September 28, 2026
You Are the Storyteller of Your Own Life
Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15, and this week’s SBR celebrates it with great reads by Latine authors. “I don’t study to know more, but to ignore less.” —Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
Celebrating Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez
“Jimenez delivers a sophisticated, plainspoken account of a Latina teen grappling with the urge and opportunity to escape…”
Adah, Main Street Books, Davidson, NC
When the Tides Held the Moon
“A lovely novel that is part historical fiction, part fantasy, part queer romance, and all about the remarkable joy…”
Jamie, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus Is Alive!
“This is a short story collection that is always honest.”
Chloe, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews, Chapel Hill, NC
Tender Is the Flesh
“It’s horrifying, it’s gory, but it seems so completely realistic – making it worse.”
Itzy, M. Judson Booksellers, Greenville, SC
Monstrilio
“A modern literary gothic take on the Frankenstein story that is low on the scares but high on thoughtful explorations…”
Tyler, Wild Aster Books, Chamblee, GA
Bookseller Buzz
Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise
“Katherine Rundell explains in a non-judgmental tone how important it is for us all to read children’s literature.”
— Daniel, Pearl’s Books, Fayetteville, AR
“After you read this tiny tome, you may find yourself wandering to your keeper shelf from childhood…”
— Rae Ann, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
“A wonderful little essay/novella that reassures those of us who still love Children’s Lit that we’re not off base.”
— Liz, Columbus Bound Bookshop, Columbus, GA
“What a wonderful and succinct reminder that reading is an essential joy!”
— Christina, The Snail on the Wall, Huntsville, AL
Read This Now
Switzy
“I’m in awe of how Cline captures the texture and cadence of a brain in decline…”
Kristen, Thank You Books, Birmingham, AL
Don’t Say Palestine
“A thorough and biting critique of Western media and its complicity in hiding a genocide.”
Rowan, Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL
The Ick Files
“The Icktionary gathers a bunch of people’s confessions of what gave them the ick, some of them hilarious…”
Kate, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
I Am Murphy and I Am Waiting
“A delightful story about Murphy the dog and how he spends his day waiting on his best human friend to come home from school.”
Claire, River & Hill Books, Rome, GA
Decide for Yourself
Decide for Yourself: The Bluest Eye
“Absolute devastation firmly grounded in the ordinary.”
Southern Bestsellers
Hardcover Fiction
- Exit Party — Emily St. John Mandel
- The Pirate Queen — Ariel Lawhon
- The Calamity Club — Kathryn Stockett
- Hollow Bones — Jodi Picoult
- We Chase Shadows — Richard Osman
Hardcover Nonfiction
- End Times Fascism — Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor
- The Nerd Reich — Gil Durán
- The Perilous Fight — Colin Kaepernick
- The Art of Fighting — Priya Parker
- American Scoundrel — Kai Bird & Susan Goldmark
Children’s Illustrated
- Gruffalo Granny — Julia Donaldson
- Room on the Broom — Julia Donaldson
- Goodnight Moon — Margaret Wise Brown
- Wonderful Halloween — Emily Winfield Martin
- Little Blue Truck’s Halloween — Alice Schertle