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The week of November 12, 2024 More great reads: the Southern Book Prize Fiction finalists. 
Visit The Southern Book Prize and vote for the books they think deserve to be called "The best Southern book of the year." Everyone has a chance to win a collection of some of the finalists, as well as a $100 gift card to their favorite indie bookstore. Also, give a shout out to your favorite bookstore, and it will be shared by SBR. Vote here. James by Percival Everett [Doubleday] A necessary look into the life of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’s Jim, or James, told with Percival Everett’s unflinching, poetic, and entertaining prose. The pages fly by, leading to a triumphant finale that is as impactful as anything I’ve read in years. ― James Harrod, Malaprop’s in Asheville, North Carolina Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca [Berkley] If you’ve ever found yourself longing for a spooky beach read, this is it! Brings all of the deliciously warm ambiance that comes from a seaside setting and also meddling ghosts. ― Tara Leimkuehler, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee Tell It to Me Singing by Tita Ramirez [Simon and Schuster / Mary Sue Ricci Books] A family drama that centers on a mother’s secret, this novel is honeyed with warmth, truth, and the secrets that―once revealed―eventually bring us closer together. ― Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart [Kensington Books] Historical fiction at its absolute best! Everhart’s carefully crafted female protagonist shows strength, courage and resolve in the face of the many cruelties of the Civil War. ― Sharon Davis, Book Bound Bookstore in Blairsville, Georgia Rednecks by Taylor Brown [St. Martins Press] Rednecks is the dark and moving story of big coal, broken lives, love, and loyalty. I felt like I was in the cold, muddy camps along with the families. ― Susan Williams, M Judson, Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina Shae by Mesha Maren [Algonquin Books] Maren masterfully balances hope and despair on both community and personal levels, examining how identity—especially as someone who is young and queer—is shaped by place and its people as much as by the choices we make (and the ones we don’t). ― Miranda Sanchez, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina For the next couple months the SBR newsletter will include features and bookseller reviews of the finalists. Winners will be announced on February 14th. Visit The Southern Book Prize Ballot on Friday and cast your vote for your favorite Southern books.
You can help! 
Independent bookstores in the South are still struggling in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton. You can help: Donate to Binc; a relief organization for booksellers and comic book sellers. Visit the SIBA Hurricane Relief Resources page to donate directly to store fundraisers. And shop online at a store that has been impacted. Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Women 
2025 Southern Book Prize Finalist This book shows the hidden world of fundamentalism so well. How easy it is to get involved in it and how hard it is to get out. As someone who grew up in the Baptist culture and had to reframe their mind as they got older this book hit home in a lot of spots. The way that her parents were not involved in the fundamentalist movement, but because of the church that they choose and how they taught the children, it ended up brainwashing them into being extremely fearful, thinking that there is only one way to be redeemed and one specific job for women to do. The author had plans for her life and goals, but the church told her that she was to work on finding a husband and being a wife and refused to give her help to further her education. In the end, this leads her to her abusive husband, who leads them into the life of a fundamentalist. The books that the author had read and the way that the church taught her was that it was her fault that her husband treated her the way they did, and thus started a spiral of her trying to do more and be better and feel like the abuse was deserved. Reading her suffering and seeing how close I could have come to this lifestyle myself made this book an emotional one for sure and one I will not forget anytime soon. Reviewed by Kelli Dynia, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida |
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The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H. G. Parry Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Are you on the H. G. Parry train? If not, get on! Her books are amazing! To read one of her books is a gift to yourself as you fall into her wonderfully crafted places and worlds where humans, fairies, and magical creatures and objects overlap and collide. In The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door, Clover enters a school of magic, hoping to learn enough magic to heal her brother, who was cursed on a WWI battlefield when a fairie door was opened, and the fairie that came through killed and cursed hundreds of men. Afterwards, the magical community destroyed all the fairie doors. Clover feels out of place at the school until she joins a group of friends led by wealthy student Alden. Her friends change her life and she loves the school. But there’s more than one secret in this group and at the school, and one of them could destroy the world. Because it’s possible that not every fairie door was destroyed. Reviewed by Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop in Midlothian, Virginia |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez 
I grew up reading Agatha Christie. Her mysteries are classic and even amidst the dead bodies, oddly nostalgic and comforting for me. I have always wanted to write a mystery with lots of plot twists but do it in a way that feels true to me and my interests. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Egyptologist, and so when I grew up and writing became my career, I knew I’d one day write a story set in Egypt. The Secrets of the Nile duology has all of my favorite things: a main character who isn’t a warrior but a dreamer, wanting to belong somewhere and yearning to make sense of the world around her. She’s bright and curious and impulsive, a teenager of her time and perhaps with an eye to the future, too. The love interest is morally gray and constantly questioning people and their motives and intentions. He’s cynical and sensitive and probably a little sad all the time. Together, I think they learn to heal and grow up, making mistakes along the way because no one gets it right the first time, or even the second. What booksellers are saying about Where the Library Hides 
Isabel Ibañez is the author of the Secrets of the Nile duology (Wednesday Books), and Woven in Moonlight (Page Street), a finalist for the William C. Morris Award, and listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time. She is the proud daughter of Bolivian immigrants and has a profound appreciation for history and traveling. She currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, twin sons, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media at @IsabelWriter09. |
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Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang Adult Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy 
A November Read This Next! Title Well damn, I going to be thinking about it for awhile. Blood Over Bright Haven is the perfect story for the person who wants to rage at the system of oppression against women and also the way in which religion and history are often used to tell a story that continues to make a person or people group be regarded as less than. Just add a technical magic system called “siphoning” and a group of mages who use their skills to learn where to siphon magic in order to power their city. Sciona is fueled by her desire to be the first woman accepted into this society of mages. She cares about nothing and no one else other than her work and her ability to be the best and make a name for herself when the majority believe as a woman, her delicate disposition will be her downfall. Nothing could be further from the truth because truth and magic are her focus, and nothing will stop her from seeking it. But what if the truth reveals something that completely changes the lens and paradigm of how you view the world? What then? Perfect for fall, perfect for the reader who wants to RAGE at the impacts of colonialism, racism, sexism. Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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The Universe in Verse by Maria Popova Adult Nonfiction, Essays, Nonfiction, Science Fifteen short essays on science and nature, intended to inspire a sense of awe and wonder, are each paired with the work of a brilliant poet and a beautiful illustration. Popova’s extraordinary collection is a poignant, beautiful little gift book perfect for reminding us of how strange and wild it is that we get to exist and perceive this most mysterious universe at all!" Reviewed by Josh Niesse, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia |
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Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
A November Read This Next! Kids Title I’ve been a big fan of Lex Croucher’s work for a while now, so I didn’t need much convincing to enjoy this book, but I’m so glad it still exceeded all my expectations. With top-notch character banter, a ragtag found family, silly woodsy shenanigans, and a tender slow burn romance between the granddaughter of Robin Hood and the healer she accidentally kidnaps, it was so easy to fall in love with this book! Reviewed by Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia |
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Dive, Dive into the Night Sea by Thea Lu Animals, Children, Earth Sciences, Juvenile Nonfiction, Marine Life, Science & Nature, Water (Oceans & Lakes), Zoology Dive, Dive into the Night Sea opens vertically. I mean, physically, the book’s orientation is 90 degrees from typical; which was delightful to discover! A lone diver, cloaked in darkness, plunges into the night sea. Together we descend, down, down, to where hidden creatures and their dwellings are revealed. Cleverly illustrated pages buoy the children’s story along with flaps that open to offer the science behind the scenes. Thea Lu’s beautiful, monochromatic book shines light into the inky depths, a blend of picture-book storytelling and engaging non-fiction. Great for children with an interest in the ocean and its creatures or science in general. Or anyone with a strong sense of curiosity! Reviewed by Tracy Billing, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky |
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Off Menu by Oliver Gerlach Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction I love a good cooking duel and this was great! The artwork was adorable and I loved the found family aspect of this! Reviewed by sarah dimaria, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson Banned Books, Children, Clothing & Dress, Juvenile Fiction It’s picture day at school, and Molly doesn’t want to wear the dress her Mom picked out; it doesn’t even have pockets! I loved this picture book that celebrates personal expression and the importance of being your true self. Bright, playful art with a wonderful message, Molly’s Tuxedo is a picture book winner! Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don’ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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