Ann Patchett's Blog, page 10

Shop Dogs, Writers’ Dogs: Sparky and Barnabus Chew the Situation Over

Here at Parnassus, the Shop Dogs operate as a pack. The new dog comes in and we’re there to show him the ropes. I tell them Rae Ann is always good for a biscuit first thing in the morning. Even though her biscuits are ridiculously small, they’ll tide a dog over until Pete or Sissy show up with the good stuff. You can sleep in the back room all you want but when a customer comes in to pet a Shop Dog, you get on your paws and go out there. Studies show that people who pet dogs are more likely to buy books, and selling books means money for biscuits. That’s how the world works.

Barnabus came here as a puppy, a little guy. You could almost say he was born a Shop Dog. I’d known Lindsay Lynch through many dogless years and I was happy for her, for both of them, when they found each other. I also knew where this whole thing was headed. Lindsay’s a writer, same as my Ann, which meant that Barnabus was going to be a writer’s dog. That’s two big things Barnabus and I have in common: We’re Shop Dogs, but we’re also writers’ dogs. I’m not complaining, but I’m telling you, it’s a lot of responsibility.

So now that Lindsay’s first novel, Do Tell, is coming out from Doubleday on July 11th, I thought it was time for Barnabus and me to sit down and talk about our work.

— Sparky VanDevender, Parnassus Books assistant owner and Ann Patchett’s muse

Sparky: So is it true that you weren’t there for Lindsay during the actual writing of Do Tell?

Barnabus: I was there for the revisions.

Sparky: But not the actual writing.

Barnabus: I hadn’t been born yet when she started this novel. It’s no one’s fault. I will say, the revision process was no small thing. It’s a lot to take on as a puppy.

Sparky: So what did you see as your role in the revisions?

Barnabus: At first it was cheering her up, you know, standard puppy stuff, being adorable and distracting even when you don’t feel like it. Nobody wants to do revisions. Everybody wants to believe they’re going to type the words “The End” and the whole thing will magically be finished. But Lindsay got notes back from her agent and then her editor. She might have slipped into a funk but I was right there saying, “Throw me the ball! Throw me the ball!” I would distract her just enough that the pages felt fresh again once we went back to them. Then she was able to solve whatever problem she’d gotten stuck on.

Sparky: That’s a pro move. Very impressive for a puppy. Anything else?

Barnabus: I’d nag her for treats. I was always trying to get her up and moving.

Sparky: Did you bark?

Barnabus: Sure. If you bark long enough you can knock them out of a rut. Lindsay thinks too much, if you ask me. She wants every character to be compelling. She expects her sentences to be lyrical, grammatical, the whole shebang. The kid puts too much pressure on herself.

Sparky: When Ann gets to a point where I can see she’s concentrating too hard I tell her I need to go to the bathroom.

Barnabus: What’s your method?

Sparky: First, I sit up like a squirrel, which takes some serious core muscles. If she pretends not to notice, I throw in a quiet whine with a slightly panicked look on my face. It’s the panicked look that gets her. No matter what she’s writing, she’ll stop and take me out.

Barnabus: Walking a novelist is more complicated than dogs like to think.

Sparky: Tell us about walking Lindsay.

Barnabus: You know she’s my person and I love her, but her understanding of the walk is remedial at best. She thinks it’s about exercise.

Sparky: So many of them make that mistake.

Barnabus: I’m detail oriented. The way I see it, the walk is about reflection. It’s about observation. She could find enough information for a second novel in a single bush if she just took the time to slow down and sniff. Do Tell is about a gossip columnist, and what is a bush except gossip?

Sparky: Exactly. Sometimes I wish I could leave Ann at home, go for a walk without her.

Barnabus: I know, but we have to get them outside. That’s our job.

Sparky: So let’s talk about after the walk. Once you’ve distracted Lindsay, how do you get her to settle down again?

Barnabus: I sleep on her feet.

Sparky: That’s old school! Does it still work?

Barnabus: She’s very sentimental about me when I’m sleeping. Plus I’m warm. I can pin her feet under her desk and she’s not going anywhere. After I tell her she has to go out, I tell her she can’t go anywhere. Emotional manipulation is a big part of our job. Lindsay’s a Taurus and I’m a Capricorn. We’re earth signs. We like being home. The consistent environment is good for work.

Sparky: So are you doing publicity now?

Barnabus: I am. The Laydown Diaries has shown me the importance of a dog in social media. I have to say, you’ve been a real leader in that field.

Sparky: Thank you.

Barnabus: She was doing a video for Doubleday recently and I could see she was flailing a little bit, losing her audience, so I jumped in her lap.

Sparky: Then everyone watching is suddenly really watching.

Barnabus: That’s right. They’re all saying, cute dog! cute dog! Then I fall asleep, which is just next level.

Sparky: So will you be touring together?

Barnabus: It’s not how I want to use my vacation days. I’ll be staying with Aly and coming into the store same as usual. Lindsay will be fine, and she’ll be on tour with Ann for part of the time.

Sparky: Two human novelists out on the road without their dogs.

Barnabus: (laughing) Good luck with that!

Sparky: Where do you want to vacation this year?

Barnabus: I’m thinking about Coney Island, or maybe Dollywood. One of those places where people eat so many hotdogs they just start dropping them on the ground.

Sparky: Sounds like paradise.

Barnabus: Maybe we could go together.

Do Tell will be released on July 11. Pre-order a signed/personalized copy now!See Lindsay on tour!

July 11 in Nashville, TN: Launch party for Do Tell at Parnassus Books, in conversation with Ann Patchett! In store, 6:30 PM. (This event is FULL but you can sign up for the waitlist!)

July 12 in Washington, DC: Do Tell at Politics and Prose, in conversation with Lily Meyer. In store, 7:00 PM.

July 13 in Brooklyn, NY: Do Tell at Books Are Magic, in conversation with Anthony Marra. In store, 7:00 PM.

July 19 in Chattanooga, TN: Do Tell at The Book & Cover, in conversation with Blaes Green. In store, 7:00 PM.

August 17 in Atlanta, GA: In conversation with Ann Patchett for Tom Lake & Do Tell, hosted by A Cappella Books. The Carter Center, 7:00 PM.

August 18 in Memphis, TN: In conversation with Ann Patchett for Tom Lake & Do Tell at novel. In store, ticketed, 6:00 PM.

August 19 in Jackson, MS: Mississippi Book Festival, in conversation with Ann Patchett for Tom Lake & Do Tell.

August 20 in Oxford, MS: In conversation with Ann Patchett for Tom Lake & Do Tell at Square Books. In store, 4:00 PM.

Authors IRL: Meet Thao Thai, Author of Banyan Moon

Can we talk about the debut authors of 2023? Because it’s an incredible cohort! One of my favorites of this year is Thao Thai’s Banyan Moon, a stunning novel that spans across three generations of Vietnamese-American women, all connected through the Banyan House, a crumbling manor that’s been in the family for decades. I love a novel that centers around a family home (hello Dutch House!), and Thai does such a beautiful job exploring themes of motherhood, family, and inheritance across decades and continents in this sweeping narrative.

I’m so excited for you to get to know Thai and her work—trust me, you’ll be seeing her name a lot in the coming months and years!

— Lindsay Lynch, Parnassus book buyer

Thao Thai

I’ve been listening to: Everything Is Fine. This is a podcast for women over forty, and though I haven’t technically reached that milestone yet, I have appreciated the way the hosts and guests talk about ambition, identity, and all the midlife feelings. It makes me feel seen as an elderly Millennial!

I love to watch: Reality TV. It’s what I turn on when I’m at the gym, and something about the repetitive drama, as well as the ability to completely tune my brain out, is so soothing. I’m especially into Selling Sunset right now—the houses and the clothes are pure fantasy!

Something I saw online that made me laugh, cry, or think: “We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Getting Married in Florida” (TIME). There’s a lot of (justifiable) despair around the political happenings in Florida, my home state, and many tend to dismiss Florida altogether. I was very moved by how Kristen Arnett wrote so honestly about what it’s like to—in her words—love a place that doesn’t love you back.

A creator who’s doing something I admire: Just one? Impossible! I love following Michelle Yeoh’s rich acting career. I can’t get enough of the way Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai highlights the Vietnamese diaspora with her writing and social advocacy. And as a food-loving person, I really enjoy the way Justine Doiron approaches home cooking with such genuine enthusiasm and thoughtfulness.

A book I recently recommended to someone else: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw. These short stories floored me—each full of passion, rich interior lives, and unforgettable reckonings. This book will change you!

If I could teleport anywhere in the world right now, I’d go to: Vietnam, no question. I haven’t been back in over a decade, and I have a dreamy itinerary in my head. Seafood pulled in from nets on the coast, staying overnight in the huge Phong Nha caves, shopping for custom áo dài in Hội An. And skipping past that whole 20-hour flight sounds downright heavenly.

I wish I knew more about: Music! There is so much to explore and I’m terribly behind (I still rely on the old ‘90s standbys). My DMs are open for recommendations, especially anything folk/Southern Gothic.

My favorite thing about bookstores: How safe they make me feel.

Thank you to Thao Thai for joining us on this edition of Authors IRL! Banyan Moon will be released tomorrow, June 27, 2023.

Pride Month Authors IRL: Meet Dominic Lim, Anita Kelly, & Adriana Herrera

I have a secret…I am a parade crier. In particular, that point in the Pride parade in which older couples walk by with signs that say “Together 50 years” or “Out and Proud for 4 decades.” It gets me in my feels every time. I know you know what I am talking about. Who doesn’t love a good queer happily ever after? Those incredible trailblazers give me hope for my own decade-long marriage.

Across the country, we have had setbacks this year in the queer community. Big ones. But they can’t dim our shine, and each and everyone of us is worthy of a love story. So this Pride Month, I wanted to connect you with three queer romance authors who bring me an absurd amount of joy: Adriana Herrera, Anita Kelly and Dominic Lim. Whether it’s an heiress desperate for a summer of fun before a loveless marriage, two sweet gay boys hiking the PCT together, or a piano genius and a Hollywood hunk tossed together by fate, these authors have gifted us with books worth swooning over. While we read the rainbow all year long, let’s stop this June and make time for stories that celebrate queer love and happiness. We hope you enjoy this month’s Authors IRL with a few of Parnassus’s favorites!

— Katie Garaby, Parnassus bookseller and co-host of Between the Covers romance book club

I love to watch:Dominic Lim

Dominic Lim: So many things: cooking reality shows, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Abbott Elementary, The Golden Girls, Law & Order SVU, Marvel movies, and cat videos on Instagram. I’ve got way too many interests and not enough time.

Anita Kelly: I am actually really bad at watching things? TV, movies, etc., I seem to watch less and less as I get older. But I have made time recently to watch Somebody Somewhere, which I think is just so human and honest and hilarious and sad and queer and brilliantly done.

Adriana Herrera: Soft TV food competition TV. If you’ve read Mangos & Mistletoe you probably guessed I’m a GBBO. There is just something so soothing about watching people make great food, rooting for each other and becoming besties. A new show in that vein I am now obsessed with is The Great American Recipe on PBS!

Something I saw online that made me laugh, cry, or think:

DL: My Writers Grotto colleague, Jane Ciabattari, just wrote an article on the rise of books bans in the US for BBC. The recent trend of banning books—which are often by or about LGBTQIA+ individuals and/or people of color—makes me so sad, angry, and riled up all at once.

AK: I’ve recently started following Disappointing Affirmations on Instagram and every single thing he posts always makes me laugh. I wish I had a smarter answer for this, but sometimes you just need some harsh truths over a picture of a waterfall.

AH: This one is hard! I will say the podcast On Being is probably the one that does all of that for me. I have listened to it for years and sometimes refer to it as my church, because I usually listen to it on Sundays. It is phenomenal. If you want to try I’d say start with the conversation with Ocean Vuong.

A book I recently recommended:Anita Kelly

DL: Rod Pulido’s Chasing Pacquiao. It’s a queer YA novel about a Filipino high school kid who is bullied and learns how to box to defend himself like his hero, Manny Pacquiao, but then finds out about Pacquiao’s homophobic beliefs. It’s beautifully written and thought-provoking, and it features two young Filipino men in a loving, supportive relationship. I wish I had this book growing up!

AK: Probably my favorite book I read this year was Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa. The things Jonny is able to accomplish in this book just…blew me away. My favorite romances that are coming out this summer are You, With a View by Jessica Joyce and With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson, both of which I read in like 24 hours because I could not put them down. And a book that’s not coming out until 2024 but I’m going to scream about until then is The Prospects by KT Hoffman, which is a gay romance starring a trans baseball player that is so gorgeously written.

AH: Even Though I Knew the End by CL Polk. Perfect sapphic noir-ish paranormal novella. Demons and dames…what else could you want?

I wish I knew more about:

DL: Tagalog, the main dialect of the Philippines. I didn’t learn it as a kid, so I’ve been studying it off and on for years. I’m still crawling my way toward being able to understand and speak it at the level that I’d like.

AK: Languages! I’ve always wished I could speak all the languages. And I always want to know more about plants, trees, the natural world.

AH: At this very moment I wish I could find more information about contraception in the Caribbean in the 19th century…for book writing reasons.

If I could teleport anywhere in the world, I’d go:

DL: The Philippines! Peter and I took a vacation to Manila and Boracay in January and I want to go back again.

AK: Somewhere where the water is so blue it doesn’t even seem real.

AH: Paris!

My favorite queer icon is:Adriana Herrera

DL: RuPaul. She’s been a queer pioneer for over thirty years. And now that drag is under fire in so many states, the influence she and her queens have on the public’s understanding of drag and the importance of gender expression diversity is even more crucial.

AK: Oh no, there are too many. With the publication of his book, I’ve been thinking a lot about Elliot Page and what an icon he’s always been. I also take a lot of personal comfort from Jonathan Van Ness, how they express gender and their overall positivity and honesty about who they are. Janelle Monae. Nikki Hiltz, who is a nonbinary runner I first heard about when a reader told me they reminded them of London, my character in Love & Other Disasters. But then I started actively following them, and I love how they stand up for being a trans and queer professional athlete.

AH: Tie between James Baldwin, Gloria Anzaldua and Audre Lorde.

An LGBTQI+ organization I love to support is:

DL: Transanta is a new organization I recently learned about that helps deliver gifts and messages of support to trans youth during the holiday season. I participated in their holiday campaign last year and will definitely keep doing so.

AK: Right now, I think any organization that works to support the legal defense of trans people is where our money and support needs to be focused. Many states have their own; nationally there’s the Transgender Law Center, The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and The National Center for Transgender Equality.

AH: Ali Forney Center

My first Pride celebration was:

DL: The March on Washington DC in 1993. I was a 1st-year at Oberlin College and traveled to the event stuffed in a small car with four lesbian/bisexual female-identified seniors. It took us six hours to get there, and it was worth every minute!

AK: In Boston, in college, after I’d come out. I grew up in a small town where there were hardly any out people, let alone any Pride celebrations, and the loud joyousness of it was so overwhelming but wonderful.

AH: 2003 New York City.

My favorite things about indie bookstores:

DL: The recommendations from the booksellers, and the booksellers themselves!

AK: I have honestly been blown away since becoming a published author at the support from indie booksellers, and how much that truly translates to sales that would not have occurred without the passion and talent of indie booksellers. I love how each store also has its own feel, its own important and singular community, but how each and every one feels like a safe haven to me. I could never visit enough indie bookstores or express my gratitude for them enough.

AH: That I always end up having extremely enthusiastic and loooong chats with the booksellers about recent favorite books…which usually leads to a few impulse purchases!

Grab a copy of Dominic, Anita, and Adriana’s newest books now!

Son of the South: An Interview with S.A. Cosby

I have mixed emotions about social media overall, but let it be known that one of its best uses is listening to experts and avid readers talk about books. When I saw Roxane Gay mention S.A. Cosby on Twitter and call Razorblade Tears an “explosive thrill ride,” I knew I had found my next read. Last week marked the release of Cosby’s highly anticipated novel, All the Sinners Bleed, and it is the perfect example of what he does best: a gritty mystery set in the South with wonderfully complex characters. I had the opportunity to ask Cosby about his latest novel and his craft, so read on to learn more!

—Chelsea Stringfield, Parnassus bookseller

S.A. Cosby

Chelsea Stringfield: First, thank you so much for answering some questions for us! Many of our booksellers are huge fans of yours. And congratulations on your upcoming book, All the Sinners Bleed. I was very intrigued to see that this main character, Titus, is the first Black sheriff elected in his home county. What made you want to write about a character in law enforcement?

S.A. Cosby: In the wake of the murder of George Floyd I wanted to really examine policing in America and how a good man or woman can find themselves overwhelmed by the weight of their responsibility. Eventually the book incorporated mediations on religion, race and loss.

CS: Like your previous books, All the Sinners Bleed tackles topics such as race and class, but also focuses heavily on religion. What prompted you to examine religion so closely in this book? What do you want your reader to contemplate about religion after reading All the Sinners Bleed?

SAC: So I was raised in a pentecostal church. I’ve had a complicated relationship with organized religion for quite a while. I think it’s the hypocrisy that exists alongside the sanctification. I wanted to examine how religion can be a cudgel and a comfort in small town life. I think the thing that I want people to consider is this: you don’t necessarily have to go to church to find spirituality. Walking along the bank of a river can be spiritual.

CS: I find the pacing of your novels to be perfect. I always think I know what is going to happen, and then I find I have no idea! I was especially intrigued with how you revealed Titus’s backstory. How do you plot your novels? How do you decide what plot points to reveal when?

SAC: Thank you! I generally plot out my novels ahead of time. This isn’t really an outline but more like a synopsis for myself. As far as plot points, it all depends on the rhythm of the story, and that is determined by the intensity I’m trying to articulate to the reader.

CS: Another similarity in all of your published novels is the setting, the rural South. It’s almost a character in itself. Why is that setting important to you? What do you want your readers to know about the South after reading your work?

SAC: I was born in rural Virginia. I’m a son of the South, but there are many folks who think the South is the sole provenance of neo-Confederate apologists, and nothing could be further from the truth. The South is a panoply of cultures, histories and people. And that is what makes it beautiful. But it can also be a place haunted by the spilled blood that soaks the soul. But to paraphrase James Baldwin, because I love The South I reserve the right to critique her honestly.

CS: You’ve mentioned in some previous interviews that Elmore Leonard and Dennis Lehane are inspirations for your writing. What other authors or books inspire you? What contemporary authors are you excited to read?

SAC: How long ya got? Haha, I take inspiration from so many great writers, both contemporary and from the past. Walter Mosley, Chester Himes, Ernest J Gaines, Jordan Harper, Jennifer Hillier, Jesmyn Ward and many others. A good writer is always learning and I have leaned so much from all of them.

CS: Finally, we like to wrap up interviews with this question: what is your favorite thing about independent bookstores?

SAC: How they are not bound by trends. Independent stores will get you out your comfort zone.

Pick up a copy of All the Sinners Bleed from Parnassus today!

 

Summer Reading, Having a Blast: 15 New Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Is there anything better than the whole family kicking back in the sun with some good books? Whether you’re heading to the beach, the pool, or having a staycation at home, these staff picks for the young and young at heart will get your summer reading off to a great start!

P.S. If you’d like to help other kids in the Nashville area get access to great summer reads, consider donating to our summer book drive in partnership with Book’Em! Purchase any children’s book from Parnassus to donate, and the Parnassus Foundation will match your donation!

P.S.S. If you’re ordering a book for donation online, let us know in the order comments section that it’s for Book’Em so we don’t accidentally send it to you.

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann All Kinds of Special

By Tammi Sauer, Fernando Martin (Illustrator)

A mango tree in the yard of her new house helps a girl feel at home and make a new friend. The brightly-colored illustrations pair perfectly with this delightful story.

Recommended by Chelsea Simon and the Better Bone

By Corey R. Tabor

A dog sees another dog just like him at a pond, except the new dog has a better bone! How can the dog get the better bone when the new dog seems to know all his tricks? This retelling of an Aesop fable has a sweet twist at the end that will delight readers.

Recommended by Rae Ann Hiding: A Story About Finding Quiet in a Busy World

By Kate Pugsley

This book is a celebration of fun and games and also of being alone. The artwork is the perfect complement to the story.

Recommended by Rae Ann My Dog Just Speaks Spanish

By Andrea Cáceres

After Aurora moves to the US, she learns to speak English, but her dog does not. She translates for him as they go about their day in this charming picture book.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Rae Ann The Labors of Hercules Beal

By Gary D. Schmidt

Herc Jones is the smallest kid in his class. His school assignment to replicate the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life and write about them takes him on an unexpected journey in his family, school, and community. This funny book is full of heart and characters to root for.

Recommended by Chelsea The Takeout

By Tracy Badua

Mila is trying to fit in to her new small town while spending time on her dad’s Indian-Filipino fusion food truck. When her favorite celebrity chefs open a restaurant with an eerily familiar menu, how far will Mila go to save her family’s truck and uncover the truth? This is a perfect read for anyone trying to find exactly where they fit in while keeping true to themselves.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Theo The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (A Graphic Novel)

By Deya Muniz

Do you like royal sapphic romance? Do you like cheese puns? Do you like REALLY PRETTY drawings of princesses and castles? If this sounds like you, read this comic!

Recommended by Aly The Queens of New York: A Novel

By E. L. Shen

Three best friends are spending their first summer apart. Jia, Ariel, and Everett are looking for love, fame, independence, and answers, but just might get more than they bargained for without one another to lean on. This book is beautiful, kindhearted, and incredibly real.

Recommended by Rae Ann You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory

By Ruta Sepetys

Instructive and entertaining. Ruta Sepetys teaches us the craft of writing while telling stories of her days as a rock and roll manager in LA and more!

Recommended by Katie A Little Bit Country

By Brian D. Kennedy

I am so grateful my son (who is now five) is going to grow up in a world that has so many brilliant queer stories being published. And I know there are still so many stories that need to be told. A Little Bit Country by Brian Kennedy is a joyous love song to both country music and young queer love. You can’t help but fall right alongside Luke and Emmet.

Recommended by Sarah Girls Like Girls

By Hayley Kiyoko

Let it be known that pop sensation Hayley Kiyoko can write songs AND books! Her 2015 song “Girls Like Girls” was a hugely impactful cultural moment for queer folks, and this novel extends the story told in the viral music video. It’s exactly what teenage Sarah needed.

Recommended by RJ The Grimoire of Grave Fates

By Hanna Alkaf (Created by), Margaret Owen (Created by)

There’s been a murder at an elite school for sorcerers, and it will take the combined talents of the students to solve the crime. Uniquely told in interlocking short stories, each containing clues to the murder, this collection features a diverse line-up of amazing writers working together to stage a highly entertaining magical mystery.

Sprout Book Club: June Selection Before, Now 

By Daniel Salmieri

The June 2023 Sprout Book Club selection is Before, Now by Daniel Salmieri. Ava’s world is full of opposites that complement each other. Fluffy birds rest in a prickly nest and a light balloon floats above a heavy table. Things change and stay the same all at once in this beautiful picture book.

Early praise for the book:

“This meditation on the patterns of life shines with reminders of what we carry with us as we grow.” – Kirkus

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: June Selection Camp Sylvania

By Julie Murphy

The June 2023 Spark Book Club selection is Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy. Maggie’s dream of going to Rising Star Summer Camp with her BFF is dashed when her parents break the news that she’s going to fat camp instead. Things at camp are strange…and maybe run by vampires! This fun and spooky story is perfect for summer reading!

Early Sparks for the novel:

“Murphy renders her camp of fat characters with nuance, giving them unique personalities beyond their size and often pointing out how others’ judgments ignore their full humanity and undermine their confidence. A fun and spooky celebration of fat kids and friendship.” –Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: June Selection Something Close to Magic

By Emma Mills

The June 2023 ParnassusNext selection is Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills. Aurelie had to leave her magic school unexpectedly and landed an internship as an apprentice at Basil’s Bakery. She feels like she will never make it out of the small town and into her destiny. One day a stranger arrives with a set of seeking stones, demanding that Aurelie dust off her magic to find someone. When the “someone” turns out to be Prince Hapless, Aurelie’s life will never be the same.

Early praise for the novel:

“Teens who relish light, character-driven stories will enjoy this fantasy with a setting that evokes medieval European ways of life and social structures.” – Kirkus

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

 

These Books Won’t Burn: 32 Hot Reads for June

It’s getting HOT out there y’all, so it’s time for the essentials: sunscreen, a sweet pair of shades, and a stellar new book! While we cannot actually confirm that this month’s staff picks won’t burn, there is a video of literary icon Margaret Atwood using an actual flamethrower on an unburnable copy of The Handmaid’s Tale, and you should absolutely go watch it. It’s okay, we’ll wait for you.

You’re back! Excellent. Wasn’t it everything you didn’t know you needed? We hope you enjoy this roundup of staff favorites, featuring crime capers, scathing satires, re-released rom-drams, and more. Happy reading!

FICTIONRecommended by Ann The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece: A novel

By Tom Hanks, R. Sikoryak (Illustrator)

The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece is its own universe, complete with a sun, a cast of circling planets, and a limitless number of stars. Its gravity pulls you in and its far reaching, multi-layered, rollicking exuberance holds you in place. I would have been happy to live inside this book forever.

Recommended by Lindsay The Celebrants

By Steven Rowley

I first fell in love with Steven Rowley’s writing when I read The Guncle, and I’m happy to report that The Celebrants is just as warm, witty, and captivating. Rowley writes the kinds of characters who you’ll feel like you’ve known for years—I was genuinely sad when I hit the last page and couldn’t spend more time with them!

Recommended by Rae Ann Once More with Feeling: A Novel

By Elissa Sussman

A former pop star gets a second chance at fame, this time on Broadway. The only problem – she must avoid a relationship with the director, the guy at the center of the scandal that destroyed her career. A laugh out loud rom com with heartfelt emotion.

Recommended by Ashby The Book That Wouldn’t Burn (The Library Trilogy #1)

By Mark Lawrence

I’ll read any book about a library. This first book in the new Library Trilogy series is focused on the Athenaeum which houses every book in the world. The mystery of what connects the two main characters, Livira and Evar, as well as connections to Adam and Eve make this book difficult to classify. Lawrence is masterful at pulling lots of disparate content together to create one story with a multitude of elements.

Recommended by Jake Yellowface: A Novel

By R. F. Kuang

When struggling writer June Hayward witnesses the tragic death of her friend, bestselling author Athena Liu, she can only do one thing: take Liu’s newest manuscript home with her. Publishing it as her own, June experiences the level of success she always wanted. But with fame comes scrutiny, and June will do anything to keep her secrets. A scathing satire with pointed commentary, Yellowface is not to be missed.

Recommended by Lindsay The Disenchantment: A Novel

By Celia Bell

There are so many things to love about Celia Bell’s debut novel, The Disenchantment — drama in the royal court! murder! intrigue! historic gays! I could keep shouting, that’s how much I adored this enthralling story of love and scandal in seventeenth century Paris. I can’t wait to see what Celia does next!

Recommended by Chelsea All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel

By S. A. Cosby

Cosby’s latest details the battle between Charon County’s first Black sheriff and a sadistic white killer obsessed with religion. The crimes are inspired by real-life headlines, but in Cosby’s hands, the reader is forced to consider the weight of racism, institutional religion, and justice. The twists were expertly revealed, and I was kept guessing until the very end. I cannot get enough of Cosby’s writing.

Recommended by Hannah K. The True Love Experiment

By Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren delivers a must-read romance featuring a fun concept, palpable angst, and fabulous characters! Filmmaker Connor Prince and romance novelist Fizzy Chen team up to create a sensational reality dating show, only to discover the true sensation might be the sparks between them… As a longtime CLo devotee, believe me when I say this is the best book they’ve ever written.

Recommended by Jennifer Ink Blood Sister Scribe: A Novel

By Emma Törzs

We already know that books are magic, but in Ink Blood Sister Scribe, books have a power that crosses over worlds and creates ties that bind. With a cast of four misfit characters and a Pomeranian named Sir Kiwi, Emma Törzs’ debut novel is full of mystery, magic, love, and most importantly books. This is a perfect selection for anyone who loves Ninth House, Babel, or the Darker Shade of Magic series.

Recommended by Katie An Island Princess Starts a Scandal

By Adriana Herrera

Did you hear that noise? That was me. Screaming to anyone who will listen about the amount of joy this steamy new sapphic romance brings me. I have been LONGING for a heroine like Cora. A sexy, stern, bossy butch, and boy did she find her match in the fierce (but a bit bratty) Manuela. This book is delicious!

Recommended by Sissy The Say So

By Julia Franks

Franks is one of my favorite contemporary Southern writers. She’s adept at describing the rich inner lives of women without being sentimental. This timely novel explores unplanned pregnancies and the family and societal demands on women and girls across generations.

Recommended by Katie The Kingmaker (All The King’s Men)

By Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy Ryan really said let’s talk about climate change but make it a steamy, slow burn romance between an indigenous activist and an oil baron’s son. I am so ready for Kennedy Ryan to get all her flowers. She is such an incredible rom-dram writer. All the feelings in this re-release of a previously self-published book.

Recommended by Sarah Pomegranate: A Novel

By Helen Elaine Lee

Ranita is a queer, Black woman fresh out of prison and on a mission to stay clean and regain custody of her kids. Lee paints a deep, gorgeous portrait of Ranita’s life and struggles, past and present, and crafts a moving story of love and redemption. Ranita came alive off the pages and has taken up residence in my brain since I finished the book. If you like Yaa Gyasi or Jesmyn Ward, make Pomegranate your next read.

Recommended by Cheryl My Murder: A Novel

By Katie Williams

The narrator of My Murder is one of several people cloned from their own cells after they were killed by a serial killer. When she finally meets her killer in prison, he tells her he did kill the other victims but not her!

Recommended by Sydney The Memory of Animals

By Claire Fuller

Undoubtedly, COVID-19 inspired a whole host of dystopian pandemic novels—but none like this. Neffy, a 27-year-old marine biologist, finds herself volunteering for an experimental vaccine trial that was previously never tested on humans. While in-clinic, she writes letters to her octopus muse amid her frightening, disorienting experience in captivity. Imagine The Soul of an Octopus meets How High We Go in the Dark.

Recommended by Patsy The Guest: A Novel

By Emma Cline

Emma Cline crafts the tale of Alex, who must find a place to stay after she’s kicked out of her New York city apartment. She finds a good life living with an older man. After a misstep at a party, he summarily dismisses her with a ticket back to the city. In her head, Alex believes she can win him back. This cringey page-turner will keep you up late, like an accident from which you can’t look away.

Recommended by Jenness Swamp Story: A Novel

By Dave Barry

This is the way to start your summer reading: with a bumbling crime caper set in the Sunshine State. Dave Barry does what he does best – makes us laugh with another fun novel filled with goofy good guys, doomed bad guys, buried treasure, swamp monsters, and, of course, a hungry gator. Dark satire wrapped in a frothy beach read (action! adventure! social commentary! romance!) – what more could you want?

Recommended by Rachel Natural Beauty: A Novel

By Ling Ling Huang

Natural Beauty is the Goop horror-scape you’ve been waiting for. I don’t think any book has ever made my jaw drop so many times. Huang takes “self care” and turns it into grotesque body horror in a dystopian reality. I was rethinking everything I knew about Western beauty standards, utterly horrified as I turned each page. Weird in the very best way!!

Recommended by Katie To Shape a Dragon’s Breath: The First Book of Nampeshiweisit

By Moniquill Blackgoose

A young woman finds herself as the first indigenous dragonrider in generations and is forced to attend a colonizer-run academy to learn the “proper way” to master her dragon. Quickly chafing under a deeply unjust curriculum, Anequs and her dragon find their power together and work to dismantle the system from within. For lovers of R.F. Kuang and Darcie Little Badger, this is a fantastic new series.

Recommended by Ashby The Wishing Game: A Novel

By Meg Shaffer

Need some magic? Reading this book is like the Golden Ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Lucy wants nothing more than to adopt seven-year-old Christopher. Her only hope is to win the contest run by her favorite childhood author. Jack Masterson’s Clock Island books were Lucy’s escape. She goes back to the island in Maine where she once ran away to try and land herself inside Jack’s fictional world.

Recommended by Kathy The Queen of Dirt Island: A Novel

By Donal Ryan

An inspiring, touching story of four generations of Irish women that’s a pleasure to read. Whoever thought a writer could create a novel where every chapter is two pages long? You can fly through this beautiful book, or slow down and savor the beautiful prose.

Recommended by Rae Ann Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl

By Renée Rosen

New York 1938. A woman tries to reinvent herself to hide her father’s criminal past. A serendipitous meeting with a new friend, Estée Lauder, leads to a lifelong friendship with tumultuous ups and downs. A fascinating novel of women making a place for themselves in the cosmetic industry and the world.

Recommended by Katie Atalanta

By Jennifer Saint

Do we need more retellings of Greek mythologies? Probably not. But will I read every single one? Yes. Absolutely, especially if it’s been written by Jennifer Saint. She just nails it every single time. This is the story of Atalanta, the only female to sail with the Argonauts, a mere byline in the history books, but Saint gives this minor character new life and more depth. I loved every page.

Recommended by Sarah Killingly

By Katharine Beutner

This inventive, slow-burn mystery seamlessly blends fact and fiction to create a compelling tale of women in the 19th century and the challenges they faced. Beutner’s style of writing and language left me completely immersed in the time period, and she masterfully unspooled the threads of the story to craft a satisfying ending.

Recommended by Ashby A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality (A Saffron Everleigh Mystery #2)

By Kate Khavari

Floriography = Victorian practice of sending messages through flowers. University research assistant Saffron explains the meanings of flower bouquets left with murder victims. She works with the police and a university professor amidst the chauvinist world. A historical whodunit with witty dialogue and fascinating characters that places the reader in the middle of Victorian London.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Cheryl Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America

By Ryan Busse

This book is timely. It is an insider’s view of the gun industry. Busse was a gun owner most of his life, a well-respected executive at his company, and a leader in the NRA. He became disturbed with the sales of assault rifles to civilians. He found he could no longer support the power that the NRA wielded over politics and the environment.

Recommended by Theo The Mustard Seed: A Natural Foods Grocer

By Sugar Le Fae

This memoir-in-poems about working in an organic grocery store is also a thoughtful reflection on queerness and gender and class and community. A must-read even if you don’t think of yourself poetry person – especially if you have worked in retail and/or food service like me.

Recommended by Sissy When the World Didn’t End: A Memoir

By Guinevere Turner

A moving, lyrical memoir about growing up in a cult, being uprooted and lost, and ultimately not knowing where to find safety. While the themes are familiar, you may be surprised at the twists in this engrossing story.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Rachel Boy Parts: A Novel

By Eliza Clark

When I say I want an unhinged narrator, Irina from Boy Parts is what I mean. She’s the true anti-hero. I hated her and yet I still saw so many pieces of myself in her. That’s the beauty of Eliza Clarke’s writing. She uses Irina’s relationship to gender to explore compulsory heterosexuality and critique masculine power. This is definitely a wild one!

Recommended by Cat The Excellent Lombards

By Jane Hamilton

Do you ever read something and years later see it on your bookshelf and think, “Wow, that was just perfection?” That’s how I feel about The Excellent Lombards. Set on an apple orchard, it’s a story about how growing up happens to all of us, whether or not we like it. Our heroine, Frankie, is a wildly original character who is not fully on board with the growing up thing, and I know you’ll love her as much as I did.

Recommended by Maddie An Absolutely Remarkable Thing: A Novel (The Carls #1)

By Hank Green

This novel is a perfect look into the addictive and dangerous nature of fame, power, and influence. With a creatively fun plot and characters who are endearing and realistic, this story is one that has stuck with me for years.

First Editions Club: June Selection I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home: A novel

By Lorrie Moore

Dear Friends,

Imagine a ghost story that is also a love story, a ghost story that is genuinely creepy while being laugh out loud funny, a story of death and tenderness, of love that is lost and found and lost again. Imagine a ghost story that is completely unexpected, by which I mean every page throws you a curve ball. That’s hard to do, seeing as how the ghost story is a well worn path. Now imagine a ghost story that is, on top of everything else, Literature, capital ‘L.’ Now you have some sense of Lorrie Moore’s novel I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home. But really, you have no sense of it at all, because you’ve never read anything like this. There is nothing else like this.

If you’re feeling lost at the beginning, hold on. Trust that one of America’s greatest writers is driving the car. You’ll catch up soon enough. Lorrie Moore is revered for a reason—she knows what she’s doing. She proves that here.

I’ve been amazed by her since 1989, the year she published Self-Help. She has written some of my favorite books, like Birds of America and Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?. She teaches in the MFA program at Vanderbilt, which means that we can claim her as a local for at least part of the year. I’m thrilled to have this book for the Parnassus First Editions Club.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Backlist Beach Reads: 55 Books for Summer

We here at Parnassus are firm believers that a beach read is, well, any book you choose to read at the beach! Lighthearted fiction, summer romances, twisting mysteries, enthralling true crime, and otherworldly sci-fi books all belong at the beach, in our humble opinion. If you’ve ever wondered what booksellers have in their beach bags, wonder no more! Our booksellers gathered over fifty paperback recs (with a hardcover or two for good measure) for the whole family’s summer vacation needs!

CONTEMPORARY FICTIONRecommended by Sarah A World BetweenBy Emily Hashimoto

Picture Normal People, but with two queer women of color on a roller coaster of a relationship from the moment they meet in college. You’ll be thinking about Eleanor and Leena for a long time to come.

Recommended by Sarah The Beekeeper of Aleppo: A Novel

By Christy Lefteri

If you loved The Kite Runner and have been looking for a comparable read, look no further than The Beekeeper of Aleppo. This one is for those of you who don’t mind a heavier, but gorgeously written, summer read.

Recommended by Cat Sharks in the Time of Saviors: A Novel

By Kawai Strong Washburn

Family sagas with an element of magical realism seem to be having a moment and one of my favorites in that sub-genre is Sharks in the Time of Saviors. It follows a Hawaiian family as they attempt to find a place of belonging both within their native islands and on the U.S. mainland, but of course there is a family curse that complicates things.

Recommended by Katie Homegoing

By Yaa Gyasi

This book is an absolute masterpiece. It follows two half sisters in Ghana, one who marries an English gentleman, the other sold into slavery, with each chapter being told from the next generation’s perspective. This book has continued to sit with me years after I read it.

Recommended by Kathy Free Food for Millionaires

By Min Jin Lee

Casey, child of Korean immigrants, wants to break free of the old ways and live a 21st century, New York life with her Princeton degree, but her spending leads to disastrous consequences. This is a multi-layered, almost Dickensian novel with numerous characters and plot-lines. Such fun to dig into!

Recommended by Heath Tales of the City: A Novel

By Armistead Maupin

Not only is this classic and groundbreaking LGBTQ literature, it’s also a really fun romp through 1970s San Francisco.

Recommended by Jake Eileen: A Novel

By Ottessa Moshfegh

Pretty much perfect as far as anti-beach reading goes, Eileen is cold, dark, and harrowing. Set in the week before Christmas, Ottessa Moshfegh’s breakout is a gripping character study and features a stunning climax you won’t soon forget.

Recommended by Aly Nothing to See Here: A Read with Jenna Pick

By Kevin Wilson

Lillian doesn’t know where she’s going or what she’s doing. Now is the perfect time for her old school friend to swoop in an offer her a job. With two kids who spontaneously catch on fire, where could things possibly go wrong?

Recommended by Aly Mary Jane: A Novel

By Jessica Anya Blau

This coming of age story has real Daisy Jones and the Six vibes, as fourteen-year-old Mary Jane spends her summer down the street babysitting and becoming immersed in a family’s rock and roll lifestyle.

HISTORICAL FICTIONRecommended by Lindsay The Queen Of The Night

By Alexander Chee

Why go to the beach when you could go to the opera? Alexander Chee’s novel of Lilliet Berne, the star soprano of nineteenth century Paris, is one of my all-time favorites.

Recommended by Rae Ann Our Woman in Moscow: A Novel

By Beatriz Williams

This is a complex spy story of two sisters caught in the web of Cold War espionage. Full of family drama and high stakes decisions.

Recommended by Lindsay The Paying Guests

By Sarah Waters

The Paying Guests is not a mystery inasmuch as it’s a slow-burn sapphic romance in which a murder occurs. No one does historical fiction like Sarah Waters, and her take on 1920s London is absolute perfection.

Recommended by Cat City of Girls: A Novel

By Elizabeth Gilbert

I will always and forever recommend City of Girls as a perfect summer read. It’s got opulence, theatre, found family, and an overwhelming amount of heart. Set in 1940s New York City, our heroine Vivian has found herself a college dropout and sent to spend the summer with her eccentric Aunt Peg at a rundown off-off-Broadway theatre. Hijinks and hard-won life lessons ensue.

Recommended by Katie In the Unlikely Event: A Novel

By Judy Blume

As a proud Jersey Girl and a Judy Blume devotee I loved this adult historical fiction book by Blume. Set in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and bringing together three generations of family and friends, this novel tells the true story of one summer when three planes crash landed in this small suburban town and the ripple effect it had over the community.

Recommended by Heath The Remains of the Day (Vintage International)

By Kazuo Ishiguro

An English butler looks back on his 30 years of service at Darlington Hall for a distinguished British lord. As he reflects upon the grandeur of those times, there is a nagging notion that things may not have been as ideal as he once thought them to be. This is like Downton Abbey but better.

Recommended by Chelsea The Diamond Eye: A Novel

By Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn brings a fascinating level of detail to her research and characters, and The Diamond Eye is the perfect example of this. This riveting book held my attention from beginning to end.

Recommended by Rae Ann Code Name Hélène: A Novel

By Ariel Lawhon

If you missed this novel when it came out in March 2020 like I did, put this on your summer reading list. This is the story of real-life socialite spy Nancy Wake during WWII. A fascinating read.

MYSTERYRecommended by Jake And Then There Were None

By Agatha Christie

The best whodunnit ever written and the one by which all others should be judged, And Then There Were None is near-impossible to put down. Following ten strangers trapped on an island, mysterious circumstances quickly lead to one death after another. Can the mystery be solved before the title proves true? Agatha Christie has rightfully claimed her title as the queen of mystery, and this is among her very best work.

Recommended by Sarah Mouth to Mouth: A Novel

By Antoine Wilson

Put together a psychological mystery, an unreliable narrator, and Great Gatsby-esque vibes, and you get this former First Editions Club pick. I couldn’t put it down!

Recommended by Lindsay The Appeal: A Novel

By Janice Hallett

If you’re nosey like me, chances are you’ll want to read this murder mystery told entirely through emails and texts–The Appeal is an engrossing read, with all the pettiness and drama of desperate rich people.

Recommended by Rae Ann A Study In Scarlet Women (The Lady Sherlock Series #1)

By Sherry Thomas

When Charlotte Holmes is cast to the fringes of society, she assumes the name Sherlock Holmes to solve mysteries. She must stop a criminal mastermind and clear her family’s name in the first book in the Lady Sherlock Series.

Recommended by Chelsea Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel

By S. A. Cosby

Have you read any S. A. Cosby yet? He’s my favorite mystery writer these days, and this fast-paced heist novel is the perfect intro into his gritty Southern mysteries.

Recommended by Jenness The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

By Stuart Turton

A locked-room whodunit at an English country estate, several suspects, one victim – and 7 1/2 deaths. A twisty, turny fantastical set-up (our protagonist inhabits a different character daily in order to solve the murder), this makes for a great summer read. You can tax your brain trying to figure out the who, how, and why of it all, or just sit back and let the fresh, clever, bizarre mystery take you away.

ROMANCERecommended by Hannah K. Book Lovers

By Emily Henry

Although Henry has a book literally titled Beach Read, I picked this one for a reason: Book Lovers is, without a doubt, Emily Henry’s best book yet. Combining the very best elements from her previous two bestsellers, it’s a delight from cover to cover. An ode to romance novels, it’s aware of the tropes, stares them in the face, and still manages to bring something new and brilliant to the genre.

Recommended by Hannah K. The Unhoneymooners

By Christina Lauren

When sworn enemies Olive & Ethan are gifted an all-expenses-paid honeymoon to Hawaii, they’re resolved to avoid each other as much as possible. But keeping up the dating charade is proving difficult, and the pair soon realize they’re not as different as they’d thought… Whether you’re actually traveling to the tropics or not, reading this book feels like laying out on the beach with a daquiri.

Recommended by Chelsea Spoiler Alert: A Novel

By Olivia Dade

If you, like me, spent your formative years reading fan fiction, this romance is for you. I really appreciated the character arcs and their conversations around hard topics. This is the first of a series centered around the same fandom!

Recommended by Katie The Boyfriend Project

By Farrah Rochon

When I am on vacation I want to sink my teeth into a series and The Boyfriend Project kicks off a fabulous series that centers around three women who find themselves dating the same jerk. Instead of competing they become friends and help each other find their true happily ever afters.

Recommended by Katie Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

By Ashley Herring Blake

Delilah Green is my fictional book girlfriend. This steamy sapphic romance is chef’s kiss. So good. So fun. So hot. And because it’s also the first in a series, you can spend some time with this group of friends as they figure out how to be good friends, good family, and good lovers.

SCI-FI/FANTASYRecommended by Hannah K. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

By Sangu Mandanna

Purely delightful magic in book form. The epitome of cozy, witchy vibes. If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, this needs to be next up on your TBR! I practically guarantee you’ll wish you could practice magic after reading this charming novel.

Recommended by Katie The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1)

By Becky Chambers

Life is hard. Gimme some cozy aliens on a space adventure. Becky Chambers is the shiniest star in the sky right now and I think everyone should read her.

Recommended by Katie A Day of Fallen Night (The Roots of Chaos)

By Samantha Shannon

Here me out…the beach is the PERFECT place to take an 800 page book. Shannon’s books often times feel daunting because of their size so you don’t want to start them. But being stuck on vacation with a singular book that lasts you the whole week can help. It doesn’t hurt that this book is literal perfection.

Recommended by Chelsea She Who Became the Sun (The Radiant Emperor Duology #1)

By Shelley Parker-Chan

This powerful, sweeping debut tracks female monk Zhu Chongba as she refuses to succumb to nothingness in 1345 Mongol-ruled China. The sequel comes out later this summer!

Recommended by Rae Ann Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore (10th Anniversary Edition): A Novel

By Robin Sloan, Paul Yamazaki (Foreword by)

An out-of-work web designer takes a job at a bookstore – a bookstore with a limited selection of books and a few customers who rarely buy anything. With the help of some friends, the mystery of the store begins to unfold in this fun fast-paced read.

Recommended by Rachel This Is How You Lose the Time War

By Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone

Two rivals write letters back and forth across the multiverse, slowly moving from friendly competition, to passionate love and life-altering danger. The love letters in these pages are some of the most beautiful sentences I have ever read. A perfect, awe-inspiring, concise (& sapphic!) summer read.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Chelsea I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa

By Charles Brandt

This reads as Frank Sheeran’s confessional and provides an answer to the age-old question of what happened to Jimmy Hoffa.

Recommended by Lindsay Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art

By Mary Gabriel

Real ones know that the best way to spend a vacation is with a 944-page book on midcentury female painters.

Recommended by Heather Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World

By Noah Strycker

The ultimate travel experience – 365 days and 6,042 species of birds, along with some unique travel challenges, and hundreds of new friends helping along the way.

Recommended by Heath Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood

By Mark Harris

A fascinating look at how the five 1968 best picture nominees changed the face of movies forever. If you have ever wondered how old Hollywood evolved into new Hollywood, you’ll like this book.

Recommended by Andy Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

By William Finnegan

My favorite summer read is Barbarian Days by William Finnegan. It won the Pulitzer Prize. A book about surfing won the Pulitzer, enough said.

Recommended by Andy Madame Fourcade’s Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France’s Largest Spy Network Against Hitler

By Lynne Olson

A thrilling account of the woman who led the largest resistance group in France during WWII that sent information on troop movements and logistics to contacts in Britain, and they were one of the first to report on the development of the V-2 rocket. Twice she was captured by the Gestapo and escaped. Olson’s telling reads like a spy novel but is an incredible account of this brave women and her army of patriots.

Recommended by Rachel What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence

By Michele Filgate (Editor)

A collection of essays exploring fifteen authors and their relationships with their mothers. A diverse collection with something relatable for everyone as well as new perspectives to learn from. While reading, I was transported to a back porch in the summer, listening to these authors tell their family stories, laughing and crying together, and just basking in the complexities of a mother’s love.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Chelsea Firekeeper’s Daughter

By Angeline Boulley

This intricate story traces drugs found on Daunis’s reservation. Add in romance, hockey, and the exploration of cultural identity, and you have a layered, compulsive read.

Recommended by Rae Ann Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All

By Laura Ruby

Two girls in a Chicago orphanage narrate this tale of WWII-era Chicago. This National Book Award finalist is a gripping story of a girl searching for a better future for herself and the ghost who watches over her.

Recommended by Katie Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

By Talia Hibbert

Talia Hibbert doesn’t miss. Be it adult or YA romance, her style is charming and witty, and whenever I see a new one from her I can’t help but jump for joy. This friends to enemies to smoochy face partners almost makes me want to travel back to high school and fall in like with a cute someone. Almost.

Recommended by Katie Last Night at the Telegraph Club

By Malinda Lo

A queer historical romance that isn’t all doom and gloom. Yes, please! This is a beautiful YA book set in a 1950s San Francisco and tells the story of two young girls fighting for a love against tremendous odds.

Recommended by Rae Ann Lore

By Alexandra Bracken

This action-packed story puts a modern twist on Greek mythology as ancient bloodlines hunt the Olympian gods across New York in hopes of stealing their power and immortality.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Agathas (An Agathas Mystery #1)

By Kathleen Glasgow, Liz Lawson

Alice Ogilvie and Iris Adams are classmates but not friends. When Alice’s ex-best friend is found dead, she teams up with her tutor to find the killer using the guidance of the works of Agatha Christie.

Recommended by Aly Emergency Contact

By Mary H. K. Choi

Choi gives us the story of Penny and Sam, who manage to accidentally become the only person the other can depend on in this achingly beautiful and funny romance.

Recommended by Jenny Carry On (Simon Snow Trilogy #1)

By Rainbow Rowell

A fictional character’s fanfiction brought to life, Carry On takes place in a magical boarding school where Simon Snow is constantly getting into scrapes. When things go from goofy to serious, Simon finds himself getting help in the most unlikely of places. Queer, adventurous, and magical, Carry On had me laughing out loud and crying a little bit too.

MIDDLE GRADERecommended by Katie Murder Is Bad Manners (A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery)

By Robin Stevens

Move over Nancy Drew, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are on the case and ready to solve a murder. It’s the 1930s and Hazel and Daisy find themselves bored at their boarding school. In an effort to shake things up they form a secret detective agency, but the trouble is they don’t have anything to investigate, until one day their science teacher is found dead and they are absolutely sure it’s foul play.

Recommended by Aly Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes

By Kristi Wientge

When you’re twelve years old, summer is supposed to be all about fun, but everything starts falling apart for Alex when her best friend, Will, gets a crush. How dare he! AND on the most popular girl in school?!

Recommended by Katie Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations #1)

By B. B. Alston

Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black, Amari and the Night Brothers is an exciting middle grade novel for anyone who is looking for a high-stakes and thrilling adventure to read this summer. Desperate to find the reason her brother has gone missing, Amari finds a suitcase in his closet from the Bureau of Supernatural Beings and she just knows it has something to do with him going missing. She is determined to get to the bottom if it all!

Recommended by Rae Ann The Elephant in the Room

By Holly Goldberg Sloan

A special class project, a lottery winner who rescues an elephant, and a new friend give Sila a summer adventure like she never expected.

Recommended by Rae Ann How to Save a Queendom

By Jessica Lawson

This fantasy adventure takes readers on an epic journey with an orphan, a pet chicken, and a tiny wizard.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Westing Game

By Ellen Raskin

Sixteen people are invited to the reading of Mr. Westing’s will. They could all become millionaires if they win the complicated and dangerous Westing Game.

Recommended by Rachel The Unwanteds

By Lisa McMann

In a futuristic world where creativity is punished, Alex and his friends are saved from a fiery death by a stone cheetah with wings. They are taken to a magic school and taught to embrace their inner artist while surrounded by all sorts of whimsical characters.

Tender is the Heart: 12 New Reads for the Young and Young at Heart

May is here, and with it a roundup of picks for young readers and the young at heart. And what do all these books have in common? There is a level of tenderness in each one of them. From snail BFFs to ballerinas, cryptids to car camping, each story is sure to make your heart sing. Read on to find your new favorite book!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Chelsea Big

By Vashti Harrison

This is a powerful read. Sparse, intentional words paired with lush illustrations tell an important story of self-acceptance and remind readers about the power of words.

Recommended by Jake Gustav Is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery

By Andrea Zuill

When his beloved pet slug Gustav goes missing, young mushroom Little Cap must face his fears and leave his cozy home on a journey to find him. Gorgeous illustrations and a heartwarming story make for a delightful read.

Recommended by Chelsea A Bed of Stars

By Jessica Love, Jessica Love (Illustrator)

A young child is taken camping with her dad to better understand their place in the universe. This is the picture book young Chelsea desperately needed to soothe her to sleep.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Rae Ann Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel (Four Eyes #1)

By Rex Ogle, Dave Valeza (Illustrator)

Sixth grade is a year of adjustment for Rex. Bullies, girls, and navigating the lunchroom are difficult, and that’s even before he starts wearing glasses. This true story of learning to fit in and find your community is a must read.

Recommended by Ashby Pebble and Wren

By Chris Hallbeck

Sent out to determine their special powers, Pebble is scared until finding Wren. The young monster and young human become friends, eventually communicating telepathically. Wren helps Pebble make sense of the world, explaining things like thermodynamics of refrigeration. Their adventures lead to friendship in a story that will make you laugh and smile and want to have Pebble come to your house!

Recommended by Hannah P. Dear Mothman

By Robin Gow

When his best friend (and the only other trans boy in school) passes away, Noah feels more alone and misunderstood than ever. Longing to connect with someone who knows how he feels, Noah starts writing letters to The Mothman: a red-eyed, winged cryptid who may or may not be hanging out in the woods behind his house. This story broke my heart and put it back together again.

Recommended by Rae Ann Nat for Nothing: A Graphic Novel (Nat Enough #4)

By Maria Scrivan, Maria Scrivan (Illustrator)

It’s a new year in middle school and Nat is looking for a club to join. When she meets a new student, they want to start a comics club. But what should they do when the principal says no? The appearance of Nat’s cat and dog at the beginning of each chapter adds humor to this already laugh-out-loud story. (See the rest of the series here!)

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Chelsea Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

By Justine Pucella Winans

This novel truly has everything: a little romance, a self-discovery journey, and a dash of murder. It’s all delightfully narrated by Bianca, whose voice is funny, endearing, and authentic. I enjoyed every page and missed the characters when I finished.

Recommended by Katie Ander & Santi Were Here: A Novel

By Jonny Garza Villa

This book is perfect. That’s my review. Anything else I say will be woefully inadequate. But that’s probably not enough, is it? Ander and Santi Were Here is a beautiful story of queer first love, of fighting for that love when the cards are stacked against you, and for finding your own way in this world. I loved this book with my whole heart.

Recommended by RJ Lion’s Legacy

By L. C. Rosen

Lion’s Legacy is a queer Indiana Jones for a new generation. Between ancient puzzles and action-packed adventure, this story takes a serious look at family, queer community, and what it means to own your history.

Recommended by Chelsea Warrior Girl Unearthed

By Angeline Boulley

Perry Firekeeper-Birch’s summer plans of fishing and lazing are upturned when she wrecks her Jeep and owes her Auntie Daunis for the repairs. Instead she interns for her Ojibwe Tribe and kindles a passion for the repatriation of her ancestors’ remains and cultural artifacts. Easily one of my top reads of this year, Warrior Girl Unearthed is a page-turning heist novel that not only entertained me but educated me.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Rae Ann The Magician’s Elephant

By Kate DiCamillo, Yoko Tanaka (Illustrator)

This is the story of a boy seeking his lost sister, a community looking for hope, and the elephant that answers.

Sprout Book Club: May Selection When You Can Swim

By Jack Wong, Jack Wong (Illustrator)

The May 2023 Sprout Book Club selection is When You Can Swim by Jack Wong. The beautifully-illustrated scenes celebrate the anticipation of learning to swim and the joy found in connecting with others in a shared activity.

Early praise for the book:

“In visually inventive, lovingly finished pastel-and-watercolor spreads and sinuous lines of prose-poetry, debut author-illustrator Wong showcases myriad children encountering the joys of swimming.” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: May Selection Ellie Engle Saves Herself

By Leah Johnson

The May 2023 Spark Book Club selection is Ellie Engle Saves Herself! by Leah Johnson. After a freak earthquake in her town, Ellie wakes up with a gift. She can bring anything back to life with her touch. When a video of her using her new superpower goes viral, her life in middle school will never be the same.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“This fast-paced, humorous novel will have readers racing to the end as they fall in love with Ellie’s quirky and authentic personality.” – Kirkus, starred review

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: May Selection Imogen, Obviously

By Becky Albertalli

The May 2023 ParnassusNext selection is Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli. Imogen is the World’s Greatest Ally. She is looking forward to visiting her best friend at college for the weekend. When she arrives, her friend confesses she told her friends they used to date. Now Imogen must keep up the charade. As she spends more time with a cute college girl, she begins to wonder if the charade is the truth.

Early praise for the novel:

“Imogen’s journey feels authentic and sincere, and readers will find it difficult not to fall for her….Fresh, endearing, and heartfelt.” –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

May We Recommend You a Book? 35 New Reads for May

Maybe you’re looking for a good read for your upcoming vacation. Maybe you’re shopping for a gift for a mom, graduate, or another special person in your life. Maybe you just want to find your next favorite read. Never fear! We have rounded up 35 of our favorite books that are currently on our shelves. Read on to find that next special read!

FICTIONRecommended by Hannah K. Happy Place

By Emily Henry

Emily Henry has a gift for writing the exact story we need to read in our current moment, this time featuring a cast of beautifully rendered characters. If you’ve ever felt stagnant or lost in life, Harriet’s journey will be achingly relatable to you. This book made me laugh. It made me sob. It made me thankful for this weird, messy, downright chaotic life we get to live.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Secret Book of Flora Lea: A Novel

By Patti Callahan Henry

Two sisters evacuated from London during the Blitz are held together by a story they invent about a magical land called Whisperwood, until one disappears. Twenty years later, a book called Whisperwood lands in Hazel’s hands, reopening old wounds and cracking open the door of hope that her sister might be alive.

Recommended by Ashby The Secret Service of Tea and Treason (Dangerous Damsels #3)

By India Holton

What would I do if India Holton stopped the series? Scream! Cry! Another romance with pirates and witches. Agent A and Agent B, Alice and Daniel, members of the Undercover Agency of Note Takers, pretend to be married to get to the bottom of an assassination plot. How long will they hate each other? I think you know where this is headed…but so much fun getting there. Romance and adventure rolled into one.

Recommended by Jennifer In the Lives of Puppets

By TJ Klune

From the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea comes a whimsical dystopian adventure in the land of robots. Human boy Vic and his patchwork family take on an impossible rescue, but maybe it’s Vic who is looking to be truly found. You will love this heartfelt and inspiring Pinocchio retelling!

Recommended by Rachel One for My Enemy: A Novel

By Olivie Blake

Russian folklore meets Practical Magic meets Romeo & Juliet. This book is one wild read. Olivie Blake always has the uncanny ability to make me fall in love with half a dozen characters in less than fifty pages. You’ll love them & you’ll hate them. You’ll love to hate them. You’ll cry & throw the book and then check to make sure it isn’t damaged. The writing is just as pretty as the cover! Plus, the end pages have art!

Recommended by Cheryl If We’re Being Honest: A Novel

By Cat Shook

Multiple personalities and tensions are bubbling over when the children come together for their father’s funeral. His best friend drops a “bomb” in the eulogy. The family figures out a way to put together this broken relationship in a new way. The novel is a saga with a little romance. It may start with a funeral, but it ends in a wedding.

Recommended by Marcia With My Little Eye: A Novel

By Joshilyn Jackson

A twisty stalker thriller! Meribel moves her 13 year old daughter and herself more than halfway across the country, from LA to Atlanta, to escape her stalker, the Marker Man (who writes his letters in scented markers). There’s no way he can find her, but then the situation escalates. Could the stalker be Meribel’s ex-husband, her love interest in their new apartment building, or her bodyguard ex-boyfriend?

Recommended by Cheryl The Covenant of Water

By Abraham Verghese

This is not a short novel, nor is it short on brilliant character development. It takes place in India starting after WWI and ends in 1977, so history is part of the setting. The reader will gasp at some of the decisions resulting from a belief in a family curse. The plot has surprises. There are quotes worth underlining. It’s an investment in time to complete but it will stay with you after the last page.

Recommended by Heath Small Mercies: A Novel

By Dennis Lehane

Set in the summer of 1974 on the eve of the Boston Public Schools being integrated, a high school girl from Southie goes missing and her mother, Mary Pat, will do whatever it takes to find her. While Mary Pat is definitely flawed, it was refreshing to not only see a woman as the main character in this type of narrative, but also as the most badass. Lehane is the king of Boston crime novels, and this is one of his best.

Recommended by Ashby No Two Persons: A Novel

By Erica Bauermeister

The premise caught me. How does a book change a reader? An author’s debut novel changes her and nine readers. The book includes the writing and content of the novel as it weaves in nine readers ranging from a teenager to a bookseller. The story of her novel impacts each of the nine in unique ways. The structure made for an interesting read and left me to think about the ways books change us.

Recommended by Chelsea The House Is on Fire

By Rachel Beanland

This rich historical novel follows the events surrounding the Richmond Theater fire that occurred in 1811. Beanland expertly weaves the stories of four individuals who were impacted by the fire and ensuing aftermath while using their stories to look at the details of life in Virginia in the early 1800s. Both the research and the craft of the story highly impressed me, and the audiobook is a fantastic production.

Recommended by Katie Practice Makes Perfect: A Novel

By Sarah Adams

This book had me smiling from the jump. I liked When in Rome but I LOVED Practice Makes Perfect. Annie is tired of being the town good girl. Desperate to break out of her shell she employs Will, a bad boy with a rap sheet a mile long to tutor her in the ways of being deliciously naughty. She couldn’t possibly fall for Will…so it’s totally safe. Or is it?

Recommended by Kathy The Trackers: A Novel

By Charles Frazier

A young painter goes out west to paint a post office mural during the Depression. He bunks with a wealthy rancher and his much-younger, beautiful wife. When the wife runs away, the artist is tapped to find her. His exciting and colorful journey through the American West of the 1930’s produces unexpected results. The best Charles Frazier novel yet!

Recommended by Katie The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen (The Doomsday Books)

By KJ Charles

Have you ever read a book that makes you squeal with actual joy? A book so great it has you doing laundry, folding it and putting it away JUST so you have an excuse to listen to the next chapter? This is that book. So much fun! So sweet! So swoony! A lovely gay regency romance to lift your spirits and break you out of any reading rut.

Recommended by Katie Hula: A Novel

By Jasmin Iolani Hakes

For readers who love a sweeping intergenerational story, Hula is a rich and fascinating story of three generations of Hawaiian women and the dance that brings them together and tears them apart. Told in the collective voice of a community struggling to survive, this debut book brings to the forefront the rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian people and the horrendous treatment by the U.S. government

Recommended by Sissy You Shouldn’t Have Come Here

By Jeneva Rose

A tired, gorgeous New Yorker meets a handsome dude on a ranch. They both have secrets. Fate brings them together, but will all the lies TEAR THEM APART?? Rose’s thrillers are always hot and fun. This one’s a perfect spring read.

Recommended by Maddie Old Flame

By Molly Prentiss

I loved this novel about a woman struggling through various stages in her life with how to define herself in relation to her job, her family, her friends, etc. True to life, Prentiss’s writing is at times heartening and at times acutely painful. I would recommend Old Flame to women in any phase of life.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Theo Tasting History: Explore the Past through 4,000 Years of Recipes (A Cookbook)

By Max Miller, Ann Volkwein

I discovered my love of food history when I found Max Miller’s YouTube channel back in 2020. I am so excited to now have my favorite recipes in book form! His pumpion pie recipe from 1670 has become a staple of my family’s Thanksgiving celebration. Even if you don’t like to cook, this beautiful book is a great introduction to regional cuisine from ancient Babylon to Reconstruction America.

Recommended by Heather You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir

By Maggie Smith

Yes, this is a story about the pain of divorce, but this book is so beautifully written the sadness is bearable, and you want to keep reading. It allows you to savor the language and offers you space to ponder. Probably my favorite book this year, and one I will keep going back to.

Recommended by Lindsay The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Essays on Desire and Consumption

By Katy Kelleher

I’ve been following Kathy Kelleher’s essays on beauty and consumerism for a while now, so it’s no surprise to me that her collection, The Ugly History of Beautiful Things, is a perfect blend of memoir, history, and cultural commentary. I adored Kelleher’s meditations on topics like sea shells, gemstones, silk, and things that sparkle—each essay made me slow down and reconsider the role of these objects in our world.

Recommended by Marcia It. Goes. So. Fast.: The Year of No Do-Overs

By Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is the host of NPR’s All Things Considered and a mom. Like most of us, she has struggled with the proverbial work and family life balance, and that sweet time of having everyone under one roof is running out – they’ll leave the nest soon. Her insight into parenting – being in the working world while being there for your kids – was so relevant to me that I found myself underlining so many passages.

Recommended by Jake The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

By David Grann

When a group of castaways from the British naval ship The Wager wash ashore, they share a tale of survival. But months later, a separate group of castaways appears and accuses the others of mutiny. An investigation begins, and the guilty will surely be tried and hanged. A gripping follow up to Killers of The Flower Moon, The Wager is further proof that David Grann is one of the finest nonfiction writers alive.

Recommended by JennessL ife in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World

By Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin, who teaches us how to acknowledge and enhance happiness in all areas of life, encourages exploration of our five senses to further engage with the joy and wonder all around us. Rubin devises and recommends simple, daily practices to get in touch with what we see, hear, touch, taste, and feel and deepen our appreciation of what and who we love in this world.

Recommended by Hannah P. It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

By Joe Vallese (Editor), Carmen Maria Machado (Contribution by), Bruce Owens Grimm (Contribution by)

This is the spooky, queer essay collection of my dreams. Through the lens of horror films like Hereditary, Jennifer’s Body, and The Exorcist, twenty-five queer and trans writers discuss their experiences with gender, sexuality, relationships, and identity. This blend of personal essays and film criticism had me hooked and is a must-read for all horror fans!

Recommended by Jake LeBron

By Jeff Benedict

This definitive biography of the (second) greatest basketball player of all time is meticulously researched and stunningly rendered. Lending equal attention to his success on the court as well as his personal life, philanthropy, and business empire, Lebron is a mesmerizing look at one of the most famous and influential athletes to ever exist.

Recommended by Chelsea Dear Future Mama: A Tmi Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood from Your Bestie

By Meghan Trainor

A laid-back but honest approach to pregnancy and the fourth trimester. Meghan’s voice really shines, and I appreciated her candor about the hard parts of her journey. Meghan’s husband, doctor, and nutritionist all contribute to make this informative but not overwhelming. A great gift for expecting moms!

Recommended by Patsy Truly Simple: 140 Healthy Recipes for Weekday Cooking

By Kristin Cavallari

Need some simple-to-prepare yet healthy recipes for everyday meals? The cauliflower risotto with garlic shrimp is a crowd pleaser, and the zucchini butter pasta will work for children and a dinner party too! My favorite new recipe though is the citrus salmon with fennel! Pure yumminess in wholesome food! Plus extra points for the pantry list!

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Lindsay Possession (Vintage International)

By A. S. Byatt

Get in the car, nerds, we’re reading about British academics scouring the archives for a century-old love story. If that sounds about your speed, please enjoy AS Byatt’s Possession, a gorgeous literary romance that takes its time but is well-worth the journey. I’ve loved this book more and more with each reread.

Recommended by Ashby Einstein’s Dreams (Vintage Contemporaries)

By Alan Lightman

I repeatedly revisit this book because TIME mystifies me. Lightman’s premise – Einstein is working on the theory of relativity, exploring varied notions of time – offers vignettes that define time differently. In one, time moves slower at higher altitudes. The wealthy live close to the clouds, coming down infrequently so they can live longer. Each vignette portrays the different definitions on how humans behave.

Recommended by Sarah They

By Kay Dick, Scholes (Afterword by)

Originally published in 1977, this rediscovered dystopian classic belongs among the likes of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Sparse, eerie, and almost dreamlike, They will leave you with more questions than answers, but the curiosity it evokes will keep you musing on the endless possibilities of art, creativity, and human nature.

Recommended by Heath Carmilla

By Carmen Maria Machado (Editor), Joseph Sheridan Lefanu

If you’re like me and enjoy an old world vampire tale, this book is for you. First serialized in a British literary magazine in the 1870’s, Carmilla predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by a quarter of a century. This book reads like a fever dream, and I can’t stop imagining what it would be like if Sofia Coppola directed a film version.

Recommended by Hannah P. Envelope Poems

By Emily Dickinson, Jen Bervin (Editor), Marta Werner (Editor)

Emily Dickinson only published a handful of her 1,800 poems. Upon her death she left behind some of her most powerful and poignant words–written on scraps of paper and envelopes. These “envelope poems,” while short, are wondrous and charged with emotion. This lovely clothbound collection has both transcriptions and facsimiles of her poems. It truly feels like a glimpse into the very heart of America’s greatest poet.

Recommended by Patsy To the One I Love the Best

By Ludwig Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelmans (Illustrator)

The creator of the Madeline books offers a witty and engaging recounting of his years in Los Angeles of the 1930’s as a guest of the eccentric Elsie de Wolfe, whom everyone calls Mother. I love his vivid descriptions of the household staff, friends, family, and her beloved dog, Blue Blue, as only a foreigner could observe. This one is sure to bring a smile!

Recommended by Rachel These Violent Delights: A Novel

By Micah Nemerever

If you’re like me, you’re always searching for a book that feels like The Secret History. Search no further. There’s murder in the first chapter, a jump back in time, dark academia, and an exploration of codependent relationships. I saw so many pieces of myself in these characters, which slowly made me question my sanity as I turned each page. The perfect descent into madness.

Recommended by Hannah P. Utopia Avenue: A Novel

By David Mitchell

The year is 1967, the place is London, and Utopia Avenue is the strangest and grooviest psychedelic band on the rise to stardom. David Mitchell writes about music in a way that jumps off the pages and sucks you in. If you’re still on a 60s kick from Daisy Jones & The Six, this is your next great read!

First Editions Club: May Selection The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece: A novel

By Tom Hanks, R. Sikoryak

Dear friends,

You know what happens when you’re a member of a First Editions Club that’s run by a friend of Tom Hanks? You get a signed first edition of The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, to which I say, lucky you, and lucky me. The book is great.

Of course, Tom’s first book, Uncommon Type, was great, too. It took a while to understand that someone who could act that well could also write that well, but when you think about it, acting is about diving into a character and paying attention to the characters around you. If you’re good at it (and he is), it’s one of the most creative and imaginative acts: giving yourself over in order to become someone else. If you spend your life doing one thing, maybe it stands to reason that you could do the other. Still, it doesn’t stand to reason that you could do the other thing this well.

Everything about this book is wild. It teems with Life Force and Big Ideas that reach out in an unbelievable number of directions. Reading this book is, I imagine, the closest most of us will ever get to being part of a motion picture masterpiece.

Here’s what I said about the book on the jacket, and I meant every word:
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece is its own universe, complete with a sun, a cast of circling planets, and a limitless number of stars. Its gravity pulls you in and its far reaching, multi-layered, rollicking exuberance holds you in place. I would have been happy to live inside this book forever.

I hope you enjoy it. I bet you will.

Ann Patchett

 

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Ann-ecdotes from the White House

Ann enters the medal ceremony at the White House. Photo courtesy of the White House and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

I met a head-spinning number of fascinating people at the ceremony for the National Humanities Medal and the National Arts Medal. I soon set off on a mission to get a picture with everyone who had a book, and while I didn’t get them all, I got a lot of them. If you find my reflections to be superficial, all I can say is, you didn’t see Mindy Kaling’s shoes and I did. It’s my job to bear witness and report back.

Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose

By Joe Biden

I love the president. There’s a reason people call him Uncle Joe. He makes you feel like you’re with a favorite family member. He manages to be immediately warm, funny, and present. He was also wearing a great suit. He called me kiddo.

Educated: A Memoir

By Tara Westover

Tara and I made a trip to the women’s room together before pictures to comb our hair and put on lipstick. She was friendly and extremely chic. I kept thinking, I’m putting on lipstick with Tara Westover!

Where the Past Begins: Memory and Imagination 

By Amy Tan

Amy’s hair was a light, lavender blue. She’s stunning. She showed me pictures on her phone of birds she’s drawn. Guess what? She’s as talented an artist as she is a writing. We both cried when the military orchestra started playing “Born in the USA.”

Another must-read by Amy Tan: The Joy Luck Club

Why Not Me?

By Mindy Kaling

Mindy had on highest heels I have ever seen a human being walk in. She did it gracefully. I couldn’t stop staring at her feet. She also made a joke about State of Wonder that I’m still laughing about. She is very, very funny.

Another must-read by Mindy Kaling: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)

Born to Run

By Bruce Springsteen

The boss wore an unbelievably great black suit. I had no idea a plain black suit could be so nice. He and his wife Patti Scialfa took pictures with everyone, and everyone wanted a picture.

Harlem Shuffle: A Novel

By Colson Whitehead

I’ve been running into Colson since The Intuitionist and he was always the best dressed person in the room. Now his wife Julie Barer is the best dressed person in the room. Julie should have received a medal for the dress she was wearing.

Pre-order Colson’s new novel, Crook Manifesto, releasing July 18!

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race

By Walter Isaacson

Walter was so friendly. I found it very touching. Whenever I was feeling lost in the crowd or overwhelmed, Walter appeared to make conversation. He said he’d come to Parnassus with his Elon Musk book. I’m counting on it.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

By Bryan Stevenson

I was thrilled to meet Bryan. He brought his sister, who was lovely. He said he almost came alone and was so glad his sister was there. He told me I should come to Montgomery to see his museum. I’m going to do it.

The Book with No Pictures

By B. J. Novak

BJ came to the event with Mindy. He brought along a small girl in a fluffy yellow dress who continually head-butted him in the stomach. He continually repeated the word “ow” while talking to me. It was like an Abbott and Costello routine.

How to Love a Country: Poems

By Richard Blanco

Richard had on a bright blue tuxedo. He was the best dresser at the event (second place: Vera Wang). He was also extremely friendly. It’s not often that the friendliest person and the snappiest dresser turns out to be a poet. Forgive the generalities, but it’s true.

All of us here at Parnassus are so incredibly proud of Ann. This prestigious honor is given to those who have contributed towards deepening the nation’s understanding of the human experience and broadening citizens’ engagement with history or literature. We can say with confidence that she has done just that. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Ann!

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff pose for photos with National Humanities Medal recipients Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Blue Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)