|
|
|
|
The week of October 31, 2023 Southern Book Prize Finalists Announced!
The Southern Book Prize celebrates its 25th anniversary with the announcement of the 2024 Southern Book Prize finalists, selected by Southern independent booksellers and representing bookseller favorites from 2023 that are Southern in nature—either about the South or by a Southern writer. Since its inception in 1999, the Southern Book Prize (formerly the SIBA Book Award) has stood as a testament to the love of indie booksellers for great storytelling. All books nominated for the Southern Book Prize have been submitted by bookseller members of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) –the same booksellers who write the reviews found at SBR — and have received enthusiastic reviews from Southern booksellers. The 18 finalists, six in each category, received the highest number of nominations and rave reviews, making these books a collection of the most beloved “handsells” of the year in fiction, nonfiction, and children’s/young adult literature. The finalists make up the 2024 Southern Book Prize ballot. Voting is open now and will run through February 1, 2024. All readers who love Southern literature and Southern independent bookstores can vote for their favorites, so now is the time to chime in on which books you think deserve to be called the best Southern books of the year! The 2024 Southern Book Prize Ballot While voting is open, SBR will feature reviews of the 2024 finalist books in the newsletter. Read what booksellers have to say about Southern Book Prize Finalists (past and present). Readers who vote can also enter a raffle to win a set of the finalist titles. Winners in each category will be chosen by popular vote. Southern Book Prize winners will be announced on February 14, Valentine’s Day. Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
Celebrating 25 Years of Great Taste in Southern Literature!|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
Julia by Sandra Newman Adult Fiction, Dystopian
I have read 1984 more than any other book in my life…maybe 12-15 times. Being overly familiar with the inspiration for this retelling, I was skeptical. From Julia’s perspective, Orwell’s classic is re-framed from a feminist perspective. While Winston Smith is undoubtedly sympathetic in the original as are the other male victims of the Oceania regime, they still possessed the freedoms and advantages of their gender in the classic. Imagining the same world through largely female characters was even more shocking and heartbreaking. Julia is a survivor. She does what is necessary whether it is fitting into or subverting the system. It’s is hard to like her, but even harder not to deeply admire her and hang on her every move. This powerful, uncomfortable book left me feeling much the same. Recommended! Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone 
I’ve always loved to write, and storytelling is an enormous part of how I make sense of my emotions. Especially as a young adult, a time in my life where I felt quite adrift, immersing myself into books and writing provided so much solace. I love the endlessness of possibilities with speculative fiction, and how I can use things like magic, or monsters, or body horror as a lens through which to examine the real world. What booksellers are saying about Unholy Terrors 
About Lyndall Clipstone Lyndall Clipstone writes about monsters and the girls who like to kiss them. A former youth librarian who grew up running wild in the Barossa Ranges of South Australia, she currently lives in Adelaide, where she tends her own indoor secret garden. She has a bachelors in creative writing and a graduate diploma in library and information management. She is the author of Lakesedge and Forestfall. |
 |
|
|
Absolution by Alice McDermott 21st Century, Adult Fiction, Historical, Literary, World Literature There’s so much I could say about this epistolary novel set in 1963 Saigon and confessing to the lives of two American wives in Ho Chí Minh’s Vietnam, but for now, I’ll say: Alice McDermott is (maybe) my favorite living novelist, and Absolution is (maybe) her best novel yet. Reviewed by Laura Cotten, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl Biography & Autobiography, Family & Relationships, Life Stages, Mid-Life, Nature, Personal Memoirs, Seasons 
In Comfort of Crows, Margaret Renkl has given us a remarkable gift. With keen observations of nature in her backyard, she helps us become better observers in our world. With wise commentary, she gently challenges us to become more caring of the wildlife around us. With beautiful writing, she engages us in an important conversation about conservation. And with stunning illustrations, the book becomes the perfect gift for nature lovers and environmentalists in our lives. It will be one of our top handsells for the holiday season and I can’t wait to put this book in the hands of our customers as a gift for themselves or for the people they love. Reviewed by Lia Lent, Wordsworth Books in Little Rock,, Arkansas |
|
|
Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel Asian American & Pacific Islander, Holidays & Celebrations, People & Places, Romance, Romantic Comedy, United States, Young Adult Fiction After reading Sleepless in Dubai, you will be itching for a trip to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Nikki and Yash have been best friends since birth. But this last summer, their friendship blew up and they’ve been avoiding each other since. Now their families have a trip planned together to Dubai for Diwali and they’re going to have to find some way to get along. Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia |
|
|
The North Wind and the Sun by Philip C. Stead Children, Fables, Juvenile Fiction, Legends, Myths This beautifully retold fable is a celebration of endurance and compassion and a reminder that gentleness and love (and patience) are more powerful than cruelty and hate (and haste). Stead’s innovative style of illustration evokes a classic with bold lines and quiet colors, and his thoughtful tale-telling is unparalleled. A story both timeless and perfect for these times. Reviewed by Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia |
|
|
Curlfriends: New in Town (A Graphic Novel) by Sharee Miller Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction Charlie is the new girl at school and making friends has not been easy for her. She wants to make new friends and be cool so she tries to be someone she’s not and makes a mess of things. I love the message in this book to always be your true authentic self and you will find your people. The illustrations are adorable and I love the all black cast. Great read! Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookseller, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
|
|
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron Adaptations, Banned Books, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Girls & Women, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult Fiction I loved Cinderella is Dead! I love that Kalynn took a fairy tale we all know and turned it on its head, for the better. The whole time I am reading it I’m thinking this is a feminist fairy tale. I’m thinking this is the LGBTQ fairy tale I wish I could have read when growing up and I am so happy young people today will be able to read this story. We need more stories like this. Reviewed by Rayna Nielsen, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, Louisiana |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story’s voice makes everything its own. ” |
|
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.