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Make Believe by Mac Barnett

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Make Believe by Mac Barnett
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When I say I’ll read anything that Mac has written, I’m usually only signing up for a fun-filled, ten-minute romp through a whimsical, ingeniously constructed picture book. How delightful to find that, when it comes to essays on children’s books, the recently appointed Ambassador For Young People’s Literature (complete with his own office in the Library of Congress, “conveniently located 2,808 miles from my home in Oakland, California!”), is just as whimsical and ingenious, as well as insightful and delightful. Kids’ books merit grown-up conversation,” MB tells us in the foreword, and goes on to prove it, by using words like ‘ineffable’ and ‘bromide’ and ‘liminal.’ Topics covered include: didacticism in children’s literature; how to connect with kids; and a wonderful dissection of Goodnight Moon, (a book which has always terrified and disturbed me, and at least now I know why!) Essential reading for lovers of kids, kids’ books, books, and all things wonderful.

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

Reviewed by Doron, Octavia Books in New Orleans, LA

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
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Lee and Sen live in the same house, centuries apart, but their timelines keep overlapping and the more it happens, the more they realize their lives are more deeply entwined than they thought. An unreliable narrator, a shocking twist, and a pervasive sense of dread throughout the entire novel make for the perfect gothic formula. The house behind the sword ferns is not what it seems, and finding the truth may cost Lee and Sen more than they bargained for. I sacrificed sleep to get to the end of this book, desperate for the elusive answers that Kylie Lee Baker masterfully strings along.

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

Reviewed by Charlie, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
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Japanese Gothic is a blood-soaked slice of a blade too fast; a read-in-one-sitting experience that chills you to the hilt. Superb in every way.

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

Reviewed by Dominic, Book + Bottle in Saint Petersburg, Florida

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Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

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Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
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Kiese Laymon writes a powerful memoir in which he immerses the reader in the individual experience of growing up Black in the Deep South. Laymon’s coming-of-age story, placed in the 80s and 90s, is layered with observations about body image and body awareness in the context of a geography intent on subjugating those who look like him. The entire book is written in second person, directed toward his mother, which has the effect of drawing the reader close to his story. He beautifully gives access to his own flaws, his family’s wisdom, and imperfections. A must-read for anyone interested in Black stories, Black people, and U.S.-American history.

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon, (List Price: $18, Scribner, 9781501125669, March 2019)

Reviewed by Robin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

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All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel

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All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel
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I truly love a good novel written in verse, and this one is no exception. Chandni’s character carries the burden of a deep secret that she shouldn’t even have to carry. The emotional depth shines as she balances the weight of this secret and the everyday issues of being a middle schooler. Filled with honesty and heart, a great read.

All That Chandni Knows by Khushboo Patel, (List Price: $18.99, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 9798217004485, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Afternoon Hours of a Hermit by Patrick Cottrell

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Afternoon Hours of a Hermit by Patrick Cottrell
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The long-awaited follow-up to Sorry to Disrupt the Peace has surpassed my wildest hopes! “Bernardian” gets tossed around a lot but Cottrell has truly earned the comparison, blending heaviness with lightness, darkness with pure radiance, in a way that feels pretty miraculous to me. An existential noir about suffering, suicide, family, and self, and equally about seeking and living one’s truth, whatever the cost. Life-affirming, funny, touching: if true humor kisses grief, this is a makeout sesh.

Afternoon Hours of a Hermit by Patrick Cottrell, (List Price: $27.99, Ecco, 9780063435063, April 2026)

Reviewed by Kristen, Thank You Books in Birmingham, AL

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Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

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Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
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Equal parts tender and hot. like being wrapped in a warm midwestern hug and everyone’s cheeks are wet with tears. Love, love, loved!

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell, (List Price: $32, William Morrow, 9780063380264, April 2026)

Reviewed by Shelby, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, LA

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Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

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Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
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Beautiful, beautiful, absolutely beautiful. This absolutely broke me and yet stitched me back together all the same. Aciman does an amazing job capturing the love and fascination we have with other humans when we are young and awestruck. It is an absolutely brilliant coming-of-age novel about sexual identity, deep-rooted connections, and everything in between. It’s frustrating, it’s delightful, it’s utterly absorbing, and I need everyone to read this as well; to know how much it means to me.

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman, (List Price: $18, Picador, 9781250169440, October 2017)

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

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê
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This book is so adorable. First, seeing Miles pack for his road trip was absolutely adorable, especially when he packs books instead of clothes… I feel seen! The story is just so sweet and sends a great message when it comes to giving. Highly recommended, especially for baby showers.

Miles Ahead by Minh Lê, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593569207, April 2026)

Reviewed by Erika Patoni, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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City of Rats by Copi

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City of Rats by Copi
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Imagine: Remy from the classic Pixar film Ratatouille is fed up with the high-pressure life of a chef. He quits his job, opens up a worm-selling business on a Parisian street corner, and gets really into ketamine. This is the vibe of City of Rats. We follow Gouri, a Parisian rat, through a disastrous double date, a prison break, a meeting with the Rat Devil, an animal uprising, and, ultimately, the end of the world (sort of). It is a joyous, madcap, absolute TREASURE of a book, at once strange, sweeping, and deeply personal. I cannot express how much I loved this book.

City of Rats by Copi, (List Price: $15.95, New Directions, 9780811238373, March 2026)

Reviewed by Charlie, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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Livonia Chow Mein by Abigail Savitch-Lew

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Livonia Chow Mein by Abigail Savitch-Lew
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Livonia Chow Mein is a slow burn that turns into a book full of drama that makes it impossible to put down. Grappling with intertwined story lines of belonging and togetherness, the Brownsville community finds ways to fight back against systemic racial disparities in its communities. It follows a myriad of people throughout the book as the histories that have once plagued the town are slowly discovered and brought to light. Livonia Chow Mein portrays immigrants in America grappling with the dreams that brought them here, only to discover that becoming their truest selves sometimes means letting go of old ideals and embracing an unexpected new path. It became impossible for me to believe I was just reading. The vivid imagery and clear, deliberate prose made me feel as if I was also working to change this town for the better.

Livonia Chow Mein by Abigail Savitch-Lew, (List Price: $29, Simon & Schuster, 9781668075234, April 2026)

Reviewed by Chloe, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer
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Who doesn’t love a good story featuring UNDERWEAR? This book will make you laugh out loud, and it will be the perfect gift for that kid in your life who starts giggling at the sound of certain words… like underwear! A laugh-out-loud book, perfect for Halloween but also a book that can be enjoyed all year round.

The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665955584, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear

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A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear
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This delightful book is also a door–to story, imagination, possibility, inspiration, and a bit of magic in the everyday! This one is perfect for adventurous readers to visit classrooms, warm homes, whales underwater, and more, but readers will also feel rewarded knowing they were curious enough to have opened this book in the first place.

A Door Is to Open by Kyo Maclear, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774887448, April 2026)

Reviewed by Julie, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, SC

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A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore

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A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore
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This heartfelt story made for kids can easily deeply resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or alone. It beautifully captures the longing to find a friend, especially when you don’t quite fit into the spaces around you. It’s sweet, comforting, and visually delightful.

A Pack of Your Own by Maria Nilsson Thore, (List Price: $10.99, Pushkin Children’s Books, 9781782695325, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jess, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler

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The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler
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This stunning novella depicting the last days of Gustave Mahler will definitely be one of my top reads of 2026. Its emotional power far exceeds its diminutive length. I was transported into the mind of a musical genius, witnessed deep love and great heartache, and mourned the betrayal of an aging body. Lovers of the work of Claire Keegan will gravitate naturally to this book. Like her works, when I finished it, I was inspired to turn it over and read it a second time.

The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler, (List Price: $22, Europa Editions, 9798889661801, April 2026)

Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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