The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

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Hazelthorn by CG Drews

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Hazelthorn by CG Drews
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Perfect! Five stars! Hazelthorn is my all-time favorite YA and horror book, and I highly recommend it! The romance is fantastic, and the world-building and eerie gothic atmosphere are amazing! The protagonist, Evander, who tragically loses his parents and is adopted by a reclusive billionaire who imprisons him in his room like a prisoner, instantly won my heart. Following the suspicious death of the billionaire, estranged families bring in a new attorney to carry out the will, and Evander is compelled to form an alliance with Laurie, his sworn enemy. The two learn secret information about the forbidden garden, the sinister red door, and the enigmatic mansion. Evander discovers he is drawn to Laurie in unexpected ways. The conclusion will never be forgotten! By the way, I can never look at plants the same way again.

Hazelthorn by CG Drews, (List Price: $19.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250376299, October 2025)

Reviewed by Sandra Pinkney, The Underground Bookshop LLC in Carrollton, Georgia

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The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

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The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
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What a gem! If you like beautiful writing and memorable characters, this one is a must read! In this epistolary novel, we get a look into the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, a mother, grandmother, divorcée, sister, mentor, and distinguished attorney. Sybil is comfortable and maybe feels she is on the back end of life, only to find new connections, forgiveness, and that change is always possible. Sybil is a force to be reckoned with! I loved Sybil. I wish she was a real person I could meet. Her connections with the people she wrote, and how she came to terms with various parts of her life during the novel, drew me in. I adored her relationship with her friend’s child. I always appreciate a book that talks about other books. There are just so many things to love about this one.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, (List Price: $28, Crown, 9780593798430, April 2025)

Reviewed by Karmen Somers, Court Street Books in Florence, Alabama

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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall

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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
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Gwen MacKinnon has spent much of the eleven short years of her life feeling unwanted, but it only takes two weeks in a small Massachusetts town–plus one unruly dog, an enthusiastic four-year-old, the coolest older cousin, the corniest uncle, some love and attention, and an entire clan of tiny, winged creatures convinced she is destined to be a hero–for Gwen to understand that home isn’t just a word. This new book by Jeanne Birdsall is absolutely worth the wait (tbh I needed the time, I’m still recovering from The Penderwicks in Spring), full of Birdsall’s signature heart and community love, with some very unique world building for the lore of the Lahdukan. Gwen is a delightful character to join on her journey of fate, discovery, and courage.

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, (List Price: $17.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780525579045, August 2025)

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

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Visions and Temptations by Harald Voetmann

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Visions and Temptations by Harald Voetmann
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It’s hard to describe what Harald Voetmann has captured in Visions and Temptations. It is a meditation on death, faith, sin, and human struggle. It is a hallucinatory travelogue of heavenly reward and divine punishment. It contains a striking monologue about onion-based farts. Fundamentally, though, Visions and Temptations depicts two fundamental and immutable elements of the human experience: mundanity and empathy. A compact, fascinating, and affecting read, unlike anything I’ve read before.

Visions and Temptations by Harald Voetmann, (List Price: $15.95, New Directions, 9780811229807, July 2025)

Reviewed by Charlie Marks, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

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The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez

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The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez
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The Maiden and Her Monster leads you through dark and dangerous forests in a richly woven tale of faith and family. Perfect for readers who crave lush, atmospheric fantasies, Martinez brings a new life to the Jewish legend of “The Golem of Prague” with her tender, unforgettable sapphic romance.

The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez, (List Price: $28.99, Martinez, Maddie, 9781250367754, September 2025)

Reviewed by Courtney Ulrich Smith, Underbrush Books in Rogers, Arkansas

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The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

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The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson
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This book reminded me so much of a story of when a friend told me she almost joined a cult at our illustrious HBCU. I was initially intrigued because the book is inspired by a true story. The reframing of the actual event on the campus of a HBCU was clever and culturally pointed! Once it started going, I was unable to stop reading.

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson, (List Price: $19.99, Quill Tree Books, 9780063271272, October 2025)

Reviewed by Alexis Morris, Resist Booksellers in St. Petersburg, Virginia

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Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach

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Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach
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Mary Roach delves into the world of regenerative medicine, discussing everything from 3D-printed organs to the potential of stem cells. Not only informative, this book raises important questions about identity, mortality, and the future of medicine. Roach’s ability to blend humor with serious topics keeps readers entertained while prompting them to think critically about the implications of these technologies.

Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach, (List Price: $28.99, W. W. Norton & Company, 9781324050629, September 2025)

Reviewed by Mevelyn Romay Fernandez, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum

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A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum
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A quiet, warm tale of seaweed soup, of haenyeo divers, of birthdays, of mothers and daughters. Hyewon Yum’s story and illustrations are a celebration of motherhood and the deep connection between women and nature, all through the tradition of birthday miyeokguk. A Spoonful of the Sea is perfect to share on birthdays, between mothers and daughters, and amongst families for whom mealtime is the most important part of the day.

A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324053699, September 2025)

Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin

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I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin
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Strangely enough, I just watched this on Netflix, and it was definitely telling of the time we are going through now. A very talented painter is captured by the OSS and sent to an insane asylum, given meds to make him compliant, and eventually gets force-fed. Eventually, he is released and tries to marry as a way of getting out of his country. He finds his way through his traumatic enslavement and manages to regain some of his humanity. Fabulous story.

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin, (List Price: $22.99, Candlewick, 9781536215533, September 2025)

Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

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How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

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How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
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What a good book! Beautifully written and so forcefully told, this story of the power of corporations over people and governments. And the setting! So alien from what we’re used to, but at the same time recognizable from our own small town battles with corporate malfeasance. A very thought-provoking book that will be great for book clubs and one that reminded me of how I reacted to Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar.

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue, (List Price: $18, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 9780593132449, March 2021)

Reviewed by Pete Mock, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina

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The Book of I by David Greig

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The Book of I by David Greig
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The Viking Age, a period marked by Norsemen raids and trade, serves as the backdrop for a compelling narrative of survival, faith, and redemption. Three distinct characters emerge from the shadows of this tumultuous era, each bearing their own burdens and stories. Brother Martin, a young monk, is one of the few survivors of a brutal massacre at a monastery. This experience challenges his faith and spirituality, and as you read it, you will witness his internal struggles with faith and spirituality. Una, a beekeeper, gets the opportunity to escape her brute of a husband due to the raid, and after years of enduring brutality, she is determined to find a new path. It’s not easy, but a better life is ahead. Then there is Griuir, who was a Norse raider left for dead. He struggles with guilt over his participation in the violent raid, the Viking legacy, and he looks to reconcile his violent actions with a desire for atonement. With the emotional journey through the beautiful landscapes of Scotland, the author does an exceptional job of writing about these characters’ personal growth and redemption. I did some additional research on the Viking age to understand more, and it did not disappoint me. It reminds me of other books I have read on enduring the power of redemption and the capacity for all of us to change. Beautiful!!!.

The Book of I by David Greig, (List Price: $24, Europa Editions, 9798889661276, September 2025)

Reviewed by Valinda Payne-Miller, Turning Page Bookshop in Charleston, South Carolina

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Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

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Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
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This was my first McConaghy title to read, and it did not disappoint. The intrigue and intensity built earlier as an unknown woman washed up on the shore of a remote island at the far end of the world. It becomes clear there are secrets to be unearthed and truths hidden. I found the first third a bit slow … it took more time than perhaps necessary to get to some real action, but the author does do a great job in the process of creating relationships and trust among the inhabitants of the island, given how little they truly know of each other. I felt all the feelings with this read: grief from the loss of loved ones, wonder at the fierceness of nature, and fear of a coming climate crisis. It will be a solid book for readers who enjoy suspense and complicated family dynamics, with a touch of climate crisis thrown in.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, (List Price: $28.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250827951, March 2025)

Reviewed by Christina Tabereaux, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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Witchkiller by Ashlee Latimer

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Witchkiller by Ashlee Latimer
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Ashlee Latimer’s Witchkiller takes the story of Hansel & Gretel and completely flips it on its head with siblings who are increasingly at odds, witches who aren’t what they seem, and romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Gretel’s journey into learning who she is and who she wants to be is one that will resonate with young readers everywhere. Plus, it’s the perfect spooky season read!

Witchkiller by Ashlee Latimer, (List Price: $19.99, Scholastic Press, 9781546137689, October 2025)

Reviewed by Tori Finklea, Union Avenue Books in Knoxville, Tennessee

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War Games by Alan Gratz

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War Games by Alan Gratz
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Loved this one. A heist, a girl, international characters and some insight into what was going on before the war. And I learned about Black Sunday!

War Games by Alan Gratz, (List Price: $18.99, Scholastic Press, 9781338736106, October 2025)

Reviewed by Wilson Robbins, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

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Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
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Growing up in a family of morticians, Meka isn’t exactly squeamish about death, but when her world is turned upside down by tragedy, life after death takes on a very different meaning. A Frankenstein reimagining with bittersweet romance and a menacing cult, this is well worth a read.

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron, (List Price: $19.99, Bloomsbury YA, 9781547615865, September 2025)

Reviewed by Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia

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