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The week of September 30, 2025 This is Banned Books Week. First, a note from the SBR Team: As this newsletter was going to press, SBR received the news that one of its regularly reviewing bookstores had suffered serious damage from a fire. Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia had heavy smoke and soot damage after a repair shop next door caught fire. The store owner has announced the store will be closed "until further notice." As it happens, the leading review in this edition of SBR, on Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson, comes from a Bookmiser bookseller. The staff at Bookmiser are some of SBR’s most enthusiastic and prolific reviewers. You can support the store by ordering some of the books they want you to read at their Bookshop.org store.
This week (October 5-11) is Banned Books Week, dedicated to raising awareness about the value of free and open access to information. Book challenges have been especially aggressive in South, where book banning initiatives are being "normalized" by legislation. According to the American Library Association, what used to be a complaint made by a parent, now looks more like an organized and coordinated effort. Some states, including South Carolina and Tennessee, have tried to create "no-read lists" banning specific books from public schools statewide.
The odds are, if you walk into an independent bookstore this coming week, you will see a window display, or a dedicated table featuring banned books. Pick one up. The best way to know what you think about a book is to read it for yourself, which is why SBR calls the space it dedicates to reviews of banned and challenged books "Decide for Yourself." |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson Adult Fiction, Hispanic & Latino Fans of the high drama of telenovelas will find plenty to enjoy in this Romeo and Juliet retelling. Julieta is the head chef at her family’s fish taco restaurant in a heavily Latinx area near La Jolla. But when their landlord sells their entire block to the Taco King owners, everyone is infuriated, bit none more than Julieta and her mom. See, when Julieta’s mom was young and living in Mexico, she had her own fish taco stand, and she fell in love with a young Mexican American man. But he stole her recipe and took it back to the US to create his fast food empire, and she never saw him again. But, not knowing who he is, Julieta meets the man’s son during the Day of the Dead celebration and falls for him immediately. But are they doomed to fail? Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia |
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Venetian Vespers by John Banville Adult Fiction, Family Life, Fiction, Marriage & Divorce Venetian Vespers reads like a suspenseful old Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier. Highly atmospheric with a slow, taut build, deep character studies, and moody descriptions of 1899 Venice. Chilling at times, I just had to keep reading and could not put it down until I was finished! Reviewed by Josh Niesse, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia |
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The Four Spent the Day Together by Chris Kraus Adult Fiction, Feminist, Fiction I had no idea what I was reading for the longest time – memoir? True crime? But I was sucked into this (I eventually discovered) novel from the first page. And it was incredibly inventive. I am somewhat obsessed with three-part narratives, and this hit harder than Hernán Díaz’s Trust. Reviewed by Alissa Redmond, South Main Book Company in Salisbury, North Carolina |
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Heart the Lover by Lily King Fiction, Literary  A September Read This Next! Title Another poignant work from Lily King, who has tremendous talent for authentically capturing the emotional reality of her protagonists over decades. In Heart the Lover, King shows us how our hearts vividly remember the way long-ago things felt, even when our minds have mixed up or forgotten the factual particulars. If you’ve ever been in love–especially if you’ve ever been deeply in love with a soul-match but were too young to consider a lifelong go of it–this book will be especially meaningful for you. Like Writers & Lovers, Heart the Lover is a delicious, aching, and deep-digging story that will hit home for all readers, but perhaps with more gravity for English majors and creative writers. Seeking catharsis regarding romantic entanglements of your early adulthood? This one’s for you. Reviewed by Janet Geddis, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia |
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Things That Disappear by Jenny Erpenbeck Adult Nonfiction, European, German, Literary Collections Jenny Erpenbeck knows exactly where to apply pressure for maximal effect. This collection is an astounding demonstration of intellect shot through with wisdom, insights gathered over a lifetime of deep engagement with art, country, family, and the vagaries of time. Those moments of clarity that are always absconding? Erpenbeck has gathered them all here, made the impermanent permanent with her words (stunningly translated by Kurt Beals). Reviewed by Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Cinder House by Freya Marske  Cinderella and I had an odd relationship when I was a child. The fairy tale is stuffed full of iconic imagery–those glass slippers! That magical dress! The looming, thrilling deadline of Midnight! And yet I found Cinderella, the character, left me a little cold. Perhaps because I was not a naturally helpful and easy-going child. I was obstinate and voracious. When plunged into an unfair and isolating situation, Cinderella…stays home. She doesn’t run away. She doesn’t even go out and make friends. (Talking mice, I considered sternly, did not count.) "Aren’t you bored?" I wanted to yell. "Aren’t you angry? Don’t you ever, as the old internet saying goes, want to go apeshit?" ― Freya Marske, Letter to Readers Cinder House by Freya Marske 
Freya Marske is a USA Today bestselling author and has been nominated for two Hugo Awards. Her books include Swordcrossed and A Marvellous Light, which was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy. She lives in Australia. |
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Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls by Rowana Miller Thrillers & Suspense, Young Adult Fiction This is one of the best YA books I’ve read in recent memory. It’s secretive, spooky, smart, and fun. Davison High and the secret societies were a perfect YA take on dark academia, reminiscent of a younger version of Mona Awad’s Bunny, or Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious trilogy. Miller’s voice is snarky and fresh, and Kay is a perfect protagonist to dive into the dangerous, mysterious world that Miller creates. Reviewed by Bennett Burns, The Book & Cover in Chattanooga, Tennessee |
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Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate Animals, Bears, Children, Juvenile Fiction As a kid who felt deeply that all my stuffed animals had distinct personalities and interests, this book really brought that to life. This is a story about the Second Chance Home and how it helps lost and abandoned stuffed animals find another home. We have our bold leader, the small but mighty Pocket Bear, and his friend and ally Zephyrina — a feline friend! But when a new stuffed animal finds its way into the home, Pocket Bear faces a difficult choice of what to do to help Second Chance and protect this new addition. Perfect for fans of Toy Story meets Puppets of Spellhorst! Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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A Snow Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead Animals, Children, Juvenile Fiction, Zoos A September/October Read This Next! Kids Title Amos McGee is back in this winter picture book! Amos is so excited about the first snow, so he knits all of his animal friends various accessories to prepare for the cold. A delightful and heartwarming read that I can’t wait to read to my kids for winters to come! Reviewed by Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books in Rome, Georgia |
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The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction This story had me hooked! I loved following Eugenia Wang after a bonk to the head gives her dreams/visions of impending doom leading up to her birthday, which is on the 4th (a bad omen in Chinese culture). Not to mention, she loves drawing and wants to go to an art camp that her mother deeply disapproves of. And she has a pesky younger brother who seems set on getting her in trouble. In short, this one hits on it all things: secret crushes, brilliant best friends, comics, and also important themes of the immigrant experience and how our family’s attempts to protect us might also hurt us. Oh, and Peanut the pug is pretty cute. Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange Adult Fiction, African American & Black, American, Banned Books, Drama Ntozake Shange both beautifully and tragically tells stories of Black girlhood that are all too familiar. Shange reminds me to be selfish, that I know my truth and what is true, and to remove white girls from my hopscotch games."i found god in myself and i loved heri loved her fiercely" Reviewed by Mariah McCann, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
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If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer Animals, Apes, Bestsellers, Children, Juvenile Fiction, Monkeys If you make a call on a banana phone, a gorilla will probably answer. What will happen next??? Well, over a long, happy day of telling jokes, asking questions, and sharing secrets, you might learn that a friend can be made across ANY distance. A sweet little fable about how to approach others with kindness and curiosity, this book is silly, warm, and beautiful to look at!!! Reviewed by Charlie Monroe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Parting Thought “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
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