The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Fantasy

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman

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Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman
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A chilling, darkly humorous, sci-fi thriller with a sharp real-world edge had me turning the pages nonstop. On the newly colonized planet New Sonora, farmer Oliver is fighting to protect his family’s land and legacy. When a mech war machine attacks his property, he learns the truth: back on Earth, a powerful corporation has turned colonist eviction into a televised game, allowing wealthy players to design and remotely pilot deadly mechs for sport. With his fearless sister Lulu, clever farm robots, and a growing resistance, Oliver fights back against invaders who paid top dollar to hunt them; smart, tense, and uncomfortably relevant. I highly recommend!

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, (List Price: $32, Ace, 9780593820308, February 2026)

Reviewed by Sandra, Hills and Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

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Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian

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Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian
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Fustuk is a compelling story of a complicated family trying to staying true to their heritage in more ways than one. I loved this art, I loved these characters, and the overarching story – Katah making a magical deal to save his mother’s life – had me on the edge of my seat. Memories play a huge role in this graphic novel, and Apelian did an amazing job at portraying the perfect mix of past and present in his story and art.

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian, (List Price: $25.99, Penguin Workshop, 9780593658895, January 2026)

Reviewed by Mallory Sutton, Bards Alley in Vienna, Virginia

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The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers

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The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
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A magical bookshop, a whodunnit, and a morally grey heroine wrapped in rich lore. This story is pure fantasy perfection. It’s so immersive, it doesn’t feel like reading at all… just magic.The characters feel alive, the mystery keeps you turning pages, and before you know it, ‘one more chapter’ becomes four hours later, and worth every second! You’ll miss the bookshop the moment you close the cover.

The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers, (List Price: $29, Redhook, 9780316561839, November 2025)

Reviewed by Erika Patoni, Righton Books in Saint Simons Island, Georgia

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Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto

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Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto
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Greek mythology inspires this debut romantasy, featuring a richly constructed magical world filled with political intrigue, spymasters, banished royalty, forbidden romance, trauma, and epic friendships. The author does an amazing job bringing both the story and its characters to life. We follow Aella, the female lead, whose point of view drives the narrative. Once a princess, she is disowned and cast into a guild of spymasters called The Aviary. After seven years of grueling work to prove herself, her first major assignment requires her to pretend to be a princess once more and entice a ruthless prince. Aella’s journey is deeply emotional and often painful, making her story incredibly compelling. The ending absolutely demands more.

Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto, (List Price: $30, The Dial Press, 9798217153824, February 2026)

Reviewed by Sandra Pinkney, Hills and Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

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The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu

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The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu
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This delightful little book serves up some sweet life lessons through the use of magical candy. Each customer finds themselves at the Amberglow Candy Store at a critical point in their lives. Kogetsu, the mysterious proprietor is there to sell sweets that produce unexpected in the customers’ lives. A nice cozy read tied together with a final chapter that, like wagashi of the book, offers a surprising change in perspective.

The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu, (List Price: $28, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9780593854921, November 2025)

Reviewed by Alex Schulz, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

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The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin

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The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin
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With a heartbreaking but beautiful love story, and a unique magic system, you’ll want to jump right through the pages to Reverie and into the world of Starmakers. The perfect blend of fantasy, will-they-won’t-they romance, and comedy, this book will make you laugh and cry. If you love grumpy/sunshine (literally) mixed with magic… this is for you!

The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin, (List Price: $19.99, Sourcebooks Fire, 9781728256184, February 2026)

Reviewed by Mallory Clark, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett

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Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett
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I so enjoyed this retelling by Mac Barnett of a story I often forget is rather complex. But here he adds his particular wit which pairs so well with Ellis’ illustrations that transport you into another world.

Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett, (List Price: $19.99, Orchard Books, 9781338673852, February 2026)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker

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I'll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker
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Timeloops, dragon descendants, and complex relationships! I typically struggle with time travel themes, but I swear Baker has this way of writing that just immediately settles readers into her stories. You may not always know what’s going on, but by the end of the book you will–you just have to trust her as she leads you deeper into her labyrinths. With the woven history of Japanese and Korean myths, this standalone YA fantasy is as clever as it is thrilling, and a return to the exciting stories I remember getting lost in when I was a teenager–but also not restrictive to that age bracket, especially for those who love a rollercoaster of a story from start to finish, magic, and a good ol’ “save the world” plot.

I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker, (List Price: $19.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250381989, November 2025)

Reviewed by Tamara Browning, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

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The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
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Jackson really gets better with every book! I was hooked from page one on this updated version of Carrie, and I think Stephen King would be proud to have inspired this. Maddy is biracial and outcast from her peers and miserable at home with her abusive father. Racial tensions dividing the town of Springville come to a head on prom night, and the results are…explosive. Do not miss this amazing YA thriller!

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson, (List Price: $15.95, Quill Tree Books, 9780063029156, September 2023)

Reviewed by Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia

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The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell

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The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell
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A little bit historical fiction, a little magical realism, and throw in some grief for good measure, and you’ve got The White Octopus Hotel. If you enjoyed The Ministry of Time last year, this is the book for you.

The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell, (List Price: $19, Del Rey, 9798217091799, October 2025)

Reviewed by Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books in Rome, Georgia

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Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich

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Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich
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If you are a fan of Margaret Atwood, and specifically The Handmaid’s Tale, this book is a must-read. Erdrich’s storytelling feels very intimate, which I prefer in a dystopian novel. A larger picture comes into focus through the perspective of Cedar’s individual experience. Quietly disturbing, this story will stick with you long after you’ve read the last page. Though this book is not a new release, I would put it in league with The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan and Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.

Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich, (List Price: $17.99, Harper Perennial, 9780062694065, November 2018)

Reviewed by Krista Roach, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith

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Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith
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Gilded in Vengeance has such a lovable cast of characters that I couldn’t help but get attached. Jack’s unwavering loyalty paired with Emmy’s guarded heart made for a very interesting dynamic. The plotline was done wonderfully, enforcing the idea that sometimes growing for yourself and those you care about is the most powerful form of revenge — While still exacting revenge on those deserving. Have you ever read a book with such a perfectly done plot twist that you’re angry you didn’t notice it sooner? No? Well, read this book and join the club!

Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Storytide, 9780063239623, November 2025)

Reviewed by Eden Haymon, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana

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Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

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Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
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I love everything about this book. From the title to the blurb, to the story and characters, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore was exactly what I was hoping it would be- a story I couldn’t wait to pick up and fall into. It’s cozy, adorable, and just the right amount of sweet and spicy. My favorite is the theme of redemption and finding out who you are and what you want. Emily Krempholttz debut had me falling for Violet and Nathaniel, along with Dragon’s Rest. I want more murderous plants, small town, magic, and rock goblins. Take me back to Dragon’s Rest for more adventures! Emily Krempholtz’s Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is the perfect fall/winter read to binge!

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz, (List Price: $19, Ace, 9780593954300, November 2025)

Reviewed by Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, Georgia

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The Last Ember by Lily Berlin Dodd

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The Last Ember by Lily Berlin Dodd
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With magical prose and a fun cast of quirky characters, middle-grade readers are sure to be swept away by this heartfelt adventure story.

The Last Ember by Lily Berlin Dodd, (List Price: $19.99, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 9780374393120, November 2025)

Reviewed by Cindy Otis, The Stacks Bookstore in Savannah, Georgia

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Dragonborn by Struan Murray

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Dragonborn by Struan Murray
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Absolutely loved this. What a great twist for readers who love dragons but are moving on to books with heavier themes and twists. Loved the strong female lead and the perfect balance of being the new girl and learning about yourself. Honestly, probably a great read for friends who loved KPop demon hunters (I can’t think of higher praise than that!). Female lead, family secrets, welcoming the darkness within.

Dragonborn by Struan Murray, (List Price: $19.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9798217113217, October 2025)

Reviewed by Stacey Sanford, Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi

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