The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Books

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

, , ,
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

It will surprise no one familiar with my taste in books that while I enjoyed the romance subplot (read: didn’t actively annoy me like most romance plots do!) and genuinely liked the characters and their development, what I loved most about this novel was the questions it posed about the nature of criticism and artists: who is owed what, what should or shouldn’t be out of bounds, and the dramatic expansion of the court of public opinion in the internet age. Wonderful read that will appeal to readers of all kinds!

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, (List Price: $30, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250431295, October 2026)

Reviewed by Kat, novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson Read More »

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

, ,
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Smart. Well-written. Couldn’t put it down. Well-developed characters who are multi-dimensional. This is a fantastic take on a romance. For readers of romance, books about books, anyone who loves a look inside the publishing industry. Poses so many interesting questions about the book industry and what readers want from it, what writers want too.

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, (List Price: $30, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250431295, October 2026)

Reviewed by Christina, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson Read More »

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

, , ,
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

To reduce this novel to any one aspect would do it a disservice. It’s about the book world, online discourse, and the relationship between art and criticism. It’s a romance between two industry rivals whose journey mimics the greatest rom-coms from the 90s. It’s clever, full of nuance, and boasts impeccable banter. What resonated with me the most was watching these two characters find common ground over a shared love for specific stories, which ultimately helps them view each other in a more empathetic light. By the end I was left with the hopeful reminder that books can help us see others, and ourselves, more clearly and compassionately.

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, (List Price: $30, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250431295, October 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson Read More »

Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson

, , , , ,
Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Given how full the cozy mystery world is, new series need extra sparks to stand out. This one has puzzles plenty and instead of silly, quirky characters, there’s added maturity and emotional depth. This may be a small town story with a bookstore at its center, but it offers a new and enjoyable touch.

Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson, (List Price: $28, Minotaur Books, 9781250909954, December 2024)

Reviewed by Jan Blodgett, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson Read More »

Scroll to Top