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The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

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The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
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Ah southern gothic, my dearest friend, you’ve done it again. Isabel Cañas has joined hands with the spookiest of ghosts and written a tale of romance, mystery, and horror that would have even the stoutest individual shaking in their boots, wondering who would survive, if any at all. I loved every single second of The Hacienda, and am remiss that it ever ended, considering how desperately the author makes you crave more. This book is absolutely perfect for fans of Crimson Peak and Mexican Gothic, but most importantly, it’s perfect for the adults who were once teens in love with the supernatural romances of the ’00s and early ’10s.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas, (List Price: $27, Berkley, 9780593436691,  May 2022)

Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhhà Lai

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Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhhà Lai
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Hundred Years of Happiness is a remarkable picture book. Teeming with stunning illustrations and storytelling, this book tugs at the heartstrings. I adored the mixture of family, culture, and food at the center of this story. The inclusion of the recipe at the end of the book was such a fun surprise!

Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhhà Lai, (List Price: $17.99, HarperCollins, 9780063026926,  April 2022)

Reviewed by Lauren Kean, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

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The Wedding Crasher by Glaser Karina Yan
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An April Read This Next! Book

I loved this follow up to Mia Sosa’s wedding-themed contemporary romance series. An overheard conversation just before a couple’s wedding makes Solange unable to hold her peace. Instead, she blurts out to the bride not to go through with it just as the couple is saying their “I do’s”. This leads to a chain of events that neither she, nor the stuffy groom Dean, could have thought possible. For one thing, Solange spells danger to Dean. She is unpredictable, feisty, and doesn’t have her life mapped out every single step of the way like he does…and that terrifies him. But, she could prove to be just what he needs to shake things up and finally find love.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa, (List Price: $15.99, Avon, 9780062909893,  April 2022)

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Clock Star Rose Spine by Fran Wilde

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Clock Star Rose Spine by Fran Wilde
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I loved the interplay between real life and mythology in this book of poetry. The fountain pen illustrations are charming and help bring the poetry to life.

Clock Star Rose Spine by Fran Wilde, (List Price: $18, Lanternfish Press, 9781941360576,  August 2021)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi

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Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi
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I loved this new middle grade coming of age story told in verse. Faruqi is able to capture so much about Aafiyah’s life and what it means to be a preteen in America. She uses careful precision and economy of words to tell us about the Qamar family, their privilege and love for each other, their heritage and sorrows. I love a novel in verse for the author’s ability to express a depth of feeling that is not possible in prose novels. I think this is the perfect form to tell this story and think kids will be effected by the nuance of the writing.

Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi, (List Price: $16.99, HarperCollins, 9780063044753,  February 2022)

Reviewed by Jamie Southernr from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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After Beowulf by Nicole Markotic

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After Beowulf by Nicole Markotic
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Beowulf has been translated time and time again, whether by scholars just trying to be as accurate as possible, or people thinking outside of the box, or people who literally are just here for a good time like Nicole. After Beowulf is the tale of Beowulf, but it does address why the Geats were so terrified of his death. Nicole just happens to tell it all in the funkiest, funniest way possible. It even had me reading it out loud at one point, trying to do funny voices and keep up with the flow.

After Beowulf by Nicole Markotic, (List Price: $17.95, Coach House Books, 9781552454428,  April 2022)

Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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DEAR GOD. DEAR BONES. DEAR YELLOW. by Noor Hindi

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Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. by Noor Hindi
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This little book of poems is going to haunt me until the end of my days. I don’t know how to describe how important every word in this book is, every beat, every heart wrenching sentence. Dear God is meant to be delivered directly to your face, the speaker’s voice barely a hiss. A question that can’t be answered- just heard.

Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. by Noor Hindi, (List Price: $17, Haymarket Books, 9781642596960,  May 2022)

Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Eggs from Red Hen Farm by Monica Wellington

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Eggs from Red Hen Farm by Monica Wellington
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A practical picture book that explains where eggs come from AND teaches young readers how to read a basic map — what fun! I loved maps when I was a kid and this book is a great introduction to the concept of getting on the road to move from one place to the next.

Eggs from Red Hen Farm by Monica Wellington, (List Price: $18.99, Holiday House, 9780823447824,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

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Abdul's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
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This is a beautifully diverse book about Abdul finding his voice despite his learning challenges. Throughout the story Abdul doesn’t think he is a writer, but he knows he has stories to tell. Once he has a mentor he learns that everyone makes mistakes and the best stories come from what look like messes. In the end Abdul finds his voice and confidence in what once felt like an impossible task.

Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, (List Price: $17.99, Salaam Reads, Simon ∓ Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781534462984,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Josie Greenwald, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Catalina Incognito by Jennifer Torres

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Catalina Incognito by Jennifer Torres, Gladys Jose (illus.)
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Catalina Incognito is the first book in what’s sure to be a charming new chapter book series. Gifted with a magic sewing kit on her eighth birthday, shy and reserved Catalina learns about taking chances and trying again — and also solves the mystery of her aunt’s missing ruby. I loved the way Spanish phrases are mixed in throughout the book..

Catalina Incognito by Jennifer Torres, Gladys Jose (illus.), (List Price: $5.99, Aladdin, 9781534482784,  March 2022)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie

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Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie
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Calling all bird lovers — you need this picture book! I adored the little chickadee who narrates this story. I could easily imagine my own little backyard chickadees thinking of themselves as criminal masterminds as they steal my blueberries! This picture book will offer plenty of fun for readers of all ages.

Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, (List Price: $18.99, Kids Can Press, 9781525303388, June 2022)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Keep Your Head Up by Aliya King Neil, Charly Palmer (illus.)

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Keep Your Head Up by Aliya King Neil, Charly Palmer (illus.)
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Everyone knows Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day. What Keep Your Head Up does even better is how do you deal with the bad in a given day and, even when a meltdown happens, how do you make good decisions going forward. I love Charly Palmer’s artwork and the expressiveness he puts in the faces and postures of his characters. even to the cloud of feeling “a little scrunchy” hovering over the kid.


Keep Your Head Up by Aliya King Neil, Charly Palmer (illus.), (List Price: $17.99, Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781534480407, September 2021)

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina


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Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady

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Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady
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Nigel and the Moon will make your heart swell in the best way! Sure to be a beloved book, Nigel’s story resonates deeply with those who are scared to share their dreams. When Nigel looks up at the moon, anything is possible; but in school he’s hesitant to share. Career week in school is tricky when you want to be an astronaut, dancer, and a superhero! I loved Nigel and his story, and applaud Antwan Eady on this superb debut!

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, (List Price: $17.99, Katherine Tegen Books, 9780063056282, February 2022)

Reviewed by Lauren Kean from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina


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The Love You Save by Goldie Taylor

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The Love You Save by Goldie Taylor
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Get the audiobook

The Love You Save is powerful, heartbreaking memoir that will capture your heart from the first chapter. Journalist and activist Goldie Taylor shares painful childhood memories of trauma and family strife against the backdrop of strength and hope she found as a highly gifted student reading books by authors like James Baldwin. Readers who enjoy heavy-hitting memoirs like Educated and Memorial Drive will appreciate Taylor’s honest and poetic prose in this must-read memoir–but have the tissues ready!

The Love You Save by Goldie Taylor, (List Price: $28.99, Hanover Square Press, 9781335449375, January 2023)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Never Tell by Stacey Abrams

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Never Tell
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When Erin, a local professor and criminal psychologist, gets drawn into a serial murder case, she wants nothing more than to run the other way. When the clues start leading to her own past; however, she’s got no choice than to fully immerse herself into the investigation – with the help of the charming local newspaper owner desperate for a story that will save his paper. Never Tell is a must-read for anyone who likes romance, mysteries, or a well-drawn out game of cat and mouse. Stacey Abrams’ While Justice Sleeps was one of my favorite books of 2021, so I’m excited to read through her suspense novels, written under the name Selena Montgomery.

Never Tell by Stacey Abrams, (List Price: $16.99, 9781250805829, January 2022)

Reviewed by Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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