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London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

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London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
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A teenager’s death is the impetus for a revelatory investigation into London’s underworld and the Russian oligarchy in Patrick Radden Keefe’s masterful new work, London Falling. Until he plummeted from a fifth-floor balcony into the River Thames, 19-year-old Zac Brettler’s parents were oblivious to his secret double life: obsessed with wealth and power, the privileged young man had been masquerading as the son of a Russian billionaire and had fallen in with two corrupt businessmen, one a notorious gangster. As the investigation into Zac’s death dragged on, they were no closer to finding answers as to how their son died – or if he was murdered. A chance connection led Keefe to their story, and his reporting is impeccably researched, brilliantly plotted and eye-opening: a compelling exposé of the dark underbelly of the UK’s glittering capital city, and a teenager in its thrall.

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, (List Price: $35, Doubleday, 9780385548533, April 2026)

Reviewed by Jude, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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

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

Reviewed by Charlie, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

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Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
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When Cherry and her husband Tom—now rich, famous, and the star of a media circus—decide to call it quits, she is left with a spectacularly sticky situation involving too much wine, takeout, and a dog that isn’t hers. Adding insult to injury? Tom left behind a globally recognized caricature of her.But this is where the fun starts! Cherry is deciding to take back her story, one hilarious, step at a time. This is a sweet, messy novel on the impossible rarity of finding true love and the exhilarating, soul-crushing difficulty of making that sh*t work.

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

Reviewed by Kimberly, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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The Motherload by Sarah Hoover

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The Motherload by Sarah Hoover
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Tired of the picture-perfect portrayals of motherhood? The Motherload is the raw, unflinching memoir you’ve been waiting for. Sarah Hoover bravely tackles the difficult truths of pregnancy and postpartum life, including anxiety, trauma, and postpartum depression—topics often left out of the conversation. She shatters the myth of the “perfect mother” and the idea of immediate, blissful connection with your child, replacing it with a candid account of her own struggles. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like an imposter in their own life and is a powerful and necessary addition to the world of women’s literature.

The Motherload by Sarah Hoover, (List Price: $20, S&S/Simon Element, 9781668010143, April 2026)

Reviewed by Kimberly, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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Kin by Tayari Jones

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Kin by Tayari Jones
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In Kin, Tayari Jones has written an absolute glory of a novel: one that explores friendship, family, the ties that bind and so much more through the lens of two friends – both motherless girls in the small town of Honeysuckle, Louisiana – and the different paths their lives follow. Niecy, orphaned as a baby and raised by her convention-defying aunt, has her sights set upwards – towards Spelman College and the upper echelons of Black society in 1950s Atlanta. In contrast, her “cradle friend” Annie lights out to the bars and clubs of Memphis in search of the mother who abandoned her as a newborn. Told with joy, wit, and pathos, and wearing its erudition lightly, Kin is a novel to savor and enjoy.

Kin by Tayari Jones, (List Price: $32, Knopf, 9780525659181, February 2026)

Reviewed by Jude, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Yulu’s Linen by Cao Wenxuan

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Yulu's Linen by Cao Wenxuan
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This is one of those books that will not only make you smile but might even make you believe in a little magic. Yulu’s Linen is a fun and beautiful story about a father whose dream of being an artist was unable to be fulfilled, so he makes that dream a reality for his daughter. When they go to purchase a canvas, they face a hilarious and frustrating problem: they can’t figure out if it’s the canvas or the art that just won’t cooperate! The vibrant illustrations and colors of this illustrator bring the story to life. The father teaches his daughter to never give up, and in the end, everything works out. This book is a true testament to the idea that perseverance and creativity always succeed. It’s a perfect read for any child with a big dream.

Yulu’s Linen by Cao Wenxuan, (List Price: $19.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665931199, February 2026)

Reviewed by Kimberly, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin

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The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin
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With a heartbreaking but beautiful love story, and a unique magic system, you’ll want to jump right through the pages to Reverie and into the world of Starmakers. The perfect blend of fantasy, will-they-won’t-they romance, and comedy, this book will make you laugh and cry. If you love grumpy/sunshine (literally) mixed with magic… this is for you!

The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin, (List Price: $19.99, Sourcebooks Fire, 9781728256184, February 2026)

Reviewed by Mallory Clark, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

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Fake Skating by Lynn Painter
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If you love a good “fake dating” story, you’ll be completely swept away by this charming new romance. Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids, but when Dani returns to her Minnesota hometown, she finds the nerdy boy she remembers has been replaced by the town’s hockey star. When they are forced to pretend to be a couple, their complicated charade leads to some truly swoon-worthy moments. This book perfectly captures the awkwardness and excitement of first love, proving that even in a town where hockey is king, a little romance can still take center ice.

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter, (List Price: $21.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665921268, September 2025)

Reviewed by Kimberly Todd, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-reum

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Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-reum
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This book is an absolute love letter to reading. It’s a perfect collection for anyone who has ever found comfort in a story, whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or just looking to reconnect with the joy of reading. The author beautifully reminds us why the written word is so essential and opens your eyes to the universal power of books. I can’t wait to share this one with all my book-loving friends.

Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-reum, (List Price: $27.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639737796, December 2025)

Reviewed by Kimberly Todd, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Glitter Kittens by William Joyce

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Glitter Kittens by William Joyce
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Glitter Kittens is unlike anything you’ve ever read. Imagine a world where kittens aren’t just cute, they’re practically disco balls on paws! These ‘glitter kittens’ are so blindingly shiny, they actually feel sorry for their ‘best best friends’ who, bless their non-sparkly hearts, just aren’t as ‘cool.’ But when a monster with a craving for all things that shimmer shows up, things get real. Will friendship conquer fabulousness? Or will these glittery felines become monster munchies? This book is a wild, hilarious ride that will leave you questioning the true meaning of friendship… and maybe reaching for some glitter of your own.

Glitter Kittens by William Joyce, (List Price: $19.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665959902, October 2025)

Reviewed by Kimberly Todd, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton

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Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton
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From the outside, Gabrielle Hamilton’s life appears to be the very measure of success – acclaimed New York restaurateur, TV star, and award-winning writer. But underneath that, as Next of Kin lays bare, is an absolute trainwreck of a family life. Having been brought up by parents who valued individualism and independence over love and care, and left to forge her own path at a remarkably young age, Hamilton subsequently became estranged from both her parents and her sister for many years – until the death by suicide of her older brother led her to re-examine the mythologies on which her family’s story was built. Compelling, compassionate, and brutally honest, Hamilton paints a vivid portrait of a family that could at times be both charismatic and cruel. If nothing else, reading Next of Kin will make you very thankful to have a normal family.

Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton, (List Price: $30, Random House, 9780399590092, October 2025)

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

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Dragonborn by Struan Murray

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Dragonborn by Struan Murray
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Absolutely loved this. What a great twist for readers who love dragons but are moving on to books with heavier themes and twists. Loved the strong female lead and the perfect balance of being the new girl and learning about yourself. Honestly, probably a great read for friends who loved KPop demon hunters (I can’t think of higher praise than that!). Female lead, family secrets, welcoming the darkness within.

Dragonborn by Struan Murray, (List Price: $19.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9798217113217, October 2025)

Reviewed by Stacey Sanford, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson

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The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson
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Epic in scope, epic in size and epic in ambition: The Wayfinder, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson, is a masterful and immersive wonder of a novel, one that – despite its heft – I raced through in a matter of days. Set hundreds of years ago, at the height of the Tongan empire in the South Pacific, it focuses on two groups of people – Korero and her people, on the brink of starvation on their isolated island, and the family of the Tongan leader, engaged both in a feud amongst themselves and a wider war across the region – whose fates become intertwined across the seas. Blending myth, storytelling, and historical fact, and touching on themes of over-consumption, power, family, and individual autonomy, The Wayfinder is brilliantly realised and impeccably researched. It is a mark of Johnson’s skill that he makes a story so remote in time and geography feel wholly alive and relevant to today’s world. Highly recommended.

The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson, (List Price: $30, MCD, 9780374619572, October 2025)

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

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Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy by Mary Roach

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

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

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

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