|
|
|
|
The week of December 26, 2023 Introducing Read This Next! Kids
Here is a sneak peak at the January/February Kids List, which is is all about being yourself and making a difference. (Click on the book title to order.) Like So by Ruth Forman, Raissa Figueroa (Illus.) José Feeds the World by Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Illus.), David Unger Today by Gabi Snyder, Stephanie Graegin (Illus.) How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith, Jr. We Got the Beat by Jenna Miller The Wild by Yuval Zommer Full reviews of all the books will be published January 1st on SBR. Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn Adult Fiction, Dystopian I devoured this wild queer dystopian novel! In a near future devastated by climate change and social unrest, society is reinvented by a “girlboss” feminist billionaire with dreams of an elite society without men who will go to great, unethical lengths to see her vision through. Spanning decades and seamlessly following a cast of flawed, interesting characters on both the inside and outside of an exclusive living community, this novel is part coming-of-age tale, part queer love story, and part terrifying thriller. Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Blackouts by Justin Torres 
I’m 43, about to be 44. The generation right above me is kind of a lost generation, wiped out by the pandemic, but not entirely wiped out, right? There are a lot of people from that generation that I’m friends with. And then, the generation above that is leaving the Earth all the time right now. But one thing that works as a through line down to my generation, is this idea that you laugh at yourself. It’s something in the queer sensibility, something about camp, a part of the lesson: Don’t take it too seriously. The world’s going to give you fucking shit. You’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself. What booksellers are saying about Blackouts 
Justin Torres is the author of We the Animals, which won the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, was translated into fifteen languages, and was adapted into a feature film. He was named one of the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35, a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, and a fellow at the New York Public Library’s Cullman Center. His short fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, Granta, Tin House, and The Washington Post. He lives in Los Angeles and is an associate professor of English at UCLA. |
 |
|
|
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix Adult Fiction, Horror, Psychological, Southern Book Prize Finalist, Suspense 
2024 Southern Book Prize Finalist Mark and Louise hate each other, but when their parents flee their home in the middle of the night and die in a car crash the siblings are forced to re-unite. What happens when you walk into your family home and see the attic door bolted up? Or your mom’s massive puppet collection whose eyes seem to follow you wherever you go? Well, I’m afraid you may have some trouble selling the house. Filled with family secrets, twists, and an uneasy tone that had me on the edge of my seat, this book was WILD and FUN. It had me second-guessing everything around me. Did I turn on the TV? Okay, that milk was not there 5 minutes ago. Is someone messing with me?I loved this. It was creepy. It was weird. It was emotional. It was absolutely bonkers in the best way possible! Reviewed by Janisie Rodriguez, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Isn’t Going to End Well by Daniel Wallace Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs, Southern Book Prize Finalist
2024 Southern Book Prize Finalist Daniel Wallace’s newest work is a combination memoir and biography, telling his own story alongside that of friend and brother-in-law, William Nealy. This Isn’t Going To End Well begins in 1970s Alabama capturing laissez-faire parenting, and the idleness and creativity of childhood at the time. Fast forward to our beloved Chapel Hill, the book moves from adolescence to adulthood, asking the question: How well do we ever really know someone? Wallace makes you feel like you are sitting with an old friend, reminiscing. The people rattle around in your head, and the writing is clean and clever. An especially great read for outdoor enthusiasts and artists, writers and lovers. Wallace has written a story of family, adventure, following your dreams, and sadly, tragedy. This Isn’t Going To End Well is gentle and kind, even when life is not. Reviewed by Peggy Mulqueen, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina |
|
|
Betting on You by Lynn Painter Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Fiction  A December Read This Next! Title Lynn Painter fans rejoice! Betting on You, Painter’s newest YA romcom, is just as swoony and romantic and hilarious as it’s predecessors! Painter masterfully crafts the perfect slow-burn full of page defying chemistry, witty banter, crazy hijinks, and a whole lot of heart! Bailey and Charlie will wiggle their way in readers hearts just as they did each other’s! On top of a stellar romance, Painter also does an excellent job of exploring themes of anxiety, change, and friendship. It’s When Harry Met Sally for a new generation! Plus, all the Taylor Swifts references are definitely a bonus! Reviewed by Emma Tara, E. Shaver bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
|
|
The Night Flower by Lara Hawthorne Children, Flowers & Plants, Juvenile Nonfiction, Science & Nature This stunning book is an amazing asset for children to learn about the biology of the desert. It was incredibly aesthetically pleasing. With ease, the author made the science and biology of plants, animals, and the desert easy for both younger and older children to understand. Overall, this book would be the perfect addition to any collection! Reviewed by Eliza Eldridge, Plenty on Spring in Cookeville, Tennessee |
|
|
The Flying Ship Volume 1 by Jem Milton Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction The Flying Ship is the irreverent, hilarious, and pertinent graphic novel of my dreams- How Jem managed to shove absolutely everything I love into one story, I do not know, but the fact that it’s also beautifully illustrated is my favorite thing in the entire world. If you love familial curses, cracking open the gender binary, and political intrigue, I could not be more excited to put this book into your hands. Reviewed by Caitlyn Vanorder, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
|
|
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur Adult Nonfiction, Banned Books, Love & Erotica, Poetry, Women Authors In Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, you can truly feel what she felt as she wrote these poems. It is about the ups and downs of a breakup and learning to love yourself by yourself. It is a beautiful collection of poems. Reviewed by Alex Reno, The Blytheville Book Company in Blytheville, Arkansas |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “When I say to a parent, “read to a child,” I don’t want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate.” |
|
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.