The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Young Adult Fiction

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
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I was so happy to get this book (mostly because of how big it was), but I was even more surprised when I sat down to read it, and I was so engaged that I lost track of time, and I couldn’t put it down. It was so amazingly well written, and the characters were astoundingly well written and hilarious. I spent three solid days reading this book, and it never felt like a chore to do so. The ending was amazing, and I can’t wait to have three solid days free so that I can read the next one.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, (List Price: $11.99, Square Fish, 9781250076960, February 2018)

Reviewed by Mandolin Moore, Story on the Square in McDonough, Georgia

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What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch
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Gothic readers rejoice; What Wakes the Bells is exactly what you are looking for! This young adult fantasy boasts a vivid fantasy world filled with ominous bells, luminous Saints, and a sinister city that lives and breaths alongside its citizens. The story follows Mina Strauss, a Bell Keeper, as she learns the secrets and complexities to her family’s bell-keeping legacy. Within Mina’s journey, the story deals with toxic family relationships, the effects of grief, issues of autonomy and consent, and the pressure to protect those you love. From the acme of Lyndell Hall’s bell tower to the shadowy halls of the catacombs, this Czechian myth-inspired tale will captivate you!

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch, (List Price: $19.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250322807, March 2025)

Reviewed by Catherine Pabalate, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Parachutes by Kelly Yang

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Parachutes by Kelly Yang
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Kelly Yang’s spectacular YA debut follows the lives of Claire, a “parachute” – the teenage daughter of a wealthy Chinese family sent to the United States to attend high school – and Dani, daughter of a first-generation Filipino immigrant. Claire and Dani become reluctant roommates, setting the stage for a novel that has it all – compelling friendships, insights into wealth and power dynamics, complicated relationships with parents, and two #metoo moments that made me feel all the things and had me rooting for Dani and Claire. I didn’t want it to end. A fantastic older YA book.

Parachutes by Kelly Yang, (List Price: $15.99, HarperCollins, 9780062941091, July 2021)

Reviewed by Elese Stutts, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

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Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
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I’m a hoofer. Tap has always been my dance love, and one of Vicki’s Tap Pups’ neatest dances was a compilation of dances of the 50s and 60s. Needless to say, ballroom dancing is not my strength, although a simple jitterbug has given hubs and me a surprising amount of wedding attention. Thing is, it’s not the jitterbug, it’s the connection. I’m proud to say we’ve been married for 20 years. In Instructions for Dancing, Evie receives a dubious superpower that she sees the love lives of couples — how they met, how they grew together, and, prophetically, the tragic breakups that haven’t happened yet but will. That, coupled with her parents’ ugly divorce (and not being allowed to tell her younger sister that her dad had an affair), makes her hesitant to engage in a relationship. But she accepts a challenge that “not everybody can dance good, but everybody can dance”, and ends up paired with X, who lives by a “just say yes” philosophy, and things change in ways she never expected.

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon, (List Price: $12.99, Ember, 9781524718992, May 2022)

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

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Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven
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This may be the most beautifully written book I’ve ever read. I need to process and come back, but this made me feel all the feels. There are so many insanely gorgeous lines I would love to quote here. Suffice it to say, I about ran out of ink in my highlighter. If you liked Addie LaRue, you will like this book. Even if you didn’t, you will probably like this book. Another note: I It doesn’t remotely read as YA. More like literary fiction.

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven, (List Price: $20, Wednesday Books, 9781250333889, March 2025)

Reviewed by Kelley Dykes, Main Street Reads in Summerville, South Carolina

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Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr.

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Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr.
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A powerful and empowering collection of poetry. You can feel a sense of urgency as Tony Keith Jr beseeches the next generation to find their voice and speak up.

Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keith Jr., (List Price: $19.99, Quill Tree Books, 9780063296053, February 2025)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

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Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

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Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
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This book was great. I loved the Hunger Games-inspired plot it took me back to reading dystopian YA from when I was a teenager. I loved the characters Reid created and how real they felt. I could not put this book down as I followed Inesa and Mel during the gauntlet. The commentary on climate change and big corporations was equal parts intriguing and terrifying. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast-paced story with great characters.

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063211551, March 2025)

Reviewed by Ruth Heckendorf, Pretty Good Books in LaGrange, Georgia

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In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

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In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
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This book is classic Zentner. With lovely prose, it make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the family you have—both by birth and by choice.

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner, (List Price: $13.99, Ember, 9781524720278, August 2022)

Reviewed by Amanda Gawthorpe, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Hunger’s Bite by Taylor Robin

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Hunger's Bite by Taylor Robin
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What should be another routine crossing of the Atlantic for Emery, Neeta, and their ship/home, the S.S. Lark, turns deadly when new management steps in, their intentions…less than good. Perhaps even a little demonic. Robin’s debut graphic novel is enthralling; the artwork in this book alone should catch your eye, every panel crafted with great color sense, expression, emotion, and such dynamic textures.

Hunger’s Bite by Taylor Robin, (List Price: $24.99, Union Square & Co., 9781454950240, February 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan Holub, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia

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Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
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The Shop Around the Corner vibes around in Ali Brady’s newest novel about rival bookstore owners! Josie manages a literary bookstore just two doors down from the romance bookstore that Ryan manages. But now, the owner of both stores is planning to combine them, but there’s only room for one manager. The one who has the best sales during the next three months wins. They clash instantly after they first meet. But neither realizes that this isn’t the first time they’ve met. They’re actually really good friends on a booksellers’ forum online.

Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia, (List Price: $19.99, Zando Young Readers, 9781638931492, January 2025)

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

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Iron Widow (Book 1) by Xiran Jay Zhao

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Iron Widow (Book 1) by Xiran Jay Zhao
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In a world where the remains of civilization are menaced by enormous, spirit-powered monsters, boys with large spirit-force can become the pilots of the Chrysalises, giant machines that provide humanity’s only defense and the hope to retake the lost provinces. Girls with strong spirit-force can become concubine pilots: the second pilot necessary to power up the Chrysalises, but destined to be used up and die in battle. Wu Zetian’s older sister was sent to be a concubine pilot but when she died outside of battle no pay-out was given to the family. Now the family is sending Wu Zetian, but she’s not planning to go out by herself: she’s going to kill the pilot responsible for her sister’s death first. As Wu Zetian maneuvers through the machinations behind the scenes in both the military and the civilian media, she questions all the country’s received knowledge about the strength and value of women relative to men – and aims herself at a bigger opponent than one single pilot.

Iron Widow (Book 1) by Xiran Jay Zhao, (List Price: $11.99, Tundra Books, 9780735269958, February 2023)

Reviewed by Ginger Kautz, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa

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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa
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Nothing is more awkward than a first kiss, and Ingrid Ochoa captures that so well and makes it interesting when senior student Sara Lin gets bet by her friend to kiss a stranger. What ensues is secret disguises, new crushes, and so many twists and turns. Will Sara get her kiss? Will she pass Calculus!? Can’t wait to see where this story goes!

The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa, (List Price: $18.99, WEBTOON Unscrolled, 9781998341146, February 2025)

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

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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa

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The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa
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Just how far are you willing to go for a bet? Would you kiss a cute stranger on the subway? I have followed this comic for so so long and I’m elated to see it in print! Team subway boy all the way!

The Kiss Bet Volume One by Ingrid Ochoa, (List Price: $18.99, WEBTOON Unscrolled, 9781998341146, February 2025)

Reviewed by Lana Repic, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia

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Where Shadows Bloom by Catherin Bakewell

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Where Shadows Bloom by Catherin Bakewell
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Bakewell writes fantasies that leave me feeling charmed, comforted, and optimistic. Where Shadows Bloom is as much a love letter to the power of storytelling as it is a fantastical romance between its two lovelorn leads. Compassion and sensitivity leaps off the page. A marvelous read for younger YA readers.

Where Shadows Bloom by Catherin Bakewell, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063359086, February 2025)

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson
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I loved the Gothic setting of a castle with ancient roots on a desolate Scottish moor. I’m not really one to go after books about demons because I feel they can hem in the plot, but I loved the way Oak described them as elementals, and how he could see everything alive on the empty-looking moor just by knowing how to look. He was probably my favorite character. I also liked how Page took her chronic pain and made it her superpower later in the book. A big theme of the book is physical bodies versus the mind, and I think Wilkinson did an excellent job weaving that theme through every aspect of the book. From the lessons the Agathion professors taught, to Page’s endometriosis, to the LGBTQ characters, and to the ancient stories of the gods.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson, (List Price: $19.99, Delacorte Press, 9780593810989, February 2025)

Reviewed by Candice Conner, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama

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