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The Southern Bookseller Review 9/26/23

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The week of September 26, 2023

A harvest of great books for Fall

Read This Next!

A September 2023 Read This Next Book!

This review is just me screaming to anyone who will listen what an absolute joy it is to read KJ Charles. The newest Doomsday book has us returning once again to Romney Marsh and cheering like crazy for Luke and Rufus to get their well deserved HEA. Hijinks, hilarity and heart stopping charm, Charles is a must read for historical romance lovers.

Reviewed by Katie Garaby, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

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Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones
Grand Central Publishing / September 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Essays, Form, Humor
More Reviews from Fountain Bookstore

I will forever love Leslie Jones and this book just solidified that for me. It’s equal parts hilarious and touching and there are so many laugh-out-loud moments I could not keep it together. Jones has always been true to herself and who she is and I love the example that she sets in standing up for herself and her coworkers. This book is a true gem by a true gem.

Reviewed by Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

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Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch
Sourcebooks Fire / October 2023

Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Page 158 Books

My favorite aspect of this book is the way magic works in this world. It takes inspiration from paganism and I love how this book shows the real aspects of witchcraft through fantasy. It’s always very refreshing to see a book portray magic in a way that showcases real traditions and spiritual beliefs. I also loved how this book also stayed true to the historical aspects of when it was written. Even though this is a fantasy it’s set in a world that reflects our own and it takes place in the Holy Roman Empire which means that a lot of history is strewn across the book. I also love how the book doesn’t back down from discussing some of the harsh realities that people had to face during the period, especially when it focused on the catholic church and how its reign murdered hundreds of innocent people by burning them at the stake. It criticized the way the church was corrupted at that time by mentioning how paying the church got on out of accusations, and how the people burned at the stake did nothing wrong, other than be accused. This is a topic that is not often talked about in books like these so it was nice to have such information acknowledged. I loved reading about how magic in this world was used. I’m excited to read more from this series and its authors.

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Dogtown by Katherine Applegate
Feiwel & Friends / September 2023

Animals, Children, Dogs, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from South Main Book Company

My eight-year-old daughter and I are savoring this sweet book. What a lovely tale of friendship triumphing in the face of competition for scarce resources. Very short chapters, and adorable characters, make this a great confidence booster for a reluctant reader. Wonderful messages about adopting animals into family for life as well.

Reviewed by Alissa Redmond, South Main Book Company in Salisbury, North Carolina

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Mall Goth by Kate Leth
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / September 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

A charming YA graphic novel that perfectly captures mid-2000s culture, friendships, and tackles some tough subjects along the way. Leth’s bright art brings the story to life and I loved seeing her become more confident.

Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Wednesday Books / July 2021

Banned Books, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
More Reviews from Avid Bookshop

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Following Simon and his friends, Rowell’s fantasy centers their fight against the Insidious Humdrum, an evil that’s sucking magic out of the world and Simon is prophesied to defeat (and they’re trying to finish their last year of magic school at Watford). Featuring a ghost story, a love story, and an epic arc, this book has everything a book should have! Inviting queer characters to the forefront of the fight, Simon Snow discovers himself and his limitations, tackles his worst fears, copes with the trauma that comes with being Chosen, and falls in love, working through the pitfalls of a relationship built in the rubble of a war. His journey is incredibly poignant for anyone who has had to face their nightmare and came away scarred, only to discover that wasn’t the end of it. A wonderful, approachable, and shockingly personal fantasy trilogy that’s completely different from what you’d expect, Carry On stole my heart from the first page, and I hope it makes your heart sing the way it makes mine.

Reviewed by Shae Jordan, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“Books don’t offer real escape, but they can stop a mind scratching itself raw.”
— David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

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The Southern Bookseller Review: Celebración del Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana

Hispanic & Latino

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September 2023

Celebración del Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana

SBR Hispanic Heritage Month Issue illustration credit Yuliya Baranych

September’s special edition of The Southern Bookseller Review always celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans. SBR has an extra reason to celebrate this year with the opening of Más Libritos Bookstore in Springdale, AR. It was with the help of owner Diana Dominguez that SBR was able to make this a bilingual issue. She introduced us to Jessica Sanchez, owner and founder of NWA Bilingual Solutions in Northwest Arkansas, who created the Spanish translations in this edition.

La edición especial de septiembre de The Southern Bookseller Review siempre celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, honrando las culturas y contribuciones de los hispanos y latinoamericanos. SBR tiene una razón adicional para celebrar este año con la apertura de la librería Más Libritos en Springdale, AR. Fue con la ayuda de la propietaria Diana Domínguez que SBR pudo hacer de esto una edición bilingüe. Ella nos presentó a Jessica Sánchez, propietaria y fundadora de NWA Bilingual Solutions el noroeste de Arkansas, quien creó las traducciones al español en esta edición.

SBR Hispanic Heritage Month Issue Divider

Profile: Más Libritos Bookstore
by Candice Huber

Más Libritos Bookstore in Springdale, AR describes itself as a Latina-owned and intersectional feminist bookstore of new and used books that centers the stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and this is reflected within their book collection. The owner, Diana Dominguez, who used to work at a library, wants to establish connections inside the local community and both pay homage to and celebrate Latine culture through the bookstore. It’s a niche store, BIPOC focused, and their programming is all about connecting to the Latine community and culture.

Diana Dominguez, Owner, Más Libritos Bookstore

In Diana’s own words: “This bookstore is dedicated to mi familia, en particular mi madre que siempre me ha animado y me inspira a diario con su fuerza y compasión. On heavy days, she would always say to me, "Tu puedes. Eres una campeona."

The store began as a pop-up in January and established a brick-and-mortar store in July nextdoor to a breakfast restaurant. Diana said it’s important to her to center Latine voices, especially with the book banning issues that Arkansas faces. She wants her bookstore to be a place where all are invited and represented.

As for the books that have had an impact on Diana’s life, she says, “In no particular order: House on Mango Street, The Combahee River Collective Statement, This Bridge Called My Back, Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, and so many others!”

You can follow Más Libritos Bookstore on Instagram @maslibritosbookstore or on Facebook. Visit their website and shop online at https://mas-libritos-bookstore.square.site/.

PERFIL: MÁS LIBRITOS
por Candice Huber

Más Libritos Bookstore en Springdale, AR se describe a sí misma como una librería feminista interseccional con una propietaria latine de libros nuevos y usados que se centra en las historias de negros, indígenas y personas de color (BIPOC por sus siglas en inglés), y esto se refleja dentro de su colección de libros. La propietaria, Diana Domínguez, que solía trabajar en una biblioteca, quiere establecer conexiones dentro de la comunidad local y rendir homenaje y celebrar la cultura Latine a través de la librería. Es una tienda de nicho, enfocada en BIPOC, y su programación se trata de conectarse con la comunidad y la cultura latine.

En las propias palabras de Diana: "Esta librería está dedicada a mi familia, en particular mi madre que siempre me ha animado y me inspira a diario con su fuerza y compasión. En los días pesados, ella siempre me decía: "Tú puedes. Eres una campeona."

La tienda comenzó como un pop-up en enero y estableció una tienda física en julio al lado de un restaurante de desayuno. Diana dijo que es importante para ella centrar las voces latines, especialmente con los problemas de prohibición de libros que enfrenta Arkansas. Ella quiere que su librería sea un lugar donde todos sean invitados y representados.

En cuanto a los libros que han tenido un impacto en la vida de Diana, ella dice: "Sin ningún orden en particular: House on Mango Street, The Combahee River Collective Statement, This Bridge Called My Back, Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, ¡y tantos otros!"

Puedes seguir a Más Libritos Bookstore en Instagram @maslibritosbookstore o en Facebook. Visite su sitio web y compre en línea en https://mas-libritos-bookstore.square.site/.

Books tagged "Hispanic & Latino" at SBR

“I have heard all of the stories about girls like me, and I am unafraid to make more of them. / He escuchado todas las historias sobre chicas como yo, y no tengo miedo de hacer más de ellas." —Carmen Maria Muchado

Read This Now | Read This Next | The Bookseller Directory

Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Ecco / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Hispanic & Latino, Literary Fiction
More Reviews from Epilogue Books

Acevedo’s first adult novel is a homage to the in-between, occupying the spaces between dreams and reality, life and death, and the Dominican Republic and the United States. Told from the perspectives of the Marte women, four sisters, and their two daughters, the whole family contemplates the stories and women who shaped them, as they prepare for their eldest sister to tell them someone is about to die. Written in the tradition of Sandra Cisneros and other Latina authors, Acevedo weaves a story that embraces you with the strength of Yadi’s limes, refusing to let go long after the last page is turned.

La primera novela para adultos de Acevedo es un homenaje al intermedio, ocupando los espacios entre los sueños y la realidad, la vida y la muerte, y la República Dominicana y los Estados Unidos. Contadas desde las perspectivas de las mujeres Marte, cuatro hermanas y sus dos hijas, toda la familia contempla las historias y las mujeres que las formaron, mientras se preparan para que su hermana mayor les diga que alguien está a punto de morir. Escrito en la tradición de Sandra Cisneros y otras autoras latinas, Acevedo teje una historia que te abraza con la fuerza de las limas de Yadi, negándose a soltarla mucho después de voltear la última página.

Reviewed by Sydney Mason, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

About the author / Sobre el autor:

Elizabeth Acevedo is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Poet X, which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Carnegie medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Walter Award. She is also the author of With the Fire on High—which was named a best book of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal—and Clap When You Land, which was a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor book and a Kirkus finalist. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. Acevedo has been a fellow of Cave Canem, Cantomundo, and a participant in the Callaloo Writer’s Workshops. She is a National Poetry Slam Champion, and resides in Washington, DC with her loves.

Elizabeth Acevedo es la autora más vendida del New York Times de The Poet X, que ganó el Premio Nacional del Libro de Literatura Juvenil, el Premio Michael L. Printz, el Premio Pura Belpré, la medalla Carnegie, el Boston Globe-Horn Book Award y el Premio Walter. También es autora de With the Fire on High, que fue nombrado mejor libro del año por la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York, NPR, Publishers Weekly y School Library Journal, y Clap When You Land, que fue un libro de honor del Boston Globe-Horn Book y finalista de Kirkus. Tiene una licenciatura en Artes Escénicas de la Universidad George Washington y un MFA en Escritura Creativa de la Universidad de Maryland. Acevedo ha sido becario de Cave Canem, Cantomundo, y participante en los Talleres de Escritores de Calaloo. Ella es una Campeona Nacional de Poetry Slam, y reside en Washington, DC con sus amores.

Bookseller Buzz / Reseña de Book Buzz

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez /
Lo que el río sabe por Isabel Ibáñez

“I love love love telling stories. I think more than anything, it’s the emotion behind every word, every character, how it can inspire someone to feel love and hurt, and joy and to laugh out loud or cry. There is something so beautiful about writing a story that many people can relate to or cherish. I want to be a writer because I want to live in my imagination, and not in any kind of structure. Writing allows me to access the well of my creativity and it often surprises me.”

“Amo, amo, historias que cuentan del amor. Creo que más que nada, es la emoción detrás de cada palabra, cada personaje, cómo puede inspirar a alguien a sentir amor y dolor, y alegría y reír a carcajadas o llorar. Hay algo tan hermoso en escribir una historia con la que muchas personas pueden relacionarse o apreciar. Quiero ser escritor porque quiero vivir en mi imaginación, y no en ningún tipo de estructura. Escribir me permite acceder al pozo de mi creatividad y a menudo me sorprende.”

― Isabel Ibañez, Interview / Entrevista, American Writers Museum

What booksellers are saying about / Lo que dicen los libreros de What the River Knows

A love letter to history, most specifically Egyptian history. A beautiful historical fiction with a sprinkling of magic and the most delicious rivalmance you’ll ever read, and be slightly traumatized by. Isabel knows what she’s doing, and all you as the reader need to do is trust her.

Una carta de amor a la historia, más específicamente a la historia egipcia. Una hermosa ficción histórica con una pizca de magia y la romalidad más deliciosa que jamás hayas leído, y por la que estarás un poco traumatizado. Isabel sabe lo que está haciendo, y todo lo que usted como lector necesita hacer es confiar en ella.
― Caitlyn Vanorder from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC | Buy from Bookmarks
Inez Olivera has a touch of magic and an adventurous spirit but she’s going to need more to survive the dangers and deceits surrounding her lost parents. Fast pacing, plenty of twists and unreliable characters, and a cliffhanger ending make this a good start to a new series.

Inez Olivera tiene un toque de magia y un espíritu aventurero, pero va a necesitar más para sobrevivir a los peligros y engaños que rodean a sus padres perdidos. El ritmo rápido, muchos giros y personajes poco confiables, y un final de suspenso hacen de este un buen comienzo para una nueva serie.
― Jan Blodgett from Main Street Books in Davidson, NC | Buy from Main Street Books
First, this book was an emotional roller coaster that I couldn’t seem to put down. The way the author wrote Inez’s character made me like her instantly. Every character in the story was written with such a unique personality that the interactions they had with each other had me wanting more. Overall, the best parts of this story were the way the characters’ ambitions, interactions, and desires flowed through the plot, making each one of them lovable (or extremely hateable). Can’t wait for the next one!

"Primero, este libro fue una montaña rusa emocional que parecía que no podía dejar. La forma en que el autor escribió el personaje de Inez hizo que me gustara al instante. Cada personaje de la historia fue escrito con una personalidad tan única que las interacciones que tuvieron entre sí me hicieron querer más. En general, las mejores partes de esta historia fueron la forma en que las ambiciones, interacciones y deseos de los personajes fluyeron a través de la trama, haciendo que cada uno de ellos sea adorable (o extremadamente odiable). ¡No puedo esperar a la próxima!
― Suzanne Lucey from Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC | Buy from Page 158 Books

Isabel Ibañez is the author of Together We Burn (Wednesday Books), and Woven in Moonlight (Page Street), a finalist for the William C. Morris Award, and listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time. She is the proud daughter of Bolivian immigrants and has a profound appreciation for history and traveling. She currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media at @IsabelWriter09.

Isabel Ibañez es autora de Together We Burn (Wednesday Books) y Woven in Moonlight (Page Street), finalista del Premio William C. Morris, y figura entre los 100 mejores libros de fantasía de todos los tiempos de la revista Time. Ella es la orgullosa hija de inmigrantes bolivianos y tiene un profundo aprecio por la historia y los viajes. Actualmente vive en Asheville, Carolina del Norte, con su esposo, su adorable perro y una colección seria de libros. Manda tú saludo en las redes sociales en @IsabelWriter09.

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My Name Is Iris by Brando Skyhorse
Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Hispanic & Latino
More Reviews from Square Books

Iris Prince, a second-generation Mexican American, has spent her life being the model minority, but when a law is passed requiring everyone to wear ‘The Band’ – a piece of wearable tech – she quickly becomes a second-class citizen: she can’t get one as her parents weren’t born in the US. My Name is Iris is a frighteningly real work of dystopian fiction that explores issues of identity, immigration and belonging, as well as showing how quickly fear can escalate and life can unravel.

Iris Prince, una mexicoamericana de segunda generación, ha pasado su vida siendo la minoría modelo, pero cuando se aprueba una ley que requiere que todos usen ‘The Band’, una pieza de tecnología portátil, rápidamente se convierte en una ciudadana de segunda clase: no puede obtener una porque sus padres no nacieron en los Estados Unidos. My Name is Iris es una obra aterradoramente real de ficción distópica que explora cuestiones de identidad, inmigración y pertenencia, además de mostrar lo rápido que el miedo puede escalar y la vida puede desmoronarse.

Reviewed by Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

About the author / Sobre el autor:

Brando Skyhorse’s debut novel, The Madonnas of Echo Park, won the 2011 PEN/Hemingway Award and the Sue Kaufman Award for First Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His memoir, Take This Man, was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Books of 2014 and one of NBC News’s 10 Best Latino Books of 2014. He also coedited the anthology, We Wear the Mask: 15 True Stories of Passing in America. A recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center fellowship, Skyhorse teaches English and creative writing at Indiana University Bloomington.

La novela debut de Brando Skyhorse, The Madonnas of Echo Park, ganó el Premio PEN / Hemingway 2011 y el Premio Sue Kaufman de Primera Ficción de la Academia Americana de Artes y Letras. Sus memorias, Take This Man, fueron nombradas uno de los mejores libros de no ficción de Kirkus Reviews de 2014 y uno de los 10 mejores libros latinos de NBC News de 2014. También coeditó la antología, We Wear the Mask: 15 True Stories of Passing in America. Beneficiario de una beca del Centro Bellagio de la Fundación Rockefeller, Skyhorse enseña inglés y escritura creativa en la Universidad de Indiana Bloomington.

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Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azúa Kramer
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / August 2023

Children, Hispanic & Latino, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, United States
More Reviews from Bookmarks

This could just as easily be called "Empanadas from Everyone" — doesn’t every culture have some form of dumpling or meat (or meatless) pastry? Hubs once had a coworker describe what I would call potstickers as "Chinese ravioli", and frankly, they’re not wrong! I love how the community came together to share the secrets of their cultures’ empanadas, samosas, patties, pierogies, & jiaozi. Food shared builds love and community.

Esto podría llamarse fácilmente "Empanadas de todos": ¿no todas las culturas tienen alguna forma de bola de masa o pastelillo de carne (o sin carne)? Mi esposo una vez hizo que un compañero de trabajo describiera lo que yo llamaría potstickers como "raviolis chinos", y francamente, ¡no están equivocados! Me encanta cómo la comunidad se unió para compartir los secretos de sus culturas: empanadas, samosas, empanadas, pierogies y jiaozi. La comida compartida construye amor y comunidad.

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

About the author / Sobre el autor:

Jackie Azúa Kramer studied acting and voice at New York University and earned her MA at Queens College for counseling in education. Jackie has worked as an actor, singer, and school counselor. Her work with children presented her with an opportunity to address their concerns, secrets, and hopes through storytelling. Now she spends her time writing children’s picture books. Jackie’s books include the award-winning The Green Umbrella (a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year), If You Want to Fall Asleep, The Boy and the Gorilla, and Empanadas for Everyone. Jackie lives with her family in Long Island, New York. When not writing, you’ll find Jackie reading, watching old movies, and travelling to her family’s roots in Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Spain. / Jackie Azúa Kramer estudió actuación y voz en la Universidad de Nueva York y obtuvo su maestría en Queens College para asesoramiento en educación. Jackie ha trabajado como actriz, cantante y consejera escolar. Su trabajo con niños le brindó la oportunidad de abordar sus preocupaciones, secretos y esperanzas a través de la narración de cuentos. Ahora pasa su tiempo escribiendo libros ilustrados para niños. Los libros de Jackie incluyen el galardonado The Green Umbrella (Premio al Mejor Libro Infantil del Año de Bank Street College), If You Want to Fall Asleep, The Boy and the Gorilla, y Empanadas for Everyone. Jackie vive con su familia en Long Island, Nueva York. Cuando no está escribiendo, encontrarás a Jackie leyendo, viendo películas antiguas y viajando a las raíces de su familia en Ecuador, Puerto Rico y España.

Lenny Wen is an author and illustrator who was born in Indonesia. She is the illustrator of several picture books, such as Cal Everett’s Halloween Is Coming!, Amy Robach and Andrew Shue’s Better Together!, and Jackie Azúa Kramer’s Empanadas for Everyone. Lenny currently lives in Austria. When she is not illustrating or writing, you might find her staring at the trees, contemplating story ideas, reading books, filling up her cup with coffee, or hugging her dog. / Lenny Wen es un autor e ilustrador que nació en Indonesia. Es ilustradora de varios libros ilustrados, como Halloween Is Coming!, Amy Robach y Andrew Shue ‘s Better Together!, y Empanadas for Everyone de Jackie Azúa Kramer. Lenny vive actualmente en Austria. Cuando no está ilustrando o escribiendo, es posible que la encuentres mirando los árboles, contemplando ideas de historias, leyendo libros, llenando su taza con café o abrazando a su perro.

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Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Candlewick / September 2023

Banned Books, Caribbean & Latin America, Family, Hispanic & Latino, Juvenile Fiction, Multigenerational, People & Places, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Social Themes
More Reviews from Main Street Books

Alma and How She Got Her Name is about a little girl who doesn’t like how long her name is, and her father who tells her the story of who she comes from. A great story of the legacy that each child carries with them and the story that only they can tell about their own lives. Highly recommend!

Alma and How She Got Her Name trata sobre una niña a la que no le gusta lo largo que es su nombre, y su padre que le cuenta la historia de quién viene. Una gran historia del legado que cada niño lleva consigo y la historia que solo ellos pueden contar sobre sus propias vidas. ¡Altamente recomendado!

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

About the author / Sobre el autor:

Juana Martinez-Neal is the Peruvian-born daughter and granddaughter of painters. Her debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor and was published in Spanish as Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre. She also illustrated La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award, Babymoon by Hayley Barrett, Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, and Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won a Robert F. Sibert Medal. Juana Martinez-Neal lives in Connecticut with her family. Visit her online at www.juanamartinezneal.com.

Juana Martínez-Neal es hija y nieta de pintores nacidos en Perú. Su debut como autora- ilustradora, Alma and How She Got Her Name, fue galardonado con un Caldecott Honor y fue publicado en español como Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre. También ilustró La Princesa and the Pea de Susan Middleton Elya, por la que ganó un Premio de Ilustrador Pura Belpré, Babymoon de Hayley Barrett, Swashby and the Sea de Beth Ferry y Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story de Kevin Noble Maillard, que ganó una Medalla Robert F. Sibert. Juana Martínez-Neal vive en Connecticut con su familia. Visítala en línea en www.juanamartinezneal.com.

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Frontera by Julio Anta
HarperAlley / July 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Hispanic & Latino, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Incredibly moving and powerful. Frontera gives emotional insight into deportations, border crossing and the separation of families. Through impactful graphics and storytelling, it showcases the harsh realties of those making a perilous journey across the border in search of a better life or in Mateo’s case the life they once had.

Increíblemente conmovedor y poderoso. Frontera ofrece una visión emocional de las deportaciones, el cruce de fronteras y la separación de familias. A través de gráficos impactantes y narraciones, muestra las duras realidades de aquellos que hacen un peligroso viaje a través de la frontera en busca de una vida mejor o, en el caso de Mateo, la vida que alguna vez tuvieron.

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

About the author / Sobre el autor:

Julio Anta is an author from Miami, FL known for his comic book series Home. He currently resides in New York City, where he works to tell narratively rich stories about diverse Latinx characters for readers of all ages. This is his debut graphic novel. / Julio Anta es un autor de Miami, FL conocido por su serie de cómics Home. Actualmente reside en la ciudad de Nueva York, donde trabaja para contar historias narrativamente ricas sobre diversos personajes latinos para lectores de todas las edades. Esta es su primera novela gráfica.

Jacoby Salcedo is a comic book artist who works day and night from his bed in Portland, Oregon. He has published multiple short stories with frequent collaborator Julio Anta, and is the co-creator of the Dark Horse Comics miniseries It’s Only Teenage Wasteland. You can keep up with his work on Instagram and Twitter @notjacoby or visit him at jacobysalcedoart.com / Jacoby Salcedo es un artista de cómics que trabaja día y noche desde su cama en Portland, Oregón. Ha publicado múltiples historias cortas con su frecuente colaborador Julio Anta, y es el co-creador de la miniserie de Dark Horse Comics It’s Only Teenage Wasteland. Puedes mantenerte al día con su trabajo en Instagram y Twitter @notjacoby o visitarlo en jacobysalcedoart.com

Parting Thought

“I do believe writing is thinking. Sometimes we can’t untangle what’s happening in our brains, but we get our pen moving and all of a sudden, as we write, we figure it out.

Creo que escribir es pensar. A veces no podemos desenredar lo que está sucediendo en nuestros cerebros, pero hacemos que nuestra pluma se mueva y, de repente, mientras escribimos, lo resolvemos.”
—Elizabeth Acevedo

The Southern Bookseller Review 9/19/23

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The week of September 19, 2023

A well that will never run dry.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 through October 15 we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans. In the world of books and literature those contributions are a full and deep well that will never run dry: The list of Hispanic and Latin American writers who have influenced our literary landscape and become beloved storytellers is never-ending. Later this week SBR will publish September’s special monthly edition dedicated to Latine writers. That will only be a few of the many, many Hispanic and Latine writers and books that Southern booksellers have loved.

Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory

Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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This Is Salvaged by Vauhini Vara
W. W. Norton & Company / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Short Stories (single author)
More Reviews from Thank You Books

This collection feels so alive. It’s not just the memorable characters set spinning toward questionable ventures, it’s the sense of play and fun that pervades each story, each line. In never taking any moment too seriously, Vara accomplishes the serious work of truth-telling that actually feels true.

Reviewed by Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

“I am always very interested in the deconstruction of fairy tales, the relationship between folklore and nationalism, and the role of stories in shaping identity on both the personal and political level. If The Wolf and the Woodsman is about the pain of being excluded from the narrative, and Juniper & Thorn is about the pain of being forced into a narrative against your will, then A Study in Drowning is about crafting an intricate, epic narrative of your own, in order to protect yourself from the pain of life’s daily, banal cruelties.” ― Ava Reid, Interview, Books Forward

What booksellers are saying about A Study in Drowning

What’s more dangerous—a sinking mansion full of secrets, a vicious and enthralling Fairy King, or the forces that have historically silenced and subjugated young women in academia? Fans of Mexican Gothic and The Hazel Wood, this Welsh folklore-infused dark academia fantasy will sweep you under and leave you drowning in all its lush and eerie, mysterious and romantic, utterly immersive, gothic splendor.
― Megan Bell, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia | Buy from Underground Books
Ava Reid’s YA debut will surely be one of my favorite reads of 2023. Reid’s work is steeped in literary and folkloric reference, worth countless re-reads and further dissection. Their prose is unmatched; dark, delicious, and dreamy all at once. Reid is a remarkable talent—I will read anything they write.
― Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida | Buy from Oxford Exchange
A haunting story full of magic and heart. I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved falling so completely into the world Ava Reid created.
― Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana | Buy from Blue Cypress Books

About Ava Reid

Ava Reid was born in Manhattan and raised right across the Hudson River in Hoboken but currently lives in Palo Alto. She has a degree in political science from Barnard College, focusing on religion and ethnonationalism.

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Rouge by Mona Awad
S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Literary Fiction
More Reviews from Pearl’s Books

Read This Next!

A September 2023 Read This Next Book!

Reading this book felt a lot like moving through a dream. The surreal horror and red-soaked imagery stuck with me long after finishing the book. Mona Awad does an excellent job making commentary on beauty standards and the beauty industry in a very unique way. Plus, Tom Cruise!

Reviewed by Hallee Israel, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas

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The Six by Loren Grush
Scribner / September 2023

20th Century, Adult Nonfiction, History, United States
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Read This Next!

A September 2023 Read This Next Book!

I dressed up as Sally Ride in the fourth grade after visiting the Johnson Space Center, and I’ve been a fan ever since! I have spent hours reading books and watching documentaries about all things NASA for years of my life, but I still learned so many new things reading this book. The new insight that Grush brings to this era of NASA history is fascinating; by telling the story though the perspectives of the first six women astronauts she situates the space shuttle in a way I have not seen before. She also has a knack for explaining complicated engineering or scientific concepts in very clear, short paragraphs, which I really appreciated! This will be a great addition to any space fan’s library.

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Alanna by Tamora Pierce
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / September 2023

Action & Adventure, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Story on the Square

I have loved Alanna since I was a middle schooler. Before I wrote this review, I literally had been pulling out my old dusty copies for my 14 year old goddaughter to read and I’m so thrilled to see that Tamora Pierce is being reprinted once again! Alanna’s story is timeless and portrays healthy relationships as well as bravery and excitement. I cannot wait to welcome a new wave of readers into Tamora Pierce’s world and hope the reprint of the Lioness Quartet is just the beginning!

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on The Square in McDonough, Georgia

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When Moon Became the Moon by Rob Hodgson
Rise x Penguin Workshop / August 2023

Astronomy, Children, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature, Science & Nature
More Reviews from Square Books

The moon, as a “work in progress”. Love this. A sweet and simple way to teach any young astronomer about the lunar body’s history, relationship to the sun, the earth, and us too. (All ages)

Reviewed by Jilleen Moore, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp by Anthony Del Col
Lev Gleason / September 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, History, Nonfiction
More Reviews from E. Shaver, bookseller

This book shows the very ugly truth that is a reality for many people. This woman survived unimaginable conditions and lived to tell the tale. I have nothing but the utmost respect for her being able to share her truth, and feel this book really opened my eyes to the treatment of the Uyghur people of China.

Reviewed by Lana Repic, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Kathy Dawson Books / September 2017

Banned Books, Family, Interactive Adventures, New Experience, Orphans & Foster Homes, Social Themes, Young Adult
More Reviews from Fountain Bookstore

It’s impossible to say enough about this book! This is definitely being added to my top reads of 2020. There’s magic, art heists, ghosts in the house, space pirates, talking dogs, and so, so much more! It’s part Clue, part Sliding Doors, part Knives Out (before Knives Out existed though), and pure genius on Cashore’s part! It has a Choose Your Own Adventure feel to it, with lots of quirk and heart and just overall fabulousness!

Reviewed by Kate Towery, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“It’s so important for me, finding the precise word that will create a feeling or describe a situation. I’m very picky about that because it’s the only material we have: words. But they are free. No matter how many syllables they have: free! You can use as many as you want, forever.”
— Isabel Allende

The Southern Bookseller Review 9/12/23

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The week of September 12, 2023

We’re with the banned.

Read Banned Books T-Shirt

Banned Books Week is on the horizon, October 1-7, with the theme of "Let Freedom Read." Always an event that booksellers feel passionately about, in 2023 Banned Books Week has taken on extra significance for Southern indie bookstores. Stores have found their communities, customers, and even their businesses targeted by an upsurge of book bans and book challenges, most of which are directed at stories by and about people of color and LGBTQ+ persons. Yet, the fact remains that most Americans, about seventy percent, are opposed to banning books.

The chances are, your local bookstore will be hosting events, displays, and discussions for Banned Books Week, so now is a good time to check in with them and make your plans for the first week of October. Many stores have also created merchandise for people to wear/pin/drink from/put in their car windows to show support and solidarity for the right to read. Copperfish Books in Tampa, Florida (a state with one of the highest numbers of book challenges in the country for the past school year) has created t-shirts in support of Florida writers whose books have been targeted. If you order yours by the 15th, you should have it in time to wear it to the shop for their Banned Books Week events.

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Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
Riverhead Books / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary, Women
More Reviews from E. Shaver, bookseller

Read This Next!

A September 2023 Read This Next Book!

Full confession, I adore Lauren Groff, her writing and subject matter are exactly my cup of tea, so it is unlikely that I would not like this book. That said, I was a little skeptical, I kept turning the pages wondering when she was going to be rescued, live happily ever after with her Native husband? This is not that story. What this is, is an amazing meditation on what it means to be alive, to want to stay alive, and the big question, why do we live at all. What if everything you have learned about life in your time on earth is stripped away and you are left with a more beautiful and brutal understanding of God and the world? (I also love that she wrote a draft in iambic pentameter just for fun and to get into the rhythm of the language of the time, it makes my nerdy heart go pitter pat!). Thank you Lauren Groff for writing books for book lovers like me.

Reviewed by Jessica Osborne from E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, GA

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

“I remember being a furious child. Small and blonde, bookish and talkative, I hated how often I was “baby,” how often I was “cute.” I wanted to be loud, strong, and powerful. I wanted to fight my brothers and my cousins, strength to strength, arm to arm, bloody noses and bruises.

Worse was when they started getting bigger, taller, stronger. Worse is that being as loud as the lads was ‘annoying’ (them), ‘boisterous and unladylike’ (adults), ‘disruptive’ (teachers). I’m sure I was all of those things, but it was early that I understood that there was one expectation for ‘girls’, one for ‘boys’, and you were expected to fit neatly into one or the other.” ― Hannah Kaner, Interview, Fantasy Book Cafe

What booksellers are saying about Godkiller

Godkiller is an excellently written fantasy novel. We follow a host of characters as they reluctantly join together to solve their individual quests: saving the heart of a king, finding a shrine to call home, parting with a god of white lies, and god killing revenge. The characters are well developed and the world building is immersive with a digestible pace of folklore and history placed throughout. Godkiller also includes fantastic disability representation that fits seamlessly into the story. The final pages packed a punch and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.
― Madeline Newstead, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee | Buy from Novel
Godkiller is a cinematic masterpiece. Kaner’s world building is exquisite, and her characters vibrant and intriguing. The story concept had me hooked right from the beginning (I have a soft spot for plots built around complex religious systems) and Kissen’s narration pulled me right along. I really enjoyed the descriptive flow of the prose and Kaner’s ability to be flawlessly inclusive was a refreshing change as well. Absolutely devoured this book.
― Morgan Holub from E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, Georga | Buy from E. Shaver, bookseller
Godkiller is like The Witcher and The Last of Us but for wlw. For the sapphics. For those of us craving a grumpy older sister instead of a grumpy father figure. Godkiller is a queer, dramatic, lush affair full of some of the most beautiful, unique world building ever seen on page. It’s sure to absolutely rock your world.
― Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Buy from Bookmarks
This is my #1 read of the year and I didn’t even see it coming. This book has the best vibes I have read in a long time, it transports you to a world that feels like the setting of The Witcher while having all the action and travel timeline of American Gods. It feels Nordic and Enchanting in all the best way like if a Viking and a Fairy had a child. Hands down a 5 star read for me, and one of the only times I have actually enjoyed multiple POVs. The writing is captivating and the characters are both abrasive and loveable while the setting makes you feel like an adventurer.This book alone has added Hannah Kaner to my instant author purchase list!
― Reviewed by Charlotte Beck, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina | Buy from Main Street Reads

About Hannah Kaner

Hannah Kaner is the #1 internationally bestselling author of Godkiller. A Northumbian writer living in Scotland, she is inspired by world mythologies, angry women, speculative fiction, and the stories we tell ourselves about being human.

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Chenneville by Paulette Jiles
William Morrow / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Civil War Era, Fiction, Historical
More Reviews from Sundog Books

Paulette Jiles has written another amazing book on post civil war Texas. John Chenneville comes home to Missouri after a devastating head injury that left him hospitalized for over a year. Upon returning home he finds that his beloved sister, her husband and new baby have been murdered. Chenneville sets out on a journey to bring the killer to justice. Along the way he encounters all types of people trying to make their way in the world after the devastation of civil war. The author does an outstanding job of bringing these characters to life, the same as she did in News of the World.

Reviewed by Kathy Clemmons, Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

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The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay
Algonquin Books / September 2023

Adult Nonfiction, African American & Black, Biography & Autobiography, Cultural, Essays, Ethnic & Regional, Literary Collections, Personal Memoirs
More Reviews from Avid Bookshop

Ross Gay is an ambassador of pure joy—not the sugar-coated, roll-your-eyes kind of happiness, but the subversive, wink-and-nod kind of delectation. Whether he is comparing clusters of harvested sweet potatoes to snuggled bunnies or finding beauty at his aunt’s funeral, Gay’s eye for the oft-overlooked wonders of life is unrivaled, and his conversational, familiar delivery is perfection. Each tiny essay in this beautiful book digresses again and again, which, no surprise, makes it all the more delightful. Do we need a book of more delights? Yes, yes, yes. This book is a ray of sunshine, a juicy peach, a warm hug, a sunflower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk.

Reviewed by Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr
Amulet Books / September 2023

Coming of Age, Novels in Verse, Sexual Abuse, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Oxford Exchange

All the Fighting Parts is a much needed book. The verse format makes it a quick read, but it spares no punches, delving deep into the heart of one sexual assault survivor’s journey through grief, guilt, resistance, and reclamation. Healing is a journey through, not a journey’s end; and while the powers of her local church are stacked against her, her loved ones (whom she withdraws from in the aftermath) learn how to support her through every step. It’s poignant and oh-so relevant. Amina’s story is unlike anything I’ve read before, and I hope with all my might that All the Fighting Parts falls into the hands of those who need it most.

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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There’s Always Room for One More by Robyn McGrath
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books / August 2023

Children, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Multigenerational, New Experience
More Reviews from Bookmarks

This picture book is so sweet. It would make the perfect book for a child whose family is going through same changes (in this case, making room for a grandfather coming to live with them). I love the message that it is OK to feel a sense of loss for the parts of life that will be different, but that making space for those we love sometimes requires us to give up things we loved in the past and replace them with things we can learn to like even more. Both the story and the pictures are filled with heart!.

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Phoebe’s Diary by Phoebe Wahl
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / September 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Main Street Books

Incredibly earnest, honest account (in graphic novel form!) of a teenage theatre kid navigating the move to public high school from an unschooling/homeschool education in a smallish city in the Pacific NorthWest. I love Phoebe Wahl’s art and children’s books (she illustrates and writes), and I adored her peek into the boy-obsessed, music-loving, art-driven world she creates from her own teenage diaries. I laughed out loud, cringed, cried, and cheered. If you loved Judy Blume’s Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, you’ll love Phoebe’s Diary.

Reviewed by Adah Fitzgerald, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki
First Second / May 2014

Banned Books, Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Friendship, Girls & Women, Social Themes, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Avid Bookshop

This poignant story paints those subtle shifts from childhood to adulthood for Rose as she spends time at a lake house with her parents, who are going through a rough patch, and her younger friend Windy, who suddenly seems immature. It’s a quiet story, full of melancholy and growing pains, but still so lovely and achingly honest.

Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“What a blessing it is to love books.”
— Elizabeth von Arnim

The Southern Bookseller Review 9/5/23

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The week of September 5, 2023

Booksellers on the Bestsellers

Bestsellers

The Southern Indie Bestseller List that appears in this newsletter is compiled from sales made at independent bookstores in the Southeast, compiled by the American Booksellers Association. There are always interesting differences compared to other national bestseller lists such as that of the New York Times (which does not include Good Night Outer Banks on its list this week.) As such, it is a reflection of what Southern readers are reading. And because some of those Southern readers are booksellers, here is what they have to say about some of the books on this week’s list:

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller
Peter Heller, where have you been all my life?! Clearly, I’ve been living under a rock. This is my first Peter Heller and I’m hooked. I love the commentary on conservation and national parks and how we, as a society, interact with our natural world.
– Jill Naylor from Novel in Memphis, TN

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
Without cynicism or defeatism, Matthew Desmond dismantles every excuse, every stammering, faux-sympathetic rationalization for not just the severity of American poverty, but its existence at all.
– Sam Edge from Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, NC

Trust by Hernan Diaz
Hernan Diaz’s second novel Trust is an example of genuinely spectacular literature. Diaz has woven a story within a story within a story in this novel. Do yourself a favor: dive in and immerse yourself.
– Rachel Watkins from Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA

I Will Read to You by Gideon Sterer, Charles Santoso (illus.)
This truly original picture book turns the tables on reading aloud at bedtime. A heartwarming story paired with delightful illustrations.
– Rae Ann Parker from Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
An absolutely incredible, insightful, and clear eyed look at our limited time on this earth and the ways we use it. Funny and brilliantly wise, Burkeman has fundamentally shifted the way I think about my to-do list.
– Caleb Masters from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

Read This Next! highlights new books that are receiving exceptional, and exceptionally enthusiastic, buzz from Southern indie booksellers.

Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory

Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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My Shadow Is Yours by Edoardo Nesi
Other Press / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Cultural Heritage, Fiction, Humorous, Italy, World Literature
More Reviews from Fountain Bookstore

It is rare that I burst into tears reading the last sentence of a novel. I can count the number of times it has happened on one hand. Bawdy, ballsy, and brainy, My Shadow Is Yours is also tender and wise. A recent college graduate is hired to accompany a reclusive middle-aged novelist on a road trip to Milan. There he is scheduled to speak to an audience for the first time in 25 years when his one and only cultural landmark of a novel was published. As they travel across Italy, they bond over women, wine, and have violent, intensely personal arguments about life. Crushing and raw, caustic and funny. For me, it was perfection!

Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

An August 2023 Read This Next! Title

“I think the best horror is a combination of the fear of something inside themselves and something external, especially when one of them inherently feeds the other. However, external horror is what speaks the most to me as both a writer and reader. I can’t speak for all marginalized identities, obviously, but external horror for a lot of marginalized identities is terrifying because it’s real. The world is always lurking, waiting to make a horror movie of our lives or the lives of those we love. It doesn’t care about your internality. You’re different, and therefore a target. For me, the best horror acknowledges that, illustrates that, and allows the internality of both the character and the audience to expand from there.” ― Andrew Joseph White, Interview, Scifi Pulse

What booksellers are saying about The Spirit Bares Its Teeth

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

White’s brutal tale of a reimagined 1880s London where some people can commune with the dead is harsh and captivating. Silas wants nothing more to escape his family’s plan to marry him off to the highest bidder and force him to behave like the girl they think he is. But he has other plans. However, when his plan blows up and he’s sent to a sanitarium/finishing school to heal his sickness, he finds that things can always be worse. But there are a few bright spots in the cast ugliness.
― Jennifer Jones from Bookmiser, Inc. in Marietta, GA | Buy from Bookmiser
Andrew Joseph White’s phenomenal debut, "Hell Followed With Us," would seem like a tough act to follow but White’s fans won’t be disappointed: "The Spirit Bares Its Teeth" is just as incredible. White tackles the overlapping ways in which misogyny, transphobia, and ableism manifest in society through a ghost-infested finishing school where protagonist Silas Bell must work with the spirits of deceased students to expose the school’s medical and psychiatric abuses and break free of the system’s tyrannical rule. Gut-wrenching yet gorgeous, "The Spirit Bares Its Teeth" is a necessary and impressive addition to both LGBTQ and horror lit.
― Charlie Williams from Square Books in Oxford, MS | Buy from Square Books
Absolutely amazing gothic exploration of ableism and transphobia in a Victorian context. Heartwarming, vindictive, and vicious.
― Minna Banawan from Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC | Buy from Park Road Books

About Andrew Joseph White

Andrew Joseph White is a queer, trans author from Virginia, where he grew up falling in love with monsters and wishing he could be one too. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University in 2022 and has a habit of cuddling random street cats. Andrew writes about trans kids with claws and fangs, and what happens when they bite back.

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Wellness by Nathan Hill
Knopf / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Family Life, Fiction, Humorous, Literary
More Reviews from E. Shaver, bookseller

Nathan Hill has done it again! Wellness is so good, I think my heart both broke and grew at the same time, while reading it. Hill’s ability to capture both the beauty and horror of life are astounding. There is so much more I could say about this book, but I don’t want to spoil the magic of it for other readers! "Behind curtains, this, he thinks, is what lovers do-they are alchemists and architects; they invent the world around them." Indeed, this is what lovers do. Thank you for this wonderful book!

Reviewed by Jessica Osborne, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger
Celadon Books / September 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs
More Reviews from Horton’s Books

Meg Kissinger begins with an intimate portrayal of a family silently battling mental illness and ends with an exploration of the mental health system that failed them. Her writing is both compassionate and thought provoking. She evokes sympathy for the plight of those with mental illness and anger at the failings of our mental health system.

Reviewed by Horton’s Books in Carrollton, Georgia

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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
Margaret K. McElderry Books / October 2023

Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Oxford Exchange

Curious Tides centers a lush magic system unlike anything I’ve seen before. The celestial lore was beautifully crafted, and Lacelle’s prose is as captivating as a high tide. I deeply appreciated the subtle LGBTQIA rep and the care with which each interpersonal entanglement was treated. I’ve no doubt that Curious Tides will become a staple in the dark academia/fantasy niche, and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Stuff Kids Should Know by Chuck Bryant
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) / August 2023

Children, Curiosities & Wonders, Juvenile Nonfiction
More Reviews from The Country Bookshop

Long gone are the days of perusing encyclopedias for fun random information, but Information Junkies unite! Now we have Stuff Kids Should Know, a spin off from the wildly popular podcast of the same name that provides curious kids a place to discover amazing random information. Stack them up. These make the perfect holiday gift.

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

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Roaming by Jillian Tamaki
Drawn and Quarterly / September 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Literary
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Mariko and Jillian Tamaki are back with another slam-dunk of a graphic novel, this time their adult debut. I was captivated! This story of three friends visiting New York for the first time in 2009 after their first year of college was so relatable, especially the way they captured the different pairings between the trio. Zoe and Dani are long-time best friends who are reuniting after a year apart, but Fiona is the Dani’s new friend from college. I loved seeing the way tensions rose and dissipated. And as usual, Jillian Tamaki’s art is gorgeous!

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

BUY THE BOOK BUY THE AUDIOBOOK

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Candlewick / April 2018

Banned Books, Children, Hispanic & Latino, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, LGBTQ+, Non-Religious Celebrations, People & Places, United States
More Reviews from McIntyre’s Books

A beautiful and light-hearted story for every kind of fanciful and imaginative kid! Jessica Love’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so easily portray Julian’s wish to be a magical creature. This is a delightfully simple story that explores gender expression and individuality. Careful details also help communicate Julian’s fear of revealing his identity to his Abuela, an important representation that kids need for all kinds of situations.

Reviewed by Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read, we can live as many more lives and as many kinds of lives as we wish.”
— S.I. Hayakawa

The Southern Bookseller Review 8/29/23

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The week of August 29, 2023

Read These Next! September Sneak Peak

Read These Next!

Read This Next! September takes readers on adventure after adventure, from outer space to the wilderness of an American continent menaced by colonizers. From regency romance to the horror-tinged Victorian marriage market. Sink your teeth into these five books, because they will certainly sink their teeth into you!

What SIBA Booksellers have to say:

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
Gut-wrenching yet gorgeous, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth is a necessary and impressive addition to both LGBTQ and horror lit.
– Charlie Williams from Square Books in Oxford, MS

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
I kept turning the pages wondering when she was going to be rescued, live happily ever after with her Native husband? This is not that story. What this is, is an amazing meditation on what it means to be alive, to want to stay alive, and the big question, why do we live at all.
– Jessica Osborne from E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, GA

The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush
I have spent hours reading books and watching documentaries about all things NASA for years of my life, but I still learned so many new things reading this book.
– Kate Storhoff from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

Rouge by Mona Awad
Reading this book felt a lot like moving through a dream. The surreal horror and red-soaked imagery stuck with me long after finishing.
– Hallee Israel from Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles
This review is just me screaming to anyone who will listen what an absolute joy it is to read KJ Charles. Hijinks, hilarity and heart-stopping charm.
– Katie Garaby from Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN

Read This Next! highlights new books that are receiving exceptional, and exceptionally enthusiastic, buzz from Southern indie booksellers.

Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory

Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly
Atria/Emily Bestler Books / September 2023

Adult Fiction, Suspense, Thrillers
More Reviews from Garden District Bookshop

The Land of Lost Things is a extraordinary work, filled with both the original spirit of the Grimm fairy tales, and environmental concerns. Phoebe, an eight year old girl, has been severely injured in a car accident, and has been left in a comatose state. Her mother, Ceres, constantly reads to her, especially fairy tales. When the hospital can no longer help her, Phoebe is transferred to a chronic care facility, funded by the legacy of the missing author of The Book of Lost Things, and located very close to his deserted home. When Ceres explores the house, she somehow finds herself transported into the world of The Book of Lost Things. What then transpires is a joy to read, filled with both wonderful characters, and ones that are pure evil. Always stressing the importance and the meaning of books and stories. There are many allusions and characters taken from history and folktales/fairy tales/legends that make appearances, and also some wonderful touches of humor. Throughout the story you are constantly hypnotized by life’s fragility. It is impossible to put down, and you will dream about it if you do.

Reviewed by Amy Loewy, Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy

“I think there’s a great deal of that blend of horror in the tradition where my work is rooted. I think about a writer like William Gay and a story like “The Paperhanger,” O’Connor and a character like the misfit or McCarthy’s Lester Ballard. That’s to say that is the tradition. With this book specifically, though, it was very much a treatise on violence. I wanted there to be moments the reader put the book down because they couldn’t face what was happening on the page. I wanted there to be moments that very same reader cheered the violence on with a fiery sense of vengeance and justice. I wanted the reader to recognize those moments and reactions and question the difference. Those were lofty goals that may very well have been unreached, but that was the intent. The difference in those two reactions speaks a great deal to our humanity.” ― David Joy, Interview, Daily Yonder

What booksellers are saying about Those We Thought We Knew

As another white North Carolinian tired of the nodding heads and silent, complicit racism dominating each environment I’ve ever lived in, I am so proud to know works like this can come from here. David Joy has reached a new level of expertise with this stunningly crafted work of art. He creates so many fully-fleshed voices and turns out a story that can only come from this place and this time. By the last line, I was ready to nominate him for a Pulitzer.
― Alissa Redmond from South Main Book Co in Salisbury, NC | Buy from South Main Book Company
David Joy understands the human condition and, in particular, the complexities, pain, love, and loyalty that live in so many rural areas of our country. His latest novel is a brilliant exploration of the things we cherish and the things for which we fight, the way we hold memories close, and the lies we tell ourselves to ensure the past remains pure.
― Leslie Logemann from Highland Books in Brevard, NC | Buy from Highland Books
I love David Joy’s books. They are raw and gritty and always give me a different perspective. His books can be quite full of violence (always fits well into the story), and this one at first did not appear as violent. However, I did reflect on what transpired in this new novel and realized it was actually full of racism and violence; it reminds the reader that whether you are in a big city or a small town, the same things are happening. His attention to detail, his ability to capture the talk of western NC locals, and his use of historical events all made me thoroughly enjoy and appreciate Joy’s newest novel.
― Suzanne Lucey from Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC | Buy from Page 158 Books

About David Joy

David Joy is the author of When These Mountains Burn (winner of the 2020 Dashiell Hammett Award), The Line That Held Us (winner of the 2018 SIBA Book Prize), The Weight of This World, and Where All Light Tends to Go (Edgar finalist for Best First Novel). Joy lives in Tuckasegee, North Carolina.

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The Free People’s Village by Sim Kern
Levine Querido / September 2023

Adult Fiction, LGBTQ+, Nature & Environment, Science Fiction
More Reviews from Underground Books

In an alternate 2020, in which Al Gore once won the presidency and Democrats have held court for 20 years…we still live in an economically and racially unjust, imperialist, carceral state (now with more greenwashing!), and teacher and punk band guitarist Maddie Ryan finds herself and her community forever changed when she stands against the building of a new hyperway through the Black 8th Ward she’s inadvertently helped gentrify and gets swept up in a revolution. Achingly real, bitterly funny, and deeply moving, The Free People’s Village is a commentary, both compassionate and cutting, on the woke white activist’s journey and, above all, a full-throated ode to resistance and the found family that fuels it.

Reviewed by Megan Bell, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia

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Move Like Water by Hannah Stowe
Tin House Books / September 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs
More Reviews from Main Street Books

Beautifully evocative, Stowe’s memoir captures the emotional and physical pull of open waters in a visceral and compelling way. A book that can be read on many levels– memoir, a natural history guide, a call to care–with it’s strength in the intersection of all. If you love oceans, women explorers and artists, or just a book to challenge your mind and soul, this one is for you.

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / August 2023

Mysteries & Detective Stories, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Page 158 Books

Set in the same world as the Inheritance Games this book focuses on fan favorites Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne. They are in pursuit of a dangerous winner take all game. Less brutal than the Hunger Games it does evoke the eagerness to win and you won’t be able to put it down.

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead
Feiwel & Friends / August 2023

Animals, Cats, Children, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from Avid Bookshop

An August 2023 Read This Next! Title

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is a middle grade mystery that celebrates the power of a good book. Evan has grown up in a town without a library and none of the adults talk about the fire that destroyed such a beloved place. A librarian, a cat, a few ghosts, and a handful of mice put in motion an unraveling of a collective puzzle that may make you gasp! Highly recommend.

Reviewed by Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
Quill Tree Books / August 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Story on the Square

Every time you pick up a novel by Wendy Xu, you’re guaranteed a beautiful and wonderful story. The Infinity Particle is no different. A loving glance into the future where we have terraformed Mars and now have robotic companions, this is the story of Clementine and Kye. Clementine is running from pain and loneliness on Earth to work with her idol. When she arrives on Mars, she meets her idol’s AI robot who isn’t what he seems. Determined to help Kye despite going against her mentor, Clementine and Kye discover so much more. This was a beautiful story of love, loss, loneliness, and of course sci-fi! Put this on your radar because the art and the story aren’t one to be missed!

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Penguin Classics / February 2020

Adult Nonfiction, African American & Black Studies, American, Banned Books, Ethnic Studies, Feminism & Feminist Theory, Lesbian Studies, LGBTQ+ Studies, Social Science
More Reviews from Flyleaf Books

Essential reading for all humans — insightful, brilliant, and emotive writing from Audre Lorde.

Reviewed by RC Collman, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“Of course anyone who truly loves books buys more of them than he or she can hope to read in one fleeting lifetime. A good book, resting unopened in its slot on a shelf, full of majestic potentiality, is the most comforting sort of intellectual wallpaper.”
— David Quammen

The Southern Bookseller Review: A Book is a Harvest of Stories

Barbecue, Cooking, Cooking & Food, Food & Culture, Grilling, Literary Fiction

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August 2023

Stories are food for the soul.

SBR Harvest Issue illustration creid Hleb Krykov

A book is a harvest of stories. This month’s special edition of The Southern Bookseller Review celebrates that which sustains us; food for both body and soul.

More books tagged "Cooking" at SBR

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." — J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

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Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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Butcher On The Block : Everyday Recipes, Stories, and Inspirations from Your Local Butcher and Beyond by Matt Moore
Harvest / April 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Cooking, Cooking Methods, Barbecue & Grilling

Sometimes, the best way to get the best recipes is to just talk to your butcher. It’s an age-old adage that Matt Moore, author of Serial Griller and South’s Best Butts and grandson of a butcher, took to heart—he’s traveled around the country and beyond to do just that. In Butcher on the Block, he shares stories, coveted family recipes, and expert tips from the people behind the counter who sell your meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, and trimmings.

"Compelling stories. Drop-dead gorgeous photos. And recipes that not only make you hungry but make you think. Matt Moore’s book will make the heart of every serious griller beat faster and make you want to run, not walk, to fire up your grill." -Steven Raichlen, author of the Barbecue Bible cookbook series and host of Project Fire and Project Smoke on PBS, on Serial Griller

Bacon Bloody Mary

4 ounces tomato juice
2 ounces Bacon-infused Vodka (see below)
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-cracked black pepper
2 dashes Tabasco hot sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Ice cubes, to fill glass 3/4 full
Cooked bacon, crumbled as garnish
Lime wedge, as garnish
Pickled okra, as garnish

Combine the tomato juice, vodka, lime juice, horseradish, celery salt, pepper, Tabasco, and Worcestershire in a shaker and shake a few times to combine. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with the bacon, lime wedge, and okra. Serve.

Bacon-infused spirits

Combine the drippings from 8-10 strips of baked bacon and one 750-milliliter bottle of bourbon or vodka in a large pitcher. Stir the mixture, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Next, place the pitcher in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight. The fat will congeal, separating it from the spirit. Using a spoon, remove the congealed fat. To finish, pour the spirit through a fine-mesh strainer line with cheesecloth to remove any particles. The infused spirit is best kept cold and stored in the freezer.
Matt Moore photo credit the author

About the author

Matt Moore is an entrepreneur, cook, musician, host, pilot, and the quintessential Southern gentleman. He is the author of Serial Griller, South’s Best Butts, and A Southern Gentleman’s Kitchen. His food writing has garnered critical acclaim from publications including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and New York Times. His Southern charm has landed him on the TODAY show, Fox & Friends, VH1, and CBS.

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

C Pam Zhang, photo credit Clayton Cubitt

And then there was this moment when the food actually came to the table. And everything just changed; the tenor of the conversation paused and when we started eating, I could just see both of us fall out of our anxious brains back into our bodies. ― C Pam Zhang, Interview, This Is TASTE 271

What booksellers are saying about Land of Milk and Honey

Land of Milk and Honey is a feast for the senses. C Pam Zhang’s control of language is simply remarkable; her words pour off the page like peach juice drips down your arm in the heat of the summer. Lush descriptions of fresh fruit, aged cheese, and fragrant wine mixed with the heady rush of queer desire in a broken, fragile ecosystem works to create a landscape so vividly rich and complex that I wanted to eat it all with a spoon. Good food can light up the palate; this book lit up mine.
― Gaby Iori from Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, NC | Buy from Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
I can’t stop thinking about this sensuous fever dream of a novel. A deadly smog has decimated earth’s food supply in this dystopian novel about pleasure, gluttony and greed. Land of Milk and Honey will make you savor and appreciate the bounty we have and think about ways to be better stewards of our resources. Excellent writing.
― Jessica Nock from Main Street Books in Davidson, NC | Buy from Main Street Books
Set in an eerily plausible near future ravaged by climate catastrophe, Land of Milk and Honey takes readers on a journey alongside a chef who accepts a rare opportunity to not only escape dismal environmental conditions but also use some of the world’s most coveted ingredients cooking for some of the world’s wealthiest individuals in a private mountaintop community. This story celebrates the joys of food and pleasure while exploring themes of privilege, humanity’s role in science, and our complex relationship with nature. Zhang’s writing moved me to tears more than once; this book celebrates food in a way that Station Eleven celebrated the arts. This is my favorite book of 2023, and I expect the same will be true for many readers!
― Beth Seufer Buss from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC | Buy from Bookmarks

C Pam Zhang is the author of How Much of These Hills Is Gold, winner of the Academy of Arts and Letters Rosenthal Award and the Asian/Pacific Award for Literature, longlisted for the Booker Prize, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award and the National Book Critics’ John Leonard Prize, and one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree and a New York Public Library Cullman Fellow.

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Skilletheads : A Guide to Collecting and Restoring Cast-Iron Cookware by Ashley L. Jones
Red Lightning Books / May 2023

"If you want to learn more about cast-iron cookware, this book might be your Bible. Ashley traces the history of the cast-iron cookware industry, shows us how to restore and care for our cast iron, and leaves us with some amazing recipes so that we can put our favorite pans to use. This book is a celebration of what we Skilletheads love about our tools." ~Isaac Morton, founder of Smithey Ironware

From Ashley L. Jones:

Before Skilletheads, there was Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More. As the title implies, this was written as a complete guide to cast-iron cookware. But there were two big topics it only briefly addressed: the collection and restoration of cast-iron cookware. And that is what I’ve set out to explore in this book…Whether you’re interested in finding the perfect skillet for your kitchen, or you’d like to start restoring cast iron as a hobby or side-job, then this book is for you. In these pages, you’ll find side-by-side comparisons of modern companies, step-by-step restoration guides, and helpful collection and restoration tips from the pros. And no cast iron book is complete without recipes, so you’ll find plenty of recipes, as well, all contributed by those who know cast iron the best.

But I do have to warn you: if you’re not already interested in collecting and restoring cast iron, you will be after reading this book. So gas up the car and clear a few Saturdays on the calendar, because you’re about to have some fun with cast-iron cookware!

You might be a Skillethead if…

You spent your vacation traveling out of state to purchase a bunch of cast iron from an old collector you met online.
You look for creative ways to use your cast-iron collection, such as hanging them in the garden as wind chimes.
You have a strong opinion about “textured versus smooth surface” and you’re ready to share it with anyone who will listen.
You spend all your extra money “rescuing” rust buckets.
You have a lot of pieces in your cast iron collection . . . and they all have names.

Henry Lodge’s Favorite Cornbread
Recipe courtesy of Lodge Cast Iron

This cornbread recipe has been in the Lodge family for decades and is often made for family meals by former CEO Henry Lodge’s wife. While there’s no sugar in it, the addition of creamed corn brings a hint of sweetness to the savory bread. Plus, the corn and sour cream keep the cornbread moist and prevent it from drying out, making it just as good leftover as it is fresh.

Equipment
10.25” Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet

Ingredients
½ cup canola oil, divided
1 cup self-rising cornmeal
1 8-ounce can creamed corn
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
¼ tsp. salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. While oven is preheating, pour ¼ cup of oil into a 10.25” Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet and place in oven to preheat.
3. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients together. Remove skillet from the oven and pour out the hot oil into the cornmeal mixture. Stir together.
4. Pour cornmeal mixture into the hot skillet and bake for 35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Ashley L. Jones

About the author

Ashley L. Jones is author of Modern Cast Iron. An author, blogger, and teacher based in Tallahassee, Florida, Jones enjoys exploring the art of collecting and restoring cast-iron cookware. Learn more at AshleyLJones.com.

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Family Meal by Bryan Washington
Riverhead Books / October 2023

Adult Fiction, Coming of Age, Fiction, LGBTQ+, Literary Fiction
More Reviews from Avid Bookshop

At times heartwarming, others heartrending, this tender work from Washington is delectable. Lust, hunger, grief, and a longing for belonging squeeze up against the forces that seek to tear us apart, but, what Family Meal serves is a generous familial communion made up of the people we love and those who, despite our flaws, love us back. A restorative novel to be shared, undoubtedly set to bring its readers together.

Reviewed by Luis Correa, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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Still We Rise by Erika Council
Clarkson Potter / August 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Baking, Cooking, Methods
More Reviews from Main Street Books

A good cookbook needs inviting recipes and clear instructions. A great cookbook goes beyond to provide context, history, and a singular voice. Still We Rise is a great cookbook that elevates the humble biscuit while paying homage to African-American chefs and home cooks and expanding American foodways history. Council writes with sass, reassurance, and authority. Her introductory section on ingredients and tools made me both laugh and believe I could bake these gems. Great recipes (for fillings and butters as well as biscuits), beautiful and functional photographs, and historical notes make this a kitchen shelf essential.

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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Welcome to Our Table by Laura Mucha
Nosy Crow / August 2023

Children, Cooking & Food, Juvenile Nonfiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Now I’m hungry! A Gastro Obscura for kids — and not so much on the obscurity but more on the shared experiences and comparing differences around the globe. And much like every time I handle the adult book, I get hungry. Kids are so willing to try things if they’re presented by people with a love of sharing neat stuff.

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus
Forge Books / May 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Celebrity & Popular Culture, Humor, Topic
More Reviews from Fountain Bookstore

America’s guiltiest pleasure: the hot dog. Following a road trip Loftus and her then-partner took in the summer of 2021, this is so much more than just a history book with a suggestive title. Stories of meth motels, the hunt for the best hotdog in the country, and brilliant musings on organized labor and the food industry in the United States, all wrapped into one, clever, laugh-out-loud book. Loftus’ humor transfers onto the page so well, it makes for a history book like no other.

Reviewed by Grace Sullivan, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

Parting Thought

“A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.”
—Charles Baudelaire

The Southern Bookseller Review 8/22/23

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The week of August 22, 2023

Short Five Star Reviews for September!

Booksellers always get an early peak at the books coming out over the next few months. In fact, many of them will tell you getting early access to new books is one of the reasons they became booksellers in the first place! Here are ten books coming out in September that Southern booksellers have given all the stars!

(click on a book title to read more.)

Cornbread & Poppy at the Museum by Matthew Cordell
A new Cornbread & Poppy book is a reason to cheer! A perfect chapter book for our younger readers. –Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop in Midlothian, VA

The Imaginary Alphabet by Sylvie Daigneault
Clever wordplay and stunning illustrations make this a fabulous alphabet book. –Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN

Susie King Taylor by Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Susie King Taylor’s story is fascinating and is the first in a series chronicling the women whose important lives and work are getting their much deserved moment in the spotlight of history. –Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC

Good Women by Halle Hill
Expert short stories from a voice that is unique, engaging, and distinctly southern. –James Harrod, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville, NC

Wellness by Nathan Hill
Nathan Hill is hitting it out of the park again- reminding us of his keen eye for satire, character and the American struggle for happily ever after. –Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL

Enlighten Me (A Graphic Novel) by Minh Lê
A beautiful graphic novel that teaches not only the main character, but also the reader, about the teachings of Buddha and the importance of meditation to achieve a better life experience. –Shannon Rogers, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC

I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore
Filled with images of current day black male heroes and black boy joy, this beautiful picture book is perfect for fans of All Because You Matter. –Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC

ZigZag by Julie Paschkis
Reading this book is utter revelry–what a marvelous celebration of the juiciness that language brings to our lips, minds, lives! A feast for the eyes and ears. –Talia Smart, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
A haunting story full of magic and heart. I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved falling so completely into the world Ava Reid created. –Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA

Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Ridiculous, hilarious fun! Spy cats, unionized dolphins, a secret villain cabal, all the things required for a good time. Scalzi just doesn’t miss. –Melissa Taylor, E. Shaver, bookseller, Savannah, GA

Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory

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Recommended by Southern indies…

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Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Marysue Rucci Books / August 2023

Adult Fiction, Magical Realism
More Reviews from Pearl’s Books

An August 2023 Read This Next! Title

In a debut as profound as it is strange, Emily Habeck explores what happens when a newlywed couple is split apart by a strange mutation–one of them is turning rapidly, limb by fin, into a great white shark. With imagination and heart, Habeck startles the reader awake with the questions we all have living in us: can I survive loss in my life? How do I remain open when I am suffering? What does it mean to learn myself again?

Reviewed by Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

Catriona Ward, photo credit Robert Hollingworth

“I love horror. I think it’s one of the most expressive, most empathetic genres you can work in. Everyone feels afraid at some point in their life. Reading is a sustained act of telepathy or empathy, and reading horror is even more profound than that: it’s asking people to share real vulnerabilities of yours and open themselves up to their own. It is like going down a tunnel, and hopefully the writer is leading the way with a torch, taking the reader’s hand.

I think it’s because of the difficulty of engaging with it, and having to open yourself up to feelings which society dismisses as being quite childlike. Fear isn’t something we’re particularly interested in dissecting; it’s considered a bit schlocky. But when done right, horror is a transformative experience….” ― Catriona Ward, Interview, The Guardian

What booksellers are saying about Looking Glass Sound

A coming of age story that takes a very dark turn. Wilder meets Harper and Nathanial when his family is vacationing on the Maine coast. They discover friendship, love and a serial killer, The Dagger Man, that is plaguing the town. Fast-forward to college, where Wilder’s roommate, Sky, encourages him to write a story about his experiences from those times in Maine. Fast-forward many years ahead, and Sky has stolen Wilder’s story and now Wilder is plotting his revenge. This is three books in one and in typical Catriona Ward fashion, you will not know what hit you until the very end!
― Megan Bell, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia | Buy from Underground Books
I really enjoyed this and was hooked from the beginning. I was totally surprised by the ending and can definitely say it wasn’t like anything else I have read lately.
― Nancy McFarlane, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina | Buy from Fiction Addiction
Dare I say this is my favorite yet from Catriona Ward? It’s a story inside a story thriller set on a small coastal town in Maine where a serial killer stalks the townspeople. Teenage Wilder and his summer friends Nat and Harlow form bonds that will last into adulthood – whether they want them to or not. Adult Wilder is an author who is down on his luck and struggling with his final manuscript. As he tries to put his memoirs down on paper, the past won’t set him or his friends free. Haunting , layered, and twisty, this kept me on the edge of my seat until the final reveal.
― Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia | Buy from Fountain Bookstore

About Catriona Ward

Catriona Ward was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. She studied English at the University of Oxford and later earned her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Ward is a three-time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel: for The Girl from Rawblood, her debut; Little Eve; and The Last House on Needless Street. Little Eve also won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel. Ward is the international bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Sundial.

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To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai
Berkley / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Asian American, Fiction, Mystery& Detective, Romantic Comedy
More Reviews from Parnassus Books

To Have and to Heist is a wild-ride from start to finish. Think Oceans 11 with serious screwball romantic comedy energy. The plot is complex, but Desai is no novice. A seasoned romance author whose previous works have charmed us for the last few years (The Single’s Game, The Wedding Planner & The Dating Project), Desai is known for lovable, awkward leads caught in the cross hairs of cultural expectations and hi-jinks. Simi, her floundering heroine with zero filter, is instantly lovable. Jack is Simi’s perfect foil; secretive and gruff but also floundering in his own way. Their chemistry is instant. While Simi and Jack’s relationship takes the lead, sizzling with sexual tension, their heist crew provides the perfect goof-ball comedic relief. Would I trust an Uber driver, a hit-man, a nerdy man-child, and an animal loving HIMBO to have my back in a heist? In these circumstances… you bet. Sara Desai brings us the experiences of many young, second generation Indian Americans- pressure to live up to familial expectations, be successful, and, of course, get married. Expertly weaving these experiences into laugh out loud romances. To Have and To Heist is the fun, heart-racing, summer romance adventure that we all deserve.

Reviewed by Katie Garaby, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

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Strip Tees by Kate Flannery
Henry Holt and Co. / July 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Business, Fashion & Textile Industry, Personal Memoirs
More Reviews from Main Street Books

This was a nostalgic punch to the gut for me as a former American Apparel gal, reminding me of when I wore Lycra and bodysuits to work, had my picture taken every day, then finally snapped, saying I was not a model and quitting, taking the last vestiges of my dignity along with me. I feel seen. More seen than when I was wearing spandex and lamé. This was a validating read for me, but will also be interesting to those who came of age in the 2000s, for every Millennial who cut their teeth on celebrity culture and came away wanting more.

Reviewed by Aimee Keeble, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffin
Sourcebooks Fire / August 2023

Fantasy, Wizards & Witches, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from E. Shaver, bookseller

This book is stirring, evocative, gorgeous, and compulsively readable! I was drawn in by the strong, clear voice of the heroine from the first page. This book weaves together themes of magic, power, nature, duty, safety, love, wildness, and passion. A beautiful story extremely well told. I can’t wait for the next installment, because I am left with the conviction that Tana’s story has only just begun.

Reviewed by Ruth Goldstein, E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Elves Are the Worst! by Alex Willan
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / September 2023

Animals, Children, Dragons, Juvenile Fiction, Unicorns & Mythical
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Super cute picture book for the holidays that is laugh-out-loud funny for kids and their grown-ups. Written in the style of a graphic novel, younger kids will gravitate towards this format that makes them feel like they’re reading a big kid book. Behind all the humor, this book has a great message of appearances aren’t everything.

Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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One Smart Cookie by Mika Song
Random House Graphic / August 2023

Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from Square Books

Fortunately, one of the adorable squirrels was learning to read and write. Their futures were bright, and cookies were just a few words away. If only they could think their way into the fortune cookie writer’s block. Darling and silly, this graphic novel is perfect for beginning readers of all ages.

Reviewed by Jilleen Moore, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angelese) by Amy Spalding

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The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding
Sky Horse / April 2018

Banned Books, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Park Road Books

The Summer of Jordi Perez is a pitch-perfect summery contemporary romance. I adored the plus-size lesbian blogger main character as she navigates new friendships, anxiety, new relationships, and an internship. With a romance that anyone can get behind, straight or otherwise, this book is perfect for anyone wanting a light, fun read.

Reviewed by Shauna Sinyard, Park Road Books in Charlotte, North Carolina

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

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Parting Thought

“A good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read.”
— Terry Pratchett

The Southern Bookseller Review 8/15/23

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The week of August 15, 2023

Fall in love with a good book. Read more romance.

Indulge in a whirlwind romance (read) this weekend! This Saturday, August 19th, is Bookstore Romance Day — created by a group of romance writers and romancing-loving booksellers to celebrate the love of, well, a good love story!

Bookstore Romance Day has spread coast to coast, and there are dozens of store in the South that will be taking part (see a map of participating stores).

Romance is wonderfully varied genre that includes everything from literary fiction to foodie stories with recipes. On the BRD Bookshop page readers can find all sorts of romance flavors: Romance-y Fantasy ("Romantasy"), love stories centered around older protagonists, queer romance stories, romances devoted to happy endings.

Romance is also the most popular genre at SBR, passing even "fantasy" and "young adult." Fall in love with a good book: Read more romance!

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Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Riverhead Books / August 2023

Adult Fiction, African American & Black, Fiction, Historical, Literary
More Reviews from Malaprop’s

An August 2023 Read This Next! Title

In Pottstown, PA in 1972 a skeleton is found at the bottom of a old well. McBride takes us back more than four decades to tell the story of a community of Black and Jewish characters in the Chicken Hill neighborhood, along with the white characters who run the town (and march in the annual KKK parades.) It’s hard to think of a more compassionate writer than McBride. This story is captivating, funny, exciting and absolutely wonderful.

Reviewed by Christine Lavigna, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Satoshi Yagisawa, photo credit the author

“From late summer to early spring the next year, I lived at the Morisaki Bookshop. I spent that period of my life in the spare room on the second floor of the store, trying to bury myself in books. The cramped room barely got any light, and everything felt damp. It smelled constantly of musty old books.

But I will always remember the days I spent there. Because that’s where my real life began. And I know, without a doubt, that if not for those days, the rest of my life would have been bland, monotonous, and lonely.

The Morisaki Bookshop is precious to me. It’s a place I know I’ll never forget.

When I close my eyes, the memories still come back to me so vividly.

It all began like a bolt of lightning out of the clear blue sky. No, what happened was more shocking than that, more shocking even than seeing frogs raining from the sky in a downpour.”

― Excerpt, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa

What booksellers are saying about Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Books about bookshops can be an absolute delight and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa did not disappoint. Takako is suffering from an extreme broken heart and an offer from her distant uncle to come live above his bookshop seems out of the blue. When reluctantly agreeing, she has no idea how much her life will change. This book was a joy to read.
― Rachel Watkins from Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA | Buy from Avid Bookshop
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a lovely slice of life novel. An ode to books and how they can and do in fact change our lives for the better. It’s a heartwarming and comforting story and will make you long for a place you’ve never been and people you haven’t met yet but will surely come to love. I fell in love with Takako, the way she grows throughout the book and her sense of humor. I’ll certainly read it again as I’d like to spend more time with it. It’s a lovely book!
― Aicha Barry from Birch Tree Bookstore in Leesburg, VA | Buy from Birch Tree Books
Calling all booklovers! This short, sweet, charming, and delightful story is the perfect love letter to books and bookworms everywhere. We follow our protagonist, Takako, as she makes a major change in life and goes to work at her uncle’s small, used bookstore. Here she discovers a passion for reading that is sure to resonate with anyone who fancies themselves a bibliophile. With themes touching on family and self-acceptance, this book is a comfort and a joy to read.
― Elizabeth Findley from Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, NC | Buy from Epilogue Books

About Satoshi Yagisawa

Satoshi Yagisawa was born in Chiba, Japan, in 1977. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, his debut novel, was originally published in 2009 and won the Chiyoda Literature Prize.

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The Road to the City by Natalia Ginzburg
New Directions/ July 2023

Adult Fiction, Family Life, Marriage & Divorce
More Reviews from Thank You Books

Like all of Natalia Ginzburg’s excellent works, The Road to the City feels like something so fresh, tender, and intimate, you can barely breathe until it’s done and can barely believe it could ever be over.

Reviewed by Emily Tarr, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama

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The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush
Milkweed Editions / August 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Global Warming & Climate Change, Science
More Reviews from Quail Ridge Books

A beautifully written, immediately engaging book about exploring a new area of the Antarctic, experiencing climate change on a vast yet immediate scale, and still deciding to bring a child into the world. The author pulls from her experiences as an observer on an exploration vessel to chart a path into the future. Excerpts from her interviews with others aboard the ship – scientists, but also the crew and even the ship’s cooks – bring multiple perspectives into her musings on everything from the breaking ice to birth stories. While the themes of the book are urgent, the messages are hopeful: while there is work for everyone, together, we can accomplish more; and when we mess up, which we all do, own the error and don’t make the same mistake again.

Reviewed by Ginger Kautz, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina

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Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
Wednesday Books / August 2023

Romance, Romantic Comedy, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Fiction Addiction

Tilly and Oliver first meet on an international flight, and their first impression is not great on either side. So it seems like the worst luck when Oliver shows up at Tilly’s sister’s place to start work as an intern with Tilly…and they’ll be spending the summer traveling together. Working together. Staying in hotel rooms together. Tilly struggles with her ADHD, as always, but Oliver’s autism allows him to understand her in ways no one else has, and the two grow close. Readers of Eddings’s adult romances will adore this story about Tilly growing into herself, and her relationships that grow with her, and Oliver’s enthusiasm for colors and for Tilly. Eddings has obviously put a lot of herself into this book, and it’s paid off.

Reviewed by Melissa Oates, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung
(List Price: 18.99, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) / August 2023

Animals, Children, Dragons, Juvenile Fiction, Unicorns & Mythical
More Reviews from Parnassus Books

I picked up this book based purely on the gorgeous cover. The lyrical story told by the mother to the child at bedtime is just so sweet, and each page is full of beautiful detail. I really loved how the differences between the two dragons are celebrated, but their similarities are also highlighted. An enriching celebration of multicultural identity.

Reviewed by Chelsea Stringfield, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

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Ghost Book by Remy Lai
Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks / August 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Remy Lai continues to be one of the best and most thoughtful creators working in children’s literature today. In her graphic novel Ghost Book, Lai gives us the loveable characters of July Chen who can see ghosts all around her and William, a boy whose not quite dead. Filled with vibrant images, mythology, and heart – Ghost Book proves once again that no one can weave together fun and deep emotion like Remy Lai!

Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
Random House / March 2021

Adult Fiction, African American & Black, Banned Books, Family Life, Literary Fiction
More Reviews from McIntyre’s Books

What a good book! Beautifully written and so forcefully told this is a story of the power of corporations over people and governments. And the setting! So alien from what we’re used too 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.

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

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

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Parting Thought

“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.”
— Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Southern Bookseller Review 8/8/23

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[Note from the editor: an error in last week’s newsletter paired the wrong review with Wendy McNaughton’s How to Say Goodbye. The correct review is included below.]

The week of August 8, 2023

What can you find at your local bookstore?

This week indie booksellers from the South and Mid Atlantic held their annual conference in Arlington, Virginia. Is there any group of people more fun and with more exciting ideas than these?

Among the many things that happen at the conference, booksellers like to trade things — book recommendations of course, but also good ideas, favorite stories, news and gossip. And they love to show off what their stores are doing, so there is always a display of "store swag" featuring the things stores create for their own customers and communities. Booksellers swap things with each other book bags for puzzles, coffee cups for t-shirts. There is a definite theme at this year’s event.

What can you find at your local bookstore?

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Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin-Tanner,
Flatiron Books / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Asian American, Family Life, Fiction, Historical
More Reviews from Garden District

Victor’s life is turned upside down at the young age of 15. Diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (leprosy), he’s forced to leave his family and move to Carville, LA to a federal leprosarium. Scared and alone, he wants to flee. However, with the wide and varied cast of characters in his new home at Carville, he finds hope, love, and tragedy…but always hoping for the elusive cure. When Victor’s time at Carville nears the end, difficult choices must be made. You’ll find you are holding your breath at many points of this story. I could not put it down.

Reviewed by Amy Loewy, Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead, photo credit Chris Close/Penguin Random House

“I think, you know, I was coming of age in the late ’70s and consuming TV and movies, and that was, like, you know, plenty of time for the revolutionary fervor of Black national thought of the late ’60s, early ’70s to trickle into, you know, pop culture…So it’s through pop culture, and obviously, the history of the Black Panther Party was not being taught in my high school. I think – I assume most high schools. And now it’s, you know, I think, illegal to teach Black history in certain states and cities. So it wasn’t till college I, you know, got sort of more grounding on some of the real arguments and what different aspects of the Civil Rights Movement actually meant and what they did.” ― Colson Whitehead, Interview NPR Fresh Air

What booksellers are saying about Crook Manifesto

Whitehead continues his epic series started in Harlem Shuffle with Crook Manifesto exploring the hot mess that is 1970s Harlem. After being square for years, Ray Carney gets back in the game while trying to get Jackson 5 concert tickets for his daughter. This book is even more fun than the first with a cast of characters including fire-obsessed criminals, crooked politicians, dirty cops, and the cast and crew of a Blaxploitation film. Highly recommend.
― Rachel Watkins from Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA | Buy from Avid Bookshop
Take a trip to 1971, when times were turbulent. Ray Carney is in the black market with stolen furniture. That is until he turns to the straight and narrow. He will not make that mistake again he says. Well his precious daughter needs tickets to the Jackson 5 and what is a dad to do? This darkly funny tale searching for the meaning of family, is remarkable. Colson is just a phenomenal author.
― Suzanne Lucey from Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC | Buy from Page 158 Books
Ray Carney, the protagonist of Harlem Shuffle, is the perfect vehicle for Colson Whitehead’s masterful storytelling, and I’m thrilled that he’s back, in Crook Manifesto’s 1970s New York City. The author has created a sharp, endearing, and morally complicated character, but the city itself, in its decaying glory, is also a star here.
― Anne Peck from Right on Books in St Simona Island, GA | Buy from Right on Books

About Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eleven works of fiction and nonfiction, and is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, for The Nickel Boys and The Underground Railroad, which also won the National Book Award. A recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, he lives in New York City.

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Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen
Atria Books / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Family Life
More Reviews from Snail on the Wall

Jessica Tran returns home from LA after a bad breakup hoping to get back on her feet, but things are just as crazy at home: her parents’ nail salon is facing competition from an Instagram-worthy gentrified salon across the street. All five Tran family members — Jessica, her workaholic brother, her immigrant parents, and recently-arrived cousin — get POV chapters as they try to figure out what’s next and how to keep Sunshine Nails afloat. With a light tone, stylized characters, and page-turning short chapters that read faster than quick-dry polish can set, Sunshine Nails is a fun read, even if the ending feels a little rushed and smudged.

Reviewed by Melanie, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
Simon & Schuster / August 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs
More Reviews from Main Street Reads

An August 2023 Read This Next! Book

This is the most "JRun-put-downable" piece of non-fiction I’ve ever read. A brash and well-written account that -without being trivial- allows hope and redemption to spring from addiction, incarceration and shame, liberally sprinkled with the power of the written word to empower and invoke change. Looking forward to discussing this work as it also shines a harsh light on the injustice system and one can hope, bring more of us to seek improvement. Truly an important and unique book, much applause!

Reviewed by Shari Staunch, Main Street Reads in Summer ville, South Carolina

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How to Say Goodbye by Wendy McNaughton
Bloomsbury Publishing / July 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Bereavement, Death, Family & Relationships, Grief
More Reviews from Pearl’s Books

This is a beautiful little book. It is partly a helpful guide for folks going through losing a loved one, partly a meditation on how to live. Her drawings are simultaneously simple, emotional, and direct. Words are used sparingly, which lends them more value and meaning. I will keep this book, and buy multiple copies to give away to friends and family. The resource guide in the back is also extremely helpful!

Reviewed by Daniel Jordan, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
Margaret K. McElderry Books / July 2023

Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Square Books

Wren wants nothing more than to be a valkyr, a highly trained warrior who protects reapyrs as they make sure the dead stay dead. But when a betrayal sabotages her qualifying trial, Wren finds herself disgraced and shunned with only one chance to redeem herself: rescue a prince from a wasteland of the dead. Harrowing and thrilling, with a richly imagined world and magic system, Bonesmith is the start of a duology that should be at the top of every fantasy fan’s reading list.

Reviewed by Charlie Williams, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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You Stole My Name by Dennis McGregor
Blue Star Press / August 2023

Animals, Children, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

Absolutely astoundingly gorgeous illustrations in this charming picture book that celebrates the natural world. A Kangaroo Rat meets a Kangaroo, a Spider Monkey greets a monkey; each of these mini poems and paintings celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of life on our planet and is a perfect gift for kids obsessed with animals.

Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
Heartdrum / August 2023

Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from E. Shaver, Bookseller

I enjoyed following Mia’s story as she tries to reconnect with her father and learn to balance her Hebrew and Native American heritages. Anyone dealing with divorced parents and different cultural backgrounds will enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Krista Roach, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Beloved by Toni Morrison
Vintage / June 2004

Adult Fiction, Banned Books, Literary
More Reviews from Epilogue Books

In 1992, Toni Morrison said “In this country, American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.” This statement stands true to this day, as demonstrated when Disney executives and Adam Sandler’s Waterboy joined forces to make the film adaption of Beloved a box office bomb. Regardless of how the American public feels about the movie, the novel is a gorgeous, vital, and absolutely timeless work. Beloved is one of the best ghost stories ever written (inspired by reports of a slave mother who killed her child rather than return her to slavery) partly because the Atlantic Slave Trade is teeming with boundless horrors to work with. The guts of American history distend with crimes committed against Black bodies, and Morrison tears them out for all to see. Intergenerational trauma, systemic torture, and fractured families occupy these fearsome pages, and I dare you to look away.

Reviewed by Terrance Hudson, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

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Parting Thought

“Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.”
— Anne Herbert

The Southern Bookseller Review 8/1/23

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The week of August 1, 2023

What to read before you have to go back to school.

It will come as no surprise that Tom Lake, the brand-new novel by author (and bookseller) Ann Patchett, was at the top of the Southern bookseller Read This Next! list for August. The review from Square Books in Mississippi further below is only one of nearly twenty that came in from booksellers across the South.

There is still enough time for one or two more great reads before summer ends and school starts. Tom Lake is one of five that booksellers really love, so read these next!:

The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
This is the most "un-put-downable" piece of non-fiction I’ve ever read. A brash and well-written account that -without being trivial- allows hope and redemption to spring from addiction, incarceration and shame. –Shari Stauch from Main Street Reads in Summerville, SC

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
It’s hard to think of a more compassionate writer than McBride. This story is captivating, funny, exciting and absolutely wonderful. –Christine Lavigna from Malaprop’s in Asheville, NC

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
In a debut as profound as it is strange, Emily Habek startles the reader awake with the questions we all have living in us: can I survive loss in my life? How do I remain open when I am suffering? –Julia Paganelli Marin from Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass
A middle grade mystery that celebrates the power of a good book. A librarian, a cat, a few ghosts, and a handful of mice put in motion an unraveling of a collective puzzle that may make you gasp! –Rachel Watkins from Avid Bookshop in Athens, GA

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Read This Now!

Recommended by Southern indies…

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The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
Sourcebooks Casablanca / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Witches
More Reviews from Bookmiser

This sweet found family story will hit you right in the feels! Iris has always been the misfit in her family of energy vampires (literally) with no powers to speak of, never fitting in and unsure if her place in the world. But when her great aunt passed and leaves Iris her house, she slowly begins finding her way in the world as she starts taking in boarders. But it’s not all perfect. Her nosy neighbor finds fault with everything she does and is determined to see her fail. But Iris’s found family of lovable roommates will do everything in their power to keep them all together.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei

“For me, there’s always been self-doubt inherent to growing up “in between.” There’s also a dissonance between feeling one thing and often being perceived as another. When I write, I think that introspection and uncertainty often leak into my characters, no matter the situation. And I can never help poking that tender spot where the protagonist realizes the world may not view her the way she views herself.” ― Yume Kitasei, Interview SmokeLong Quarterly

What booksellers are saying about The Deep Sky

On a mission to colonize a distant planet, funded by a billionaire who trained them from adolescence, a lethal explosion rocks not only their spaceship but the crew’s faith in each other. This promising debut is part space thriller, part character study of a Japanese-American girl struggling with belonging and self-worth. There are some pacing issues, but I loved the world-building across timelines and would have followed this crew indefinitely! ― Megan Bell from Underground Books in Carrollton, GA | Buy from Underground Books
A crew of 80 women on spaceship from Earth to Planet X have their skills and loyalty tested after a bomb on the ship knocks them off course. Vibes of Lord of the Flies, The Matrix, and 2001 a Space Odyssey kept me guessing throughout this sci-fi whodunit.. ― Darinda Sharp from Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, AR | Buy from Pearl’s Books
This is a sci-fi novel for everyone! It successfully mashes up the sci-fi genre with a locked-room mystery — after a disaster on board a ship carrying a crew of women to a new planet, it becomes clear that someone on board must have been responsible. I loved that the person who fits in the least with the crew, Asuka, is the person who ends up working on solving the mystery. Although most of the story takes place on board the ship, there are some flashbacks to Asuka’s time training on Earth, which brings up issues relating to climate change and international politics. An interesting, fun, and thought-provoking read. ― Kate Storhoff from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC | Buy from Bookmarks

About Yume Kitasei

Yume Kitasei is a writer of speculative fiction. She is half-Japanese and half-American and grew up in a space between two cultures—the same space where her stories reside. She lives in Brooklyn with two cats, Boondoggle and Filibuster. Her stories have appeared in publications including New England Review, Catapult, SmokeLong Quarterly, and Baltimore Review, and her short story was spotlighted in the 2022 Best Small Fictions anthology by Sonder Press. The Deep Sky is her first novel.

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Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Harper / August 2023

Adult Fiction, Coming of Age
More Reviews from Square Books

An August 2023 Read This Next! Title

Ann Patchett does it again! Tom Lake is so good it’s like eating a favorite dessert. Do you gobble it up quickly, or slowly savor it so that it lasts longer? I would give a million stars to this one. I loved it so much. Everyone should read this book. It is gorgeous. Tom Lake is a heartwarming tale about a woman recounting her youth to her daughters who see her as their mother, not as a girl who navigated the trials of early love, the temptations of Hollywood, and the love of a man who became a star. It explores family bonds, parental love, sisterly love, and the very events that make us who we are. A fantastic read for parents and young adult children alike. You will see yourself in many of the characters. Absolutely delicious.

Reviewed by Monie Henderson, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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How to Say Goodbye by Wendy MacNaughton
Bloomsbury Publishing / July 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Bereavement, Death, Family & Relationships, Grief
More Reviews from Pearl’s Books

In a debut as profound as it is strange, Emily Habek explores what happens when a newlywed couple is split apart by a strange mutation–one of them is turning rapidly, limb by fin, into a great white shark. With imagination and heart, Habek startles the reader awake with the questions we all have living in us: can I survive loss in my life? How do I remain open when I am suffering? What does it mean to learn myself again?

Reviewed by Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas

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All Alone with You by Amelia Diane Coombs
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / July 2023

Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Page 158 Books

This book was amazing and such a fun and relatable read. I love the character development and growth of Eloise throughout the book. Austin’s sunshine personality perfectly fits with Eloise’s anxious and sad character, giving us the best of both worlds. Overall, it was a fantastic book that I will definitely be rereading.

Reviewed by Meredith Church, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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The Book of Stolen Dreams by David Farr
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / May 2023

Children, Fantasy & Magic
More Reviews from E, Shaver, Bookseller

Just delightful! A charming narrative with colorful characters, a magic book, a mad dictator, and heroic kids, pretty much everything you need for an enchanting story..

Reviewed by Melissa Taylor, E. Shaver, Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault
Atheneum Books for Young Readers / July 2023

Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy
More Reviews from Bookmarks

This graphic novel was such a delight to read. It acknowledges the importance of being able to see the many different make ups of family. Family is so much more than the people we are related to, it can be friends, community and sometimes we find it in the most unexpected places. I love how it shows that sometimes we are afraid of things we do not understand and once we take the step to look a little deeper our fear begins to diminish.

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Ghost Boys by Jewel Parker Rhodes
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / September 2019

20th Century, African American & Black, Banned Books, Children, Historical, People & Places, Prejudice & Racism, Social Themes, United States, Violence
More Reviews from The Country Bookshop

In the end, and in the beginning, all we really have are our stories. In Ghost Boys, Jerome’s story, Sarah’s story, Grandma’s and Kim’s and Emmett’s stories are all one: The story that only the living can make the world better. This story, their story will haunt the reader long long long past the final page. Sure to be a winner this award season, Ghost Boys is an absolute must-read.

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

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Parting Thought

“Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.”
— Henry Ward Beecher

The Southern Bookseller Review 7/25/23

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The week of July 25, 2023

In the spirit of Barbie: Read Pink!

Because readers can’t help pick up a book when they really like the cover.

Happy Place by Emily Henry
A true testament about love and friendship and how life can just be hard. A beautiful look on how important it is to find joy in all aspects of your life. All in all, if you are in love, want to be in love or think fondly or love this book is the epitome of it all. –Tombolo Booksellers from Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, FL

Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder
I’m trying to find the words to describe the hold this book has on me. From the very first page to the last, it’s such a treasure with great depth and emotion. It’s steamy and spicy, but I think I will remember the feelings the most. –Preet Singh from Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, GA

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
This is what nightmares are made from: Our favorite children’s shows being run by a cult. I was mesmerized by the ’80s and ’90s television nostalgia, the cluelessness of Val’s character, and the magical power of childhood friendships. White’s writing style and the format (c’mon the chapter titles!) was pure magic. –Jenny Gilroy from E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, GA

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
It is an intensely lovely thing to age along with a talented author. The main character in Sittenfeld’s Prep was layered but young. Not so with Sally. She’s talented, anxious, scarred, insecure, and complex in all the ways women in their late thirties with a bad marriage behind them really are. Sittenfeld uses the dreamy scary crazy wildness of the early pandemic in a wonderful, real way as the setting for the final two-thirds of the book. (Did I cry when I read it? Absolutely.) –Tracie Harris from The Book House in Smyrna, GA

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman
What I like most about Laura Lippman’s thrillers is that they are all so different! Amber, a shy, naive, sixteen year old delivers a baby on Prom Night. The baby dies and Amber has to face the consequences, while Joe, her date and the father of the baby walks away virtually unscathed. This is a can’t put down novel that has a twisty, satisfying ending! A great summer read.
–Kathy Clemmons from Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

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Recommended by Southern indies…

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Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress
Ballantine Books / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Bisexual, LGBTQ+, Literary, Women
More Reviews from Flyleaf Books

Everything about Sirens & Muses is unapologetically alluring, designed to catch your eye. Four different voices give us a glimpse into a prestigious New England art school. Along with many spiraling ideas about art, class, attraction, and desire, I found it had so much to say about what truly drives people forward, and about coming home. A moody, wonderful read.

Reviewed by Emma Holland, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, photo credit Martin Dee

“Because I grew up in radio stations, I also grew up with sound as the massive cornerstone of my life. I used my parents’ tape recorders and microphone to record sounds when I was a kid. Later on, I fell in love with film and ransacked the local video store for all the horror movies I could carry home. My best friends were long-dead actors and rubber monsters.” ― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Letter from the Author

What booksellers are saying about Silver Nitrate

Montserrat and Tristan are childhood friends who are nearing forty and disappointed in both their professional and personal lives. When Tristan moves into a new building and meets an elderly director who has an unfinished film that has ties to a Nazi occultist they are intrigued. When that director enlists their help in finishing the film to unleash magic powers they see a chance to change their luck. Unfortunately this comes with unexpected consequences. A must read book for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and anyone who loves old movies, magic and horror. A great read.
― Kathy Clemmons from Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Buy from Sundog Books
Every time I read a new book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I think "now this one is my favorite".
― Rosie Dauval from One More Page Books in Arlington, VA | Buy from One More Page Books
Silver Nitrate is a wild ride of a book that I couldn’t put down. It’s a perfect combination of horror fandom, occult sorcery, cinematic storytelling, and crime fiction. The protagonist, Montserrat, displays the ideal mix of sarcasm and intelligence and she has a keen eye for solving puzzles. Also, her attraction to understanding oddities makes this a bit of a modern detective novel as well. This is a great addition to Moreno-Garcia’s catalog.
― Stuart McCommon from Novel in Memphis, TN | Buy from Novel

About Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of the novels The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Velvet Was the Night, Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and a bunch of other books. She has also edited several anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award–winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). She has been nominated for the Locus Award for her work as an editor and has won the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award for her work as a novelist.

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Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Forever / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
More Reviews from Bookmarks

A July 2023 Read This Next! Title

I adored this book! Ama and Elliott have my whole heart. I loved Ama’s tenacity and dedication to her career as a wedding planner; she is one of my favorite romance characters I’ve met this year. Elliott, the quietly ambitious florist who believes in happily ever afters, is the perfect balance to Ama. This will be one of the big romances of the summer! I can’t wait to talk about it with everyone!

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Behold the Monster by Jillian Lauren
Sourcebooks / July 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Murder, Psychology, Psychopathology, Serial Killers, True Crime
More Reviews from Story on the Square

Beautifully written and heartfelt while stark and horrifying, Behold the Monster is an absolute triumph. Jillian Lark is masterful with her pen and you can tell the struggle she feels internally and externally when dealing with such stark evil. Her internal conflicts are relevant without being distracting and she lends heart to the important part of Samuel Little’s story, the victims. I usually do not enjoy nonfiction, because I find it either too dry or too emotional. This is a perfect balance of both and I recommend it to anyone who feels compelled to read the stories of those who were forgotten.

Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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The Prince & The Apocalypse by Kara McDowell
Wednesday Books / July 2023

Car & Road Trips, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Royalty, Travel & Transportation, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmiser

McDowell hits it out of the park with her new novel about an American stranded in London and the crown prince on the run from his family…all while a massive comet is about to land on earth, destroying everyone in 10 short days! The action is non stop, the banter is witty, and the prince is swoony. You won’t be disappointed in this one!

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang
Orchard Books / July 2023

Children, Imagination & Play, Juvenile Fiction
More Reviews from The Country Bookshop

A July 2023 Read This Next! Book

Beautiful music is in the ear of the beholder and in this stunning picture book from the author/illustrator of LaLa’s Words, that ear is a chorus of cats! Both a celebration of music and of new musicians, this one is sure to become a storytime favorite.

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

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Doom Breaker Volume 1 by Blue-Deep
WEBTOON Unscrolled / July 2023

Comics & Graphic Novels, Manga
More Reviews from Oxford Exchange

Wow! Blown away! This has so much potential! I love the setting, concept, action, art direction, everything! I am so excited to keep up with this series!

Reviewed by Ethan Davis, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

Decide for Yourself

Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books.

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Jack of Hearts (and other parts) by L. C. Rosen
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / October 2018

Banned Books, Boys & Men, LGBTQ+, Loners & Outcasts, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Bookmiser

Jack Rothman is 17 years old. He likes to wear eyeliner, wear fantastic clothes, and have sex with boys. A LOT of sex. He’s gossiped about a lot in his high school, but when his friend Jenna starts drumming up interest for a new column Jack will be writing for her website, he starts getting little pink notes in his locker. The first one is short and sweet. But they get creepy really fast, and he has no idea who it is that is now stalking him. This is absolutely a very frank, sex-positive book for queer teen boys. It’s not going to be for everyone. But just like Jack helps the readers of his column, this book has real answers to problems that aren’t going to be covered in your high school sex ed class. I enjoyed that MANY of the adults in this book were positive in regards to Jack’s sexuality, but there were some who were not, and that’s a very real fear.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

Southern Bestsellers

What’s popular this week with Southern Readers.

American Prometheus: J. Robert Oppenheimer

[ See the full list ]

Parting Thought

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
— Emilie Buchwald

The Southern Bookseller Review 7/18/23

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The week of July 18, 2023

How do you feel about independent bookstores?

Kimberly Brock, photo by Claire Brock Photography

"I think independent bookstores exist as businesses, but also as sanctuaries in the world."

A new post at a favorite book blog is always a pleasure to see. Advance Reading Copy, written by Jon Mayes, is one of those blogs worth watching and waiting for. Mayes has had a long career in the book industry. His years as a bookstore owner and publisher rep means he knows just about everybody in the book world. He started writing Advance Reading Copy to interview the many fascinating people he would meet in the course of his travels.

This week’s interview is with Kimberly Brock — a favorite author among both Southern readers and Southern booksellers. One of the questions he always asks is "How do you feel about independent bookstores?" Here is how Brock responded:

"I’ve always been shy about declaring myself a writer and I find it difficult to introduce myself that way. It took three tries to walk into my local indie bookstore with my first novel and say hello and when I finally made it to the front desk and opened my mouth, I brought a basket full of gifts, and started to cry. To my great relief, the booksellers were so kind and they embraced me and my book and have been my best champions since that day.

My first novel was published with a small press and the support of the regional indies made all the difference in that book finding its way to readers. I got in my car and drove from Georgia to Mississippi in August that summer, and every store that welcomed me felt like found family. It has been the same with my latest novel. But even over the years when I was struggling to write and publish another book, those indies were a haven for me. I think they exist as businesses, but also as sanctuaries in the world. Inside an indie bookstore, all voices are welcome and cherished. No one is a stranger. No one is alone. We are all readers. In the South, we like to ask who your people are and we can form immediate connections based on distant cousins many times removed. Indie bookstores are that family tree for readers with broad and far-reaching branches." ―Kimberly Brock

Read the whole interview

What booksellers have to say about Kimberly Brock’s new novel, The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare:

This is a book you want to jump on in and live in. Characters Alice, Penn, Sonder and Doris will win the hearts of readers. Brock deftly weaves in mystery and mysticism to a solid work of historical fiction exploring the descendants of the lost Roanoke colony. I love a good generational epic, especially one focused on strong women; this delivers –and then some– from the 1500s right on up through WWII, and set against the rich southern backdrop of Savannah’s lowcountry… A wonderful and immersive journey! ― Shari Stauch from Main Street Reads, Summerville, SC | Buy

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Recommended by Southern indies…

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Good Fortune by C.K. Chau
HarperVia / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Asian American
More Reviews from Main Street Books

A fresh adaptation of Pride and Prejudice set in Chinatown, NYC in the 90s. Elizabeth Chen is the heroine we know and love—unyielding in her beliefs and self-reliant. This book both nails the retelling and holds its own with themes exploring class, identity, family dynamics, and community.

Reviewed by Andrea Jasmin, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Bookseller Buzz

Spotlight on: The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James

Kelsey James, photo credit Jody Soria Photographer

“I think one of the most important functions of art and literature is the way it can help us make sense of or simply cope with our present realities. The Woman in the Castello is about a young actress and single mother who’s cast in a horror movie in 1960s Italy, but at its core, it’s a book about the lengths we’ll go to for family.” ― Kelsey James, via, Publishers Weekly

What booksellers are saying about The Woman in the Castello

The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James

A mystery, some family drama, a romance, all set in a crumbling castle in Italy! Yes please! This debut novel has it all. Read it in a few days and highly recommend.
― Suzanne Lucey from Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, NC | Buy from Page 158 Books
A crumbling Italian villa with a complicated past of its own seems like the perfect setting for a young actress’s first feature film. When real life starts to mimic the most startling aspects of the horror film being filmed, though, Silvia realizes she may be in for more than she bargained for. The perfect mix of gothic horror, historical fiction, and family intrigue, The Woman in the Castello is a story you won’t be able to put down! Perfect for fans of Rebecca, The Ancestor, and other books with a little more eerie than horror. A must read!
― Beth Seufer Buss from Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC | Buy from Bookmarks Books
Atmospheric and eerie and the perfect way to combat the heat of summer, by hanging out in a damp, dark and crumbling Italian castle in the middle of a movie shoot!
― Jill Naylor from Novel in Memphis, TN | Buy from Novel

About Kelsey James

Kelsey James is a historical fiction author and content marketer whose work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Insider, ABC News, and The Huffington Post, among other outlets. A graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Creative Writing and Classical Studies, she currently lives with her family outside New York City and can be found online at KelseyJamesAuthor.com.

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Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch
Doubleday / July 2023

Adult Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II
More Reviews from Union Ave Books

A July 2023 Read This Next! Title

I absolutely loved this book! Set in the Golden Age of Hollywood we follow Edie O’Dare, studio informant turned gossip columnist, as she sniffs out scandal and witnesses Hollywood close ranks around a repugnant but money-making star. The glittering glamour of late ’30s Hollywood is completely immersive, every character is fully formed and complex, and the writing is truly excellent. I cannot wait to shove this into the hands of customers this summer!

Reviewed by Chelsea Bauer, Union Avenue Books in Knoxville, Tennessee

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America the Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson
Harper / July 2023

Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Women
More Reviews from Bookmiser

Blythe Roberson is a 28 year old writer and comedian who quits her job to take The Great American Road Trip alone beginning in the spring of 2019. In a borrowed Prius, she drives cross-country to National Parks to earn Junior Ranger Badges and to share her experiences with her Instagram followers and readers of this book. Along the road with Blythe, all readers experience the beauty of the natural parks, her humor about life and love, and her despair with Trump politics and devastating climate change. We hear her questions about her future and the future of this country and the world. While writing about Emerson, Dickinson and Thoreau, many thoughts are shared about traveling while being a solo woman with fears and loneliness and feeling horny. Riding each mile with this humorous and thoughtful woman, all readers will reflect about the meaning of life and our freedoms. Are we all living our lives to the fullest? Surely this book will linger in the minds of all readers as we decide how to spend our minutes of our days….do you need a solo road trip?

Reviewed by Nancy Pierce, Bookmiser, Inc. in Marietta, Georgia

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The Third Daughter by Adrienne Tooley
Christy Ottaviano Books / July 2023

Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
More Reviews from Fiction Addiction

Elodie was going to be queen, until her youngest sister was born. The third daughter of a third daughter has been prophesied as the second coming of their deity. But there’s tension between the crown and the church, and Elodie, wanting to save her kingdom, accidentally puts her sister into an eternal sleep. The apothecary who sells her the potion, Sabine, is the only one who can help Elodie save her sister and the country, and the two set off to do just that. But while Sabine and Elodie grow closer, secrets have a way of coming out, and all is not as it seems among the clergy. An emotional adventure full of court intrigue that’s sure to appeal to fans of other YA royal reads like Three Dark Crowns and Dance of Thieves.

Reviewed by Melissa Oates, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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A First Guide to Dogs: Understanding Your Very Best Friend by John Bradshaw
Penguin Workshop / June 2023

Animals, Children, Dogs, Juvenile Nonfiction
More Reviews from Bookmarks

This is a fantastic book to give to a young reader who’s about to get their first dog! This book follows a day in the life of a terrier named Rusty, explaining how dogs live i

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