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And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer

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And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer
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Is it a space opera? A heist escapade? A retelling of the Orpheus myth? Yes! Yes! Yes! The best thing about this book is that I can’t classify it: it hits on so many levels. One of my favorite aspects of it is the examination of art, the reproduction of art, and what defines art’s value. Is a perfect reproduction as good as the real thing? If not, what makes them different? Tanzer manages that theme and several others, along with a strong depth of character and a moving love story. Also action. Also sentient fungi. Also clones and replicants? And in only 96 pages??? Enjoy!

And Side by Side They Wander by Molly Tanzer, (List Price: $24.99, Tordotcom, 9781250382054, May 2026)

Reviewed by Kelly, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad

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The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad
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Jaouad has an endearing, welcoming voice that rings clearly from the first page of this book. As a lifelong journal keeper, I found myself writing these prompts down for future creative explorations! I will be giving this to every person I know who wishes to slow down and embrace depth of thought.

The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad, (List Price: $30, Random House, 9780593734636, April 2025)

Reviewed by Mandy, novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward

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On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward
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Jesmyn Ward presents us with a series of essays which give us a peek into the skeletons upon which her stunning fiction is built, the sweet and sour life and experiences and family, which lead her to lament in the opening piece: “Sometimes, I wish I could write easier stories…” The language is vivid, florid, precise, and beautiful all at once, as she covers topics such as family, Katrina, Faulkner, representation, book banning, book reviews, movie reviews, justice, leaving home, and returning home again – common themes treated with absolute tenderness and honesty.

On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward, (List Price: $29, Scribner, 9781668064269, May 2026)

Reviewed by Doron Klemer, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA

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A Pathway for Pollinators by Michelle Schaub

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A Pathway for Pollinators by Michelle Schaub
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Picture books that center around finding fun and whimsy in our real world are like catnip to me, so when I saw this and noticed Gómez was the illustrator (from Bookie & Cookie fame!), I knew this would be my spring children’s book. The importance of green spaces in our communities, and how we can come together to make these little pockets of wildlife for our pollinator neighbors, all with cheeky rhyming language and nostalgic illustrations. And of course, facts in the back for the curious, future green thumb kids!

A Pathway for Pollinators by Michelle Schaub, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324082118, May 2026)

Reviewed by Grace, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

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The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
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This is my favorite Stephen Graham Jones novel to date; this writing is the most poetic I’ve ever read in a horror novel. I felt so invested in Good Stab’s journey and experiences, in a way that includes the more “monstrous” feelings he has. Jones perfectly balances the horror of his becoming a vampire and eventually reconciling his life by the end. And his take of a vampire narrative is so unique and new; it will make you think about the effects of colonialism in a new way.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, (List Price: $29.99, S&S/Saga Press, 9781668075081, March 2025)

Reviewed by Meghan, The Lynx in Gainesville, FL

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Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen

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Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen
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I consider myself a non-practicing artist, which is a shame. I have recommended this book to several artsy-fartsy friends. It was interesting, lovely, and made me ache for days spent in the dark room.

Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen, (List Price: $20, Random House, 9780593449240, December 2024)

Reviewed by April, Thornwell Books in Morganton, North Carolina

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Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee

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Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee
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I absolutely loved Pot Shot by Laura Pipper Lee. This book was so well written, with incredible character and plot development that kept me fully invested from start to finish. There’s a bit of spice, but it never overpowers the story—which I really appreciated. The emotional depth and growth of the characters are what truly shine. Julian starts off as closed-minded and a little uptight, but through his rotation in family medicine—and seeing firsthand how people benefit from medicinal marijuana—his perspective begins to shift. Watching him confront his own biases and personal demons added so much depth to his character. Nomi, on the other hand, is more of a free spirit, though she carries her own private struggles with her bowel disease. She’s compassionate, forgiving, and grounded in a way that perfectly balances Julian. Together, they just work. Their dynamic felt authentic and meaningful, and I found myself really rooting for them. Laura also did a fantastic job with the side characters—they weren’t just background noise, but added real depth to the story. I genuinely cared about these people, which made the whole reading experience even more impactful. I’ve already recommended this book across my social media platforms, and it’s definitely one I’d love to own a physical copy of. Such an enjoyable and memorable read!

Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee, (List Price: $18.99, Union Square & Co., 9781454965558, May 2026)

Reviewed by Savannah, Story Hollow in Madisonville, Tennessee

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Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua

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Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua
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If you love a character-driven suburban drama, Coyoteland delivers with a timely, pandemic-era story full of urgency and relevance. Each character is navigating something big — family conflict, economic pressure, systemic bias — creating a web of tension that feels very of-the-moment. Thoughtful, messy, and compelling, it’s a novel that tackles a lot and does it well.

Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua, (List Price: $28.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250395511, May 2026)

Reviewed by Jamie, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
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I am haunted by this story – trapped in its hazy despair, the threads of death woven through each page, the crushing weight of time and boxes and underwater graves. I am trapped in its pages, in the house behind the sword ferns. You want heavy, emotional gothic? This is it. You want unreliable narrators, spiraling depression, trauma, and deaths that echo across time? Bam. Right here. Japanese Gothic is a gorgeous blend of horror, mythology, and science fiction. It’s also a murder mystery, mental health commentary, and a nuanced exploration of Samurai history, all wrapped in a reimagining of the tale of Urashima Taro. Two people. One house. A door that opens across time. How can you know what’s real? 5/5 stars. Absolutely recommend.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker, (List Price: $30, Hanover Square Press, 9781335001559, April 2026)

Reviewed by Rachel, Friendly City Books in Columbus, MS

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Make Believe by Mac Barnett

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Make Believe by Mac Barnett
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If any book should be required reading for booksellers, librarians, and educators, this is it. Abandon your preconceived notions of what children’s books should be, and let Mac Barnett remind you how magical they can be. This message comes at the perfect time and makes a lovely gift for people who want to spread the joy of reading to all ages.

Make Believe by Mac Barnett, (List Price: $20, Little, Brown and Company, 9780316601122, May 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley

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Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley
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I love all of Allison Ashley’s books and was so excited for a young adult book by her! The summer setting in this is just absolutely perfect, and the way she writes the love triangle is so well done!! I love her writing, the emotional connection in her books, and the family dynamics. Allison is just one of my favorite authors ever, and I am so excited for everyone to be able to read this!!

Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley, (List Price: $12.99, Simon Pulse, 9781665982214, May 2026)

Reviewed by Bethany, Court Street Books in Florence, Alabama

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Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

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Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
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Have you ever read a book that is so timely and effective in its message that you do not feel the slightest bit qualified to review it? This is that book. It’s eye-opening. It’s ballsy. It’s crass. It’s wild and brilliant. This is a book worthy of discussion.RF Kuang basically said, “Talk about the publishing industry? How about the racism, misogyny, xenophobia, plagiarism, pretty-privilege, and everything else revolting that comes along with it? You don’t want to acknowledge that? Welp, too bad. Cause I’m gonna write it so well, you’ll be begging to publish it.” And she delivered. This is a compelling, cynical, and thought-provoking satire that delves into themes of plagiarism, racism, and internet trolling. The story revolves around an anti-heroine driven by power and insecurity, who assumes the identity of her deceased friend to publish a masterpiece. Loneliness and the desperate desire for recognition serve as driving forces, pushing the protagonist to extreme measures. The character evokes strong emotions, including frustration towards her misogyny, blind ambition, and obnoxious justifications for her actions. In this book, nobody is a saint, as being good-hearted does not guarantee financial security, career success, fame, or power. The author skillfully portrays flawed and complex characters who challenge the reader’s perceptions. Unflinching, uncomfortable, and absolutely necessary reading. Kuang holds up a mirror to the publishing industry and forces us all to look.

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang, (List Price: $18.99, William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063250857, January 2025)

Reviewed by Taylor, Baldwin & Co. in New Orleans, LA

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The Take by Kelly Yang

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The Take by Kelly Yang
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Switching between the two main characters, Yang gives us a story of ambition, of dreams, of time. The big question: Would you take time from another, and if so, to what lengths would you go? There’s a bleak approach to race, gender, and age that winds up being The Take’s foundation. The first half, pacing-wise, works and flows, but it stalled a bit in the latter half—when I expected it to pick up. The character voices are strong and sound authentic to each character, age and life experience-wise. You aren’t meant to like either of them, but Yang does a great job of making you understand them and their perspectives. One thing I wanted to know more about—and I understand it wasn’t the point, since this was character-driven—is the actual process of the procedure. I wanted to know MORE, even just a little bit. It would have made the act of “taking” that much more captivating. Overall, this spoke volumes about what humans are willing to take in order to get what they want and what prices they’re willing to pay in order to get it all.

The Take by Kelly Yang, (List Price: $30, Berkley, 9780593953372, May 2026)

Reviewed by Tamara, M Judson Booksellers in Greenville, SC

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The Library of Flowers by L.C. Chu

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The Library of Flowers (Deluxe Edition) by L.C. Chu
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A multi-generational story of mothers, daughters, and the heavy weight of expectation: those we think are placed upon us, and those we place on ourselves. What do you do when it is too much to carry alone?

The Library of Flowers by L.C. Chu, (List Price: $18.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781728275710, May 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, GA

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Names Have Been Changed by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow

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Names Have Been Changed by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow
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Names Have Been Changed unfolds through a first-person podcast confession during the 2020 shutdown, as a woman calling herself Ophir recounts a decade-old crime and her years on the run across the globe. Moving from Singapore to cities around the world, her story is as compelling as it is unsettling, drawing you into her choices and their consequences. She’s a fascinatingly messy protagonist — part anti-hero, part adversary, part spoiled and sympathetic — the kind you may not like but can’t stop listening to.

Names Have Been Changed by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow, (List Price: $30, Tiny Reparations Books, 9798217176595, June 2026)

Reviewed by Jamie, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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