The Southern Bookseller Review 4/16/24
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The week of April 16, 2024 We all write poems.
"We all write poems; it is simply that poets are the ones who write in words." — John Fowles Poetry Booklists from indie bookstores: Books for National Poetry Month from Books and Books Read This Now | Read This Next | Book Buzz | The Bookseller Directory |
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Read This Now! Recommended by Southern indies… |
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woke up no light by Leila Mottley Adult Nonfiction, African American & Black, American, Poetry What I hope is the beginning of a Leila Mottley renaissance, woke up no light is a poetry collection that solidifies Mottley’s status as one of our time’s best new young writers. Split into four sections defined as girlhood, neighborhood, falsehood, and womanhood, Mottley’s poetry reads as tender yet raw, her musings especially on womanhood and coming into your own are glittering pieces of writing that any reader can acknowledge are full of both heart, hardships, and truth. A remarkable collection for people looking to get into poetry, or for the established readers of the genre! Reviewed by Grace Sullivan, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
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Bookseller Buzz |
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Spotlight on: Olivetti by Allie Millington 
Something that has shaped much of my writing is asking the question, “Who have we never heard a story from before?” There were many reasons why I chose to share a typewriter’s untold side of the story, one of them being because I thought typewriters would naturally have many stories to tell (as they’re full of them). Countless people across history and across the world have a personal connection or fondness toward these charming, clacking machines — and yet, most kids have never had the opportunity to use one. One hope I have for Olivetti is that it can be a bridge between generations, and create opportunities for readers both young and old to share in the nostalgia and power of passing down memories that typewriters bring just by being themselves. ― Allie Millington, Bookweb What booksellers are saying about Olivetti 
Allie Millington first wrote Olivetti on her own antique typewriter, who turned out to have an awful lot to say. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their fluffy dog. You can find her on Instagram: @alliemillington or online at http://www.alliemillington.com. |
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The Mars House by Natasha Pulley Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Exploration Goodness, was this good! Where to start? The power politics and marriage of convenience love story put me in mind (in a good way) of Winter’s Orbit, but there’s also talking mammoths, climate crisis commentary, twists, tidbits for language nerds, and delightfully fleshed-out characters! Highly recommend! Reviewed by Angela Trigg, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama |
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Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall Adult Fiction, LGBTQ+, Magical Realism, Satire, Short Stories (single author)  An April Read This Next! Title I’m happy to report that Women! In! Peril! lives up to its obsession-worthy title and cover. This short story debut is full of smart, fresh fiction that I wanted to savor. Marshall brings a hilarious voice to inventive literary stories about women whose struggles range from divorce to the destruction of the human race. Singular characters like a former ballerina with memory loss and a lesbian whose girlfriend thinks she’s carrying the baby Jesus make up this exciting, heartbreaking, and unabashedly queer collection! Reviewed by Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia |
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Diavola by Jennifer Thorne Adult Fiction, Horror Between the ephemeral sense of dread that vanishes as quickly as it appears, and the all too well-known terror of family vacation, Diavola kept me both frightened and intrigued! It’s a great read for anyone who loves haunted houses, with a dash of family drama! Reviewed by Courtney Ulrich Smith, Underbrush Books in Rogers, Arkansas |
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The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs I am a devoted follower of the cult of Amanda Montell, and The Age of Magical Overthinking is the psychological balm I didn’t know I needed right now. Amanda Montell has the unique ability to give us perspective on the current cultural zeitgeist that we are too close to to see wholly, and to equip us with the tools and language to have important conversations about them. The Age of Magical Overthinking is an astute examination of the cultural moment of now, and how we as individuals exist within it… all told with her signature wit and enthusiasm that makes Amanda Montell one of my perennially favorite authors to hand-sell at our bookstore. Reviewed by Caroline Barbee, Friendly City Books in Columbus, Mississippi |
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Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood Fables, Greek & Roman, Legends, Myths, Young Adult Fiction Underwood’s bold re imagining of Penelope’s hanged maids cements her among the ranks of Rick Riordan and Jennifer Saint. Lies We Sing to the Sea is a a magical take on feminine rage that girls of all ages can empathize with. The love story is ephemeral, and my pages were tear-soaked by the end. I will never look at daffodils the same way. Reviewed by Laura Taylor, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida |
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Would You Dare Put a Diaper on a Bear? by Lillias Kinsman-Chauvet Children, Health & Daily Living, Juvenile Fiction, Toilet Training This silly sing-songy book will have your child bubbling over with laughter. The pictures are funny colorful animals outfitted in diapers and are sure to make your little one cover their mouths trying to keep from giggling. It is the perfect book to help encourage potty training. Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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Blood City Rollers by V.P. Anderson Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction, Paranormal A March/April Read This Next! Kids Title Fast-moving, silly, with just the right amount of character introspection. When you fail at something you’ve literally dedicated your life to, it can feel like you’ve failed at life. Mira’s journey is very literal in that she gets injured and can no longer skate, disrupting her parents’ plans for the Olympics. Luckily, she’s kidnapped by a vampire roller derby team who is in desperate need of a "mandatory human member." Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Decide for Yourself Books that appear on PEN America’s list of challenged books. |
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Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne Banned Books, Children, Comics & Graphic Novels, Juvenile Fiction I read Beetle & the Hollowbones in one sitting over morning coffee. The art and story charmed me to no end! This middle-grade graphic novel is a perfect recommendation for fans of Corpse Bride and Halloweentown, a creepy-cute and sweet tale of growing up, friendship, magic, and love. A must-read for fellow year-round Halloween lovers! Reviewed by Cristina Russell, Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida |
Southern Bestsellers What’s popular this week with Southern Readers. |
[ See the full list ] |
Parting Thought “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry.” |
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Publisher:
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance /
siba@sibaweb.com |
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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The Southern Bookseller Review 4/16/24 Read More »
Spotlight on Trope Bookshop
The tag line for The Southern Book Review is "A Book for Every Reader." It is a philosophy independent booksellers live by — that no matter what kind of reader you are, there is a book out there that will reach you, will speak to you. A bookseller’s job is not simply to sell books. It is to put the right book into the hands of every reader. It is, perhaps, less of a job and more of a vocation.
