What a fascinating story! Ariel Lawhon does not disappoint.
The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon, (List Price: $32, Doubleday, 9780385550345, September 2026)
Reviewed by Carrie, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL
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An exciting addition to the history of literacy and Appalachian history. The illustrations beautifully reflect a moonlit environment. This picture book tells the story of the first classes geared towards remedying the high illiteracy rate in Appalachia in the early 20th century.
My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson, (List Price: $18.99, Norton Young Readers, 9781324054085, August 2026)
Reviewed by Frankie, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, KY
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This was good, but I was sort of expecting more. I love a good Regency romance, especially with a pirate, but the pacing felt a little bit off for me. At the beginning of the characters were very wary of each other, and then all of a sudden they were very loving towards each other, which, if this is a slow burn, then that shouldn’t be happening, but unfortunately it did. That being said, I did love the way Archer defended Ruby with all of his heart and wanted to make sure she was safe the whole time. Now that is a man! The absolute yearning this man had for her kept me on my toes. I absolutely love that man. Also, the way I could so relate to Ruby and how she doesn’t feel seen and feels a little bit odd, especially with social ton. Trust girl, I get it. But when she loves deeply and loves so fiercely, you can clearly tell that she means it. And I love the way she was able to defend Archer and herself as the story moves along.
Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250414250, June 2026)
Reviewed by Itzy, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina
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This spicy slow-burn historical romance between Ruby, a brilliant and eccentric heiress, and Archer, an accomplished privateer turned con man, is hilarious, heartwarming, hope-filled, and HOT (y’all, there are TWO special interest-based love scenes, and they are *INCREDIBLE*)!! I love this book and these characters with my whole heart, and I desperately need all of you to read it, because brilliant stories are meant to be shared, and this is one of the very best books I’ve ever read!
Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250414250, June 2026)
Reviewed by Lucy, Blinking Owl Books in Fort Myers, FL
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A fascinating look at the American Navy officers and their spouses stationed in La Maddalena, Italy in the early 1970s. Eileen navigates her new life in Italy as a newlywed and a Navy wife, while also immersing herself in the Italian town with the locals. And when she finds herself attracted to local journalist Teo, her life gets pulled in different directions. An engrossing story that was extremely well-researched. Definitely looking forward to recommending this to customers this summer!
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland, (List Price: $30, Simon & Schuster, 9781668069134, July 2026)
Reviewed by Claire, River & Hill Books in Rome, GA
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Rachel Beanland transports readers to a remote Italian island, where a young Navy wife is forced to face both the reality of her whirlwind romance and her country’s role in the nuclear submarine program endangering the locals. Beanland weaves a layered story of romance, love, purpose, and trying desperately to fit in — while not knowing exactly where you fit. I felt transported by the beauty of the island and completely drawn into this setting. This story — of a government failing its own people and others — feels very current and relevant, too. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy learning through historical fiction.
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland, (List Price: $30, Simon & Schuster, 9781668069134, July 2026)
Reviewed by Beth, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC
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The Half Life is an honest coming-of-age story absorbed in unexpected love, worldwide adventure, and political upheaval. Readers will discover not all is as it seems when navigating life in Mediterranean waters.
The Half Life by Rachel Beanland, (List Price: $30, Simon & Schuster, 9781668069134, July 2026)
Reviewed by Jenny, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia
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“I’ve always really been fascinated in maps and the idea of mapping and the impulse to map. I think it is a real human instinct to do it. It actually – as humans, it predates our ability to write. You know, the first known map in the world is an Iron Age map on the walls of a cave in what’s now the Italian Alps in a place called Bedolina. And somebody at some point was filled with the urge to draw, to scratch into the rock this exquisite rendering of their home – their fields and huts and their sort of town, I suppose you would call it. And it’s just such an interesting representation of the urge to say, this is who I am. This is where I am. But of course, you fast-forward a – say, a thousand years or so and you get to the Roman Empire. And from that point on, it’s impossible to disentangle the urge to map from the urge to possess, the – from colonialism.”
― Maggie O’Farrell, NPR Fresh Air
What booksellers are saying about Land
About Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1972. Her novels include Hamnet (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Women’s Prize for Fiction), The Marriage Portrait, After You’d Gone, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, The Hand That First Held Mine (winner of the Costa Novel Award), and Instructions for a Heatwave. She has also written a memoir, I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death. She lives in Edinburgh.
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When I first read this novel, it was as if scales fell from my eyes. As Hurston writes, I began to see life “like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and Doom in the branches.” Get it. Read it. Period.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, (List Price: $27.99, Amistad, 9780063068537, January 2021)
Reviewed by Jim, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA
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LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS ONE. An absolutely stunning study on the lives we almost have. The decisions we make, who we make them with (and for), and how relationships change and sustain us. Truly one of the best love stories I’ve ever read, queer literature is in good hands lately.
Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, (List Price: $29, S&S/Summit Books, 9781668204276, March 2026)
Reviewed by Sarah, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia
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A love letter to a people and place we see far too little of in books and media. It is time for more books like Hannah’s to teach us about Palestinians and their beautiful culture. I fell in love with the family in this book and the stories they share, and I know the littles in your world will too. This book is not just a teaching tool; it is an entertaining and heartwarming story.
Homeland by Hannah Moushabeck, (List Price: $18.99, Chronicle Books, 9781797202051, March 2023)
Reviewed by Rayna, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA
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The Viking Age, a period marked by Norsemen raids and trade, serves as the backdrop for a compelling narrative of survival, faith, and redemption. Three distinct characters emerge from the shadows of this tumultuous era, each bearing their own burdens and stories. Brother Martin, a young monk, is one of the few survivors of a brutal massacre at a monastery. This experience challenges his faith and spirituality, and as you read it, you will witness his internal struggles. Una, a beekeeper, gets the opportunity to escape her brute of a husband due to the raid, and after years of enduring brutality, she is determined to find a new path. It’s not easy, but a better life is ahead. Then there is Griuir, who was a Norse raider left for dead. He struggles with guilt over his participation in the violent raid, the Viking legacy, and he looks to reconcile his violent actions with a desire for atonement. With the emotional journey through the beautiful landscapes of Scotland, the author does an exceptional job of writing these characters’ personal growth and redemption. I did some additional research on the Viking age to understand more, and it did not disappoint me. It reminds me of other books I have read on enduring the power of redemption and the capacity for change in all of us. Beautiful!
The Book of I by David Greig, (List Price: $17.95, Europa Editions, 9798889661979, March 2026)
Reviewed by VaLinda, Turning Page Bookshop in Charleston, South Carolina
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I hope I don’t give too much away, but I was quite inspired by Witness, with Harrison Ford amongst the Amish. I was really interested in this idea of a gangster amongst peacemakers, which is really what Witness is. I find that really fascinating. I became interested in Celtic Christianity because it was very revolutionary at the time in ways that we slightly forget. This was a world of utter warlordism, a very, very violent world and it was pagan. All of that was predicated on the idea that it was good to be strong and kill people. If gods were with you, that’s what would happen. If gods weren’t with you, you’d be weak. The idea of a religion that was founded on the idea that you might want to be weak, or you might want to be humble, was completely insane to these people. I mean, they looked at it and just went, “You’re mad! What are you talking about?”
― David Greig, Interview, Indies Introduce
What booksellers are saying about The Book of I
About David Greig
David Greig is a Scottish writer whose plays have been performed widely in the UK and around the world. His theatre work includes The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, Touching the Void, Midsummer, The Events, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Local Hero, and Dunsinane. From 2015 to 2025 he was the Artistic Director at Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre. The Book of I is his first novel.
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What a fantastic fantasy debut. This book pulled out my heart and left me in a pool of my own anger, disbelief, and pure enjoyment. Rage, passion, and love are the core of this book. We follow Aicha and her loved ones and get to see how far she is willing to go for what she believes to be right. Rebel forces, family bonds, colonialism, and demons lurking in corners. Aicha will be a book that they talk about for years to come.
Aicha by Soraya Bouazzaoui, (List Price: $18.99, Orbit, 9780316582018, March 2026)
Reviewed by Mekhala, Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, FL
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You mourn, you love, you laugh, and you grow with our dear Lady Tremaine. You can feel her desperation and anger at her situation in every chapter. She is struggling to keep her family afloat, a task that feels like it could collapse at any moment. Throughout the story, Lady Tremaine learns that supporting her family does not look the way she initially thought it would, but she is willing to forge a new path for the benefit of her daughters. I appreciated Rachel’s use of foreshadowing. Normally, I can maintain an objective perspective while reading, considering all sides, but Rachel has a way of making you deeply feel what the characters experience, including the anger she wants you to direct toward certain individuals. This is a fantastic retelling of a fairy tale that you won’t want to miss. If you love the traditional story of Cinderella being rescued by her prince, this version may not be for you. In this tale, THE GIRLS ARE SAVING THEMSELVES!
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser, (List Price: $29, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250396341, March 2026)
Reviewed by Sarah, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana
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