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The week of May 10, 2022 May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 
On May 10, 1869, the final spike was driven, completing the Transcontinental Railroad. "Golden Spike Day," as it came to be known, celebrated American drive and ingenuity, but conveniently ignored the labor of the thousands of Chinese immigrants whose hard labor built the railroad. It is one of the reasons why Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated in May. Here are some reading lists and recent book reviews for readers: The Tiger Mom’s Tale by Lyn Liao Butler Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng O Beautiful by Jung Yun Meet James Lee Burke | May 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM ET 
The Reader Meet Writer Author Series returns this month for the exclusive launch of James Lee Burke’s new novel, Every Cloak Rolled in Blood, a devastating exploration of the nature of good and evil, and a deeply moving story about the power of love and family. James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author, two-time winner of the Edgar Award, and the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction. He’ll be in conversation with Reader Meet Writer host and SIBA’s 2022 Southern Book Prize winner, Wiley Cash. The Reader Meet Writer Author Series is sponsored by Southern independent bookstores. Read This Now | Read This Next | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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Bitter Orange Tree by Jokha Alharthi Adult Fiction, Arabian Peninsula, Feminist, Fiction, Middle East, Muslim, World Literature When Man Booker Prize winner Jokha Alharthi writes, a river of emotions pours from her in the most beautiful way possible. Her latest translated novel features a young Omani student in London attempting to come to terms with the grief and regrets of losing her devoted grandmother by not attending to her when she needed her most. The tale drifts back and forth through time, giving the reader a view into the two strikingly different lives of these women; where both bear the weight of unfulfilled desires. This was an exquisite and haunting read. Reviewed by Damita Nocton, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Spotlight on: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
“So it was really interesting to write these kind of trapped storylines, whether it’s the octopus or Tova in the town or some of the other characters who are really just trapped by their own misconceptions of themselves, during a time when, you know, we spent a lot of time just looking out the front window, thinking, wow, where do we go from here?” –Shelby Van Pelt, interview, NPR What booksellers are saying about Remarkably Bright Creatures 
About Shelby Van Pelt Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Shelby Van Pelt lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her family. This is her first novel. |
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Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean Asia, Asian American, Family, Japan, Parents, People & Places, Romance, Royalty, United States, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction Tokyo Dreaming is a breathtaking story that is so vividly written you will feel like you are walking next to Izumi as she navigates imperial life. Izumi has overcome so many challenges since discovering that her father is the Crown Prince Makotonomiya Toshihito of Japan. The transition from normal small town girl to Imperial princess has been difficult. Now Izumi’s mom has joined her in Japan, and they are living the happy family life that Izumi always dreamed of with her father. When Izumi’s father proposes to her mom, everyone is thrilled for the life that is to come. Everyone, except the Imperial council who has their doubts about the match. Izumi decides she will do whatever it takes to make sure her mom and dad have their happily ever after. But what will it cost her? Her future happiest, her friends, or even the true love of her life. Tokyo Dreaming continues the story that began with Tokyo Ever After. Perfect for fans of Sarah Kuhn’s I love you so Mochi, Katherine McGee’s American Royal, or Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries. Reviewed by Gretchen Shuler, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina |
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Magic Season by Wade Rouse Bereavement, Biography & Autobiography, Death, Family & Relationships, Grief, LGBTQ+, Parent & Adult Child, Parenting, Personal Memoirs They say truth is better than fiction and with Magic Season I completely agree. Wade and his rigid engineer father had a contentious relationship for quite awhile. When Ted learns he is dying Wade returns home for one final season of the one thing the men share a passion for-The St Louis Cardinals. This is inspiring and heartwarming and told with Wade’s poignant sense of humor. It gives hope to any one suffering from a desire to have a close relationship with a parent. There is always a chance for your team in baseball and a relationship with your parent. Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina |
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The Golden Swift by Lev Grossman Animals, Children, Environment, Family & Siblings, Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Railroads & Trains, Science & Nature A middle grade fantasy novel with magical trains, a magical submarine, an apartment in the sky, a missing uncle, talking animals, endangered species and rewilding? Yes, please! This series is proof that kids can learn about current day issues in novels. Not that any of us in the industry need convincing of this, but this series does it effortlessly. Brilliant! Can’t wait for more! Reviewed by Jill Naylor, Novel in Memphis, Tennessee |
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The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani Adult Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Sagas, Women, World War II Adriana Trigiani’s The Good Left Undone transports you through both time and place, moving effortlessly through four generations of the Cabrelli family and from country to country during one of Europe’s most trying times. It not only impresses the importance of family and the love we share with those we choose, but the importance of the stories and heirlooms that are passed down from one generation to the next. Reviewed by Doloris Vest, Book No Further in Roanoke, Virginia |
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Read This Next! Books on the horizon: Forthcoming favorites from Southern indies… |
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Book Lovers by Emily Henry Adult Fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy A May 2022 Read This Next! Selection Emily Henry has done it again and stolen my heart completely with her two main leads. In this one, a literary agent and a book editor end up stuck together in his tiny hometown, which happens to be the whimsical setting in the bestselling book she agents for– one he gave a scathing rejection to upon their very first meeting. It’s a “we think we’re enemies” but are actually idiots-to-lovers who perfectly fit each other kind of story. Henry is the unquestioned queen of banter, but this is probably her wittiest, most laugh-out-loud funny book to date. I had so much fun reading Book Lovers. Reviewed by Cristina Russell from Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida |
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Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
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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
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