The Snail on the Wall

Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais

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Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais
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Such a delight of a read! I adore this imprint, and Grape Juice is another win in my opinion. Beautiful French vineyard setting, interesting main characters, absolutely delightful supporting characters, and I loved the ending (hopeful but not too neat). Keep giving us more of these 831!

Grape Juice by Eliza Dumais, (List Price: $14.99, 831 Stories, 9798893310566, November 2025)

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

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Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

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Overdue by Stephanie Perkins
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Overdue is such a delight to read. Even with Ingrid’s crazy “we’re on a break” plan, I thought the characters were fun, fleshed out, and people I would want to be friends with. Her curmudgeon-y co-worker Macon is adorable – I love everything about him. Plenty of solid tropes in this one … friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance. Slowburn and lots of good fun. I adored all of the library and bookstore references. A book about books!!!

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins, (List Price: $31, Saturday Books, 9781250313461, October 2025)

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

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The Phoebe Variations by Jane Hamilton

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The Phoebe Variations by Jane Hamilton
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The Phoebe Variations gives us a girl on the cusp of independence but still longing for a place with family. Her own (adoptive) mother introduces Phoebe to her biological family without providing all the necessary information first. The upsetting visit turns Phoebe’s life upside down, and sets in motion a series of changes that will forever affect her life. We meet all kinds of families (especially mothers and children) who Hamilton so beautifully describes in all their quirky, unique ways. Phoebe sees what love can look like (or not) in so many forms and learns a great deal about herself and life along the way. I really loved the kooky story with funny scenes and absolutely wonderful writing.

The Phoebe Variations by Jane Hamilton, (List Price: $27.99, Zibby Publishing, 9798991140287, September 2025)

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

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Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

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

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

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

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Legendary Frybread Drive-In by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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Legendary Frybread Drive-In by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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I loved this collection of intertribal stories that center on Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-in. Sandy June’s exists where and when it is needed. Sandy June’s is a gathering place for Indians across the country to find comfort, community, hope, and acceptance. You find it in your time of need: are you lonely or grieving? Want to help a friend? Need to forgive? Or build your confidence? In love?. Sandy June’s is a comforting place to gain solace and understanding, and the perfect place to hang out with friends and family. Each story is written by a different author, but some characters and elements cross over. A very enjoyable and comforting book.

Legendary Frybread Drive-In by Cynthia Leitich Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Heartdrum, 9780063314269, August 2025)

Reviewed by Amy Dance, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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The Witch’s Daughter by Orenda Fink

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The Witch's Daughter by Orenda Fink
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Orenda Fink tells the story of her upbringing in various rural areas of middle and north Alabama. The second daughter of three, Fink and her sisters grew up in a family tormented by generational trauma, mental health issues, and addiction. This story describes how she was affected by, dealt with, and ultimately survived childhood to blossom into an acclaimed indie musician and songwriter. Filled with fascinating information on borderline personality disorder and anecdotes to satisfy any indie music fan, I would recommend The Witch’s Daughter to almost everyone I know. While I wouldn’t call it a happy story, it is an inspiring story of choosing your family, overcoming impossible situations, and protecting your peace.

The Witch’s Daughter by Orenda Fink, (List Price: $28.99, Gallery Books, 9781668047460, August 2024)

Reviewed by Tori, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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The Book of Love by Kelly Link

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The Book of Love by Link, Kelly
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What a labyrinthine book this is – over 600 pages for a very simple premise: four people return from the dead, but only two can stay. To do so, they must compete and win magical challenges. That’s the pitch, but the reality of the book is much simpler. It’s about grief and coming of age – of finding one’s place as an adult in a world that keeps trucking on despite your pain and hesitancy. I loved this book because it reminded me of all my favorite fairy tales mashed into one: it’s whimsical, funny, heart-breaking, and gorgeously written. It takes a long time to get going, but I loved every moment of subtle character work that Link did as she set up the players of this story. Fans of whimsical tales such as any of Neil Gaiman’s work or Susanna Clarke’s novels will likely find a lot to enjoy here, as I did.

by Kelly Link, (List Price: $31, Random House, 9780812996586, February 2024)

Reviewed by Whitney Sheppard, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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The Search Party by Hannah Richell

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The Search Party by Hannah Richell
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This is a spooky camping excursion dominated by missing children, adult friendships and their complexities, and Cornish storms. I couldn’t wait to figure out who was missing, who was involved, and where the red herrings were leading me astray.

The Search Party by Hannah Richell, (List Price: $17.99, Atria Books, 9781668036068, January 2024)

Reviewed by Lady Smith, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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We Are Too Many by Hannah Pittard

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We Are Too Many by Hannah Pittard
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We Are Too Many is a memoir of the end (and beginning) of a marriage. Told hilariously over three parts, Hannah Pittard invites readers to follow her through ten years of time-jumped remembered conversations. Her story is written with a refreshing amount of honesty as she leads the reader through her discovery that her husband and best friend have had sex, along with what came before and after. Unfinchingly honest and hilarious, Pittard seamlessly blends fact with fiction to make an unforgettable memoir. I finished this in one afternoon. I could not put it down — nor did I want to. A gem for anyone who loves memoir, language play, a book that reads like a documentary, or a delightful and entertaining read.

We Are Too Many by Hannah Pittard, (List Price: 26.99, Henry Holt and Co., 9781250869043, May 2023)

Reviewed by Deva, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen

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Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen
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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.

Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen, (List Price: 26.99, Atria Books, 9781668010495, July 2023)

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

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The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong

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The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong
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The Double Life of Benson Yu is a clever novel about art, childhood trauma, and survival. Comic book artist Benson Yu found commercial success with his Iggy Samurai series, but a letter from someone from his past prompts him to start a new project. This project, an autobiographical graphic novel about growing up in 1980s Chinatown, forces him to revisit his pre-teen self (and vice versa). Different versions of characters from his past seem to coexist as Benson writes and rewrites his past to try to deal with traumatic experiences. For fans of complex stories (with a little time travel).

The Double Life of Benson Yu by Kevin Chong, (List Price: 27, Atria Books, 9781668005491, April 2023)

Reviewed by Elizabeth Hardin, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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You Are Here by Karin Lin-Greenberg

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You Are Here by Karin Lin-Greenberg
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This is a sweet story about a modern neighborhood and how the reality of 2023 settles in across generations and races. While the writing is sometimes bland, the characters are interesting and accessible, and you’ll find yourself a little more invested in a mall closing than you thought possible.

You Are Here by Karin Lin-Greenberg, (List Price: , Counterpoint, 9781640095434, May 2023)

Reviewed by Sarah Catherine Richardson, Snail on the Wall in Huntington, Alabama

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Confidence by Rafael Frumkin

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Confidence by Rafael Frumkin
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Born con-artist Ezra Green meets Orson Ortman as a teenager, which kicks off a string of schemes and phony businesses. They hit the big time when they dream up NuLife, a process to increase bliss, and target the rich, powerful, and gullible. Ezra’s a scam artist, and would do anything it takes to protect Orson and their business. And even though his morals are undoubtedly questionable, I found myself rooting for him as he slowly loses his vision and remains as desperately in love with Orson as he was when they first met.

Confidence by Rafael Frumkin, (List Price: , Simon & Schuster, 9781982189730, March 2023)

Reviewed by Elizabeth Hardin, Snail on the Wall in Huntington, Alabama

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The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether

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The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether
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Set in New Mexico, this mystery with a bit of the supernatural caught my attention from the beginning. It is told from three viewpoints: Laura, a librarian whose hobby is finding missing persons through genealogical research; Jean Martinez, the NM detective trying to crack a 30-year-old cold case; and the spirits of the murdered victims. Laura is recovering from breast cancer surgery, and the physical symptoms she struggles with add an unusual element to the story. This book feels like the beginning of a series, and I am eager to read the next book.

The Night Flowers by Sara Herchenroether, (List Price: $26.95, Tin House, 9781953534866, May 2023)

Reviewed by Amy Dance, Snail on the Wall in Huntington, Alabama

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The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

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The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
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A May 2023 Read This Next! Title

What if a book, written from an imagined childhood story, could unlock mysteries of the past and reunite lost loved ones? That’s precisely what happens in The Secret Book of Flora Lea, and Henry lets it all unfold with expert storytelling. This is a beautiful tale of the powers of stories and love. I loved how this book highlights the use of stories to provide comfort in chaos and create bonds that transcend distance and time. I fell deeply in love with Whisperwood and the characters of this lovely novel. This book is one that, upon finishing it, you close it gently, hold it close to your heart, wipe your tears, and smile before you set it down.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry, (List Price: 28.99, Atria Books, 9781668011836, May 2023)

Reviewed by Jess Depew, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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