ― Rosey Lee, Letter to a Librarian What booksellers are saying about A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee 
Rosey Lee writes stories about complicated families and complex friendships, but a happy ending is guaranteed. She is a nominee for a 2025 Georgia Author of the Year Award for her debut novel, The Gardins of Edin. Rosey lives in Atlanta, about an hour away from the fictional town of Edin, Georgia, where her characters live. She grew up on the Westbank of New Orleans and carries the area and her loved ones in her heart when she’s away from them. Her essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Deep South Magazine, and The Nerd Daily. |
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Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas by Ngugi wa Thiong’o Adult Nonfiction, African, Literary Criticism Books that feel like "I should go to grad school" are so dear to me, and so far this is my favorite of the genre (tied with bell hooks The Will To Change) as a Kenyan American, this was a particularly enjoyable read with plenty of touchstones in Kenyan history, tied into the global perspective wa Thiong’o brings from Norway to Ireland to Australia and more. As a person with not much of a history or language background this was a super educational read, and I imagine any added knowledge of any of those topics would only enhance the journey of this book, as well as decrease the shock value of the troubling practices of colonial schools. I’d give anything to hear him speak in the context of current events–by which I mean whatever 48-hr time period has just happened. Reviewed by Nyawira Nyota, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina |
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The Thrashers by Julie Soto Friendship, Psychological, Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult Fiction Ask my cat how much I enjoyed this book because I gave him the full rundown while pacing around my living room! Compulsively readable and emotionally layered, this is a fantastic YA debut with the sharp edge and angst of a 90s teen thriller. Julie Soto captures just how brutal high school can be. Loyalty, power, and popularity can quickly blur into something dangerous. Every page felt charged, and that final gut-punch of an ending has me hoping (begging, please Julie) for another one! Reviewed by Janisie Rodriguez, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida |
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Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment by Anna James Children, Juvenile Fiction, School Education, Science & Nature What a fun beginning for Anna James’s new series! The beautiful seasonal magic system, nefarious plotting, and adventure at Thistledown Academy were reminiscent of some of my favorite series growing up, while still surprising and delighting me every step of the way. I can’t wait for the next wave of young fantasy readers to get their hands on this one! Reviewed by Tori Finklea, union ave books in Knoxville, Tennessee |
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The Friendship Train by Debbie Levy 20th Century, Children, History, Juvenile Nonfiction, United States
A May/June Read This Next! Young Readers Title Levy brings to light a true loaves and fishes story for the modern era. A train full of food donated by American children for hungry European children leaves California with 20 cars, and swells to 500 cars of food by the time it reaches the Atlantic. This uplifting and timely story is a perfect example of “looking for the helpers” in a crisis, of Americans reaching out across borders to help people in need, even when those people speak a different language and live overseas. It serves as a reminder for our times of how we are all connected in a global community. Levy’s writing is vibrant and engaging, and energetic movement fills every page of Boris Kulikov’s illustrations. Children in the artwork stare straight into the eyes of the reader, as if inviting us to join in their generosity. A true story that will inspire children and adults alike, this book serves as a reminder that every one of us can make a difference, and no act of kindness is ever too small. Reviewed by Amanda Grell, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction Zoe Persico so beautifully captures the feeling of grieving alongside the realities of life continuing to move forward. In many situations, our friends and people we love might not have the words to tell us what they are going through, but often when we pay attention we can see the signs. Much like caring for plants. This story weaves both these ideas into a beautiful world filled with magical realism, talking plants, family dynamics, new friendships and healing. Beautifully illustrated, I can’t wait to see more from this author/creator. Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Banned Books, Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult Fiction After two private school students are selected to be prefects, an anonymous bully starts sending text messages with revealing secrets about them to the rest of the student body. In this debut novel, suspense is expertly combined with interesting social commentary–perfect for fans of Courtney Summers, Maureen Johnson, or Karen McManus! Reviewed by Jen Minor, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “To be a person is to have a story to tell.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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