Ann Patchett's Blog, page 18

The Shop Dogs of Parnassus: A Book for the Ages

Shop dog Opie lounges in bed with his copy of The Shop Dogs of Parnassus

We were never in it for the fame.

We just show up to work every day like regular dogs. We do our jobs well because our jobs matter. We bring integrity to the business. Sure, there are rewards—the biscuits, the tummy rubs, the shy little kid who wants to sit in the corner and read one of us a book. We care about that kid and so we listen. We’re here to make sure people have the books they need so they can learn and grow and be entertained. Books and dogs, we’ll be the first to say it, get people through the hard times, and books and dogs are there when people feel like celebrating.

Shop dog Barnabus models with his new favorite book

The whole reason we’re at Parnassus is that we are dogs who believe in the importance of reading.

We never thought there would be a book that someone could read about us. We promise you, it never crossed our minds.

But in celebration of ten good years of shop dogs, Sparky’s shop person Ann decided to tell our story. She wrote about our elders and our puppies. She honored those noble dogs who came before us. She wrote about our friends who had visited the store, about the grand events and the day in, day out grind. Then she took our stories and turned them into a book, you know, the way she does.

Then that funny kid, Alethea Hall, the one who wears hats and perches on her desk chair like a nesting chicken, drew our portraits. We never knew she’d been paying so much attention. She got us, all of us, just like she was looking into our souls. Oh, we wish our mothers were here to see how well we turned out. That Alethea is loaded with talent.

Shop dog Lavinia shyly shows off the book

And if that wasn’t honor enough, Kate DiCamillo wrote the introduction. KATE DiCAMILLO for barking out loud. She wrote Because of Winn Dixie. There’s nothing that woman doesn’t understand about dogs.

Shop dog Marlee nuzzles up next to her copy of the book

Then Mary Laura Philpott, who used to write about shop dogs before she became so famous and started writing about a turtle, came back to write the end, what they call “the afterword.” Mary Laura brought the whole thing home, which is only fitting, seeing as how we never would have had a voice if it hadn’t been for her.

When they put it all together it was still a small book, but we don’t ask for much. What we could see so clearly once somebody read it to us is that the shop dogs…

….wait, we need to compose ourselves for a minute…

Shop dog Sparky proudly poses with his copy

The shop dogs are the story of Parnassus Books, and because of our service we have been immortalized forever. Even though we never asked for it, we find this book matters to us. It matters to us a lot.

Since dogs don’t need money, we’ve decided to donate all our proceeds to the Parnassus Foundation, which buys books for kids in our community who need books. Maybe, if we raise enough money, we’ll be able to buy every kid a book AND a dog. We know that sounds like some crazy shop dog dream, but hey, look how far we’ve come.

The Shop Dogs of Parnassus is a limited edition and only available through Parnassus Books. You could come in and pick one up, say hello, or we’d be happy to mail you a copy if you don’t live around here. That’s the kind of dogs we are.

The Shop Dogs of Parnassus by Ann Patchett

Sales of The Shop Dogs of Parnassus will benefit the Parnassus Foundation, which provides books to schools and underserved communities.

A note from the shop humans: Can’t get enough of the shop dogs? Check out our new video by Doug Lehmann! We’ll be watching it on repeat.

Falling Back into Reading: 13 New Reads for the Young and Young at Heart

Reset your clocks and go get comfy, because “falling back” on Sunday means longer nights for reading! Curl up with our favorite new releases for readers of all ages. We have a collection of gorgeous picture books, a twisting tale for independent readers, and some new required reading for YA lovers. Be sure you don’t miss our wonderful Spark and ParnassusNext picks at the bottom of this post (Psst! Memberships make great holiday gifts for the young readers in your life!). Use that extra hour wisely, and get reading!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann
Everybody in the Red Brick Building

By Anne Wynter, illustrated by Oge Mora

An apartment building comes to life at night when a baby cries. After a round of adventure, everyone returns to bed in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Recommended by Rae Ann
Wild Peace

By Irene Latham, illustrated by Il Sung Na

A girl finds peace in the forest when her home is too noisy. This picture book has rhythmic, soothing text and beautiful illustrations that combine to make the perfect read-aloud.

Recommended by Chelsea Sweater Weather

By Matt Phelan

Minimal words let the illustrations take center stage in this picture book that is perfect for autumn. Be sure to look at all pictures twice so you don’t miss anything!

Recommended by Aly
Awake

By Mags DeRoma

What do you do when you find a spider in your room right before you close your eyes? Read this book and you will learn to be brave enough to remove it or wise enough to make it your friend.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by RJ The Last Cuentista

By Donna Barba Higuera

Set after all but a small sliver of humanity is lost to a meteor strike, The Last Cuentista is the bittersweet story of Petra, a girl woken from cryogenic sleep to find she’s the only human left who remembers Earth as it was. A beautifully crafted meditation on the power of stories, history and heritage, this tense, dark sci-fi tale will stick with readers long after it ends.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by RJ Little Thieves

By Margaret Owen

Little Thieves is easily one of my top three books of the year. Full to bursting with lovably chaotic characters, top-notch banter, strange gods and thrilling heists, this standalone fantasy is in a class of its own. Infamous thief Vanya has only a few short weeks to return what she’s stolen, or a curse will turn her body to precious stone. Hijinks, murder plots and emotional revelations ensue.

Recommended by Chelsea Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

By Brandy Colbert

I enjoy all of Brandy Colbert’s books, and this title proves she can write nonfiction, too. She does a fantastic job of providing context for an event that was definitely absent from my history classes. This is historical nonficton at its best, and it should be required reading for all ages.

Recommended by Jennifer Terciel & Elinor (Old Kingdom)

By Garth Nix

This prequel to Sabriel stands alone as another fast-paced, spooky chapter into the Old Kingdom. This time around, our legendary main characters Tericiel and Elinor battle to keep the Dead at bay while also finding love along the way. A carefully crafted story, this book is for those who enjoy the darker side of fantasy.

Recommended by Brad You’ve Reached Sam: A Novel

By Dustin Thao

What a beautiful, poignant, and heartbreaking debut novel! After the sudden passing of her boyfriend, Julie finds herself grieving and wants to leave a final voicemail to say her goodbyes … only to have him answer the phone. With a dazzling narrative, a unique and heartbreaking concept, and a message of finding peace at its core,You’ve Reached Sam is sure to leave its mark long after turning the final page.

Recommended by Aly Gilded

By Marissa Meyer

In this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Meyer manages to spin a fairytale, a ghost story and a romance seamlessly together. Your bookshelf needs this glittering adventure.

Recommended by Brad Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

By Benjamin Alire Sáenz

The first part of Aristotle and Dante’s story changed the lives of an entire generation, and this long-awaited sequel is sure to reach even more readers and reclaim the hearts of those from the beginning. Sáenz has managed to deliver a story that is even more beautiful and heartbreaking, and this is exactly the book I needed at this stage in my life. The wait has been worth it — this is a true shining star.

Spark Book Club: November Selection Tangled Up in Luck (The Tangled Mysteries #1)

By Merrill Wyatt

 

The November 2021 Spark Book Club selection is Tangled Up In Luck by Merrill Wyatt. Mystery fans this one is for you! Amelia and Sloane are middle grade enemies. They are paired up for a school project to research the town’s long-missing treasure. Their project turns them into friends and sends them on a hunt for the real treasure.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“Funny, cheering, and narratively fulfilling.” —Kirkus (starred)

“A sweet, heart-squeezing story with beautifully relatable characters and plenty of action and mystery. Sloane and Amelia are a delight!” —New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly, Jaleigh Johnson

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 November Selection Within These Wicked Walls: A Novel (Hardcover)

By Lauren Blackwood

 

The November 2021 ParnassusNext selection is Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood. In this Jane Eyre retelling, Andromeda is an unlicensed exorcist called to a castle in the desert to rid it of the Evil Eye. But the curse in the castle runs deep, and every room holds new secrets and terrors for Andromeda to face. Eerie and romantic in turn, this fantasy debut set in an alternate magical Ethiopia is hard to put down.

Early praise for the novel:

“Within These Wicked Walls is an indulgently Gothic fairy tale, comparable in mastery with Mexican Gothic and Jane Eyre. An intricate magic system, a grimly humorous Black heroin, AND, a heart-thumping romance? This book leaves nothing wanting.” – Jordan Ifueko, New York Times bestselling author of Raybearer

“A promising debut” – Kirkus 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.

Winter Is Coming: 27 New Reads for November

Take a deep breath, readers, and say it with us… The holidays are upon us. We know what you’re thinking. It’s only the beginning of November! The Thanksgiving turkey hasn’t even been purchased yet, much less carved and gobbled up! We hear you, readers, we really do. But this year is, shall we say… unique. From supply chain woes to shipping delays, holiday shopping will be impacted. The good news is we have what you need for everyone on your list, starting with this month’s staff picks! Without further ado…

FICTIONRecommended by Ann The Days of Afrekete: A Novel

By Asali Solomon

“I didn’t feel like I was reading this novel — I felt like I was living it.” That was the blurb I wrote for the jacket. It’s true. This book is magic.

Recommended by Ann Oh William!: A Novel

By Elizabeth Strout

For anyone who loved My Name Is Lucy Barton, for anyone who loves great literature, Liz Strout writes with a clarity and beauty that cannot be matched. This is one of the best books of the year.

Recommended by Ann Five Tuesdays in Winter

By Lily King

Five Tuesdays in Winter moved me, inspired me, thrilled me. It filled up every chamber of my heart. I loved this book.

Recommended by Karen No One Goes Alone: A Novel (A Random House Audiobook Original)

By Erik Larson, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt & Erik Larson

This audio-only novel from Erik Larson is light, fun listen with a great cast of characters. Set in a mysterious house on a isolated island off the British coast, this is a ghost story for those that are sorry Halloween is over. Use this as an excuse to set up a Libro.fm account with Parnassus as your bookstore.

Recommended by Lindsay The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven

By Nathaniel Ian Miller

I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a book more satisfying to my inner misanthrope than The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven. Anyone who loves the idea of unfettered alone time: this book is for you. Set in the early 20th century, The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven follows a man who literally goes to the edge of the earth and settles in the Arctic with a loyal dog as his only companion. I adored it.

Recommended by Sissy The Bloodless Boy

By Robert J. Lloyd

I couldn’t put this book down! Seventeenth-century London is rebuilding after the great fire, and the brightest scientific minds in the city are investigating the murder of a young boy. The setting is very detailed, and the characters come alive as they discuss medicine, philosophy and engineering. Fans of The Alienist and Ken Follett will love it. The language is exquisite and this will become a classic.

Recommended by Ben The Pastor

By Hanne Orstavik, translated by Martin Aitken

This quiet, lyrical translation follows the new pastor of a windswept town on the northern edge of Norway as she grapples with the suicide of a local teenage girl and the history of the indigenous Sami people who were violently converted to Christianity. Reflective and interior, it gets at the heart of how hard it can be to grasp the meaning of grief, romance, community, one’s very self.

Recommended by Patsy The Every

By Dave Eggers

Both wry and terrifying, this dystopian novel is a cautionary tale for our age. What happens when people willingly exchange privacy and autonomy for convenience? Eggers’ biting satire and humor seem oracular yet uncomfortably close to present day. Fans of 1984 and The Circle will enjoy this page-turner.

Recommended by Becca Christmas by the Book

By Anne Marie Ryan

Reading this feels like cozying up with a cup of hot chocolate. Nora and Simon own the independent bookstore in their small Cotswolds village and are struggling to make ends meet. As they work through what might be their last holiday in the store, they connect with a cast of lonely characters from their village. If you’re a fan of bookstores with dogs and Christmas miracles, this is the book for you!

Recommended by Sissy
Grave Reservations: A Novel (The Booking Agents Series #1)

By Cherie Priest

Cherie Priest turns a cold case mystery into a hilarious romp through Seattle. Her characters jump off the page, and I found myself rooting for the crime-fighting team (a cop, a psychic and a BFF). What could be saccharine and silly in some other writer’s hands is truly heartfelt and clever because of Priest’s talent as a writer.

Recommended by Sissy Something More Than Night

By Kim Newman

You’re not going to believe this — Boris Karloff and Raymond Chandler are chasing bad guys together in 1930s Hollywood. Honestly, their friendship is really sweet. A hint of supernatural creeps into the mystery. Fans of Grady Hendrix and “meddling kids” will love this hilarious romp.

Recommended by Rae Ann Once Upon a Wardrobe

By Patti Callahan

A woman seeks the origins of Narnia in a quest to fulfill her brother’s wishes. This beautiful story about the power of books is a must-read for fans of C.S. Lewis.

Recommended by Jordan On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library

By Glory Edim (Editor)

This anthology celebrates short stories by some of the favorite authors of the Well-Read Black Girl book club including Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and more. Separated into four themes (Innocence, Belonging, Love, and Self-Discovery), these short fiction stories will give you a blessing to laugh, cry, ponder and relate.

Recommended by Aly Fan Club

By Erin Mayer

It’s a fine line between fandom and obsession. This cult-like take on how one girl’s infatuation with a celebrity consumes her identity is hauntingly relatable in this age of social media.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Ann Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World

By Todd Doughty, illustrated by Josie Portillo

This book of lists lit up all the pleasure centers in my brain. Again and again it reminded me of the beauty and wonder of the world. Pick it up, flip to any page, read. You will be filled with joy.

Recommended by Elyse On Animals

By Susan Orlean

If we don’t relate to the animal world, who are we? A must-read book of essays about whales, chickens, donkeys, tigers — as well as your typical household pets! Charming and completely engaging. Even if you’ve read some of these pieces before, they are worth a second, third or fourth read!

Recommended by Steve The Loneliest Americans

By Jay Caspian Kang

If you’ve ever read Jay Caspian Kang, you know he is not short on opinions. Less than 20 pages into this book, he posits that “nobody — most of all Asian Americans — really believes that Asian America actually exists.” Whether or not you agree with him, it’s worth reading how he arrived at this conclusion, even if it’s just as much a point of departure.

Recommended by Sarah Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres

By Kelefa Sanneh

This is a fascinating deep dive into the world of musical genres. Sanneh dissects how they add to our individual identities, generate collectivism, and breed exclusivity all at the same time. This would make a perfect holiday gift for the music and history lovers in your life!

Recommended by Ben The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness

By Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle shows us the power of affection, laughter, re-enchantment, wholeness, and “tender kinship with each other.” Interspersing Sufi and Jesuit quotes among his “half-baked musings,” the book’s core is the vibrant tapestry of hilarious and heartwarming interactions with homies during his nearly four decades leading Homeboy Industries. I was tearing up the whole way through!

Recommended by Jennifer 12 Bytes: How We Got Here. Where We Might Go Next

By Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson crafts these essays carefully, with a well-researched understanding of tech, history and society. The book itself is a lobby for the need of women, POC and creatives to be involved in the tech conversation. Winterson makes the compelling argument that if we want a benevolent future with something as powerful as AI, we need to be in touch with our humanity.

Recommended by Ben Can We Talk About Israel?: A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted

By Daniel Sokatch, illustrated by Christopher Noxon

In this timely and easy-to-follow dive into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Sokatch has crafted the perfect primer for those with any opinion on this thorny issue. Rejecting simplistic dichotomies, he recognizes both “sides” have caused and received harm, both seek safety and home. He packs in the history and analysis, while illustrations and personal experiences keep the momentum flowing.

Recommended by Sissy I Dream He Talks to Me: A Memoir of Learning How to Listen

By Allison Moorer

Allison Moorer is such a lyrical writer. This particular book is about her journey as a mother to an autistic son. She shares the universal struggle we all face: controlling life, controlling the world around us. How do we find hope in the struggle? How do we let go and just live?

Recommended by Chelsea This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life

By Nigel Poor & Earlonne Woods

One of my favorite podcasts has a book! Nigel, a visual artist, and Earlonne, a formerly incarcerated man, met at San Quentin State Prison and started the podcast. This tells the story of the podcast and Earlonne’s backstory along with others’ experiences of incarceration. Funny, tender and sometimes emotional, it is both entertaining and educational.

Recommended by Hannah That Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week: A Cookbook

By Carla Lalli Music

Fast becoming a staple in my kitchen, this new cookbook from James Beard Award-winning chef Carla Lalli Music is sure to delight! Whether it be for a time-crunched weeknight or a special dinner party weekend, she’s a master at creating healthy, fresh, flavorful dishes tailored for any night of the week — your friends & family will be impressed, I can practically guarantee it.

Recommended by Sydney Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life

By Sutton Foster

Sutton Foster, known for her talents on screen, turns out to be a lovely storyteller in her writing. Woven throughout this memoir are tales of family dysfunction and vulnerability. And yet, the overarching theme remains that self love fuels creativity, and vice versa.

POETRYRecommended by Steve Rifqa

By Mohammed El-Kurd

The plight of Sheikh Jarrah, the predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem, received international attention earlier this year as Israeli settlers forced residents out of their own homes. You may have seen Mohammed El-Kurd on television speaking about it, or read his reporting in The Nation. Here, he tells his family’s story — a story of life, resilience and hope under occupation — in defiant, lyrical verse.

Recommended by Sissy Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You: Poems

By Misha Collins

I loved this collection. Collins lets his reader know that he is writing for himself, fully knowing he is not an established poet. I normally do not read poetry, and I felt relaxed and ready to see what he had to say. It was a treat to see a very public person open up like this.

First Editions Club: November Selection Oh William!: A Novel

By Elizabeth Strout

 

Dear friends,

There aren’t many writers whose books can either be read on their own or as part of a series: John Updike’s Rabbit Angstrom novels, Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, Jane Gardam’s Old Filth trilogy, Marilynne Robinson’s books set in the fictional town of Gilead. Even though you can think of more (I know you can) it’s not a long list. I hereby add Elizabeth Strout and her magnificent Lucy Barton.

Maybe you’ve read My Name is Lucy Barton, or the stories that told us more about Lucy’s life, Anything is Possible, or maybe you don’t know Lucy at all. It doesn’t make any difference. Wherever you step into the narrative turns out to be exactly the right place. Oh William! is both a glorious stand-alone novel and the continuation of a character who I’ll never get enough of. Lucy and her ex-husband are taking an unexpected road trip to figure out the past. The story, which is rich and subtle and glorious, never once heads in the direction I thought it was going.

Elizabeth Strout is one of our finest writers, and this may well be her best novel yet. That’s saying a lot. I am thrilled to be reading about Lucy again, and I’m betting you will be too.

Enjoy!

Yours,
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.

The Shop Dog Diaries: Mom Dog

Shop dog Lavinia, at home in the golden hour

We, the Shop Dogs of Parnassus, have a long and noble history of respecting our elders. Oh sure, we love a good puppy (looking at you, Barnabus), but there is a warmth and wisdom to be gained from those who have already fetched their share of tennis balls in this world. More than one of our pack is now hoisted out of the car in the mornings. They are good and humble servants, these shop people who love us.

When Lavinia moved from East Tennessee with Heather and Marlee three-and-a-half years ago, she felt she was too old to go to work. “You two go on,” is more or less what she said. “I’ll have supper ready when you get home.”

But let’s face it, even if you’ve worked your entire life getting the kids up in the morning and greeting the kids when they come home from school, playing with the kids in the yard, and snuggling in with them for stories at bedtime, being home alone all day is a drag. The kids had grown and gone, and even if Lavinia had reached retirement age, she still had plenty to contribute. Sure, she could have been a greeter at Walmart, but she didn’t know anybody who worked at Walmart. Heather and Marlee drove to Parnassus every day. One day, Lavinia decided to come along.

Supervising work in the back room

What does she ask for? Nothing, that’s what. She doesn’t need a dog bed or a blanket. That nice cold linoleum floor in the back room is perfectly fine. Every morning she stakes out her spot, the only place in the store where a dog can monitor the back door, the hallway to the restrooms, and the back offices where the shop people are working (and the other shop dogs waste valuable time begging biscuits off Pete). Lavinia fills the work environment with soothing reassurance. Yes, you may pet her head. Anyone can come into the back and pet her head. She would enjoy that.

What you might not know is what a looker she was back in the day, somewhere between an Australian cattle dog and a large sea creature, maybe a manatee or a walrus. Guys used to pull their cars over when she walked down the street. “What kind of dog is that?” they wanted to know. They said they’d do anything to have such a good-looking dog in their life. “Beautiful one,” they would murmur while rubbing her velvet ears, “do you want to come home and live with me?”

What a bunch of hooey. Lavinia was never swayed by compliments. She was never going to leave Heather, even for a good-looking guy with a mouthful of pretty words. And even though Marlee was an irritating addition to the family at first, Lavinia pretty much has her trained now. Lavinia supports Marlee in her ambitions: being a service dog, jumping through hula-hoops, going into grocery stores and movie theaters in her smart jacket. The young dogs today, they have a whole other set of opportunities.

Lavinia (right) with sister Marlee

But Lavinia was happy staying close to home. She enjoys books on cooking and nature. You know, the simple things.

Come by and say hello to the dog who could have been our own mother. The dog we love and cherish, the one who we may have to walk around but who always has us in her sights. We feel safer there.

Lavinia Recommends (as dictated to Heather):

Lavinia is very fond of food and believes everyone should eat well. And share generously. Among her favorite cookbooks right now are:

Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook

By Rodney Scott & Lolis Eric Elie

Nothing better than a barbecue with lots of friends to share with.

Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection

By Matt Moore

This guy has a sense of humor. There are even recipes for vegetables in here, which aren’t really necessary, but some people like them.

Meat Illustrated: A Foolproof Guide to Understanding and Cooking with Cuts of All Kinds

By America’s Test Kitchen

This is from the folks behind Cook’s Illustrated. Lavinia loves to peruse this at bedtime. Sweet dreams!

The Original Guide to Barbecue in the South (Wildsam Field Guides)

By Taylor Bruce (Editor) & Jessica Fontenot (Illustrator)

We’ll wrap the cookbooks with this handy dandy guide to Southern barbecue.

That leads us into Lavinia’s other passion: car travel. With the windows open. And it’s best if there are fields of grazing cows.

Slow Roads America: Photographs and Tales from the Nation’s Back Roads

By Jerry Park

Jerry Park’s newest book, Slow Roads America, is fabulous…

Sandra Boynton: Hidden Cows 1,000-Piece Puzzle (Workman Puzzles)

By Sandra Boynton

…especially when paired with Sandra Boynton’s Hidden Cows Puzzle.

And as she settles in for the night, Lavinia likes to curl up with a copy of Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods or and of John Muir’s essays, especially Steep Trails.

Bob, Boo, Bear, Beatryce and More: 28 New Reads for the Young and Young at Heart

It’s spooky season, it’s snuggle season, it’s boo and trick-or-treat and dress-up season, and we are here for it all! What better way to get into the fall spirit than to read and then read some more? We can’t think of any! It’s a real treasure trove this month as our booksellers present their recent favorites. All treats here!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann
Chez Bob

By Bob Shea

A funny book about an alligator who opens a restaurant on his nose, but has a change of heart when he becomes friends with his customers.

Recommended by Heather Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem

By Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long

Change Sings is the song of the world I want for my children and grandsons — a world of inclusion, where we see and hear and help one another. It is a prayer for a world in which we work side by side, bringing our unique strengths, abilities and voices to build love.

Recommended by Rae Ann
Bigger Than a Bumblebee

By Joseph Kuefler

Bigger Than a Bumblebee reminds us that love is everywhere in everything. Beautiful illustrations paired with rhythmic text take the reader on a beautiful journey through the natural world.

Recommended by Rae Ann
It Fell from the Sky

By Terry Fan & Eric Fan

A wonder falls from the sky and creates chaos down below, until the crafty spider learns from his mistakes. The Fan Brothers’ latest creation is full of whimsy and delight.

Recommended by Rae Ann
Bear Is a Bear

By Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Dan Santat

The lifelong love between a girl and her stuffed companion unfolds through the years in this sweet story with beautiful illustrations.

Recommended by Madeline Boo Stew

By Donna L. Washington, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

This stunningly illustrated book is perfect for Halloween! Featuring watercolor scares and spooky dishes, this story makes everyone fall in love with imagination, putting on courage, and using your skills to help others around you.

Recommended by Chelsea Beautifully Me

By Nabela Noor, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Zubi is thrilled to dress for her first day of school until she hears everyone criticizing their bodies, so she turns her own critical eye on herself. This is such an important book for all ages, as it calls on us to remember the impact of our words — even when they are directed at ourselves.

Recommended by Madeline Survivor Tree

By Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Aaron Becker

A moving book that honors those who fell and those who survived on 9/11. With grace and poignant prose, it recounts the true story of a tree that thrives, withers, and survives the terrible events many years ago.

See also: Children’s Book Authors Reflect on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Recommended by Chelsea Dragons Are the Worst!

By Alex Willan

Gilbert the Goblin is back, and while he may like unicorns now, he swears that dragons are the worst! Gilbert insists that dragons aren’t scary — goblins are. Gilbert’s arguments may not be as convincing as he thinks, and the illustrations will delight readers.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Ann The Beatryce Prophecy

By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

The Beatryce Prophecy is the definition of a modern classic. You turn the pages realizing that people will be moved by Kate DiCamillo’s words and Sophie Blackall’s drawings for generations to come. Brave Beatryce, fierce Answelica and gentle Brother Edik are indelible characters. Buy it in hardback and keep it forever.

This month’s Spark Book Club selection — read more below!

Recommended by Rae Ann
Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

By Alda P. Dobbs

Petra, her abuelita, and young siblings set out across the desert to reach the border and safety during the Mexican Revolution. They persist despite harrowing obstacles in this amazing journey based on a true story.

Recommended by Chelsea Paradise on Fire

By Jewell Parker Rhodes

Addy is given the opportunity to learn outdoor skills over a three-week camp experience that concludes with a multi-night backpacking trip. Her newly acquired skills are put to the test when fires threaten camp. Part survival story and part climate narrative, Addy’s adventures will have readers’ hearts pounding just like mine was.

Recommended by Jordan The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish

By Karina Yan Glaser

I cannot get over how much fun the Vanderbeeker family is! This is the fifth installment in a series about siblings working together, helping friends and neighbors, and exploring in New York City. Great for a family read aloud and something to love for all ages.

Recommended by Becca Mayor Good Boy: (A Graphic Novel)

By Dave Scheidt, illustrated by Miranda Harmon

We’re not sure if all kids are obsessed with dogs, or if our shop dogs happen to attract a crowd of dog and book-loving kids. Due to our canine-obsessed customers, we are quite literally always looking for the next great graphic novel for fans of the Dog Man series, and I think that Mayor Good Boy might just do the trick!

Recommended by Brad Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales

By Soman Chainani, illustrated by Julia Iredale

With dazzling art and a twisted spin on so many beloved fairy tales, Beasts and Beauty is a stellar addition to any story lover’s collection. Soman Chainani manages to rework these fairy tales in a dark, enchanting, and fresh way that not only breathes new life into these tales — it makes these classics feel timely and empowering, as well.

Recommended by Jordan A Soft Place to Land

By Janae Marks

Do you like mysteries? Stories about friendship? Contemplating what makes a house feel like a home? If so, you will love this story about Joy Taylor and her new friends and the secret hideout they discover in their apartment complex. The hideout becomes a refuge for Joy, who is struggling with a lot of changes, especially when she starts exchanging messages there with another anonymous kid.

Recommended by Lindsay Kaleidoscope

By Brian Selznick

This beautiful little book from Brian Selznick has so many things that I love: twisting labyrinths, dream-like passages, gorgeous illustrations, and even references to David Bowie. Kaleidoscope is the sort of book that made me want to build a pillow fort and hide away — perfect not only for young readers, but anyone longing for a bit of wonder in their lives.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by RJ Squad

By Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Lisa Sterle

If you were to make a Venn diagram of Mean Girls, Jennifer’s Body and Ginger Snaps, Squad would be at the dead center. Popular girl politics and gory werewolf vengeance collide in this pulls-no-punches high school horror story.

Recommended by Chelsea To Break a Covenant

By Alison Ames

Set in a town that is famous for its abandoned mine that draws in ghosthunters (and only sometimes spits them back out), To Break a Covenant tell the stories of four girls who are determined to find out what’s really going on in that mine. Perfectly atmospheric with eerie images and haunting scenery, this debut is the perfect fall read.

Recommended by Jennifer Defy the Night

By Brigid Kemmerer

Set in a fantasy dystopian world handling a pandemic, Defy the Knight grapples with love, the murkiness of ruling a country, and desperation in the face of fear. Add these themes with a Robin Hood twist, and you have a YA story that combines our modern world with a world of princes and thieves.

Recommended by Brad Bluebird

By Sharon Cameron

With her signature prose and twists and turns lurking around every corner, Bluebird is impossible to put down. Cleverly told during different points in time, Bluebird brilliantly shows what it means to have a change of heart, and what true justice means. Though my heart broke from these horrific historical events, these characters are a true beacon of hope. This is Sharon Cameron’s masterpiece.

This month’s ParnassusNext selection — read more below!

Recommended by Jennifer The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

By Garth Nix

Susan’s search for her father opens her up to a world of magic and mayhem as she joins forces with the enchanted booksellers of London. Teaming up with Merlin, a gender-bending lefthanded bookseller, and his sister Vivian, a righthanded bookseller, Susan is in for more of an adventure than she bargained for.

Recommended by Aly Once Upon a Broken Heart

By Stephanie Garber

Evangeline will do anything it takes to get her happily ever after, including making a deal with a mysterious Fate. She quickly enters a storybook land of magic, romance, and murder, In this follow-up to the Caraval series, Stephanie Garber creates a glittering world where nothing is as it seems and even doorways whisper secrets. It may have started with a kiss, but be warned — this is not a love story.

Recommended by Chelsea Vespertine

By Margaret Rogerson

Rogerson proves she is a master of fantasy with Vespertine, a dark, richly wrought tale about trust, betrayal, and truth set in a world where the dead do not stay dead. Perfect for the upcoming spooky season, Vespertine is my latest obsession.

Recommended by Brad White Smoke

By Tiffany D. Jackson

White Smoke is another knockout novel by one of the most incredible and important authors in the YA world today. Tiffany D. Jackson is sure to chill readers to the bone with this harrowing novel that had my blood racing and my heart pounding. It’s hard to creep me out while reading, but Jackson managed to have my skin crawling and keep me looking over my shoulder — and I loved every second of it.

Recommended by Chelsea All These Bodies

By Kendare Blake

A serial murderer is leaving victims bloodless across the Midwest in 1959. When one occurs in his hometown and an accomplice is found at the scene of the crime, Michael befriends her and draws out her truths. Inspired by In Cold Blood, Blake’s latest novel explores society’s morbid curiosity and demand for justice.

Recommended by Brad Beasts of Prey

By Ayana Gray

Atmospheric and dark as the jungle itself, Beasts of Prey is a fabulous debut that lands on every single mark. So many twists and turns can be found within this novel, and I truly found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what lurked in the shadows next. Beautiful writing, fascinating lore, and relatable characters make Beasts of Prey a standout of the year — and Ayana Gray an author to keep on your radar.

Recommended by Brad Dark Rise

By C. S. Pacat

The dark fantasy novel of my dreams! Dark Rise is wickedly charming with morally grey characters, action that leaps off the page, and a fantasy lore that is equal parts unique and magical. I was hooked right from the beginning, and I found myself staying up way too late just to read more chapter. Definitely a standout fantasy of 2021!

Spark Book Club: October Selection The Beatryce Prophecy

By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

The October 2021 Spark Book Club selection is The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. This is the story of a girl named Beatryce, a goat named Answelica, and a monk named Brother Edik. It’s also the story of a castle with a dungeon, a brave journey, and a fantastical adventure that feels real.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A book with an angelic soul: large, sharp, and uncompromising.” —Kirkus (starred review)

“Set “during a time of war” when “terrible things happen everywhere,” Newbery Medalist DiCamillo’s engrossing medieval fable verges on darkness while examining what changes a world. Tenderly illuminated by Caldecott Medalist Blackall’s atmospheric, fine-lined b&w art, this compassionate tale rejoices in “the wonder of being known,” the protective powers of understanding one’s identity, and the strength found in the hard head of a beloved goat.” —Publishers Weekly (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 October Selection Bluebird

By Sharon Cameron

The October 2021 ParnassusNext selection is Bluebird by Sharon Cameron.This is a story of two young women who arrive in New York City from Berlin in 1946. They each hold deadly secrets from the past. One has been appointed by the United States government to find a Nazi, but she has plans to exact her own vengeance.

Early praise for the novel:

“Cameron delivers another outstanding historical novel. Clearly meticulously researched but deeply engaging and immersive.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“An important, well-executed work of historical fiction.” —Kirkus

“complex intrigue-filled novel” —Publishers Weekly

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.

Ease On Down: 27 Great New Reads for October

October just might be our favorite month around here. The fall publishing rush is in full swing, it’s time for the Southern Festival of Books, and we all get to dress up and pass out a bunch of candy at the end. Hard to beat, really. Oh, and there’s playoff baseball, too, if you’re into that sort of thing. We only mention it because there are 27 outs in a nine-inning game, the same number of fantastic new books we have picked out for you. Shall we?

FICTIONRecommended by Karen Harlem Shuffle: A Novel

By Colson Whitehead

“Carney was only slightly bent when it comes to being crooked” is how Whitehead describes the main character of Harlem Shuffle. Carney walks the knife’s edge dividing the criminal and respectable life and you will love seeing him right himself when he often falls on wrong side of that edge.

Recommended by Lindsay Fight Night

By Miriam Toews

When I try to think of writers to compare to Miriam Toews, I always come up short. There just isn’t anyone else with her balance of humor, grace and beautiful language. Fight Night is no exception. This novel is funny, raw and heartfelt. The way that Toews write about maternal relationships in all their messiness and hilarity is unparalleled. Don’t miss this one!

Recommended by Lindsay Harrow: A novel

By Joy Williams

Joy Williams is not the kind of writer who’s going to give you a hug or say that everything will be OK — and amid the many mini-apocalypses of the past few years, that kind of feels justified. Harrow is a powerful gut punch of a novel set in a post-apocalyptic future, told with the signature sharp and wry humor we come to expect from Williams. It’s truly one of her best.

Recommended by Sissy The Missing Hours: A Novel

By Julia Dahl

After blacking out and being sexually assaulted by fellow university students, Claudia Castro is filled with shame. Not only does she not recall what happened, but she also reflects on previous times she’s regretted her actions. Dahl carefully reminds us how society lets those with privilege make mistakes but others must pay dearly.

Recommended by Hannah Under the Whispering Door

By TJ Klune

I’m hard pressed to think of a book I’ve read this year that’s made me feel this deeply for its cast of characters. Written with Klune’s signature wit, this is a deeply emotional, ultimately heartwarming story about found family, reckoning with grief, and living every day like it’s your last. If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea as much as I did, you’ll devour this — I promise.

Recommended by Ben Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel

By Anthony Doerr

Told from the perspectives of Anna, Omeir, Zeno, Seymour, and Konstance in settings as varied as the 1453 siege of Constantinople, a public library in present day Idaho and a futuristic interstellar ship — all ingeniously twined together by an invented comedic text by Diogenes — this is a bighearted and vivid tale about the interconnectedness of people and stories, even across vast time and space.

Recommended by Hannah The Book of Form and Emptiness: A Novel

By Ruth Ozeki

I don’t say it lightly: This is easily one of the very best books I’ve read this year. Ozeki’s prose is clean and efficient without sacrificing elegance, sophistication, or richness of detail. A probing meditation on family and our relationship to inanimate objects, this is a story you won’t soon forget.

Recommended by Chelsea The Last Graduate: A Novel (The Scholomance #2)

By Naomi Novik

El, Orion and their classmates of the Scholomance are back in the second installment of this dark academia series. El’s interior monologues are as witty as ever, and Novik keeps the twists coming as graduation day looms closer and closer. I couldn’t get enough.

Recommended by Sissy When Things Get Dark: Stories inspired by Shirley Jackson

By Ellen Datlow (Editor)

What a fun autumn read! Shirley Jackson’s work is exciting because of how it throws us off; I always have so many questions after reading her work! These stories have that same feel, and (bonus) I was introduced to several new writers.

Recommended by Kathy When Ghosts Come Home: A Novel

By Wiley Cash

This starts with a plane crash near the coast of North Carolina, and the action and suspense don’t let up. More than this, however, it’s a story of a sheriff with a past and the family who loves him. This is Wiley Cash’s best yet!

Recommended by Patsy Talk to Me: A Novel

By T.C. Boyle

Recently divorced college professor Guy Schermerhorn is an animal behaviorist raising chimpanzee Sam as a human child. Sam effectively communicates via sign language, joking, conniving and lying. Boyle raises the question of animal consciousness: Do animals have morals? Souls? This sometimes comic, sometimes dark tale combines campus drama and a road trip for an entertaining page-turner.

Recommended by Jordan We Are Not Like Them: A Novel

By Christine Pride & Jo Piazza

Riley and Jen have been like sisters since childhood. Now as adults, Riley is on track to become one of the first Black news anchors on their towns biggest channel, and Jen is pregnant and married to a police officer. When Jen’s husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager, controversy and anger arise in their town and in their friendship. This story explores complex questions of race and relations and is written so well.

Nashville: See the authors in-person this Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6:30pm! To limit capacity, registration is required, but it’s free.

Recommended by Sissy An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

By Helene Tursten, translated by Marlaine Delargy

Do you like mysteries with a bit of humor? Did you like the series Dexter? Well, then, you will love Maud, a sassy lady who lives in Sweden. These interlocking stories are shocking and often hilarious. Perfect for a night by the fire.

Recommended by Rae Ann
The Orphan Witch: A Novel

By Paige Crutcher

A woman who has been alone her entire life, travels to an island to uncover her true identity. She finds her family and an old curse that must be broken in this atmospheric debut novel, perfect for fall reading.

Recommended by RJ A Spindle Splintered (Fractured Fables)

By Alix E. Harrow

This insightful take on the Sleeping Beauty story packs a lot of character, humor, action, commentary, and multi-versal shenanigans into a slim novella package. This is absolutely essential reading for anyone who loves fairy tale re-tellings.

Recommended by Aly Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery

By Brom

If you want a spooky book to read this October, look no further. A mysterious beast awakens in a Puritan village. Could it be the devil knocking at their doors? Do they have the strength to resist his promises of a delicious future? Brom manages to craft a narrative that is as exquisitely beautiful and wonderfully grotesque as their artwork.

Recommended by Jordan Apples Never Fall

By Liane Moriarty

Much like Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, this story follows the perspectives of multiple characters as a suspenseful mystery unravels. Soon after a stranger named Savannah moves in with the Delaney’s, Mrs. Delaney goes missing. Was her husband to blame? The strange young woman who invited herself into their lives? Her four adult children take sides and the drama keeps you on your toes.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Karen King of the Blues: The Rise and Reign of B.B. King

By Daniel de Vise

De Visé really did his research for the detailed and fascinating biography. I’ve loved B.B. King ever since I first heard his music, but this biography really makes me appreciate him even more. This is a must-read for any music fan.

Recommended by Elyse The Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People

By Rick Bragg

Rick Bragg’s telling of the stray dog he finds and befriends, the relationship between the dog and members of the family, of time and place, and ties that bind, is one that you can’t stop reading until you’ve turned over the last page.

Recommended by Becca For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts: A Love Letter to Women of Color

By Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez

Prisca tells of her journey from childhood in Nicaragua, to her youth in Miami, to her current life in Nashville, where she graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School and established herself as an activist with her Latina Rebels platform. She uses her experiences with colonialism, the myth of meritocracy, and the challenges of imposter syndrome to teach other women of color to find success on their own terms.

Recommended by Sissy Mennonite Valley Girl: A Wayward Coming of Age

By Carla Funk

After reading the very first page, I knew I’d love this book. Funk’s language is poetic, and the humor is soft and subtle. I braced myself for trauma, but was so delighted to find the interior life of a young girl who wants more out of life than what she sees around her. Universal, old as time, yet fresh and gripping. I saw myself in every page.

Recommended by Ben Philomath: Poems

By Devon Walker-Figureroa

Sensual and sacred desires surge through these gritty, expressive poems. They are often long, meandering through memory and clinging to the clarity of strong details. From the secrets of ghost towns, mysteries of ancestry, to meditations on innocence and death, the words return to the bodies we find ourselves in, the places we are from and formed.

Recommended by Sydney A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries (2003-2020) (Hardcover)

By David Sedaris

The perfect complement to Theft by Finding. David Sedaris does it again, but this time spanning the years between 2003-2020. If you’re the type of person to enjoy people-watching, read this. Absurdly funny.

Recommended by Hannah Antoni: Let’s Do Dinner

By Antoni Porowski

Y’all, let’s be real: Beyond his beautiful face, Antoni is a brilliant chef. The Queer Eye star’s new cookbook, centered around the most show-stopping meal of the day, is packed with richly flavorful dishes. Healthy without sacrificing any fun, Antoni serves up helpful tips alongside scrumptious recipes.

Recommended by Sissy If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk: Finding a Faith That Makes Us Better Humans

By John Pavlovitz

Every book by Pavlovitz gets closer and closer to my heart. One cannot preach about God while treating people like hell. My favorite chapter in this book is “The Dude Abides.”

Recommended by Hannah The Date Night Cookbook

By Ned Fulmer, Ariel Fulmer

Organized by the stages of a relationship, this fun cookbook is full of delicious, easy-to-execute recipes perfect for foodies & cooking-newbies alike! Regardless of whether or not you’re a devoted fan of The Try Guys like myself, this cookbook is a delight from cover to cover — I’ve bookmarked more meals from these pages than any other cookbook I own!

First Editions Club: October Selection The Lincoln Highway: A Novel

By Amor Towles

Dear friends,

It’s been a long pandemic. Does anybody feel like a road trip?

Welcome to the enormous pleasure that is The Lincoln Highway, a big book of comaradery and adventure in which the miles fly by and the pages turn fast. Amor Towles has a special genius for writing books that are both smart and wildly entertaining. Here we have the story of Emmett and Billy, brothers from 1950 Nebraska who mean to head to California to begin a better life for themselves. Their plans are derailed by Duchess and Woolly, colorful friends who just need to make a quick swing to New York first. That’s not so far out of the way, right?

Set over the course of ten riveting days, the story of these four boys unfolds, refolds, tears and is taped back together. When you aren’t actually reading the book, you’ll be worrying about the characters, so you might as well stay in your chair and keep reading. I sent an early copy to Tom Hanks, who wrote back, “The Lincoln Highway had me going 65mph through to the end.” He later said he wished the book had been several hundred pages longer.

Who doesn’t agree with Tom Hanks?

Enjoy yourself. You’re in for a thrilling ride.

Yours,
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.

Under the Stars Again: 14 New Reads for the Young and Young at Heart

The weather’s finally starting to cool down a bit and thoughts are turning to autumn. Not too hot, but still plenty of light in the early evening. Is there a more perfect time of year to get lost in a book? Whether it’s for a bedtime read-along, weekend escapes or just a quick weeknight read after homework is all finished, our booksellers have selected a great list of suggestions!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann Animal Architects (Amazing Animals)

By Amy Cherrix & Chris Sasaki

Fun facts and beautiful illustrations combine to make this a must-read book about animals and how they build their amazing homes.

Recommended by Jennifer Bright Star

By Yuyi Morales

A beautiful story about new life encountering obstacles in the world, Bright Star interweaves the story of a fawn with themes we encounter in our world. I loved the way that Morales combines both English and Spanish words to create an endearing and hopeful tale.

Recommended by Chelsea Poultrygeist

By Eric Geron & Pete Oswald

What happens when a chicken tries to cross the road? This hilarious book answers that question and sets the mood for the upcoming spooky season — but it’s not too scary!

Recommended by BeccaGanesha’s Sweet Tooth

By Emily Haynes & Sanjay Patel

This book tells the story of how the god Ganesha came to write the epic poem of Hindu literature, the Mahabharata. There are so many details in the tale and in the art that I can imagine this book being read over and over again, and never getting boring! After Ganesha breaks his magical tusk on a jawbreaker, it takes a visit from the wise poet Vyasa to remind him that sometimes broken things contain the most magic!

Recommended by Becca The Secret Lives of Mermaids (The Secret Lives Series)

By Anuk Tola & Anja Susanj

This gorgeously illustrated nonfiction picture book by Professor Anuk Tola (Merperson researcher from the Institute of Merperson) explores the histories and cultures of merpeople. Learn about scientific innovation such as the bladderwack grass that lets merpeople know how clean the waters are, as well as traditional clothing and accessories from ancient mer-civilizations around the world!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by RJ Willodeen

By Katherine Applegate

Willodeen must figure out why the adorable hummingbears are disappearing from her village, while also trying to protect the less-cuddly screechers that have been hunted to near extinction. What unfolds is a story about finding the courage to protect nature in all its beautiful, complicated and sometimes smelly glory. Perfect for anyone who needs to find a little more magic in a world that seems to be unraveling.

Recommended by Chelsea Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

By Saadia Faruqi

Yusuf is excited to start middle school and join the robotics team until he is confronted with prejudice and racism around the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Yusuf feels lost and alone until he reads his uncle’s journal from 2001. With well-developed characters and timely themes, this bighearted novel is full of hope and community.

Recommended by Sissy The Smashed Man of Dread End

By J.W. Ocker

I’ve always loved dark stories. When I was young, Zilpha Keatley Snyder was a favorite. This book is definitely the next Headless Cupid, though all the supernatural is real this time. The images are scary and the characters are relatable and cool.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Rae Ann Now That I’ve Found You

By Kristina Forest

After Evie Jones is blacklisted from Hollywood, only a reunion with her famous grandmother will put her back in the spotlight. When her grandmother disappears, Evie sets out to find her grandmother and save her career in this fun YA rom-com. Now out in paperback!

Recommended by Chelsea
The Witch Haven

By Sasha Peyton Smith

When the magic inside her awakens, Frances is offered a spot at Haxahaven Academy. She quickly chafes against the dull classes meant to control the girls, so she seeks excitement and learning with Finn, her deceased brother’s coworker. Their adventures soon give Frances the chance to solve her brother’s murder at the risk of her (and her fellow witches’) safety. What will Frances choose? I kept turning the pages to find out.

Recommended by Brad Act Cool

By Tobly McSmith

Act Cool is one of the most important novels I’ve ever read. This story about identity, self-acceptance and family (both biological and chosen), broke my heart and pieced it back together. I have no doubt in my mind that Act Cool will change lives, and I’m eternally grateful that a story like this exists to impact readers.

Recommended by Brad Redemptor (Raybearer Book 2)

By Jordan Ifueko

Jordan Ifueko’s fantasy duology has quickly become one of my favorite series of all time! Redemptor is the high-stakes and breathtaking sequel to Raybearer that solidifies this as one of the best fantasy series out there. A must-read for any reader craving a rich, epic story!

Spark Book Club: September Selection Fast Pitch

By Nic Stone

In this sports mystery, Shenice “Lightning” Lockwood hopes to lead her U12 fast pitch softball team to the regional championship. When she learns that her great-grandfather was thrown out of professional baseball after being framed for the theft of a famous baseball glove, Shenice is determined to uncover the truth of the past while making history with her team.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A grand slam of an adventure.” —Kirkus (starred)

“Black girl magic hits a home run in Stone’s latest novel.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)

“A sports mystery that will keep ­readers engaged from start to finish… Discussions about race and civil rights are seamlessly ­woven into the narrative through Shenice’s own ­experiences.” —School Library Journal

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 September Selection The City Beautiful

By Aden Polydoros

When Alter Rosen’s best friend, Yakov, is found murdered at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Alter realizes a danger is stalking his community of Jewish immigrants. In a story that seamlessly balances historical fiction, mystery, romance, and fantasy, Alter must brave the darkness of the past to bring Yakov’s killer to justice. Because if he can’t, Yakov’s restless spirit will take Alter’s own life instead.

Note: The book will be published on Oct. 5, but ParnassusNext subscribers will receive books early! They are scheduled to ship the week of Sept. 21.

Early praise for the novel:

“Readers will become immersed in Alter’s world, rooting for his survival, hoping for his reunion with his family, and wishing for him to find the love that he deserves.” —Kirkus

“Readers looking for finely wrought historical fiction with fully realized characters and a thrilling pursuit of justice are sure to be satisfied by Alter’s story.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Polydoros doesn’t hold back with this heavy, dark, and gritty story that explores the immigrant experience in a unique way. While firmly a historical fiction title, this genre-bending novel is also equal parts thriller and fantasy.” —School Library Journal (starred)

“[Polydoros’s] unflinching and well-rounded depiction of Jewish American and immigrant history makes The City Beautiful a superb addition to the ranks of YA historical fiction.” —BookPage (starred)

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.

 

Children’s Book Authors Reflect on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Children’s books are often an introduction of a difficult topic or event, and an avenue to discussion in classrooms and family groups. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we asked four children’s book creators — Caroline Brooks DuBois, Sean Rubin, Alan Gratz and Lauren Tarshis — about their books.

Caroline Brooks DuBois — The Places We SleepCaroline Brooks DuBois

Parnassus Musing: What inspired you to write about 9/11?

Caroline Brooks DuBois: Sept. 11, 2001, like John F. Kennedy’s assassination for my parents, or the Challenger explosion of my youth, is one of those moments where you know exactly where you were, what you were doing, and maybe even who you were with when you found out about it or witnessed it.

Pregnant and working as a copywriter in downtown Nashville when 9/11 occurred, I feared bringing a child into such a frightening and unpredictable world. In the years that followed, my brothers and my brother-in-law were all called into active duty and deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. These events inspired Abbey’s story. I wanted to write about how world events have rippling effects on individuals and familial relationships in unexpected ways.

PM: How did you deal with writing about this emotional topic?

CBD: Abbey’s coming of age story unfolded naturally in poetry, perhaps as a lyrical way to process 9/11. I think of writing mostly as pure creation and communication, but it has therapeutic value too, especially journaling. Each poem I wrote after the weeks and months following Sept.11 helped me to cope with the stress of the times. Being creative can battle one’s sense of helplessness in the face of things we cannot control. And writing is something anyone can do if they have pencil and paper or a device. Writing allows the space to think, be present, or just share. It can ground you and help you navigate life thoughtfully.

PM: What message do you hope readers take from your book?

CBD: I hope The Places We Sleep will spark curiosity in young readers about 9/11 and the monumental lessons we learned and are still learning from that tragedy. I hope student readers are gently nudged to learn the names of others with whom they share classes and hallways and to act with kindness and dignity to those they may not know or understand. Maybe it will inspire some young reader to choose to deal with life’s challenges through art or poetry or other forms of creativity.

Sean Rubin — This Very TreeSean Rubin

PM: What inspired you to write about 9/11?

Sean Rubin: While many books begin with an author approaching an editor with an idea, for this book the process was reversed. My editor, Christian Trimmer, asked if I would be interested in doing a book on the Survivor Tree. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with the story, but after doing some research, I realized it was an amazing opportunity — a chance to talk about 9/11 in a way that was appropriate for younger readers.

PM: How did you deal with writing about this emotional event?

SR: This Very Tree could be a tearful book to write. Fortunately my wife, Lucy Guarnera, is a psychologist with special training in trauma treatment and recovery. She helped me to think about the tree as a survivor of trauma, and so the tree’s emotional responses and recovery are hopefully familiar to many who have been through traumatic events.

PM: What message do you hope readers take from your book?

SR: I’m hoping This Very Tree creates a space for children and their adults to discuss 9/11 as a personal tragedy. I worry we lose that thread sometimes. I also hope it reminds readers that we’re often more resilient than we may think.

Alan Gratz — Ground ZeroAlan Gratz. Photo by Wes Stitt

PM: What inspired you to write about 9/11?

For years, young readers have been asking me to write a book about the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. And I was always reluctant. I had tried to write about that day in a different book, 10 years ago, and could never get the story right. It was still too raw for me and my then-editor, even a decade later. But a couple years back I did the math and realized that kids in school today — from kindergarten to their senior year of high school — were all born after 9/11. They didn’t experience it the same way we adults did. They had a lot of questions about that day, and no idea, really, what effect it had on the world they were born into. With the 20th anniversary of the attacks coming up this year, I thought the time was right to try to tackle it.

PM: How did you deal with writing about this emotional event?

AG: I thought, “It’s been 20 years now. You can do this, no problem.” But as soon as I started researching my story and reliving everything that had happened that day and since, all those emotions I thought I’d put behind me came flooding back. I’ve written about a lot of challenging topics — the Holocaust, war, refugee journeys, other terrorist attacks — but no book was as hard for me to write, emotionally, as Ground Zero. I’m glad I did it, and I’m very proud of the book, but it was emotionally draining.

PM: What message do you hope readers take from your book?

AG: Though emotionally difficult, writing Ground Zero did help me confront some of my still-lingering, buried feelings about that day. I hope it has the same effect on the adults who read it. As for its middle-grade readers, its true intended audience, I hope it provides an idea of what a frightening, confusing, and momentous day 9/11 was for the adults in their lives, and gives them an insight into a pivotal moment in recent American history. And of course I hope it’s a book they can’t put down and keeps them turning the pages.

Lauren Tarshis — I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001Lauren Tarshis. Photo by David Dreyfuss

PM: What inspired you to write about 9/11?

LT: My I Survived series has covered a huge range of events that have shaped history, from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Ancient Roman times through the Revolutionary War and up to modern-day disasters like the California Wildfire. But when I began the series, more than 10 years ago, I had planned to only cover long-ago natural disasters. But right away, kids began to request titles that they wanted to know about, and 9/11 was at the top of the list. I probably received 2,000 emails from kids, and every time I went to a school kids would ask if I was writing about 9/11.

At first ,I was certain I would not cover the topic. How could I write about this for such young readers? Why were they asking about it? How could I explain this complex, terrifying event to young children? But then requests began to come in from teachers and librarians and parents, looking for a way to answer kids’ questions about this topic. After I began to understand that part of the role of my series could be to find appropriate ways to help kids understand even very complicated topics.

I wanted to somehow share what happened that day, how it impacted our country, without introducing aspects of the story that were likely overwhelming to readers. I created a bigger “front story” for this book than in many others. It’s really the story of the son of a firefighter who has taken refuge in football as a way of coping with family issues – his beloved dad was injured in a warehouse fire a few years before the story opened, and it caused the father to withdraw emotionally. So for Lucas, football is not just his passion but a coping mechanism. And then he gets a concussion, which ends his football career. This is a 9/11 story, but the story of Lucas is layered on top, and the experience he and his father have on 9/11 brings them back together.

My hope is the story is that introduction to the topic that will satisfy kids’ curiosity and help them understand 9/11.

PM: How did you deal with writing about this emotional event?

LT: So many of the books in my series are dark, deeply troubling, and connect me with people — directly or through research – who have experienced grief, loss, and upheaval. But 9/11 — like the Holocaust — is a catastrophe that was human made. And those events are always more difficult to write about than natural disasters. It was very painful to write about 9/11 — every second of the event is documented through audio, video, testimony, oral histories, meticulous newspaper accounts, photography … even the cockpit recordings are available. And so during the research process I was truly subsumed, brought back to the terror of that day. It was very difficult.

PM: What message do you hope readers take from your book?

LT: The underlying theme of all of my I Survived books is resilience, how humans can cope with challenges and loss with the help of their families and friends, how healing is a process that doesn’t happen quickly or easily but most often does happen. One might think that writing all of these books would make me more fearful — all these tragedies, all this loss. But what I have discovered — over and over — is that people have a remarkable capacity to move forward, even after devastating losses. Again, it isn’t a quick process, and there will be scars. But people have the capacity to stay in the world, feel joy again. That makes me feel hopeful, and I want to convey that to my readers.

Fall for Something: 30 Great New Reads for September

 

It’s early still, sure, but did you feel that hint of cool air early in the morning recently? If nothing else, book people can take a hint, so we’ll interpret this as a sure sign that fall is on its way, eventually — with crisp days and long nights perfect for reading. Luckily we’ve got a mighty stack of new books — no less than 30 titles! — to carry us over into the changing of the seasons. Get our drift?

FICTIONRecommended by Karen Something Wonderful: Stories

By Jo Lloyd

This is an amazing debut short story collection by an award-winning UK writer. The stories, times and settings are wildly diverse, but Lloyd puts you right there each time, and you will marvel at her dexterity. I’m not alone in loving Something Wonderful. Check out the endorsements from Hilary Mantel and Karen Russell.

Recommended by Steve The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You: Stories

By Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Like an album of singles, odds and sods in the wake of a full-length masterpiece, Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s follow-up to the brilliant We Cast a Shadow is spiky, plangent and capacious. It zigs when we think it will zag, it swerves and dips and teems with life, longing and violence. All the while we are rooted in New Orleans as a place. The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You gifts us glimpses that contain more than they depict.

Recommended by Sissy Mrs. March: A Novel

By Virginia Feito

This is the Shirley Jackson tribute I needed — both suspenseful and hilarious, reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Lamb to the Slaughter. Mrs. March is a simply awful woman but, of course, every now and then she says something I have thought but would never admit I have thought.

Recommended by Aly Beautiful World, Where Are You: A Novel

By Sally Rooney

Two best friends on the verge of their 30s correspond about their disenchantment with the world around them, while romance offers them both confusion and clarity. As in Normal People, Rooney offers heart-achingly relatable prose to help us rediscover the beauty in existing.

Recommended by Chelsea Velvet Was the Night

By Silvia Moreno-Garcia

In another mind-bending genre switch, Moreno-Garcia swings her focus to the noir novel and proves she can write whatever she wants. Set against the student protests in 1970s Mexico City, this twisting, character-driven novel examines how violence and secrets impact the lives of everyone involved.

Recommended by Rae Ann
The Light of Luna Park

By Addison Armstrong

A nurse in 1926 New York steals a premature baby and whisks her to the incubator exhibit at Coney Island in an attempt to save her life. Twenty-five years later, a teacher tries to unravel her mother’s past. A fascinating debut novel.

Recommended by Rae Ann
The Dating Playbook

By Farrah Rochon

When a former NFL star doesn’t want anyone to know he’s working to get back into the league, his personal trainer agrees to pretend they’re dating in this fun and witty romance.

Recommended by Sissy A Slow Fire Burning

By Paula Hawkins

I love books about books, and fans of Elly Griffiths and Anthony Horowitz will love this one. Hawkins injects a bit more of her humor into this literary thriller — sparks of light into a dark mystery. Several of the characters are so well drawn that I missed them when they were not on the page. The cast is large and there are many motives: plagiarism, jealousy, alcoholism, dreams dashed and futures destroyed.

Recommended by Sissy The Night She Disappeared: A Novel

By Lisa Jewell

A young couple disappears without a trace, and a small British town is in mourning. What on earth could have happened to them? I love how she surprises us over and over. The ending is so Jewell … an extra twist on the last page.

Recommended by Ben Once There Were Wolves

By Charlotte McConaghy

As Inti leads a team to reintroduce wolves into the Scottish Highlands, the locals grumble, and she begins falling in love with one man when another winds up dead. Flashbacks reveal an unshatterable bond with her twin sister Aggie, while a twisty plot and visceral descriptions of wilderness articulate the rawness within landscapes and people, our human capacities for both violence and tenderness.

Recommended by Chelsea L.A. Weather: A Novel

By María Amparo Escandón

This insightful novel follows the Alvarado family after a scary near-death experience. The characters burrowed into my heart like old friends, and their triumphs and tribulations resonated with me. A slice-of-life story that I won’t quickly forget. This is perfect for fans of family dramas.

Recommended by Becca The City We Became: A Novel (The Great Cities Trilogy #1)

By N. K. Jemisin

Fans of Lovecraftian horror looking for something in a similar vein (minus all the racism, classism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia) will love this first book in the Great Cities trilogy, now in paperback. As New York City comes under attack from unknown forces, five strangers find themselves in possession of strange new powers. Can the famously disparate boroughs unite to save the city?

Recommended by Hannah The Heart Principle

By Helen Hoang

After The Kiss Quotient earned a spot amongst my favorite romances of all time, I knew I’d read anything Hoang wrote next. Lucky for us, she’s delivered with a beautiful story of two people finding each other on their journey to healing. It’s just as much a romance with emotional depth as it is an unflinching conversation about trauma. Anna and Quan will effortlessly steal your heart from the first page to the last.

Recommended by Kathy Dust Off the Bones: A Novel

By Paul Howarth

Read together with the first book, Only Killers and Thieves, this sequel continues the story of two brothers in the Australian outback at the turn of the last century. Cattle empires, indigenous struggles and forbidden loves are set against the harsh realities of a brutal land. Comparisons to Cormac McCarthy and Phillip Meyer apply. These are beautifully written, riveting and suspenseful novels that I loved.

Recommended by Sarah Songbirds

By Christy Lefteri

On Cyprus, Petra’s nanny and maid, Nisha, suddenly goes missing. When authorities decide the case isn’t worth their time, Petra and Nisha’s lover, Yiannis, decide to find the truth themselves. What follows is a poignant look at the struggles of migrant domestic workers and their often perfunctory relationships with their employers. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end!

Recommended by Jordan Poison for Breakfast

By Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket is back with another weird and wonderful story for all ages! The story begins with a note left under Snicket’s door that reads, “You had poison for breakfast.” The book then takes us on an adventure to uncover the mystery. This story is bewildering and nostalgic for fans of Snicket’s previous works.

Recommended by Sydney Night, Neon: Tales of Mystery and Suspense

By Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates has an uncanny ability to describe nightmarishly real female experiences, yet she somehow manages to kick it up a notch with this newest release. “Detour,” the first short story in this collection, parallels one of my all-time favorite classics, “The Yellow Wallpaper.” If you’re an Oates fan, you won’t be disappointed.

Recommended by RJ The Charm Offensive: A Novel

By Alison Cochrun

As a producer on the hit reality show Ever After, Dev has to make sure the show’s “Prince Charming” finds the love of his life by the time the cameras stop rolling. But what happens when the latest season’s prince is Charlie, an awkward disaster with no plans to find his soulmate? This hilarious, heartfelt, and chaotic rom-com is the perfect remix to the reality TV fairy tale we all know and love (or loathe).

Recommended by Becca The Annotated Mrs. Dalloway

By Merve Emre, Virginia Woolf

Woolf fans will be thrilled to find this new edition of her groundbreaking novel, with detailed annotations from Merve Emre (Woolf scholar and Oxford professor). Beyond being visually exquisite, this text provides cultural and historical context, and embarks on a deep dive into Woolf’s character development. With a gorgeous new cover and full-color art throughout, this book is a great addition to any modernist’s library.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Karen Graceland, at Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South

By Margaret Renkl

Margaret Renkl is my favorite essayist. Every week I look for her column in the opinion pages of The New York Times. In a time when the country has such deep divisions, I can rely on her writing to be all heart, no snark. I’m so proud to have this fellow Nashvillian’s newest collection on my shelf.

Recommended by Lindsay Beautiful Country: A Memoir

By Qian Julie Wang

There are many things to admire about Qian Julie Wang’s memoir, Beautiful Country, from the writing to the powerful story of her history as an undocumented citizen. But what has stayed with me most is Wang’s refusal to flatten her narrative to one of suffering. While Wang writes with clarity on the injustices of this country’s immigration system, she also holds space for hope and joy here. I savored every page.

Recommended by Elyse What About the Baby?: Some Thoughts on the Art of Fiction

By Alice McDermott

Want a great book and a crash course in the art of writing fiction? Even if you’re not intending to be a fiction writer, What About the Baby is simply a work of art and a great read. McDermott shares her expectations of fiction which has made me a more discerning reader. She has also included impressive examples from other great writers’ works I will now seek out and reread. A surprisingly joyful experience for this non-writer but avid reader!

Watch our virtual event with Alice McDermott here!

Recommended by Steve Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir

By Kat Chow

In Seeing Ghosts, Kat Chow documents the aftermath of her mother’s death ascending the steep slope of this loss again and again in search of solace and, if not solace, then some semblance of understanding. With each descent, it looks and feels a little different. I’m grateful for how this book resists easy narratives of redemption, and how it patiently catalogs the stubbornness and beauty of flawed human relationships.

Recommended by Erin Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them

By Siân Evans

Millions of women crisscrossed the Atlantic via ocean liners during the first half of the 1900s — glamorous celebrities, émigrés seeking new beginnings, and crew members navigating everything from seasickness to sinking ships. This engaging social history sails the reader into the golden age of transatlantic travel with portraits of the women who helped reshape society on both sides of the ocean.

Recommended by Steve Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be

By Nichole Perkins

What a disarming, (and often funny) book about coming of age, defying expectations and being yourself. As she has proven time and again as writer and podcast host, Nichole Perkins is a dynamo. Sometimes I Trip is romantic but realistic — smart, tender and alive.

Read our interview with Nichole Perkins here on Musing!

Recommended by Steve Names for Light: A Family History

By Thirii Myo Kyaw Myint

I’m not sure what to say about this quietly powerful book other than it’s not quite like anything I’ve ever read and once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. Where personal history meets an almost prophetic kind of introspection, this poetic, fragmented memoir is wholly unforgettable.

Recommended by Becca This Will All Be Over Soon: A Memoir

By Cecily Strong

In this intimate journal-like memoir, which she started writing when her beloved cousin Owen died of glioblastoma at age 30, Cecily Strong explores the depths of grief. This grief is complicated and exacerbated by the arrival of the pandemic in New York a few weeks later. Throughout, Cecily is able to find a bit of humor, even in the darkest days.

Recommended by Marcia Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn from 75 Years of Letters and Conversations with Kids

By Christine French Cully

For those of us who grew up on Highlights Magazine, this collection of letters written over many years will charm you. Through their own unique points of view, and many in their own handwriting, the thoughtful observations and the expressions of their deepest fears and concerns will serve as a reminder of how important it is to really dig in and listen.

Recommended by Jordan Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood

By Dawn Turner

Dawn Turner, former columnist for the Chicago Tribune, tells her story about growing up as a Black girl in Bronzeville, a historic neighborhood on Chicago’s south side. Two of the most important influences in her life have been her sister Kim and her childhood best friend Debra. This memoir plays tribute to how these relationships impacted Turner’s youth, coming of age, and adulthood. This is a must-read memoir!

First Editions Club: September Selection Matrix

By Lauren Groff

Dear friends,

I don’t know about you, but when I first heard that Lauren Groff was publishing a new book, I prepared myself: I marked my calendar, I reread my favorites from her backlist, I listened to interviews with her while willing myself to be patient.

I’m delighted to tell you that her newest, Matrix, is well worth the preparation. This book is not only unlike anything I’ve read from Groff before, it’s unlike anything I’ve read from anyone before. Set in Medieval Europe, Matrix begins with 17-year-old Marie de France being cast out of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s royal court and sent to an impoverished convent for the rest of her days. From there, we follow Marie’s life as she transforms her anger with her new station and harnesses it into the convent, creating a powerful matriarchy among her nuns.

I found the experience of reading Matrix similar to walking through the Medieval wing of an art museum and trying to decode the strange images in ancient tapestries or interpret the bizarre marginalia of an illuminated manuscript. At times I felt lost, and I imagine you might too — this is the kind of novel that invites its readers to surrender to the beauty of language and imagery. I hope you’ll enjoy getting lost in this surreal journey as much as I did.

Yours in reading,
Lindsay Lynch

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.

 

The Shop Dog Diaries: Puppyhood

Puppyhood.

Puppyhood. It’s like the cherry blossoms in springtime. It’s like the half a roast beef sandwich someone left on the desk in the back office. It goes so fast. We’ve loved having a puppy in our ranks again, a little fella we could show around. Barnabus may be fancy but he’s not pretentious. He likes his squeaky toys and teething chews, same as we did back when we were puppies. You can just tell, he’s going to grow up to be one heck of a dog.

Lindsay and Barnabus, with Ann and Sparky

Lindsay, though. Well, we’re not going to say anything bad about Lindsay, except that we’re a little disappointed in her. She’s so careful about everything. Either she’s got Barnabus on a leash or she’s got him in a cage under her desk like he’s waiting for someone to post bail. She’s one of these helicopter dog owners, keeping her eye on him every minute. How’s a puppy ever going to learn to be one of the pack when his mommy won’t let him walk around the store for five minutes with his friends?

“He’ll eat the books,” Lindsay says.

Splendor in the grass

We try barking at her but she doesn’t listen. “He’s a puppy,” we tell her. “You’ve got to let him make mistakes. He’s going to pee on some stuff, sure, but that’s why humans invented paper towels. And it’s not like he’s going to eat all the books. He’s only going to eat the ones on the bottom shelves.”

But Lindsay has some ridiculous idea that even puppies need to pee outside, and that it’s not okay to eat any books at all, not even the ones right in front of your face. She thinks that if her puppy rips the store to shreds it could reflect badly on her as an employee. But it won’t. We’re the shop dogs. We’re not going to let anything happen to Lindsay, because clearly, if she goes, she’s taking Barnabus with her. We’ve become very attached to the little guy.

Barnabus and The Barnabus Project.

Lindsay used to work at Parnassus back when she was a puppy herself. We hired her eight years ago as a seasonal employee, and we were so impressed with her gift-wrap skills, we took her on full time. As much as she loved us, she not only wanted to sell books, she wanted to write them, so she went off to Wyoming to get an advanced degree in creativity. After that she wrote a novel, which Barnabus has strongly indicated is delicious. Lindsay came back to Nashville because she’d never be able to have a Caviler King Charles puppy in Wyoming. One strong wind and *poof* there he goes.

Lindsay was always generous with the treats back in the day. She had a way of scratching our ears that made us feel seen. We’re glad she’s back. She just needs to lighten up. Hand over the puppy, sister. We’re the shop dogs. We’ll take it from here.

These are Barnabus’ most chew-able books:

The Barnabus Project

By Terry Fan, Eric Fan & Devin Fan

Snuggle Puppy! (Boynton on Board)

By Sandra Boynton

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

By Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen

Big Dog and Little Dog Going for a Walk

By Dav Pilkey

Gaston (Gaston and Friends)

By Kelly DiPucchio & Christian Robinson

Indestructibles: Baby Animals: Chew Proof · Rip Proof · Nontoxic · 100% Washable (Book for Babies, Newborn Books, Safe to Chew)

By Stephan Lomp & Amy Pixton

Doggo and Pupper

By Katherine Applegate & Charlie Alder