This book was the perfect spooky read! Reminded me a lot of the show Haunting of Hill House, but in the best way.
Our Gifted Hearts by Jennifer Kennedy, (List Price: $18.99, Angry Robot, 9781836730194, October 2025)
Reviewed by Elizabeth Dowdy, Baldwin & Co. in New Orleans, Louisiana
Our Gifted Hearts by Jennifer Kennedy Read More »
An intriguing look at the world of little magazines, censorship, and the literary whirlpool of change during the 1920s and 1930s. Margaret Anderson was a likely candidate for being a literary catalyst, but a catalyst and adventurer she was. A woman who lived life on her own terms, taking lovers and all the risks of publishing James Joyce’s Ulysses. For anyone interested in women’s history, publishing history, or looking at cultural changes.
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgan, (List Price: $29, Atria / One Signal Publishers, 9781668053645, December 2025)
Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgan Read More »
If you are a fan of Margaret Atwood, and specifically The Handmaid’s Tale, this book is a must-read. Erdrich’s storytelling feels very intimate, which I prefer in a dystopian novel. A larger picture comes into focus through the perspective of Cedar’s individual experience. Quietly disturbing, this story will stick with you long after you’ve read the last page. Though this book is not a new release, I would put it in league with The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan and Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich, (List Price: $17.99, Harper Perennial, 9780062694065, November 2018)
Reviewed by Krista Roach, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich Read More »
Gilded in Vengeance has such a lovable cast of characters that I couldn’t help but get attached. Jack’s unwavering loyalty paired with Emmy’s guarded heart made for a very interesting dynamic. The plotline was done wonderfully, enforcing the idea that sometimes growing for yourself and those you care about is the most powerful form of revenge — While still exacting revenge on those deserving. Have you ever read a book with such a perfectly done plot twist that you’re angry you didn’t notice it sooner? No? Well, read this book and join the club!
Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Storytide, 9780063239623, November 2025)
Reviewed by Eden Haymon, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana
Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith Read More »
A captivating, dystopian-esque story, The Definitions questions what truly makes one’s identity theirs. After a supposed virus ravages humanity and leaves people with no memory of themselves, victims of this virus are sent to the Center where they relearn things like ethics, language, and art. With no knowledge of who they were before arriving, the narrator waits for memories to return and to be released. But definitions aren’t adding up, and the ethical dilemma solutions seem skewed, and we learn there is something sinister going on. This is a quick read that you won’t want to put down until you find the real reason the patients are there.
The Definitions by Matt Greene, (List Price: $17.99, Henry Holt and Co., 9781250399342, December 2025)
Reviewed by Gabriela Warner, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Definitions by Matt Greene Read More »
Thou shalt read this book for laughs, tears, awesome sibling dynamics, romance, and a comedy of errors. This one’s healing, hopeful, and all about learning how to accept and embrace yourself with a little help from the important people in your life.
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes, (List Price: $18.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780063060234, May 2022)
Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes Read More »
Christoffer Carlsson writes another moody, fast-paced Swedish crime thriller. The time is Christmas Eve 1999, just before Y2K. Police are called to the grisly scene of a wrecked car with the body of a teenager beaten to death in the trunk. The small community has many secrets of passion, envy, and fear, and the police never fully solve the mystery. Then, 20 years later, another murder occurs that seems connected to the first. An edge-of-your-seat mystery that keeps you guessing and an ending that I did not see coming!
The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson, (List Price: $29, Hogarth, 9780593733059, December 2025)
Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson Read More »
I mean, all women in the 1950s were hysterical, right? Was she really going mad, or just trying to escape her reality? Lulu was doing her best to keep up with what society and her neighbors thought the perfect housewife should be. But when that picture-perfect life starts to crumble, chillleee… things got real. This wasn’t a jump-scare type of suspense… I felt like it was more of a mental spiral that had me thinking about how many women suffer in silence or get misdiagnosed when something feels off. The themes of mental health, postpartum depression, gaslighting, and just being plain overwhelmed really stood out. It’s a slow burn, but that plot twist definitely threw my book across the room when it hit … ugh, men lol *Note be sure to check in as some of the themes in the book are heavy…take care of yourself, the book can wait
The Mad Wife by Megan Church, (List Price: $17.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464236747, September 2025)
Reviewed by Morgan Gayles, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia
The Mad Wife by Megan Church Read More »
I flew through Cameron Crowe’s upcoming memoir, releasing on October 28th. If you were born or raised in the 70s like I was, or if you just like rock music from that generation, you will probably find it as frothy and fascinating as I did! Crowe was the youngest music journalist in Rolling Stone’s history, touring with and interviewing the likes of Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and The Allman Brothers at just age 15. It is his life on which his movie, Almost Famous, is based. The memoir is made up of short, fast-paced chapters. We learn of his early family life, including his sister’s depression and subsequent suicide, and his relationships with his colorful and quirky mother and father. He imparts the history of where his love for music began and delves into his very first articles for small music magazines, followed by his early foray into writing for Rolling Stone as just a teen. The reader also learns of his movie writing career (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous), but this is first and foremost a front row ticket to the music and bands of the 70s in their earliest iterations. The writing is honest and vulnerable, capturing the essence of youth, uncertainty, self-doubt, and the push-and-pull of those early core family relationships. While I picked up this memoir for the behind-the-curtain glimpse into music history, I didn’t expect to be so touched. Some of the chapters, particularly those about the death of his sister and the loss of his parents, elicited all the feels. There are some things about your parents that you might only come to appreciate in their absence. This was unlike other music memoirs I have read. There was less grit and more heart, humor, and humility — probably because this is a story originally written by a 15-year-old! There are many people in my life I look forward to recommending this to.
The Uncool by Cameron Crowe, (List Price: $35, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster, 9781668059432, October 2025)
Reviewed by Sarah Goldstein, Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia
The Uncool by Cameron Crowe Read More »
>Anzuelo plunges readers into a dreamy world of risen oceans and mythic creatures as a trio of young people try to understand the epic metamorphosis that engulfs them. Emma Rios’ beautiful graphic novel turns the apocalypse inside out, finding poetry in nature’s awesome power, and humankind’s ability to survive.
Anzuelo by Emma Rios, (List Price: $19.99, Image Comics, 9781534330160, December 2025)
Reviewed by Jonathan Hawpe, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
Anzuelo by Emma Rios Read More »
An adorable, imaginative escapist read for children and adults alike. Written by poet and essayist Maria Popova, this little book about a lonely creature who seeks solace in a cozy spot in space does not condescend to its young readers but gently introduces them to new words and themes. Perfect for ages 5 to 8, this book supposes that the cure to loneliness is the happiness and creativity found in solitude. Enchanting, otherworldly, and so beautifully illustrated!
The Coziest Place on the Moon by Maria Popova, (List Price: $19.99, Enchanted Lion, 9781592704378, November 2025)
Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia
The Coziest Place on the Moon by Maria Popova Read More »
The Old Sleigh is a tale of family, a celebration of movement, a story of changing and staying the same. Beautiful illustrations highlight a delightfully cozy tale.
The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324054122, November 2025)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey Read More »
Glitter Kittens is unlike anything you’ve ever read. Imagine a world where kittens aren’t just cute, they’re practically disco balls on paws! These ‘glitter kittens’ are so blindingly shiny, they actually feel sorry for their ‘best best friends’ who, bless their non-sparkly hearts, just aren’t as ‘cool.’ But when a monster with a craving for all things that shimmer shows up, things get real. Will friendship conquer fabulousness? Or will these glittery felines become monster munchies? This book is a wild, hilarious ride that will leave you questioning the true meaning of friendship… and maybe reaching for some glitter of your own.
Glitter Kittens by William Joyce, (List Price: $19.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665959902, October 2025)
Reviewed by Kimberly Todd, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi
Glitter Kittens by William Joyce Read More »
A twist on a family legacy, with a bit of a supernatural spin. The characters were young and didn’t pretend to be older, like some YA books tend to do these days. And the parents were active participants in the story, which is also a bit rare in a YA. Strong points: imagery, setting, and characterizations. All deeply developed and put the reader in the scenes, making them care about the overall themes and plot. I wanted more about the Sorrowing, I think. Not the mystery of its origin, but the creeping coverage of it. Overall, this was a story about the power of family, breaking the mold from generations before, and standing up for what’s right.
Mercy by Patricia Ward, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063235168, October 2025)
Reviewed by Tamara Browning, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina
Mercy by Patricia Ward Read More »
Aptly titled, this is a shimmering cruise through the ups and downs of Orlean’s writing career. Her love of writing shines through even in the cautionary tales. The appendix with several of her early pieces is a delightful bonus. If you love the behind-the-scenes world of writers, this is one for you.
Joyride by Susan Orlean, (List Price: $32, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster, 9781982135164, October 2025)
Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina
Joyride by Susan Orlean Read More »
