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The week of August 22, 2023 Short Five Star Reviews for September!
Booksellers always get an early peak at the books coming out over the next few months. In fact, many of them will tell you getting early access to new books is one of the reasons they became booksellers in the first place! Here are ten books coming out in September that Southern booksellers have given all the stars! (click on a book title to read more.) Cornbread & Poppy at the Museum by Matthew Cordell The Imaginary Alphabet by Sylvie Daigneault Susie King Taylor by Erica Armstrong Dunbar Good Women by Halle Hill Wellness by Nathan Hill Enlighten Me (A Graphic Novel) by Minh Lê I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore ZigZag by Julie Paschkis A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid Starter Villain by John Scalzi Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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Shark Heart by Emily Habeck Adult Fiction, Magical Realism  An August 2023 Read This Next! Title In a debut as profound as it is strange, Emily Habeck explores what happens when a newlywed couple is split apart by a strange mutation–one of them is turning rapidly, limb by fin, into a great white shark. With imagination and heart, Habeck startles the reader awake with the questions we all have living in us: can I survive loss in my life? How do I remain open when I am suffering? What does it mean to learn myself again? Reviewed by Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Spotlight on: Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward 
“I love horror. I think it’s one of the most expressive, most empathetic genres you can work in. Everyone feels afraid at some point in their life. Reading is a sustained act of telepathy or empathy, and reading horror is even more profound than that: it’s asking people to share real vulnerabilities of yours and open themselves up to their own. It is like going down a tunnel, and hopefully the writer is leading the way with a torch, taking the reader’s hand. I think it’s because of the difficulty of engaging with it, and having to open yourself up to feelings which society dismisses as being quite childlike. Fear isn’t something we’re particularly interested in dissecting; it’s considered a bit schlocky. But when done right, horror is a transformative experience….” ― Catriona Ward, Interview, The Guardian What booksellers are saying about Looking Glass Sound 
About Catriona Ward Catriona Ward was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. She studied English at the University of Oxford and later earned her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Ward is a three-time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel: for The Girl from Rawblood, her debut; Little Eve; and The Last House on Needless Street. Little Eve also won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel. Ward is the international bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Sundial. |
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To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai Adult Fiction, Asian American, Fiction, Mystery& Detective, Romantic Comedy To Have and to Heist is a wild-ride from start to finish. Think Oceans 11 with serious screwball romantic comedy energy. The plot is complex, but Desai is no novice. A seasoned romance author whose previous works have charmed us for the last few years (The Single’s Game, The Wedding Planner & The Dating Project), Desai is known for lovable, awkward leads caught in the cross hairs of cultural expectations and hi-jinks. Simi, her floundering heroine with zero filter, is instantly lovable. Jack is Simi’s perfect foil; secretive and gruff but also floundering in his own way. Their chemistry is instant. While Simi and Jack’s relationship takes the lead, sizzling with sexual tension, their heist crew provides the perfect goof-ball comedic relief. Would I trust an Uber driver, a hit-man, a nerdy man-child, and an animal loving HIMBO to have my back in a heist? In these circumstances… you bet. Sara Desai brings us the experiences of many young, second generation Indian Americans- pressure to live up to familial expectations, be successful, and, of course, get married. Expertly weaving these experiences into laugh out loud romances. To Have and To Heist is the fun, heart-racing, summer romance adventure that we all deserve. Reviewed by Katie Garaby, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee |
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Strip Tees by Kate Flannery Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Business, Fashion & Textile Industry, Personal Memoirs This was a nostalgic punch to the gut for me as a former American Apparel gal, reminding me of when I wore Lycra and bodysuits to work, had my picture taken every day, then finally snapped, saying I was not a model and quitting, taking the last vestiges of my dignity along with me. I feel seen. More seen than when I was wearing spandex and lamé. This was a validating read for me, but will also be interesting to those who came of age in the 2000s, for every Millennial who cut their teeth on celebrity culture and came away wanting more. Reviewed by Aimee Keeble, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina |
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Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffin Fantasy, Wizards & Witches, Young Adult Fiction This book is stirring, evocative, gorgeous, and compulsively readable! I was drawn in by the strong, clear voice of the heroine from the first page. This book weaves together themes of magic, power, nature, duty, safety, love, wildness, and passion. A beautiful story extremely well told. I can’t wait for the next installment, because I am left with the conviction that Tana’s story has only just begun. Reviewed by Ruth Goldstein, E. Shaver, bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
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Elves Are the Worst! by Alex Willan Animals, Children, Dragons, Juvenile Fiction, Unicorns & Mythical Super cute picture book for the holidays that is laugh-out-loud funny for kids and their grown-ups. Written in the style of a graphic novel, younger kids will gravitate towards this format that makes them feel like they’re reading a big kid book. Behind all the humor, this book has a great message of appearances aren’t everything. Reviewed by Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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One Smart Cookie by Mika Song Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction Fortunately, one of the adorable squirrels was learning to read and write. Their futures were bright, and cookies were just a few words away. If only they could think their way into the fortune cookie writer’s block. Darling and silly, this graphic novel is perfect for beginning readers of all ages. Reviewed by Jilleen Moore, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding Banned Books, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult Fiction The Summer of Jordi Perez is a pitch-perfect summery contemporary romance. I adored the plus-size lesbian blogger main character as she navigates new friendships, anxiety, new relationships, and an internship. With a romance that anyone can get behind, straight or otherwise, this book is perfect for anyone wanting a light, fun read. Reviewed by Shauna Sinyard, Park Road Books in Charlotte, North Carolina |
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Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
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Parting Thought “A good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read.” |
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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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