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Father Material by Alexis Hall

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Father Material by Alexis Hall
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Hall’s hilarious dialogue is front and center in his newest addition to the London Calling series and you won’t be able to put this one down! Luc and Oliver have been through it in Boyfriend Material and the Husband Material. But you know, “first comes love, then comes marriage” so you know what’s next! That’s right, an adorable rescue dog that looks like a big potato! And maybe if they can get dog parenting down, they might be ready for more?

Father Material by Alexis Hall, (List Price: $18.99, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 9781728264295, June 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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On the Other Side Is March by Sólrún Michelsen

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On the Other Side Is March by Sólrún Michelsen
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The first female Faroese writer to publish in English has written truth about women caretakers the world over. The main character is a woman in her 60’s who is caring for her grandchildren and mothering her own aging mother. She is waiting for a nursing home for her mother, but her name doesn’t come up. As she is caring for others, she remembers scenes of her youth and caring for her own children when they were small. Even though this story is told from the Faroe Islands, it is the same story played over and over. She honestly even thinks of feeling angry at her ancient mother for growing old and feeble. Love and caring are displayed with the work and worry of caretaking.

On the Other Side Is March by Sólrún Michelsen, (List Price: $18.95, Transit Books, 9798893380491, June 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang

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Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang
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Kuang never misses, and this insanely bingeable story was quickly added to my favorites. Kuang expertly depicts the specific brand of grief that arises from an unexpected loss of a family member that you wish you were closer to. Read this book if you want to be inspired to pick up your language studies again.

Taipei Story by R. F. Kuang, (List Price: $32, William Morrow, 9780063583597, August 2026)

Reviewed by Em, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw

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Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw
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Imagine if you had a choice of living your regular daily life or escaping on a magical floating island with a loving, mysterious man …. and did I mention you wouldn’t ever age? Shea Ernshaw has created such an island. Clay Lockhart was seen on his disappearing island burying his wife and babies, who all died in childbirth. This was one glimpse into the island, which mostly is never seen. Ellie Mills happens onto the island and meets Clay, and then spends much of the next twenty years asking herself if it really happened. When the island is spotted again, she decides to try to find if it is a reality or just a childhood dream. Ellie has a life with a career and just gets engaged to James as she sets off on the adventure to see if she can get back on the island. Is it real? She does reach the island, and she and Clay fall in love while caring for the crops and livestock on the island. Should she return to James and her old life or stay with Clay on this magical, hauntingly beautiful island? Written with such vivid sensory details, readers will feel immersed with Ellie as she makes her life-altering decision.

Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw, (List Price: $28, Atria Books, 9781668097731, 2026-07-07)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Grandma Joy and Me by Brad Ryan

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Grandma Joy and Me by Brad Ryan
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“What was your childhood like? You never talk about it.” Brad asked his grandmother to tell him about her life….how many of us wish we had someone to listen to us or that we had asked questions before loved ones died? With the astonishing beauty of the sixty-three national parks containing all the flowers and plants and wild creatures, readers will sit in the back seat and hear all the joys and tumult of this family’s life. The author and grandson Brad Ryan is a veterinarian who lives with the agony of his solitary life and the pain he carries from his childhood. Grandma Joy is not a woman who shares feelings and loves, but in her 90 years has experienced many of life’s tragedies. Reading this book forces readers to see all the resplendence and majesty of the parks while trodding up countless steps for viewing and sleeping and snoring on an air mattress in a tent. All will long remember the journeys of Brad and Grandma Joy and think about completing them with a 90-year-old relative. It is quite the adventure.

Grandma Joy and Me by Brad Ryan, (List Price: $29, Simon & Schuster, 9781668099261, June 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rose

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The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rose
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Rosen has brought us a fantastic mystery about four certified disaster gays and their fumbling to save one of their own. Possibly. Brandon falls in love fast and often. This time with a guest at the hotel where he works. But after a quick hookup, the guest disappears, leaving his bag and phone behind. So Brandon begs his friends Ian, Nicole, and Ollie to help him find his true love. But what they get is a whole lot of danger and a mystery to solve. These gays are definitely a disaster. But they’re also a lot of fun.

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency by Lev AC Rose, (List Price: $17.99, Poisoned Pen Press, 9781464252853, June 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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Ruthie by Esmé Shapiro

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Ruthie by Esmé Shapiro
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Calling all royal dreamers, explorers, and butterberry pancake lovers! This whimsically illustrated picture book tells a charming tale of friendship and the cozy joys of home. Prince Ruthie leaves their beloved queen behind to explore the kingdom beyond their castle. As journeying into the unknown is not without its dangers, Ruthie soon finds themselves missing the comforts of home and mostly, their loving queen. Ruthie may just have to rely on the help of their loyal subjects (or newfound friends?) to once again return home to their queen. The gentle humor and warmth of the story shine through the softness of Shapiro’s illustrations. Share this delightful story with your favorite friend over a slice of three-year-old cake.

Ruthie by Esmé Shapiro, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774885659, March 2026)

Reviewed by Laura, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Downfall by Marc J. Gregson

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Downfall by Marc J. Gregson
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Gregson’s final book in the Above the Black series is an incredibly satisfying ending. There’s tension, fighting, betrayals, scary creatures, and even a smidge of romance. Downfall is everything you would want in a sci-fi adventure! Conrad’s uncle, the king, has sent him down to the Below. He says it’s to conquer the colonies there, but Conrad knows it’s a suicide mission. Now it’s his plan to not only survive, but to thrive and eventually take down his uncle.

Downfall by Marc J. Gregson, (List Price: $22.99, Peachtree Teen, 9781682637081, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun

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All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun
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In the week after 9/11, three vastly different people set sail on a cruise to Bermuda that was already planned, and have mixed emotions about the trip and their lives. This extremely compelling story sucked me right into the narrative and didn’t let me go until we docked back in Boston! I immediately felt immersed in the lives of these characters, eager to know what was going to happen next. Highly recommend!

All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun, (List Price: $30, 37 Ink, 9781668200599, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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The Loon Counters by Roger Sheffer

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The Loon Counters by Roger Sheffer
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Roger Sheffer had me convinced The Loon Counters was not sixteen fictional stories but a real place with a community of year-round lake dwellers as well as visitors. Every page was filled with enviable scenery that called for hours of gazing at the lakes in all seasons while watching the loons and looking forward to sitting by a fire at night. Centered around an Adirondack general store with no cell service, the stories include an Olympic torchbearer, hikers, artists, a pianist, a violinist, and more, all connected to the beauty of the region. There is danger and heartbreak and love and threats alongside the incredible silent scenery of the lakes. The stories and characters are jig-saw-puzzled together through the years with Bruce, Martha, Russ, Linda, Albert, Luke, Max, Emma, Joan, Steve, Elise, Cheryl, James, Tristan, and Jayne to name a few. Readers will not want to leave the beauty of the world created in The Loon Counters.

The Loon Counters by Roger Sheffer, (List Price: $24.95, Syracuse University Press, 9780815612001, March 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Vida by Duncan Tonatiuh

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Vida by Duncan Tonatiuh
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Vida is a joyful celebration of art bringing a community together. Tonatiuh’s vibrant illustrations capture the colors and whimsy of fantastical alebrije sculptures, an art form made famous in Mexico. As the title suggests, this picture book captures the life of a community through its art, language, and traditions. A joyful treasure of a book. Alegre!

Vida by Duncan Tonatiuh, (List Price: $18.99, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 9781419764592, November 2025)

Reviewed by Laura Hoefener, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Bog Queen by Anna North

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Bog Queen by Anna North
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Anna North has written a tale with mysteries from a body found in the bog, believed to be 2,000 years old, and today’s struggle for the environment and development. Agnes is a young American forensic anthropologist who is hired to help identify a body believed to be buried in the bog from 196,1 and instead dates the remains as from the Druidic order of Celtic Europe, over 2,000 years old but preserved in the bog. Readers meet the young Druid as her mother has declared her, as she travels to Camulodunon and returns with gifts. She dies at a Solstice celebration and is buried in the bog. Readers will also know much of the life of Agnes as she spars with environmentalists and developers as she tries to save the bog. The mystery of the distant past and today’s conflict will haunt all who open these pages.

Bog Queen by Anna North, (List Price: $28.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781635579666, October 2025)

Reviewed by Nancy Pierce, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson

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Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
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Fans of the high drama of telenovelas will find plenty to enjoy in this Romeo and Juliet retelling. Julieta is the head chef at her family’s fish taco restaurant in a heavily Latinx area near La Jolla. But when their landlord sells their entire block to the Taco King owners, everyone is infuriated, bit none more than Julieta and her mom. See, when Julieta’s mom was young and living in Mexico, she had her own fish taco stand, and she fell in love with a young Mexican American man. But he stole her recipe and took it back to the US to create his fast food empire, and she never saw him again. But, not knowing who he is, Julieta meets the man’s son during the Day of the Dead celebration and falls for him immediately. But are they doomed to fail?

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson, (List Price: $16, Berkley, 9780593336229, February 2022)

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell

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Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell
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Ready for adventure? Pack your bags and join Cabin Head and Tree Head as they save the world without losing their heads. The playful comic book-style illustrations paired with hilarious stories will have you falling head over heels with laughter! A truly unique picture book about once-in-a-lifetime friends.

Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell, (List Price: $13.99, Tundra Books, 9781774885055, September 2025)

Reviewed by Laura Hoefener, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Lawless by Leah Litman

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Lawless by Leah Litman
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Leah Littman of Crooked Media takes the post-Warren Supreme Court and explains just exactly how they run on “conservative grievance, fringe theories, and bad vibes.” Using pop culture analogies at times, Littman compares the court to Mean Girls, Game of Thrones, and Arrested Development. If you’re looking for a book that clearly states exactly how we got to where we are today, this is absolutely the book for you.

Lawless by Leah Litman, (List Price: $29.99, Atria / One Signal Publishers, 9781668054628, May 2025)

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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