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The week of July 8, 2025 Read These Next! Young Readers: Celebrating the Dark 
I Wanna Be Your Girl Vol. 1 by Umi Takase The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise by Riel Nason, Byron and Eggenschwiler Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater, Stephanie Williams, Sas Milledge (Illus.) Current Read This Next! books and what SIBA booksellers have to say about them can always be found at The Southern Bookseller Review. Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
It may be the height of a bright and sunny summer, but the Read This Next! Kids list for July and August celebrates the dark. From ghosts and ravens to the moonlit garden of everyone’s favorite gardener, Millie Fleur, the books on the July/August list invite us to enjoy the warm and weird summer nights as much as we do the brilliant blue skies of summer days.|
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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What Is Queer Food? by John Birdsall Adult Nonfiction, Cooking, History John Birdsall is the winner of two James Beard awards for food and culture writing and the author of The Many Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard (which I also devoured!!). Focused on the European and American food scenes starting in the late 19th century. Birdsall deftly combines food writing and cultural history in this book he was born to write. Swinging by the tables of Truman Capote, James Baldwin, Alice B. Toklas, and others, we are shown the intersections between fashion, music, art, and food. It’s deliciously dishy, but also deeply substantive. If I could give Michelin stars to a book, I would give this 3 stars! (That’s the most you can give, btw). Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Books in Richmond, Virginia |
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When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén Adult Fiction, Family Life My heart is in pieces after finishing Lisa Ridzen’s beautiful, heartbreaking novel. When the Cranes Fly South is the tender story of Bo, an elderly man navigating the challenges of his 89 years. His frank observations on the betrayals of his body and mind are balanced with heartfelt recollections of his childhood and special times with his wife and son. I don’t think I’ve read a book that so delicately captures the loss of independence and dignity an aging parent feels when they are no longer able to make their own decisions. This is an emotional, important read that highlights the agency and empathy we all need during the last days of life. Reviewed by Anderson McKean, Page & Palette in Fairhope, Alabama |
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These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Adult Fiction, Women Sarah MacLean strikes again! Her first contemporary fiction novel gives us her signature sexy romance in the midst of ultra-rich, dysfunctional family dynamics after the death of a billionaire patriarch. I couldn’t put it down, but I also wanted to savor every moment of it. A perfect summer read that I’ll be recommending to everyone. Reviewed by Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books in Rome, Georgia |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame by Neon Yang
― Neon Yang, Interview, OutSFL Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame by Neon Yang 
Neon Yang (they/them) is the author of four other novellas (The Red Threads of Fortune, The Black Tides of Heaven, The Descent of Monsters, and The Ascent to Godhood) and one novel (The Genesis of Misery). Born and raised in Singapore, they currently live in the UK where they spend their days avoiding productivity by playing video games. Find them on social media @itsneonyang. |
I don’t know it there’s an inspiration per se other than “I like dragons, and I like lady knights, I want to write a book about those things.” And so I did. “Brighter Than Scale” tells the story of Yeva, a dragon hunter with special abilities who was absorbed into empire against her will as a child and, as an adult, is sent as an ambassador to a nation that worships dragons as part of her emperor’s territorial aggressions. There she meets the girl-king Sookhee, the charismatic leader of the nation. But their growing relationship is threatened when Yeva uncovers secrets that will challenge the way she sees the world, and herself. The book may appear to be a queer love story, and it is indeed a queer love story, but at its core I think it’s about identity, it’s about finding your place and finding yourself in a world which constantly wants to erase you. |
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The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
A July Read This Next! Title I somehow have to figure out a way to live with myself and the desire to read the next book in this duology. The urgency to find out what happens next is already clawing at me. Brigitte Knightley is my newest shero. I love everything that makes The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy, just that- irresistible. It’s so funny and smart. I tried unsuccessfully to smother my laughter while in public waiting rooms, doctor offices, and any place I could read. Knightley credits a number of literary stars for inspiring them, and it showed especially in the word choices. In particular, the language Osric and Aurienne use to skewer each other with every verbal exchange. There were words I had to immediately look up the definition for, making the reading experience richer. Each word was well picked and placed. When I started reading, I had no hope of anything developing between Osric and Aurienne. At the end of this book, I want nothing more than to remove everything keeping them apart. If you’re looking for something that will live in your head rent-free once you’re finished, then this book is for you. It’s a delicious slow burn that will have you falling for the characters, kicking your heels with delight, and turning the pages as fast as you can.Reviewed by Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, Georgia |
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Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li Adult Nonfiction, Essays, Literary Collections A transcendent work that I’ll be thinking about forever. A book about living–applying precision to life’s formless mysteries, chiseling them out–much more than a book about grief. An act of generosity and courage, undertaken with breathtaking intelligence. Reviewed by Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama |
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A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction Amazing amazing amazing!! From the first chapter, I was immediately drawn into the story and only put it down when absolutely necessary. If you love Legendborn like I do, this is the book for you. I loved!! the main ensemble, and watching each of their dynamics grow against the backdrop of the story was beyond enjoyable. The budding forbidden, slow-burn romance alongside the steady increasing tension was chef’s kiss. Can’t wait for the second one! Reviewed by Sol Johnson, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina |
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Tyger by SF Said Children, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Portals & Alternate Worlds Tyger is a breathtaking story of courage, creativity, and resistance. SF Said weaves a powerful tale of magic and change, brought to life by Dave McKean’s stunning illustrations. With themes of anticolonialism, anticapitalism, and the power of empathy, this book reminds us that young minds can shape the world, if only we let them. Reviewed by Hezekiah Olorode, Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia |
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Espada by Anabel Colazo Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction There is so much push and pull in this story of a magical Princess who does not believe she alone should have the power she’s been given by her adopted mother, the queen. A beautifully illustrated graphic novel that focuses on the stories that are told. Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer Banned Books, Fiction, Literary A hypnotic onion of a puzzle…peel back one layer and find more questions, fewer answers. All the more triumphant in its building frustration, eventual catharsis. Area X is all of us and none of us, nowhere and everywhere, peering at us with a thousand impossible eyes. 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 “Discomfort is always a necessary part of enlightenment.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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