|
|
|
|
The week of January 9, 2024 On the horizon: Books we’re looking forward to this spring.
 January is a time for making plans for the year ahead. If you are in a book club, it’s time for that most fun and contentious of meetings, the "what are we going to read this year?" planning meeting. Here are some books coming out later this spring that Southern indie booksellers are already buzzing about: Coming in February: Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange Coming in March: James by Percival Everett Coming in March: The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo Coming in March: The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered by Jack Kurland Coming in April: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio Coming in April: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Romance This was one of the most unique magic systems I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially the development in the characters and the emotion with which they were written. I am already anxiously awaiting the next book as I now want to understand the concept of Lore being a deathwitch more. This was the perfect mix of fantasy, romance and gothic for my taste and I got completely lost in the story wishing I could jump in the world and adventure through it myself – regardless of the dangers it held. Reviewed by Charlotte Beck, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina |
|
|
The Search Party by Hannah Richell Adult Fiction, Suspense, Thrillers 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. Reviewed by Sarah Catherine, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: One Woman Show by Christine Coulson 
The first label that I wrote is almost at the very end of the book – at that point she’s 91 years old – which is a very speech-writery thing to do. I was a speech-writer at the Met for eight years and you very often are writing to an ending. There were times in which words, like the definition of ‘garniture’ at the very beginning of the book, seemed so well-suited for a woman who I was referring to in terms of porcelain and her social group. Then other times I found myself looking back at old Met guidebooks. I would almost go shopping for words. I would find some great entry for a medieval chalice that would drive my thinking about how a label could work. So it worked both ways: the language supported the idea, but the idea was really fueled by the language. What booksellers are saying about One Woman Show 
Christine Coulson spent twenty-five years writing for The Metropolitan Museum of Art and left the Museum as Senior Writer in 2019. Her debut novel, Metropolitan Stories, was a national bestseller and is followed by One Woman Show. |
 |
|
|
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler Adult Fiction, Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Science Fiction 
A January Read This Next! Title The Tusks of Extinction hurt me, inspired me, and taught me in less than 100 pages. Through the lenses of an elephant-expert turned mammoth matriarch, a boy on a hunt with his father, and a man who can’t rise above his wealth, Nayler’s conservationist novella reaches into depths of human empathy and bares it all for examination. Nothing so short has ever made me cry so much. I pushed this novella onto every ARC reader I knew. Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happily by Sabrina Orah Mark Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Southern Book Prize Finalist, Women 
2024 Southern Book Prize Finalist In Happily, Mark spins magically surreal sketches of motherhood, art, and life. Woven from fairy tales refracted into reality, each essay shimmers with wit, candor, and whimsy. As sharp as a spindle, as ethereal as an eggshell—this gemlike collection of memoir-fables will leave you enchanted. Reviewed by Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia |
|
|
Chaos Theory by Nic Stone African American & Black, Diversity & Multicultural, Mental Illness, Southern Book Prize Finalist, Young Adult Fiction
2024 Southern Book Prize Finalist Shelbi has resisted making friends at her new school since she’s had bad experiences in the past. But when she witnesses Andy at a low point, she can’t help but reach out to let him know she knows what it’s like. And like that, despite Shelbi’s best efforts, a friendship is born. But both Shelbi and Andy have demons, Shelbi’s in the form of bipolar disorder that has impacted relationships in her past, and Andy’s in the form of alcoholism that started after his sister died. This is a moving story of two teens, both together and individually, as Shelbi learns the maybe she can rely on other people, and Andy learns to prioritize himself and his mental health. Reviewed by Melissa Oates, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina |
|
|
Like So by Ruth Forman African American & Black, Juvenile Fiction, People & Places, United States
A January Read This Next! Title With gorgeous illustrations, this is a sweet story about the love between a grandmother and child. This one will tug at your heart strings! Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina |
|
|
The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha Comics & Graphic Novels, Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology, Young Adult Fiction This gorgeous and captivating graphic novel is a new take on the Korean legend of the nine-tailed fox. It’s also a story of what it meant to be a woman during the time of the Joseon dynasty, but with plenty of relevance for today’s readers. Robin Ha has created something truly special in this book. Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
|
|
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin Banned Books, Biography & Autobiography, Emotions & Feelings, LGBTQ+, Young Adult Nonfiction The title’s topic immediately sets this book apart, but it’s the 6 first-person narratives and the stunning photography that will bring you and your teen(s) together in your understanding of individuality and humanity. One of the most important books published this year. Reviewed by Jenesse Evertson, bbgb in Richmond, Virginia |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” |
|
Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
You have received this email because you are currently subscribed to receive The Southern Bookseller Review.
Please click @@unsubscribe_url@@ if you no longer wish to receive these communications.