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This book really made me pause. It explores the deep connection Black people have to land, trees, and botanical knowledge, and how that connection is tied to both legacy and trauma. Nature has always been part of our survival and resilience, even when it was shaped by enslavement, displacement, and loss. When Trees Testify reminds us that trees and land have witnessed our history. Reconnecting with our botanical roots isn’t just about plants…it’s about healing, reclaiming what was taken, and working through the trauma we’re still carrying. Thoughtful, reflective, a bit heavy…but honestly necessary.

When Trees Testify by Beronda L. Montgomery, (List Price: $27.99, Henry Holt and Co., 9781250335166, January 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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I’m honestly still processing. I went in knowing nothing about this part of history, and Sadeqa just… opened my eyes. This story will sit with you long after you’re done and even send you down a rabbit hole to further research this time in history. And let me just say that having multiple points of view usually have me picking a fave. Not this time. Each character had such emotional journeys that I found myself fully invested in all three. You have Ethel, longing for motherhood while her husband serves in Germany. A bright-eyed Ozzie from South Philly trying to find direction through military service. And lastly Sophia, a teenager pushing past her mother’s fears to chase opportunity at a prestigious school struggling to fit in. This is how you write historical fiction. I’m thankful for the well thought storyline, character development and history lesson.

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson, (List Price: $30, 37 Ink, 9781668069912, February 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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Fiona was out here using her multiple seasons of law and order detective skills to take down the shady company that stole her brother’s invention but chillleee then she ends up accused of murder. Maurice, a smooth talking private investigator, haunted by a past case decides to help her by taking on her case with a few ulterior motives. As soon as their paths cross, the sparks and family secrets start flying fast. This was my first read by Nikki Payne, and I really enjoyed it! It had the right mix of mystery, tension, romance, and some good spice too. I loved seeing smart, driven Black characters at the center of the story. Fiona’s not your average “princess” either. She came into her own womanhood in this story….bold, clever, and stands ten toes down for what’s right.

The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne, (List Price: $19, Berkley, 9780593817360, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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I mean, all women in the 1950s were hysterical, right? Was she really going mad, or just trying to escape her reality? Lulu was doing her best to keep up with what society and her neighbors thought the perfect housewife should be. But when that picture-perfect life starts to crumble, chillleee… things got real. This wasn’t a jump-scare type of suspense… I felt like it was more of a mental spiral that had me thinking about how many women suffer in silence or get misdiagnosed when something feels off. The themes of mental health, postpartum depression, gaslighting, and just being plain overwhelmed really stood out. It’s a slow burn, but that plot twist definitely threw my book across the room when it hit … ugh, men lol *Note be sure to check in as some of the themes in the book are heavy…take care of yourself, the book can wait

The Mad Wife by Megan Church, (List Price: $17.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464236747, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan Gayles, The Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia

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A delightful tale of rescue dog Finnegan and cheetah cub Chase. Finnegan’s new family includes zookeeper Basma. When she needs a friend for the cheetah cub she’s training, Finnegan accompanies her to the zoo, finding friendship in an unlikely place. This is a story of soaring hope and kindness.

The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan by Jasmine Warga, (List Price: $18.99, Balzer + Bray, 9781250387189, March 2026)

Reviewed by Rae Ann, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

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As a pizza lover, I was drawn to this book when it mentioned a “pizza adventure,” and this book did not disappoint! Gunnar the Viking is a cute story about a conqueror who is missing something and finds his missing piece when he tries a slice of pizza! The illustrations are hilarious: the snake with the knife, the pizza disaster, the wave of tomato sauce and the Viking boat on an actual wave scene is amazing. I wish the Raven was featured more, especially since he is named a supporting character in the beginning, but that is just me being a fan of ravens and wanting more pet action.

Gunnar the Viking’s Great Pizza Adventure by Diego Vaisberg, (List Price: $18.99, duopress, 9781464233630, April 2026)

Reviewed by Kait, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama

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Judgy Bunny will steal your heart with her cuteness, even though she’s very, VERY grouchy. She insults everything and wants no part of the fun other kids are having on the beach, but it turns out that an unrelentingly cheerful friend can pull even the judgiest bunny out of the grumps. Adorable, relatable, with bright, fun illustrations that are sure to turn any sour mood around. Perfect for a read-aloud!

Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman, (List Price: $18.99, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 9781728296722, March 2026)

Reviewed by Amanda, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Loops is such a cute story about a child learning how to become a “big kid” and the importance of not losing their shoe. I loved how the book gently teaches kids how to tie their shoelaces in a fun, simple way. The title is extra funny because the story itself goes into a loop, which kids will enjoy noticing. This is a great, sweet book for toddlers who are growing up, learning new skills, and starting to take on little responsibilities.

Loops by Jashar Awan, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665974943, March 2026)

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

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Gorgeous, and a helpful context for young readers about anxiety and worry. How do we do big things when we feel small? How do we shore ourselves up when the occasion demands it? Snyder, as always, provides gentle, reflective solutions to hard questions.

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, (List Price: $18.99, Chronicle Books, 9781797200729, April 2026)

Reviewed by Amelia, Long Story Books in Atlanta, Georgia

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Ramin is a Pakistani-Canadian boy who just wants to get through his senior year at his Muslim high school without anyone finding out that he’s gay. Is it possible for him to love Allah and also boys? When he has to join the soccer team to make up for a missing gym credit, he makes an unexpected friend and starts to question his assumptions about faith, family, and queerness. Ramin’s sincerity, questions, and earnest attempts to find a path that honored all parts of himself captured my heart.

Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions by Ahmad Saber, (List Price: $21.99, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 9781665960694, March 2026)

Reviewed by Fisher, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

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T Kira Madden has written a unique and highly compelling story that kept me turning the pages as quickly as possible to find out what happened while also feeling the heartbreak, rage, and helplessness that haunt the story’s characters. The best thing about this book was how nuanced it is while still telling a story that never excuses horrific behavior. She manages to capture the gray in every character, showing us the full range of humanity in both the victim and the perpetrator, as well as the people who love each.

Whidbey by T Kira Madden, (List Price: $30, Mariner Books, 9780063289680, March 2026)

Reviewed by Kandi, WordsWorth Books in Little Rock, Arkansas

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This beautiful poetry collection looks at the connection between mind and body and the ways our sense of self shifts over time. Moving through questions of memory, meaning, and connection, it asks how time shapes who we are and how we are seen. A quiet, powerful read that stays with you.

A Suit or a Suitcase by Maggie Smith, (List Price: $25, Washington Square Press, 9781668090053, March 2026)

Reviewed by Sandra, Hills and Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

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It’s a gift and a joy to read one of Leah Weiss’s books. Her descriptions of the natural world and well-crafted characters stay with you for years. She writes intelligently yet lovingly about Appalachia and the people who live in the small community of Baines Creek. In her new novel, the author weaves together the story of Kate and Lydia — two women at crossroads in their lives who help each other heal familial wounds and move forward to futures they hadn’t imagined. This powerful and moving story is one you don’t want to miss.

The Creek, The Crone, and the Crow by Leah Weiss, (List Price: $17.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464250590, March 2026)

Reviewed by Mary, The Little Bookshop in Midlothian, Virginia

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In the days before caustic masculinity was recognized as such, when men could be men, and women could be, well, dismissed, abused, and ignored, along with so many other choice words. Thankfully, though, the public-school systems and Universities taught us to think for ourselves, and, with the help of our mothers, sisters, and friends, we were able to see past that dark tunnel of masculinity. But our fathers were still our fathers, and we loved them regardless of their foibles as this elegant and elegiac memoir shows. Tom Junod took me back to my childhood, and I saw my father, and with an honesty I don’t have, shares with us his father warts and all.

In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod, (List Price: $32, Doubleday, 9780375400391, March 2026)

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

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I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Honeysuckle since I read it. A Frankenstein-esque spirit haunts the pages through Daye’s love for Rory, which is woven and tangled with her existence. Fridman-Tell writes characters whose thoughts, worries, and flaws spill off the page into people and experiences I’m sure most readers know in some way. This was a simultaneously familiar and altogether unique reading experience. I highly, highly recommend!

Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell, (List Price: $28.99, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781639736737, March 2026)

Reviewed by Tori, Union Avenue Books in Knoxville, Tennessee

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Connect with your inner wildflower in this richly textured, inspirational new novel by Terah Shelton Harris. The novel’s vivid imagery will transport you to a hidden refuge where flowers and people grow wild. Drawing on the healing power of nature, Harris explores how strength and hope can bloom even after intense tragedy. Leigh Wilde is a survivor. Running from her tragic past, she finds herself an escaped fugitive on a flower farm in rural Gee’s Bend, Alabama. On the farm, she meets others who, like her, are survivors of past trauma. As she gradually learns to trust those around her and, most importantly, herself, she realizes that to live, she must do more than merely survive. Like the Cahaba Lily that blooms fearlessly along the riverbank, Leigh too begins to flourish despite the fears that have held her back. Yet as the secrets of her past rush in to reclaim her, what will it take to stay true to herself? Freedom may be as simple as letting go. Leigh’s story will break your heart and rebuild it petal by fragrant petal. At the end, Leigh’s love reveals the most radiant flower. Like the gift of a rare lily, this is a novel you will cherish.

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris, (List Price: $29.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464229220, February 2026)

Reviewed by Laura, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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If you think it would be fun to own a bookshop, this book is for you. If you also think books are good for your health and the right book can clear up a case of boredom, this book is for you. Katie Clapham has recorded a month by month view of the weather outside her bookshop and all the people who entered or didn’t enter her store. She owns the bookstore with her mother who stops by often as well as he grandmother, her husband and her daughter who she has called The Bookwormlet. Selling enough books is always a concern and the author is delighted when she can make the perfect recommendation and make a sale. She obviously loves reading and enjoys seeing and talking with the customers. Receipts from the Bookshop will call to all readers to visit and buy many beloved books and long to visit the one that Katie Clapham owns.

Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham, (List Price: $28, William Morrow, 9780063516625, September 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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This is indeed a ghost story, but truly a very eerie tale even for a spooky ghost story. The haunting begins with a realtor showing an empty house that includes an apparition of a young boy who lived in the house. The next time she enters the house, which seems to have a hold on her, the realtor also sees herself as a ghost. The haunting gets even stranger…..hold on….with suspended time and eternal recurrences with the boy and his family. Dear reader, you have not happened upon a more bizarre and lonely tale than Last Day of a Prior Life.

Last Day of a Prior Life by Andrés Barba, (List Price: $26, HarperVia, 9780063352056, August 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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Richard Russo has written many memorable novels, and Under the Falls is again a study into the minds of characters as they exist with the people they know best. Tyler Sinclair, at 36, is a successful frontman for the band Stone Mountain, and he is returning to his hometown after leaving abruptly eighteen years earlier. The band is coming to Stone Mountain for a benefit for Doc, who is in a wheelchair because of an accident that Tyler may have caused. Tyler also sees his childhood best friend Curt, who is married to Tyler’s former lover Freddi. The concert is interrupted by jeering audience members, and the night ends with a tragic incident causing deaths. Many questions are raised… why did Curt leave Stone Mountain at age 18? What caused the deaths on the mountain after the concert? And what is happening with drug running under the nose of the Chief of Police? The secrets and betrayals will keep the pages turning as readers get a glimpse into life in this small town.

Under the Falls by Richard Russo, (List Price: $30, Knopf, 9780593805107, August 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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This was a stunning sequel to arguably the best YA romcom, Better Than the Movies. After facing the sudden death of his dad during his first year of college, Wes breaks up with Liz, believing he is holding her back. Now, two years later, Wes is more determined than ever to win her back. Lynn Painter always manages to build real characters and relationship dynamics and this book is no exception. This is a must-read!

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665947138, October 2024)

Reviewed by Makayla Summers, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina

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Surrounding the unsettling mystery of the death of an infamous high school tattler, One of Us is Lying focuses on the 4 suspects in the murder of Simon Kelleher. A thrilling “whodunnit”, One of Us is Lying will leave you guessing until the very last page and make your blood run cold at every unexpected turn. This chilling novel is both unpredictable and impossible to put down, keeping you engaged through the twists and betrayals of the story.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus, (List Price: $12.99, Delacorte Press, 9781524714758, February 2023)

Reviewed by Makayla Summers, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina

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I loved this sweet cozy fantasy! It had me from the first page with the tantalizing descriptions of the smells and tastes of the tearoom. I was totally invested in the lives of the three sisters. This is the perfect book to distract you from real life!

The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski, (List Price: $18.99, Atria Books, 9781668058398, October 2024)

Reviewed by Kelley Dykes, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina

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Can I just live in this book please? A perfect book boyfriend, lovely world-building, just the right amount of spice….what more can we ask for? There is a reason it’s the most beloved book in the fantasy realm.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, (List Price: $19, Bloomsbury Publishing, 9781635575583, June 2020)

Reviewed by Kelley Dykes, Main Street Reads in , South Carolina

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Paul Vidich’s The Poet’s Game masterfully captures the essence of a classic spy novel. Vidich weaves a compelling narrative filled with intrigue, suspense, and carefully crafted characters. Alex Matthews is a retired CIA station chief, now capitalizing on the new Russian economy. He learns the hard way that the Russians have a long memory, and he will need to risk everything to keep himself and his business alive. Vidich’s attention to detail and his deep understanding of the espionage genre make this book a must-read for fans of spy fiction.

The Poet’s Game by Paul Vidich, (List Price: $27.95, Pegasus Books, 9781639368853, May 2025)

Reviewed by Brent Bunnell, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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Tony Malik is a Palestinian American on leave from his position in the FBI due to a traumatic injury suffered when a terrorist bomb detonated while being defused. While on leave, he travels to Gaza to attend the wedding of his niece, whom he has never met. Shortly after his arrival, an Israeli police chief is brutally murdered, and Tony becomes a suspect in the crime. While working to prove his innocence, Tony forms an unlikely alliance with an anti-Arab hardline Israeli police officer who is investigating the murder. Both men are racing to discover the truth, which culminates on October 7th, 2023, in a way that neither could have foreseen. As a fiction thriller, this book stands by itself, but as a deftly written portrayal of real-world issues (with heroes and villains on both sides), it should be required reading for those seeking a deeper understanding of the history that drives the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is truly a masterpiece.

The Human Scale by Lawrence Wright, (List Price: $30, Knopf, 9780593537831, March 2025)

Reviewed by Brent Bunnell, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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Natalie is trying to pick up the pieces after she is blindsided by a divorce, and Barbe-Nicole is trying to keep her family’s wine-making business afloat after her husband’s untimely death. Both women face challenges as they navigate new lives, but each one’s story takes place in a different time. Natalie takes off for Paris to heal and explore in today’s time, while Barbe-Nicole is the famed Madame Clicquot struggling to produce and sell champagne during the 1800s. Told in alternating time periods, this story will appeal to anyone who believes in second chances, the timeless power of choice, and the healing properties of a lovely glass of wine.

The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh, (List Price: $28.99, Gallery Books, 9781668061886, December 2024)

Reviewed by Mary Jane Michels, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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Oh, my! I have no idea what I have just read. Definitely dark, often crazy, sometimes funny, and impossible to put down. A psychological thriller unlike anything I have ever read. A meddlesome 81-year-old woman who has an unstoppable urge to “help” people she thinks are troubled meets her match with an eight-year-old little boy who could be compared to Patty McCormick in The Bad Seed. Together, they wreak havoc upon each other and the guests and staff at the once opulent hotel in Luxor Egypt where they have gathered to escape Covid lockdowns in their home countries. You will not soon forget Maggie Burkhardt, or the ending!

Havoc by Christopher Bollen, (List Price: $30, Harper, 9780063378896, December 2024)

Reviewed by Nancy McFarlane, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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What a wonderful and succinct reminder that reading is an essential joy! And it all began with those children’s books we loved when we were young. Books are different things to different people certainly, but they are at their heart the gateway to imagination and new perspectives. This wonderful little book is a beautiful reminder of what a gift reading is and should be.

Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell, (List Price: $17.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9798217230747, September 2026)

Reviewed by Christina, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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Smart. Well-written. Couldn’t put it down. Well-developed characters who are multi-dimensional. This is a fantastic take on a romance. For readers of romance, books about books, anyone who loves a look inside the publishing industry. Poses so many interesting questions about the book industry and what readers want from it, what writers want too.

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, (List Price: $30, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250431295, October 2026)

Reviewed by Christina, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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What a fascinating story! Ariel Lawhon does not disappoint.

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon, (List Price: $32, Doubleday, 9780385550345, September 2026)

Reviewed by Carrie, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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This story of a giant jellyfish wreaking havoc on the residents of a small island in Maine grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let go. Jo Ness, a jellyfish researcher, is summoned to the island by an old friend to study it. But when Jo arrives, her friend is gone, and strange appearances begin to haunt Jo as she struggles to understand how and why the jellyfish can have such control over the residents. The story is haunting and suspenseful, but not fast-paced action. Spooky, but not scary. I found myself thinking of it all day and couldn’t wait to get back to it!

The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang, (List Price: $30, Berkley, 9780593955826, June 2026)

Reviewed by Amy, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

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Thou shalt read this book for laughs, tears, awesome sibling dynamics, romance, and a comedy of errors. This one’s healing, hopeful, and all about learning how to accept and embrace yourself with a little help from the important people in your life.

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes, (List Price: $18.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780063060234, May 2022)

Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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I’m SMASHING that “like” button on Racebook, Onyebuchi’s foray into essay collection, all centered around the hot button topic of the internet. Onyebuchi talks about Xbox live chats, the edgy-older-siblingness of Sonic the Hedgehog (sorry y’all; my allegiance lies with Shadow), and Facebook content moderation, all to the end of deciphering just what role the internet plays in the last thirty years of cultural history. Most striking about this collection is the refreshing way that Onyebuchi does not unilaterally dismiss the internet, instead acknowledging the good that the web has offered us. I love essay collections that don’t have easy answers, and this one sure doesn’t have one, but it left me thinking deeply about my own interfacing between my “self” and my “internet self” in a way that has shaped my fall already. If you, too, have distinct memories of choosing the perfect MCR lyric for your AIM away message, or teaching yourself HTML to code a glittery monstrosity of a Geocities, Neopets, or Myspace page, this collection will speak to your soul. And even if you don’t have those nostalgia glasses, still take a dip – I promise you’ll find something new here anyway.

Racebook by Tochi Onyebuchi, (List Price: $27, Roxane Gay Books, 9780802166258, October 2025)

Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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Gotta admit: after reading the Warning on page one, I almost put this one on the back burner. Twenty pages into the main story, however, I was swept away by an incredibly ardent undertow. The paragraph/sentences were in no way as overwhelming as the Warning. If anything, these “sentegraphs” felt more like I was pulling the string of a Mattel “Farmer Says” See-N-Say, bouncing from character to character with such flawless fluidity that I occasionally had to come up for air, take a five-minute break, then dive right back in. Wonderfully exhausting.

Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming by László Krasznahorkai, (List Price: $29.95, New Directions, 9780811226646, December 2025)

Reviewed by Ian McCord, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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Fracture the Ultimate Protagonist into a trio of sisters broken? [no], incomplete? [definitely not] um… imperfect in their own uniquely saw-toothed, imperfectious ways [sure], so that the collective “We” can see Ourself reflected back in all three [well, at least here and there in their constellated phases and crenelated stages throughout the three decades of documentation on display]. In walks an unreliable author that does his best to wedge himself into their story, creating a highly entertaining 600-page back-and-forth bout of I-Said/I-Said [scattered throughout, there’s plenty of a He Said where there shoulda been a She Said and vice versa]. Is this a therapeutic breakthrough for the author, or just a fun headtrip he’s created for the reader to make their own self discoveries? Let’s say it’s both [this ticket’s a two-way, but it’s your call if/when the return voyage even happens].

The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, (List Price: $30, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 9780374618896, June 2025)

Reviewed by Ian McCord, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

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The Queen returns triumphant! Sarah Dessen is back to do exactly what she does best: Create a beautiful, hopeful, layered coming-of-age story with complex family dynamics, relatable friendships, blossoming romance, and overflowing heart. Reading Change of Plans felt like having a book club with my thirteen-year-old self. I felt the same type of ups and downs and yearnings and hope I experienced whenever I read anything in the Dessen oeuvre as a tween/teen. Not an “adult” version of those feelings tinged with knowing so much better now. I was truly transported to the moment at the library where I picked up my first Dessen book (Keeping the Moon) and feeling both seen and uplifted. These books promised me that life would get difficult sometimes and throw me a few curveballs, but these were the moments where I’d change and grow into the person I was meant to become. Sarah Dessen books made me almost want to face those curveballs head-on and see what I was made of, who I was going to be. Change of Plans bubbled up that exact reaction again, and although I wasn’t fully prepared for young Abigail to take the emotional wheel yet again, I’m glad she did because she is why I know I can handle anything. Sarah Dessen taught her that over and over again through her crackling dialogue and courageous protagonists and beautifully plotted epiphanies, and maybe I needed that reminder. Additional aspects I loved: every single person in Finley’s growing friend group as she struggled to get her feet beneath her in the Woods (especially Lana!!), the lovingly fleshed-out small summer town (reminiscent of Stars Hollow but summery, with its kooky cast of locals and strange traditions), the sweet (clean!) romance with Ben, the heart-wrenching and complicated sisterhood dynamics among the adults, and even the maybe-too-charismatic-for-his-own-good ex (Colin!) who really is just on his own journey, too. In re-reading this review, maybe I love absolutely everything.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen, (List Price: $21.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9798347108770, May 2026)

Reviewed by Abigail, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, GA

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This book was excellent! It tied together a lot of complex themes and concepts that affect successful resistance in a very comprehensive yet understandable way by analyzing nine different moments of rebellion and/or resistance in the history of the United States from before the American Revolution up to the Reconstruction Era, and walks the reader through the flaws, strengths, successes, and outcomes of each one. Certainly a must-read for anyone frustrated with the state of our nation, or for anyone looking for some context as to how we ended up where we are now!

A Resistance History of the United States by Tad Stoermer, (List Price: $19.95, Steerforth, 9781586424367, June 2026)

Reviewed by Iris, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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I LOVED this!! There were so many twists and turns that I absolutely wasn’t expecting. It was the perfect combination of These Violent Delights, Heartless Hunter, and Red Queen. I literally finished this book like five minutes ago, so I don’t have the words to describe exactly how I’m feeling, but just know there were multiple audible reactions from me while reading the last 30ish pages, and I need more people to read this immediately so I have someone to talk to about it.

To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson, (List Price: $20.99, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 9798217004799, July 2026)

Reviewed by Lola, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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There are two things that drive my will to exist: studying spaces and having dreams that introduce me to new places. “Air” managed to fulfill both of these needs through a void of color in both its plotline and its world building (and I mean that with high praise believe it or not). While I don’t believe this book is for everyone, it was certainly for me.

Air by Christian Kracht, (List Price: $24.99, Liveright, 9781324094586, July 2026)

Reviewed by Maureen, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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An introspective and entertaining story of an unusual bond between a woman and a hare – and you learn a lot about hares! I enjoyed the author’s sens of wonder and curiosity and how her thoughts about nature and life changed through this experience. Quietly transformative, a joy to read!

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton, (List Price: $27, Pantheon, 9780593701843, March 2025)

Reviewed by Cathy, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida

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How far would you go for freedom? Addie’s story is told across continents, over centuries, as she grapples with the consequences of choice. I love a morally gray heroine and seeing her desperation and the lengths she’d go to leave a mark on the world (influencing art and music). Achingly tender as she’s caught between the only man who ever remembered her – and the devil who won’t let her go.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, (List Price: $26.99, Tor Books, 9780765387561, October 2020)

Reviewed by Ellie Hirsch, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida

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Stacy Willingham has done it again; she seems to never fail to write a great thriller mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. This one intertwines the past of the main character’s parents’ generation, then her sister, who was murdered 20 years prior to the story, and then the main character, Claire. Claire seems to be following right in the footsteps of her big sister as she returns home to help her mom, but then finds herself working at a vineyard, the same one her sister worked at. There are definitely a lot of secrets hiding at this farm, and her career as a journalist has her wanting to uncover them. The diary she found tucked away in her cabin seems to be the key to solving everything, but the more she learns, the more she should turn around and run, but she doesn’t. Super bingeable, and you will be wondering how often history repeats itself in real life.

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham, (List Price: $29, Minotaur Books, 9781250887979, August 2025)

Reviewed by Kelli Dynia, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida

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Emily Henry just GETS IT. She has the perfect recipe for a book that has just the right amount of humor, romance, and the kind of real-life hurdles that hit close to home. What sets this book apart are the characters, who are grappling with life’s ups and downs in a way that feels incredibly real. It’s the “just one more chapter” book that you’ll actually stay awake until 1 AM to finish. And hey, maybe I’m speaking from personal experience.

Funny Story by Emily Henry, (List Price: $19, Berkley, 9780593441213, February 2025)

Reviewed by Janisie Rodriguez, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida

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Connect with your inner wildflower in this richly textured, inspirational new novel by Terah Shelton Harris. The novel’s vivid imagery will transport you to a hidden refuge where flowers and people grow wild. Drawing on the healing power of nature, Harris explores how strength and hope can bloom even after intense tragedy. Leigh Wilde is a survivor. Running from her tragic past, she finds herself an escaped fugitive on a flower farm in rural Gee’s Bend, Alabama. On the farm, she meets others who, like her, are survivors of past trauma. As she gradually learns to trust those around her and, most importantly, herself, she realizes that to live, she must do more than merely survive. Like the Cahaba Lily that blooms fearlessly along the riverbank, Leigh too begins to flourish despite the fears that have held her back. Yet as the secrets of her past rush in to reclaim her, what will it take to stay true to herself? Freedom may be as simple as letting go. Leigh’s story will break your heart and rebuild it petal by fragrant petal. At the end, Leigh’s love reveals the most radiant flower. Like the gift of a rare lily, this is a novel you will cherish.

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris, (List Price: $29.99, Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464229220, February 2026)

Reviewed by Laura, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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If you think it would be fun to own a bookshop, this book is for you. If you also think books are good for your health and the right book can clear up a case of boredom, this book is for you. Katie Clapham has recorded a month by month view of the weather outside her bookshop and all the people who entered or didn’t enter her store. She owns the bookstore with her mother who stops by often as well as he grandmother, her husband and her daughter who she has called The Bookwormlet. Selling enough books is always a concern and the author is delighted when she can make the perfect recommendation and make a sale. She obviously loves reading and enjoys seeing and talking with the customers. Receipts from the Bookshop will call to all readers to visit and buy many beloved books and long to visit the one that Katie Clapham owns.

Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham, (List Price: $28, William Morrow, 9780063516625, September 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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This is indeed a ghost story, but truly a very eerie tale even for a spooky ghost story. The haunting begins with a realtor showing an empty house that includes an apparition of a young boy who lived in the house. The next time she enters the house, which seems to have a hold on her, the realtor also sees herself as a ghost. The haunting gets even stranger…..hold on….with suspended time and eternal recurrences with the boy and his family. Dear reader, you have not happened upon a more bizarre and lonely tale than Last Day of a Prior Life.

Last Day of a Prior Life by Andrés Barba, (List Price: $26, HarperVia, 9780063352056, August 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA

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Richard Russo has written many memorable novels, and Under the Falls is again a study into the minds of characters as they exist with the people they know best. Tyler Sinclair, at 36, is a successful frontman for the band Stone Mountain, and he is returning to his hometown after leaving abruptly eighteen years earlier. The band is coming to Stone Mountain for a benefit for Doc, who is in a wheelchair because of an accident that Tyler may have caused. Tyler also sees his childhood best friend Curt, who is married to Tyler’s former lover Freddi. The concert is interrupted by jeering audience members, and the night ends with a tragic incident causing deaths. Many questions are raised… why did Curt leave Stone Mountain at age 18? What caused the deaths on the mountain after the concert? And what is happening with drug running under the nose of the Chief of Police? The secrets and betrayals will keep the pages turning as readers get a glimpse into life in this small town.

Under the Falls by Richard Russo, (List Price: $30, Knopf, 9780593805107, August 2026)

Reviewed by Nancy, Bookmiser in Marietta, GA