Main Street Books

The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu

, , , , ,
The Manicurist's Daughter by Susan Lieu
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Lieu raises the bar, taking a complex immigrant story from interesting, past compelling to unput-downable gut-level honesty. Her journey to come to terms with her mother’s death is complicated by cultural patterns, emotional barriers, generational trauma, and her own mental health. She is unstinting in her portrayals of family and herself. Prepare to rethink what you know about families and trauma.

The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu, (List Price: $30, Celadon Books, 9781250835048, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu Read More »

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

, , ,
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

This is a welcome addition to birding accounts. Lighter in tone than Trish O’Kane’s Birding to Change the World, Tan still evokes the powerful effects of engaging with nature. Wry observations about birds and about herself, along with delightful sketches taken from her journals, make this a special treat for birders and those who do their birding vicariously via books.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan, (List Price: $35, Knopf, 9780593536131, April 2024)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan Read More »

Sociopath by Patric Gagne

, ,
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Sociopath is an illuminating memoir about Patric Gagne’s lifelong quest to understand herself and her lack of emotion. As a child who is aware that she is different from her family and peers to an adult striving for true intimacy, Patric shines a light on sociopathy and related antisocial behaviors. I started reading Sociopath with my own preconceived notions and prejudices around the word “sociopath” and finished with a deeper understanding and empathy.

Sociopath by Patric Gagne, (List Price: $28.99, Simon & Schuster, 9781668003183, April 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Sociopath by Patric Gagne Read More »

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner

, , , , , ,
Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

I loved this story about second (and third) chances and rekindled young love in a small southern town. Themes of alcohol addiction and commentary on American gun violence give Colton Gentry’s Third Act depth that would make this romance a fabulous book club selection. And I loved the restaurant setting!

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner, (List Price: $30, Grand Central Publishing, 9781538756652, April 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner Read More »

Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins

, , ,
Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

With gorgeous illustrations, Rewild the World at Bedtime takes the reader on a global tour of rewilding animals. Educational and hopeful, this is the perfect bedtime read for curious and engaged little minds.

Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins, (List Price: $19.99, Wide Eyed Editions, 9780711286962, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins Read More »

Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty

, , ,
Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

I love this fun story about what makes us unique AND what unites us with others who may not look like us or speak the same language. Great for teaching empathy and kindness, to others and ourselves!

Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665949583, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty Read More »

Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane

, , ,
Birding to Change the World by Trish O'Kane
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

I’m not a birder but have come to have a great appreciation for compelling stories of birders. O’Kane’s memoir of birding intertwined with environmental and social justice taught me so much, piercing my heart and challenging what I thought I knew about ecology. A must read for anyone who cares about being a better human and neighbor to all beings.

Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane, (List Price: $29.99, , 9780063223141, February 2024)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane Read More »

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith

, ,
My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

My Thoughts Have Wings is the perfect book to soothe anxiety at bedtime. Lovely illustrations and an encouraging message about replacing all of your “what if?” worries with happy thoughts that make your imagination take flight. Can’t recommend this one enough!

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780063214583, February 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith Read More »

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner

, , ,
You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

You Grow, Girl! is a perfect book to gift the plant lover in your life. With fun illustrations and cute puns, this picture book would be a perfect gift to add to an Easter Basket or for a new baby. Full of hope and encouragement!

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner, (List Price: $12.99, Sourcebooks Wonderland, 9781464218583, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner Read More »

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

, , ,
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

A tender and wise exploration of the interior lives of a Korean bookshop staff and their customers. Each person’s story unfolds quietly. As each one’s past comes to meet their present, the community they form opens the way for change and hope. Lovely, in turns melancholy and gently humorous. a must read for all booklovers.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum, (List Price: $28.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639732425, February 2024)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum Read More »

1000 Words by Jami Attenberg

, , ,
1000 Words by Jami Attenberg
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

1000 Words is a guide for writers, but I think anyone interested in reading would truly enjoy this one. I loved the features from some of my favorite authors, and was especially touched by the tender exchange of letters between Jami Attenberg and Keise Laymon. This slim book packs a punch with thought-provoking questions that inspire creativity in writers and readers alike. Loved it!

1000 Words by Jami Attenberg, (List Price: $24.99, S&S/Simon Element, 9781668023600, January 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

1000 Words by Jami Attenberg Read More »

Like So by Ruth Forman

, , ,
Like So by Ruth Forman
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

With gorgeous illustrations, this is a sweet story about the love between a grandmother and child. This one will tug at your heart strings!

Like So by Ruth Forman, (List Price: $18.99, Little Simon, 9781665917544, January 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Like So by Ruth Forman Read More »

Wintergarden by Janet Fox

, , ,
Wintergarden by Janet Fox
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Gorgeous illustrations and sweet story about a mother and child who grow a winter garden. Complete with instructions of starting your own winter garden. Love this one!

Wintergarden by Janet Fox, (List Price: $18.99, Neal Porter Books, 9780823451012, November 2023)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Wintergarden by Janet Fox Read More »

The Farmer’s Wife by Helen Rebanks

, , , , ,
The Farmer's Wife by Helen Rebanks
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Jointly, The Farmer’s Wife and The Shepherd’s Life (written by Helen’s husband James), provide a unique look at both the travails of small farm life and married life. On its own, The Farmer’s Wife reminded me of Laurie Colwin with deep insights into daily life and the joys of cooking good food. Thoughtful, challenging with delicious recipes and beautifully illustrated, this will be a go-to gift book for me.

The Farmer’s Wife by Helen Rebanks, (List Price: $29.99, Harper Horizon, 9780785290483, September 2023)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

The Farmer’s Wife by Helen Rebanks Read More »

Class by Stephanie Land

, ,
Classby Stephanie Land
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Land once again takes readers into the lived experience of poverty and class divides. She calls out the emotional and physical cost of being a single parent and a student and the bizarre barriers courts and agencies throw up. An education in inequality and perseverance, you will never think of resilience in the same way again.

Class by Stephanie Land, (List Price: $28, Atria/One Signal Publishers, 9781982151393, November 2023)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Class by Stephanie Land Read More »

Scroll to Top