|
|
|
|
The week of September 10, 2024 Genre Spotlight: Mystery 
Bookstores in the South have their annual conference in August. They go to hear about the books coming out in the fall, and to share their favorite books of the season. One of the things they do is get together with other booksellers who read and love the same genres, and create lists of books–new and old — of some of their favorite "hand sells." Here are some of the books on their "Mysteries" list: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson How do you solve a crime where all of the suspects specialize in murder? One of the best and most enjoyable crime novels I have read in quite some time. –Hannah Coburn, M Judson, Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll Sadly, notoriety in the true crime realm mainly goes towards perpetrators, not victims. Jessica Knoll flips that notion on its head with this fictional retelling of the Bundy murder spree, focusing on the female victims and the repercussions that impact their friends and family. –Sydney Bozeman, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby All The Sinners Bleed is crime fiction at its best. Cosby has created a genre all his own with this and his first two novels that I’d call “Virginia noir.” –Stuart McCommon, Novel in Memphis, Tennessee The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton Ooooh, this was a fascinating premise. A bit odd, sometimes confusing, and thoroughly enjoyable. I liked the mystery and LOVED the ethical/philosophical questions raised. –Kate Snyder, Plaid Elephant Books in Danville, Kentucky The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald Prepare for a deep drive into British quirkiness. A reclusive author gets an assistant she doesn’t need, a local politician finagles a literary festival out of thin air and the skills of a retired con artist, books abound, murders ensue. More than just a puzzle, this mystery charms with character studies and humor. –Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina See more mystery books loved by Southern indie booksellers Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
|
|
|
Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
|
|
The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance I am truly obsessed with this book. It’s the coziness of Gilmore Girls but with magic. I related to the main character’s struggles (aside from the cursed town) and the conflicts were *chef’s kiss*. I need seven more, please and thank you. Reviewed by Alyssa Stewart, Fable Hollow in Knoxville, Tennessee |
|
|
Colored Television by Danzy Senna Adult Fiction, African American & Black, Fiction, Women Danzy Senna’s Colored Television is a masterpiece and a gut-wrenching story of one woman’s need to create art through her writing, provide a safe home for her family, stay connected to her artist husband (who never sells any paintings) and all without the creature comforts everyone has. There is a desperation in Jane, a frantic pulling of herself forward, her chin and chest pointing towards what she needs, and this tension and desire is a bolt of electricity throughout. Based in Los Angeles and centered around the bureaucracy of academia and the BS of television writing, Colored Television examines race, class, social status, and gender issues with such a sharp edge you’ll be forever changed. Reviewed by Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookseller Buzz |
 |
|
Spotlight on: Where the Forest Meets the River by Shannon Bowring 
At the risk of sounding hokey, I’ve always felt destined to write about Dalton, which is inspired by the tiny town where I grew up in Aroostook County, Maine — as far north as you can go in the state before hitting Canada. While all the characters and events in the books are fictional, the beautiful yet isolated setting is borrowed from real life. From the time I started writing stories when I was a kid, much of my fiction has revolved around this place and my complicated feelings toward it: As much as I have always held a deep adoration of the land, I have also often felt somehow separate from it. Writing about Aroostook allowed me to discover my familiar world through different perspectives and to explore the ways such a secluded landscape can shape, inspire, unite, and limit the people who call it home. What booksellers are saying about Where the Forest Meets the River 
Shannon Bowring’s work has appeared in numerous journals and has been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Net prizes. Her debut novel, The Road to Dalton, was chosen as one of NPR’s Books We Love in 2023. Where the Forest Meets the River is her second novel. She resides in Bath, Maine, and works at the Patten Free Library. |
 |
|
|
Good Night, Sleep Tight by Brian Evenson Adult Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories (single author) 
A September Read This Next! Title I read most of these perfectly crafted stories in a single evening alone in a bedroom far from home. In the midst of reading one story I found particularly horrific, I glanced up at the wall. There was a painting of a moonlit lake next to a rocky shore limned entirely in blue. In my current headspace, I felt what can only be described as an "Evensonian impulse" creeping up my spine—to get out of my bed and walk toward the painting until I had passed through the canvas interstice into that sad navy wilderness. That’s the power of Evenson’s stories: not that he merely tells you about the squishy places in the membrane between our world and worlds beyond, but that he plants within your mind the certainty—which all children feel but adults tend to doubt—that you have already fallen through. Get lost in these stories. I hope you make it back. Reviewed by Charlie Monroe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
|
|
Manboobs by Komail Aijazuddin Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Memoirs I am overjoyed to share Manboobs by Komail Aijazuddin with our customers! This memoir by a gay Pakistani man is fierce, funny, and flawless. Examining hyphenated identity from several angles, Aijazuddin explores art, immigration, racism, body dysmorphia, self-acceptance, and so much more. I started laughing the moment I read the first page and cried at the end. Loved every moment of it! Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction A beautiful conclusion to a stunning young adult series that will leave you craving more of the story after the ending. This book shows what it means to truly wait and look for the one you love even if it takes centuries, but knowing that one day they will find you again. Their marriage starts off rocky to say the least with Blythe having trick Fate into marrying her and not her cousin who he thought was his long lost love Life. As things unfold and Blythe begins seeing memories she has no knowledge of having made she begins to question who she really is and if there is more to her than what was once a strong willed sick girl. Fate begins to see that if he is stuck being with Blythe for the rest of her mortal life he might as well make the best of it and not keep fighting her on everything, but soon discovers that he may actually be developing feelings for her and feels connected to her on a deeper level even. Will the two be able to work together and over come their fears in time to save Blythe’s life, again, or will history be repeating itself all over again leaving Fate with a fresh broken heart, and Blythe lost once again to the hands of Death? Reviewed by Kelli Dynia, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
|
The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Méndez Children, Juvenile Fiction, Soccer, Sports & Recreation
A September/October Kids Read This Next! Title Fútbol is the most important thing in twelve-year-old Valeria Salomón’s life, especially when life feels like it’s turning against her. But when Val gets her first period in the middle of the most important soccer game of her life (so far), the fallout slide tackles her into a summer harder than she’d ever imagined. In this delightful middle-grade read full of attitude, Val is forced to dig deep, figure out who she is as a teammate, friend, and daughter, and- most importantly- learn to play like a girl. Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
![The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, Volume 1 [A Graphic Novel] by Tri Vuong](https://thesouthernbooksellerreview.org/wp-content/uploads/9781984863287.jpg)
|
|
The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn, Volume 1 [A Graphic Novel] by Tri Vuong Comics & Graphic Novels, Horror This graphic novel is quirky, fun, and warm-hearted all while involving a floating skull and an evil cosmic space squid. Paranormal investigator (and floating skull), Oscar Zahn is a dapper and kindhearted character. The art is beautiful, the stories are funny and emotional. I very much enjoyed my time in this universe. Reviewed by Stacey Riggins, Book No Further in Roanoke, Virginia |
|
Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
|
|
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi Banned Books, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, United States, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction "Angels can look like many things… and so can monsters." This book has a simple premise that is used to discuss more complex meanings and was done very successfully. It has a pretty straightforward plot, and older audiences will probably guess where it’s going, but I enjoyed it for letting how the characters reckon with this society and the choices they make be the focus. True monsters can hide in plain sight and we must be vigilant to the warning signs we might not want to see. Reviewed by Olivia Stacey, E. Shaver bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “All these people talk so eloquently about getting back to good old-fashioned values. Well, as an old poop I can remember back to when we had those old-fashioned values, and I say let’s get back to the good old-fashioned First Amendment of the good old-fashioned Constitution of the United States — and to hell with the censors! Give me knowledge or give me death!” |
|
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.