|
|
|
|
The week of July 16, 2024 Beach reads from the bestsellers  The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin Funny Story by Emily Henry Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand The Briar Club by Kate Quinn Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
 |
|
The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya Fiction,Literary A perfect book. So original, with an astounding use of multiple narratives that keeps you on your toes until the very last page. The writing is gorgeous and ethereal; the power of tone makes the reading experience feel like you are sitting in a dark theater one minute, climbing a volcano the next, it’s all-encompassing. Hamya makes constructing a revelatory novel look easy; this is what contemporary literature should be in every sense, a gift I would be hard-pressed to forget and will be so excited to put in the hands of all my favorite friends and readers. Reviewed by Emily Tarr, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama |
 |
|
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi Adult Fiction, African American & Black, Women This swoony romance about friendship and love on a backdrop of online content creators hits just the right note. Jo is a doctor, but has decided to only share her skills on a social media platform. She’s also been crushing on her best friend for 10 years. But when she meets up-and-coming author Mal at a party at her best friend’s house, her head is turned. But it turns out they know each other: they’ve been talking online for two years. But is Jo willing to give up the crush on her best friend for the unknown with Mal? Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Banal Nightmare by Halle Butler  When I first started writing seriously, about 16 years ago, I wrote down conversations at restaurants, on the bus, anywhere I was just passing time, because I was trying to develop my ear. For a very brief while I also transcribed an hour or two a day of public access television, so it wasn’t just natural conversation I was interested in learning—or maybe ingraining is a better word. There was something strict about it. I would also try to write down conversations I’d had when I got home, and then deviate from what had actually been said, try to add in staircase wit, and then think about if that was actually better, or if it introduced something embarrassing to the interaction, and if it did, could I go from there to develop something new. I think the important thing is to become observant of both the world and of yourself, and see what flows from there. What you want to develop is insight, and (fortunately, I think) that looks different for every author and artist. ― Halle Butler, Interview, Our Culture What booksellers are saying about Banal Nightmare 
Halle Butler’s first novel, Jillian, was called the “feel-bad book of the year” by the Chicago Tribune. Her second novel, The New Me, was named a Best Book of the Decade by Vox and a Best Book of the Year by Vanity Fair, Vulture, Chicago Tribune, Mashable, Bustle, and NPR, and the New Yorker called it a "definitive work of millennial literature." She was named one of Granta’s Best Young American Novelists and a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree. |
 |
 |
|
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer Action & Adventure, Adult Fiction, Fantasy  A July Read This Next! Title Reading The Lost Story reminded me of being a kid and of the many hours I spent immersed in magical faraway worlds. Inspired by the classic Narnia novels, Meg Shaffer’s second novel is both a fairytale for grown-ups and a love story. As teenagers, Jeremy and Rafe vanished for six months in the forests of West Virginia. As adults, enlisted by Emilie to search for her missing sister, they return to the scene of their disappearance: a tree that opens onto Shenandoah, a fantastical realm where they are greeted as long-lost royalty, and where Rafe must grapple with the demons of his past in order to reclaim his future. Recommended reading for anyone seeking to reawaken a sense of wonder. Reviewed by Jude Burke-Lewis, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi |
 |
|
Die Hot with a Vengeance by Sable Yong Social Science,Essays I loved this funny, insightful exploration of beauty culture from a former beauty editor with complicated feelings on the subject. Yong is optimistic about aesthetics as creative expression but critical of the pitfalls of vanity and oppressive beauty standards. In a series of personal essays spanning her late bloomer origins, the capitalist ideas fueling the concept of a "revenge bod,” and the power of blue hair, Yong unravels her messy beauty history with analysis that is accessible without being shallow. As products and procedures become more obtainable to the masses than ever, Yong asks the question: what is beauty for? Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson Superheroes, Young Adult Fiction Goddess Divine, this book was amazing! A new take on one of my favorite X-Men, Ororo, aka Storm. Giving her story new life with some of the core qualities we know and love about Storm, Tiffany Jackson did a fantastic job. With characters we know and love sprinkled throughout the book, this will be an automatic pickup for any X-Men fans! Reviewed by Mekhala Villegas-Rogers, Tombolo Books in St Petersburg, Florida |
 |
|
Tiny Jenny by Briony May Smith Children, Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction A July/August Kids Read This Next! Title Tiny Jenny is a wingless fairy born in a nest of wrens. She goes in search of her fairy family and hopes to earn her wings. After a surprising journey, she finds where she truly belongs in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee |
 |
|
Snowball Earth, Vol. 2 by Yuhiro Tsujitsugu Comics & Graphic Novels, East Asian Style, Manga, Mecha The first volume in this series was such a fun spin on the mecha vs. kaiju genre, and this next installment did not disappoint. All of the new worldbuilding adds to the mystery of what happened to the earth while Tetsuo was asleep, I can’t wait to see what happens next! Reviewed by Sam Conners, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
 |
|
Beartown by Fredrik Bachman Adult Fiction, Banned Books, Literary If you want to discover your new favorite book, read Beartown. Dozens of character POVs, phenomenal writing, a heartbreaking storyline, and a thrilling murder mystery. You will be hooked from the very first line. Seriously, open it and read the first line. Reviewed by Rachel Randolph, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
     [ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you’re going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book…” |
|
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.