|
|
|
|
The week of June 25, 2024 Lambda Finalists: Transgender Fiction 
In her author’s letter in "Book Buzz" in this newsletter, children’s author and illustrator Christy Mandin says she was the kind of person who didn’t fit in: "I wasn’t satisfied with “because it’s always been that way” or “because I said so.” And I especially wasn’t interested in the words “you can’t.” That sentiment seems especially applicable to the Lambda Literary finalists honored for Transgender Fiction in this last week of Gay Pride month. Trash by Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny, J.D. Pluecker (Translator) Wild Geese by Soula Emmanuel Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee Adult Fiction, African American & Black, Lesbian, LGBTQ+, Romance, Small Town & Rural, Sports In this new romcom m by Karmen Lee, we’ve got BFFs turned rivals meeting again after 10 years when they’re both teaching at the same high school, and sparks are flying! Ava has been teaching at her old high school for several years now, and she’s settled in. But when she discovers that the new teacher is her old best friend who became her biggest bowling team rival, she’s unsettled. Grace is back in her hometown after being dissatisfied with teaching at college and longs for her hometown. But to be honest, she also wants to mend fences with Ava too. But when they both take on the coaching positions of the school’s new bowling team, they find that they’ll definitely have to find a way to get along. Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia |
|
|
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell Adult Fiction, Psychological, Thrillers 
A June Read This Next! Title Coryell’s debut will have you captivated even as you groan along at Hannah’s poor decision-making. Aimless and unhappy, Hannah gets pulled deep into the true crime case of the moment – a serial killer case where the accused is a handsome lawyer. The two begin a correspondence and once he’s acquitted, a romance. Is Hannah setting herself up for murder or is she the one who can see the truth? Hannah is a hot mess but you can’t help but hope it all works out for her – and what a ride she takes you on! Reviewed by Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin 
Like many of my stories, Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden started with something I read about that made my brain light up – a real life poison garden in England! You see, I myself am wonderfully weird and a poison garden would’ve been just the kind of place I would’ve wanted to visit as a child. From a very early age I was multi-passionate, interested in all manner of things. But my unquenchable curiosity and varied interests often made me feel like I didn’t quite fit into any one box. And being curious and questioning sometimes put me at odds with the grown-ups in my life. I wasn’t satisfied with “because it’s always been that way” or “because I said so.” And I especially wasn’t interested in the words “you can’t.” In that way, Millie Fleur and I are alike. ― Christy Mandin, Letter to booksellers What booksellers are saying about Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden 
Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She’s grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com. |
 |
|
|
The Tyranny of Flies by Elaine Vilar Madruga Adult Fiction, Literary This really took me by surprise. Incredibly funny, in a way so unique to its horror and its political and familial commentary, that it feels almost illegal to laugh but also impossible not to. A marvelous portrait of juvenilia and madness, thick with a mania unlike anything I\’ve read before. Reviewed by Emily Tarr, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama |
|
|
The Wives by Simone Gorrindo Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be married to a man enlisted in an elite military unit? I certainly hadn’t… until I heard about Simone Gorrindo’s new memoir, The Wives, which gives us a peek behind the curtain into a world few of us ever think about. Throughout the book, Simone and her husband embark on a journey that’s both incredibly personal and globally relevant. From the decision to enlist through a cross-country move, basic training, and the long years after, we follow Simone through the ups, downs, and everything in between. What intrigued me about this book was that the author was not who I imagined an army wife would be – in fact, she’s the opposite. And that ended up being one of the many things I took away from this book – we often assume, and judge, even if we don’t do it consciously or purposefully, but people are complicated, and life is complicated, and you might be surprised by what you find when you take the time to look a little deeper. Simone’s story kept me turning the pages. She is so honest and vulnerable in her writing, and she leaves no tough topic untouched. She touches on everything from marital problems and political differences to mental health and self-identity while trying to navigate questions like what it means to serve your country, what it means to be a wife, a friend, a mother, and how you can be all of those things without losing yourself. I was invested in Simone and her journey and could not stop thinking about what it must be like. It’s the same fascination with another world that you have when you watch Bama Rush or listen to a true-crime podcast – you know it’s real, but it’s so different from your own reality. The Wives is one of the most vulnerable and complex memoirs I’ve ever read, and it’s one that I will be thinking about for a long time to come. Reviewed by Emily Lessig, The Violet Fox Bookshop in Virginia Beach, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woe: A Housecat’s Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley Comics & Graphic Novels, Young Adult Fiction I always loved Lucy Knisley\’s cat comics — although not a cat owner myself, I did share my life with a very cat-like chihuahua for a decade, and Lucy\’s Linney and my Jack had quite a lot in common. Collected for the first time in one volume, these comics are perfect to give a cat lover (or just a lover of any grumpy, particular animals we choose to pamper and adore). Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
|
They Call Me No Sam! by Drew Daywalt Animals, Childrens, Dogs, Juvenile Fiction This middle-grade debut from the author of The Day The Crayons Quit will captivate and delight readers. Sam is an adorable pug who takes protecting his new family very seriously. Things take a hilarious turn when Sam mistakes the neighbor for Medusa and the garbage men for pirates! Ultimately, Sam’s heart leads him in the right direction in this laugh-out-loud tale that gives readers a dog’s eye view of the world. For fans of The Eyes and the Impossible and Dog Squad. Reviewed by Monie Henderson, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi |
|
|
Ready or Not by Andi Porretta Comics & Graphic Novels, Coming of Age, Young Adult Fiction Absolutely adored this book!I could relate so much to the main character and how friends grow apart, but since you don’t know what you want to do with life, they end up growing away from you. Thank god for the happy ending though. I loved the art style and am so excited to see it when it\’s published in full color. I really felt like I was a part of the group while reading the book, and honestly, was quite sad when it ended. To be honest, when I finished it I just had to sit there and adjust to being back in real life, I was glued the entire time. 10/10 must read Reviewed by Stephanie St. John, E. Shaver bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
|
|
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Adult Fiction, Banned Books, Horror, Literary, Science Fiction Vandermeer’s twisted worlds have a way of sinking their teeth into you, dragging you right down the tower steps. Part sci-fi mystery, part psychological eco-horror, Area X had me hooked from the first page and questioning the foundations of my reality by the last. Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “I live proudly in a body of my own design. I defend my right to be complex.” |
|
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.