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The week of September 16, 2025 In celebration of Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month  "Write what should not be forgotten." – Isabel Allende From September 15 to October 15th we celebrate Hispanic and Latine Heritage month, honoring the vital contributions Hispanic and Latine people, bearing witness to their history, and celebrating their unique culture. At The Southern Bookseller Review, we think one of the best ways to celebrate the month is to read books by Hispanic and Latine authors. For the next four weeks the leading review will be of a book from a Latine writer Southern booksellers love and want people to read. But four is only a drop in the ocean of stellar Latine novels: Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr. The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes Covert Joy: Selected Stories by Clarice Lispector, Katrina Dodson (Trans.) Oye: A Novel by Melissa Mogollon The Trial of Anna Thalberg by Eduardo Sangarcía, Elizabeth Bryer (Trans.) All Friends Are Necessary: A Novel by Tomas Moniz Fiction by Latine Authors at Bookshop Hispanic and Latino Books at SBR A woman who writes has power, and a woman with power is feared. –Gloria Anzaldúa
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Barrera Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Literary Figures An examination of an author’s life like no other, Jazmina Barrera reveals the impossibility of truly understanding the motivations and choices of another. Researching documents on Elena Garro’s life and reading her writing for over two years, Barrera succeeds in bringing Garro’s complexity to light, illustrating her creativity, brilliance, impulsiveness, and instability. Barrera also portrays Elena’s humor and imagination as she fights against a society that limits women’s opportunities. Using a completely original form, Barrera has honored Garro’s life and work while still acknowledging the answers she never found. After reading this book, I added titles by Elena Garro to my to-be-read list. Reviewed by Lera Shawver, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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The Phoebe Variations by Jane Hamilton Adult Fiction, Coming of Age The Phoebe Variations gives us a girl on the cusp of independence but still longing for a place with family. Her own (adoptive) mother introduces Phoebe to her biological family without providing all the necessary information first. The upsetting visit turns Phoebe’s life upside down, and sets in motion a series of changes that will forever affect her life. We meet all kinds of families (especially mothers and children) who Hamilton so beautifully describes in all their quirky, unique ways. Phoebe sees what love can look like (or not) in so many forms and learns a great deal about herself and life along the way. I really loved the kooky story with funny scenes and absolutely wonderful writing. Reviewed by Christina Tabereaux, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama |
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Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey Adult Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy 
A September Read This Next! Title This may well be my favorite Big Shots book in the series. I loved seeing Robbie go from an unlikable guy to one who was so gone on Skylar, he realized he needed to be better, not for her, but for himself. This may be the slowest burn of all of Tessa’s books, but it’s so worth it getting to that point. Skylar and Robbie don’t hold back when following along with Skylar’s plans to "learn" how to be comfortable with a guy she’s interested in. I also loved how much Skylar and Robbie hyped each other up and took care of each other. I am hoping Elton and his best friend get a book. Maybe even Mailer too. Reviewed by Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, Georgia |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Alchemised by SenLinYu 
Queer fandom was “one of the first fault lines, I suppose you could say, of me beginning to question all the things that I had been taught,” says Sen, who came to realize that they were nonbinary through the material, which felt as eye-opening as it did illicit. “I was not supposed to be there,” Sen remembers with a laugh, “and every time my dad found out, he would block the website and I would have to go and find another one.” ― SenLinYu, Interview, Bustle Alchemised by SenLinYu 
SenLinYu grew up in the Pacific Northwest and studied classical liberal arts and culture. They started writing in the Notes app of their phone during their baby’s nap time. Their collected online works have garnered over twenty million individual downloads and have been translated into twenty-three languages. They live in Portland with their family. Alchemised is their first novel. |
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Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon Adult Fiction, Fantasy There is indeed a queen of epic fantasy, and her name is Samantha Shannon. If this was in question before, Among the Burning Flowers is the final bolster in an already solid throne. Acting as a history of the events that occur immediately before the climax of Priory of the Orange Tree, the novel is told from the perspective of those cast to the edges of the original work. With intricate world-building that pays shrewd attention to everything from the looming mountains to the style of a singular carved button, the chainmail of Virtudom is tightly woven. But despite the glittering and gritty descriptions, what stands out most is the choices of deeply flawed characters. Every point of view is given its chance to both shine and be utterly messy, the two in combination crafting characters that feel real to the point that you could converse with them. Even if you are unfamiliar with the world of Priory, Among the Burning Flowers is well worth the read. Reviewed by Sydney Mason, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Startlement by Ada Limón Adult Nonfiction, Poetry, Women Authors Pulled from her previous six collections and spanning her 20-year career as a poet, Startlement will do just that with its precise beauty, lush and generous language, its wisdom about what it is to be living in this world. If you only buy one book of poetry this year, you’ll be glad it’s this! Reviewed by Johanna Hynes, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky |
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Hazelthorn by CG Drews Horror, Young Adult Fiction Perfect! Five stars! Hazelthorn is my all-time favorite YA and horror book, and I highly recommend it! The romance is fantastic, and the world-building and eerie Gothic atmosphere are amazing! The protagonist, Evander, who tragically loses his parents and is adopted by a reclusive billionaire who imprisons him in his room like a prisoner, instantly won my heart. Following the suspicious death of the billionaire, estranged families bring in a new attorney to carry out the will, and Evander is compelled to form an alliance with Laurie, his sworn enemy. The two learn secret information about the forbidden garden, the sinister red door, and the enigmatic mansion. Evander discovers he is drawn to Laurie in unexpected ways. The conclusion will never be forgotten! By the way, I can never look at plants the same way again. Reviewed by Sandra Pinkney, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia |
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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall Children, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Orphans & Foster Homes Gwen MacKinnon has spent much of the eleven short years of her life feeling unwanted, but it only takes two weeks in a small Massachusetts town–plus one unruly dog, an enthusiastic four-year-old, the coolest older cousin, the corniest uncle, some love and attention, and an entire clan of tiny, winged creatures convinced she is destined to be a hero–for Gwen to understand that home isn’t just a word. This new book by Jeanne Birdsall is absolutely worth the wait (to be honest I needed the time, I’m still recovering from The Penderwicks in Spring), full of Birdsall’s signature heart and community love, with some very unique world building for the lore of the Lahdukan. Gwen is a delightful character to join on her journey of fate, discovery, and courage. Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia |
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Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.) Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Horror, Juvenile Fiction, Paranormal Ghost Circus has beautiful illustrations! I loved the characters in the Circus and I hope we see more of the creepy girl and find out more about her and her memories! I am also super excited her friend Casey gets to come back and see her more and they can uncover more of the mystery of the creepy girl! Reviewed by sarah dimaria, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab Adult Fiction, Banned Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical How far would you go for freedom? Addie’s story is told across continents, over centuries, as she grapples with the consequences of choice. I love a morally gray heroine and seeing her desperation and the lengths she’d go to leave a mark on the world (influencing art and music). Achingly tender as she’s caught between the only man who ever remembered her – and the devil who won’t let her go. Reviewed by Ellie Hirsch, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
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Art Work: On the Creative Life by Sally Mann Adult Nonfiction, Art, Bestsellers, Biographical & Autofiction, Creativity, Essays, Individual Artists, Individual Photographers, Memoirs, Photography, Self-Help Loved reading Sally Mann’s Art Work: On the Creative Life, specifically because she makes the creative life so accessible. She reminds us of the real jobs alongside the artist doing the passionate work of art making and the passionate pursuit of the artist. The practicality of being an artist- the scheduling of creativity- becomes a demystifying act of the creative process through this book. Peppered with typewritten excerpts and ephemera from her adulthood- life alongside her art, Sally Mann’s book Art Work is a joy to read. Reviewed by Kimberly Daniels, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “To read a poem is to hear it with our eyes; to hear it is to see it with our ears.” |
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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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