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At the Edge of the Woods by Kathryn Bromwich

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At the Edge of the Woods by Kathryn Bromwich
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I found this book to be fascinating. It’s told in three parts, and in all of them, our main character is a vastly different person. We get to see the world and everyone else through her eyes, and wow, do they change an alter, even on a minute-to-minute basis. She stays consistent in her love of nature, but that’s about it. Thrilling, chilling, confusing? And so so fun. I loved this book.

At the Edge of the Woods by Kathryn Bromwich, (List Price: $17.95, Two Dollar Radio, 9781953387615, June 2026)

Reviewed by Creed, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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All That’s Unseen by Emilee Hackney

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All That's Unseen by Emilee Hackney
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I absolutely loved this memoir. Hackney digs into the real grit of her upbringing with a loving thoughtfulness no outsider could ever hope to capture. As someone with a similar background, I think this kind of honest reckoning is necessary for us to ever move forward.

All That’s Unseen by Emilee Hackney, (List Price: $32, Penguin Press, 9780593831403, July 2026)

Reviewed by Brooke, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC

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All That’s Unseen by Emilee Hackney

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All That's Unseen by Emilee Hackney
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Emilee Hackney’s Appalachian memoir begins as a primer on the Pentecostal religion she is raised within in Tazewell, VA, a small mining town in the heart of coal country USA. Soon though, she begins to question everything she knows when her (older) fiancé Sam, a self-proclaimed man of god, turns out to be a groomer and pedophile. Emilee looks for answers from church and community, but her search turns into something bigger when she applies and is accepted to Harvard after two years of community college. Once ensconced in its Ivy League halls, she realizes just how isolating an upbringing she had and how current politics have used her beloved Appalachia to their advantage. Very well written, timely, and compelling, All That’s Unseen helps explain why America’s most rural areas have been hurt again and again by a government they support unceasingly.

All That’s Unseen by Emilee Hackney, (List Price: $32, Penguin Press, 9780593831403, July 2026)

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

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Story Rug by Sophie Blackall

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Story Rug by Sophie Blackall
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The braid craze has not only taken over the students in Story Rug, but also me! A story that blends community, culture, and fabric scraps, the art of craft and storytelling that is shown in this is just remarkable. Blackall’s gentle voice with humor looped in, paired with Wahl’s daydreamy, folky illustrations, makes this an unbeatable children’s book. New top contender for a picture book I wish I could live in, and I can’t wait to show this to anyone who has ever questioned my rag collection.

Story Rug by Sophie Blackall, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316535380, July 2026)

Reviewed by Grace, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

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The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly
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I am undone! This book was a hurricane, and I was sucked into it at full force. Excellent debut. It felt like reading The Selection, The Hunger Games and These Hollow Vows all in one. Book 2 is officially going on my most anticipated release list. What to expect: High stakes, fast-paced, tall dark and broody, tending to wounds, sexy time, slow burn, political intrigue, secrets galore, he falls first, lots of death and violence and a whole lot more. (Mind the trigger warnings) – Definitely an upper YA read.

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly, (List Price: $21.99, Sarah Barley Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Yo, 9781665989510, July 2026)

Reviewed by Brianne, Main Street Books in Davidson, NC

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We Were Forbidden by Jacqueline Harpman

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We Were Forbidden by Jacqueline Harpman
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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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Country People by Daniel Mason

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Country People by Daniel Mason
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Who would expect a novel with interludes from John Milton and scenes from Tolstoy to be such a good time? It’s a feat that it feels as if only Daniel Mason can pull off. I loved following the many misadventures of Miles Krzelewski, a disappointing husband, pretty good dad, and extremely distracted academic who would rather tag along with the “country people” of Vermont than sit down and finish his dissertation. This is an utterly entertaining read and also a meditation on nature, storytelling, the fine line between fact and fiction, and the human quest for paradise, which might just be deep in the forest of your own backyard.

Country People by Daniel Mason, (List Price: $30, Random House, 9798217197453, July 2026)

Reviewed by Lady, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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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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John Donne said “No man is an island,” and Clay Lockhart said, “Hold my beer.” This story is a feast for the imagination! Shea Earnshaw’s writing and description of setting are so remarkably visceral I always felt like I was there on the island watching Clay and Ellie live this extraordinary life. It’s one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read, and the atmosphere was so immersive and consuming, even when the story took darker turns, I couldn’t step away for long before I needed to pick this back up and spend time with these two characters surviving in such a wide array of circumstances. There’s such a realistic balance of both the light and dark aspects of life in Habits of the Sea. This story takes such an honest look at living and the world in which we do our living, and the ways we are hurting it and what it gives back to and takes away from us. It left me spellbound and confronted and grateful for the natural world and for humanity. I feel like I’ve really been told a story, down to its bones, in the best possible way.

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

Reviewed by Savannah, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC

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School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by Red

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School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by Red
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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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Sneaks by Amy Tern

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Sneaks by Amy Tern
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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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Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw

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Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw
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Love, loss, magic, and connection. This is a moving story of who we think we are and who we can become.

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

Reviewed by Susan, M Judson Booksellers in Greenville, SC

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Country People by Daniel Mason

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Country People by Daniel Mason
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In Mason’s engaging and amusing story, Miles moves with his wife and children from California to rural Vermont, where his curiosity and willingness to suspend disbelief leads to unexpected community. This big-hearted novel offers a balm for our times and perhaps some good lessons for all of us.

Country People by Daniel Mason, (List Price: $30, Random House, 9798217197453, July 2026)

Reviewed by Lia, Wordsworth Books in Little Rock, AR

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Our Knives Will Save Us by Nephi Craig

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Our Knives Will Save Us by Nephi Craig
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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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The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

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The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
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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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Skin Contact by Elisa Faison

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Skin Contact by Elisa Faison
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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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