|
|
|
|
The week of April 25, 2023 "Poetry brings people together."
Ada Limón the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, has been appointed for a two-year second term. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, asked Limon to continue in the position to continue her work "to broaden and promote poetry to reach new audiences." Limón’s priority during her term as Poet Laureate has been to make poetry accessible. “Everywhere I have traveled during my first term, both nationally and internationally, I’ve been reminded that poetry brings people together. I am looking forward to continuing the important work of celebrating what poetry can do.” –Ada Limón What Southern indie booksellers think: The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón 
Poems of movement, of worry, of a recognized grief and the subsequent small joys that can bloom out of dirt like small flower heads…Limón never, ever disappoints when it comes to understanding the great and terrible spectrum of emotions that is our cross to bear. –Reviewed by Aimee Keeble from Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina | Buy the Book
|
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
Closer Baby Closer by Savannah Brown Adult Nonfiction, Poetry, Women Authors Those who spent a lot of time on the spoken word poetry side of Youtube in the 2010s will recognize Savannah Brown, who’s been bearing her soul for the internet for almost a decade. I was happy to find with this collection, that Brown’s poems have matured while maintaining the same vulnerability, humor, and unabashed desire for attention. Written in free verse and unconventional format, Brown delivers intimacy for the digital age, capturing the feelings of (among other things) being loved and in-love, jealousy and guilt. Skillfully, sensually written and easily digestible!. Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth Adult Fiction, Domestic, Fiction, Thrillers The Soulmate is about two couples, Pippa and Gabe and Amanda and Max. It is a story of family, mental illness, and what it means to truly love someone. The riveting thriller is told from the viewpoints of the two wives, both in the past and the present. Pippa, who is very much alive, is trying to understand what has happened and what she can do to protect her family. Amanda, who is dead is trying to discover exactly what happened that led to her death. One of the best domestic thrillers I have read in ages, the short chapters make you want to read “just one more” so you can find out what has happened and what is going to happen. Reviewed by Nancy McFarlane, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Salvage the World by Michael Farris Smith
"What you see in the opening pages is the thing that kind of just sticks in my head that I can’t get rid of….this image of a woman standing staring at thunder clouds, with a kid on her hip and the wind blowing and dust in her hair. Something just grabbed hold of me about that image: who she was, what she was doing, what kind of trouble they might be in.” ―Michael Farris Smith, Interview, Poisoned Pen Bookstore What booksellers are saying about Salvage the World 
About Michael Farris Smith Michael Farris Smith is an award-winning writer whose novels have appeared on Best of the Year lists with Esquire, NPR, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Book Riot, and numerous other outlets. He has also written the feature-film adaptations of his novels Desperation Road and The Fighter, titled for the screen as Rumble Through the Dark. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife and daughters. |
 |
|
|
The Insatiable Volt Sisters by Rachel Eve Moulton Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thrillers The Insatiable Volt Sisters is straight-ahead horror, but it looks deeply into struggles of defining one’s own legacy despite a troubled heritage. Told from the perspective of four very different women, Moulton’s characters are flawed and struggling, but also courageous and unrelenting in their choice to face darkness and despair head-on. This book is eerie and mysterious…and I could feel Fowler Island dripping off the pages as the sisters reveal/fight the beast within. Reviewed by Stuart McCommon, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Planta Sapiens by Paco Calvo Adult Nonfiction, Botany, Life Sciences, Science In Planta Sapiens, author Paco Calvo invites readers to challenge the notion of plants as static, reactionary organisms devoid of any agency or cognition. Through a mix of historical context, narrative, and research, Paco investigates the microscopic chemical reactions that drive plant biology and behavior – processes that he and a small contingent of his fellows believe may actually point to plant sentience. While the research findings are thought-provoking, I found myself more interested in the personal journey taken by Calvo to shift his own perspective on plant biology, as well as the significant push back his thinking has received from the greater scientific community. Overall, I found this book entertaining, though I suspect that it may only find an audience with those who are already interested in the subject matter. Reviewed by Elliot Ambrose, E. Shaver, Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
|
|
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult Fiction Set in NOLA, this book is full of intrigue, magic, messy family drama and mystery. This book tackles, homophobia, white supremacy, and race in a way I’ve never seen before. I love seeing Chris and Clem’s character development as they find themselves and step into their power. I enjoyed every twist and turn and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Loved it! Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
|
Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker Children, Family, Juvenile Fiction Leeva at Last is the reason I will recommend "kids" books to people of any age. Such a charming, feel-good story of a girl named Leeva, and the journey she goes on to change her community. The illustrations and Sara Pennypacker’s delightful humor tie this precious, yet important book together. Reading this made me feel like a kid again, I cant wait for everyone to enjoy this magical book. Reviewed by Grace Sullivan, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (A Graphic Novel) by Deya Muniz Comics & Graphic Novels, LGBTQ, Young Adult Fiction Actual chills at the ending of this novel. ACTUAL. CHILLS. Cam and Brie are the absolute cutest in this story. Cam cannot inherit as a girl, so she happily becomes Count Cam and moves to where she’ll only ever be known as a boy after her father dies. But of course she falls in love with the princess herself! After much fashion and adorable hi-jinks, we have an exciting happy story. This is perfect for fans of The Prince and the Dressmaker, Heartstopper, and the classic Nimona. Don’t miss out on this darling tale that’s a mix of Victorian and modern age and beautiful artwork. Reviewed by Katlin Kerrison, Story on the Square in McDonough, Alabama |
|
Read This Next! Books on the horizon: Forthcoming favorites from Southern indies… |
|
|
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay, Humorous, LGBTQ+ An April 2023 Read This Next! Title An old man and brilliant inventor finds a run down cottage in a forest and decides to live there, far away from the rest of the world. One day he is surprised when a distraught couple who seem to be on the run leave a young boy in his care and ask him to raise the child. Two decades later, the tender-hearted, shy, and brilliant boy finds a broken AI robot and decides to repair it. Shortly after, the world descends upon his family in their forest idyll, forcing the young man to leave on a quest to the world beyond. A place of great danger and risk; but he is accompanied by a small crew of fiercely loyal friends who are determined to help him find what they are looking for. This novel holds all the beautiful, tender sentimentality, found family dynamics, loving humor, and self-discovery that I’ve come to expect from TJ Klune. I absolutely fell in love with every character in this motley crew of creatures. I laughed out loud frequently at the antics of Nurse Ratched and Rambo. I cried when things got tough and painful. I feared for the sweet young man who is trying to find his way. It has all the best parts of a huggable book for me. Reviewed by Elizabeth DeWandeler, A Novel Escape in Franklin, North Carolina |
|
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
|
Parting Thought “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.” |
|
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.