A seasonal list of the favorite books of Southern indie booksellers, for your reading pleasure!
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With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo
This semi-autobiographical YA story follows a Nigerian teen and her family as they emigrate to the U.S. after the unexpected death of her father. Enore is a planner, and preps herself for American high school by watching classic teen movies. I loved all the references to some of my favorite films! I enjoyed tagging along on Enore’s journey, as she learns that the kids at her school are more than just their movie stereotypes, finds endearing first love, and learns to use her voice and stand up for the things she wants. There were a couple of cringy moments, but overall this is a heartfelt story, told with an authentic and relatable voice!
With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo, (List Price: $20.99, Feiwel & Friends, 9781250873378, June 2024)
Reviewed by Emma Tara, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Literally one of my favorite books I have ever read! Represents the LGBTQ community, talks about racism, and the trials and errors of friends and lovers. Must read!
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar, (List Price: $12.99, Square Fish, 9781250842121, June 2024)
Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Savannah, Georgia
Finding the Way to Faraway Valley by Cecilia Heikkila
A lovely story of a grandfather and his grandson who go searching for Faraway Valley; a place that his grandfather visited when he was younger. This is a sensitive story of the connection they share in order to find this most amazing location.
Finding the Way to Faraway Valley by Cecilia Heikkila, (List Price: $17.95, Floris Books, 9781782508540, May 2024)
Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon
When Dally steps inside the Secret Library, her life changes. Each book whisks her through time and connects her with her family’s past. From a seafaring pirate adventure to a connection closer to home, new stories open and reveal where she is meant to be. An adventure story with depth.
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon, (List Price: $18.99, Candlewick, 9781536230888, May 2024)
Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
Summer Is Here by Renée Watson
Summer is Here is a beautiful story about a girl’s perfect summer day. Watson’s words are light and feel like sunshine, while Jackson’s beautiful illustrations make you want to experience that summer day as a child again.
Summer Is Here by Renée Watson, (List Price: $18.99, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 9781547605866, May 2024)
Reviewed by Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia
Built to Last by Minh Lê
A delightful story about friendship and the power of imagination! I love that even after their grand plans fail again and again, the two protagonists rely on each other and trust in their friendship. This book is so beautifully illustrated, like all books Dan Santat illustrates!
Built to Last by Minh Lê, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593569177, April 2024)
Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Fire Exit by Morgan Talty
Morgan Talty’s debut novel Fire Exit has an unmistakable pace that leaves you as unsettled as the main character, Charles Lamosway. This story about grief and mental illness is woven around struggles to understand family, both biological and nurtured. Brilliantly written, Fire Exit bears witness to what a birthright and culture mean when you were denied what felt like home.
Fire Exit by Morgan Talty, (List Price: $28.95, Tin House Books, 9781959030553, June 2024)
Reviewed by Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia
A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi
Virginie Grimaldi’s A Good Life was just what I needed at the beginning of the year. At first glance, you might think that this book won’t rip your heart out, but I can tell you that it absolutely does! Themes of grief, mental health, sisterhood, and family converge in gorgeous prose to create a story that feels familiar. Emma and Agathe’s deep love for each other will tug at the heartstrings of any girl who grew up with a sister. It is often time the everyday intricacies and complexities of life that can move us. These two ordinary women become extraordinary through their bond. Fans of Valerie Perrin here in the States are going to LOVE this novel!
A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi, (List Price: $28, Europa Editions, 9798889660248, 2024-05-28)
Reviewed by Kelsey Jagneaux, Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida
Swift River by Essie Chambers
Swift River is one of those books that will take me a while to process and digest. The characters and setting are both so complex and richly written. Reading Swift River is akin to being transported to another time and place, into another person’s perspective. Swift River is such an emotional story, effortlessly intermingling American history with one young woman’s personal history. You will fall in love with Diamond and find yourself rooting for her! You’ll also find yourself turning the pages, eager to find answers. Highly recommend Swift River!
Swift River by Essie Chambers, (List Price: $27.99, Simon & Schuster, 9781668027912, June 2024)
Reviewed by Emily Lessig, The Violet Fox Bookshop in Winston-Salem, Virginia
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle is an epic saga romance between two people who have been it for each other since they were young, but things have never been right. Two people with very different approaches to love, screenwriter Molly and divorce lawyer Seth, kept me turning page after page in this steamy second-chance romance with snappy dialog. It might be my favorite read this month and for sure is to be one everyone is talking about this summer!
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle, (List Price: $28.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250328090, June 2024)
Reviewed by Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Chapel Hill, Georgia
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell
Coryell’s debut will have you captivated even as you groan along at Hannah’s poor decision-making. Aimless and unhappy, Hannah gets pulled deep into the true crime case of the moment – a serial killer case where the accused is a handsome lawyer. The two begin a correspondence, and once he’s acquitted, a romance. Is Hannah setting herself up for murder, or is she the one who can see the truth? Hannah is a hot mess, but you can’t help but hope it all works out for her – and what a ride she takes you on!
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell, (List Price: $29, Berkley, 9780593640272, June 2024)
Reviewed by Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia