Ann Patchett's Blog, page 19

Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be: Nichole Perkins Q and A

Nashville native Nichole Perkins’ dynamic, deeply felt new essay collection Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be takes its title from a Prince song — bonus points if you know which one — and weaves a love of music, movies and pop culture throughout while also exploring love, friendship and family. It’s a captivating read — observant, funny, sometimes slyly so, honest and curious. You may know Perkins from her writing on everything from Megan Thee Stallion to mental health, from her contribution to the collection A Measure of Belonging (see our interview with editor Cinelle Barnes), or from her work on the podcasts This Is Good for You and, previously, Thirst Aid Kit.

And if you don’t know her work already, you may have seen her new memoir on all sorts of recommended book lists. In any event, Sometimes I Trip is a great place to start! Musing editor Steve Haruch caught up with Perkins via email.

SH: First, how are you? How have you been coping with All the Things?

NP: Hey, I’m well, thanks. The past year and a half has been a challenge to say the least. I’ve been drowning myself in romance novels and favorite TV shows to escape reality. Sometimes it works.

Nichole Perkins. Photo by Sylvie Rosokoff

SH: You live in New York, but your author bio says you’re a writer from Nashville. Can you talk a little about that decision?

NP: Being from Nashville, being from the South, is very important to me, and has shaped who I am. Keeping Nashville in my bio honors who I am, my family, how I was raised. It’s one of the first things I tell people when we’re getting to know each other. I came to New York to advance my career. It’s a great place, but I’d never want to be a New Yorker, and New York wouldn’t want me to claim it. No matter where I end up, Nashville is home, and I’ll always keep it close to my name.

SH: Did the process of writing the book change your perception of your hometown — or your upbringing in Nashville?

NP: There’s a chapter about the first (and so far, only) time I took shrooms, and as I was tripping, my voice changed into something I didn’t recognize so I called my good friend from high school because I wanted to get the Nashville back in my voice. I wrote that out and pretty much left it at that, so my editor asked me to dig deeper. Why was it important for me to hold on to Nashville? That gave me a chance to think about my conflicted feelings about no longer living at home. I love Nashville. I love my family, but when I’m home, those Southern expectations of what I should be, as a woman, as a Black woman, weigh me down. Writing the book didn’t change how I feel about home, but it made me realize that no one knows what to do with me in Nashville, and I often end up feeling very alone there.

SH: Can you talk about the genesis of the book? How did you know you had the makings of a collection?

NP: In January 2017, I moved to New York for the BuzzFeed Emerging Writers Fellowship, which was about shaping us into better culture writers. By that point, I’d read and seen the success of Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist collection and Meaty by Samantha Irby, plus I’d often received good responses for my own personal essay writing I’d done online. Between the work I’d done for the fellowship and my previous work, I thought I could build something. My incredible agent Kiele Raymond reached out to me as a result of the fellowship, and I showed her what I had and the ideas I was thinking about. I knew I wanted to thread pop culture through my stories because it’s been such a key element in every corner of my life.

SH: One of the themes of the book is trying to live outside others’ expectations. Do you think that has shaped you as a writer?

NP: Oh, absolutely. There is a certain snobbery when it comes to questions like “what is good literature?” Many people think in order for it to be “good,” as in worthy of recognition and honor, the writing must be convoluted and complex, and it must leave the reader wrung out emotionally in some way. Of course, I want to create strong emotional reactions with my work, but I don’t believe in creating something very few can get. So I try to be as accessible as possible when writing, pushing back against the idea that only a chosen few deserve to understand good writing. I’m not writing to confuse people. I’m writing to be heard and acknowledged in a world that wants me to be invisible. In writing Sometimes I Trip, I also wanted to push back on the idea of having a neat, happy ending — that I’d gone through some difficult things and now everything is A-OK. I’m still figuring things out!

SH: Finally, we always ask: What do you love about independent bookstores?

NP: On a physical level, I love the coziness, the home-away-from-home many independent stores have. They don’t always have a lot of space, but they still invite you to stay a while. Overall, I love the gumption of indies. They’re all little engines that could.

Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be will be published Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Notes From Ann: 10 Years (Almost) of First Editions Club

We don’t send books in linen bags anymore, but if you’ve got some of these books in your collection, you probably have a few bags as well!

Every year before I renew my friend Beverly Lowry’s subscription to the First Editions Club, I check to make sure she still wants it. This year she wrote back, “I love the First Editions Club. Maggie Shipstead followed by Nathan Harris? Both on the Booker Long List? What’s not to love?”

The way she said it, it sounded like picking two Booker Prize finalists had been our plan, or, better yet, that the judges of the Booker Prize had kindly slipped us their list of finalists in advance.

No such luck.

Finding books for the club is a combination of labor and love. We read as many advanced copies as is humanly possible, and make our choices four to six months in advance of publication. Some months (think September) offer an embarrassment of riches—the hardest part is deciding what great book to pick—while other months (sorry December) we’re frantically looking for anything that isn’t a diet book. I remember the joy I felt when Cat, the most energetic reader the bookstore had ever seen, found an advanced copy of Joan Silber’s Improvement, for December 2017. It was a spectacular novel to be coming out so late in the year, and we weren’t the only people to notice. Joan Silber went on to win the PEN/Faulkner and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Our rule of thumb for the First Editions Club is to find books our members will want to keep. Take our very first pick in 2012, Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles. Not only did it win the Women’s Prize in the U.K., but all these years later it’s back on the New York Times bestseller list. People are still discovering how great that novel is.

When I look back, I’m amazed by the collection we’ve assembled.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the highlights:

2012
The Round House, by Louise Erdrich, was the first of three Erdrich novels we’ve picked for FEC. This one went on to win the National Book Award. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you want to make impressive choices, keep picking Louise Erdrich.

2013
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. This is one of those rare first novel masterpieces. I’m so proud to have this book on our list.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. When I read this novel, I was absolutely positive it would win the Pulitzer. I had the same feeling when I read Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad (FEC 2016), George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo (FEC 2017), and Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman (FEC 2020). Turns out I was wrong about Lincoln in the Bardo, but it did win the Booker Prize, so, not too shabby.

2014
I remember sitting on my front porch, reading the end of Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven and feeling like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. That was an easy pick.

Seeds of Hope, by Jane Goodall, was not only a beautiful and important book, I just couldn’t believe I had a book that Jane Goodall had touched.

My pal Elizabeth McCracken’s short story collection Thunderstruck won the Story Prize, which is a very big deal in the short story world. We were so dazzled by the collection that we picked her collection The Souvenir Museum this year.

Tristan, who used to be the buyer at Parnassus, was the one who found Phil Klay’s Redeployment and said we had to pick it. It was a first collection of stories about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it went on to win the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Thanks, Tristan!

2015
While the Nobel Prize is given for a body of work and not a specific book, we felt pretty great about picking The Buried Giant just before Kazou Ishiguro won. It was our first Nobel.

2016
If you were a member of the First Editions Club in 2016, congratulations! It was a banner year. Imagine Me Gone by Adam Haslett, LaRose by Louise Erdrich, and Moonglow, by Michael Chabon, were all finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award (LaRose was the winner). It was also the year we picked the fabulous Elizabeth Strout’s My Name Is Lucy Barton (look for the follow up to that book, Oh William! which will be our November pick this year). We also picked a novel by a very promising writer named Amor Towles called A Gentleman in Moscow.

2017
Not only was this the year we chose Lincoln in the Bardo and Improvement, we also had Jesmyn Ward’s National Book Award-winning Sing, Unburied, Sing, Zadie Smith’s Swing Time, and Weike Wang’s Chemistry, a tiny book with a huge heart that has really stuck with me. When I was asked to fly to D.C. to interview Tom Hanks for his story collection, Uncommon Type, I said I’d do it if he would be willing to sign first editions for our club members. Who doesn’t want Tom Hanks’ autograph?

2018
Tayari Jones won the Woman’s Prize with her Oprah pick, An American Marriage. Lauren Groff won the Story Prize for her collection, Florida. And I got to meet the dreamy Michael Ondaatje when he came to sign copies of his novel Warlight.

2019
Of all the books we’ve picked, none has meant more than Tony Horowitz’s Spying on the South. After doing a terrific event at the store with his wife Geraldine Brooks (whose novel The Secret Chord we had picked in 2015), Tony went to his next book tour stop in D.C., where he had a heart attack and died at the age of sixty. We love him, miss him, and feel so lucky that he and Geraldine came to the store.

2019 was also the year our favorite local author, Margaret Renkl, published her stunning essay collection, Late Migrations, and our favorite almost-local author, Kevin Wilson, came to sign Nothing to See Here.

2020
When Alice Randall, another beloved Nashville author, came out with Black Bottom Saints, it was a cause for celebration. Truly, there’s nothing else like it. Yaa Gyasi followed up her smash debut Homegoing with the elegant and deeply felt Transcendent Kingdom. Jeanine Cummins found herself in the center of a literary hornets nest when she published American Dirt. The book launched a great deal of necessary conversation about the publishing industry, and was also, in my opinion, an unforgettable novel.

2021
Which brings us to this year. There could have been no better way to kick things off than with George Saunders’ meditations on classic Russian short stories, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, followed by Chang Rae Lee’s thrilling bildungsroman, My Year Abroad. And still, there are so many terrific books ahead of us. I should know, I read them all months ago.

This is a lot of books to consider, but I’m only scratching the surface. We send out twelve selections a year. At Parnassus, we’re reading late into the night. We’re always thinking about the future, the books we’ve loved and talked about, the books we hope you’ll love and talk about. FEC selections make great reading, great collecting, and great gifts. If you wonder what people at Parnassus are reading, now you know. We hope you’ll join us.

—Ann

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.

Sweet Reads: 16 New Books for the Young, Young at Heart and Back to School

Metro Nashville schools will be back in session in just five days, but whether you’re headed back to the classroom or still have a few weeks of summer left to savor, it’s always a good time to stock up on reading! It’s that time of year when it’s definitely not fall yet, but the spooky books start to appear like ghosts in the graveyard, and we’ve got some great ones to recommend. Reading along? Reading on your own? Love YA? We’ve got you covered!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann
Lala’s Words: A Story of Planting Kindness

By Gracey Zhang

Lala waters forgotten plants in her neighborhood and speaks to them gently. These simple acts create unexpected results. This is a story about the power of kind words.

Recommended by Chelsea Hardly Haunted

By Jessie Sima

Jessie Sima has once again found the direct line to my heart — this time through a personified “haunted” house! This sweet story about a house who is worried about being haunted will resonate with readers who are finding ways to be comfortable in their own skin.

Recommended by Chelsea Vampenguin

By Lucy Ruth Cummins

The Draculas go to the zoo, and the youngest Dracula swaps places with a baby penguin at the Penguin House. Bold, humorous illustrations and minimal text show the adventures of both the baby penguin enjoying his stroller and baby Dracula loving his time in the Penguin House. But who will go home with the Draculas at the end of the day?

Recommended by Madeline The Circles All Around Us

By Brad Montague & Kristi Montague

A wonderful book about all the small changes we make, no matter how small, can ultimately change the world. This beauty of a book is an instant classic for those who love Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by RJ ParaNorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse

By Stephanie Cooke & Mari Costa

This irresistibly charming story follows a group of supernatural kids as they try to reverse a magical mishap while learning to embrace what makes them unique. Lovable characters, funny moments, adorable artwork, and a creative magical setting makes this a stand-out!

Recommended by Madeline Rosetown Summer (The Rosetown Books)

By Cynthia Rylant

Written in elegant prose, this summertime story delicately approaches the topic of change. When a bookstore opens in Flora’s small town, she wonders what impact that small change might have. She’s not afraid to ask big questions, and this book faces each question directly with elegant grace.

Recommended by RJ The Accursed Vampire

By Madeline McGrane

This unique, spooky story will be perfect for kids (and adults) with a darker sense of humor. When a group of immortal vampire children set out on a mission of vengeance, they stumble upon a new found family instead. Don’t let the blood and bugs scare you away; this story has a lot of (undead, un-beating) heart.

Recommended by Madeline The Last Super Chef

By Chris Negron

A fun book filled with food puns and competitive culinary skills, The Last Super Chef is a fun and fresh novel for all foodies at heart. This novel definitely left me laughing and filled in my soul.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Brad The River Has Teeth

By Erica Waters

Eerie and chilling to the bone, The River Has Teeth is a razor-sharp novel that had me devouring its secrets late into the night. Erica Waters is incredible with sinister stories, and with its unique magic, this Southern gothic tale kept me on the edge of my seat. Two girls set on their own vengeance quests will keep readers turning these pages — and looking over their shoulder for any monsters lurking in the dark.

Watch our virtual event with Erica Waters!

Recommended by Chelsea Sabriel 25th Anniversary Classic Edition

By Garth Nix

This is the book that changed the trajectory of my reading as a young reader because this was the first fantasy with a kick-butt female main character. Sabriel must venture into the Old Kingdom to find her father and confront an evil older than she imagines. Pick up this edition with original cover art; I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Recommended by Brad The Taking of Jake Livingston

By Ryan Douglass

Fans of Get Out and Sawkill Girls, prepare to meet Jake Livingston. Ryan Douglass’ debut is gritty and extremely tough to read at times, but with social issues at the forefront and a hero worth rooting for, The Taking of Jake Livingston is a deep novel that holds back no punches. Douglass takes his readers on an emotional roller coaster through these horror events — both paranormal and real-life.

Recommended by Brad These Hollow Vows

By Lexi Ryan

Are you obsessed with The Cruel Prince and A Court of Thorns and Roses like me? These Hollow Vows is another enthralling and irresistible fae story to fulfill all of our obsessions. I’m a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and when our heroine finds herself in a harrowing new world and torn between two dark princes, I knew I was going to be hooked right away. Needing more fantasy to swoon over? Look no further!

Recommended by Chelsea A Lesson in Vengeance

By Victoria Lee

A Lesson in Vengeance is a dark, ethereal thriller about the witchy history of a boarding school and one student’s return to that school after the death of her girlfriend. Full of unexpected twists and the perfect vibes, Lee’s third novel is a haunting read on the perceived consequences of magic.

Recommended by Becca She Drives Me Crazy

By Kelly Quindlen

If you have a thing for romantic tropes, look no further than this delightful queer novel which features fake-dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a little jock vs. cheerleader dynamic to boot. When 17-year-old basketball star Scottie gets into a fender bender with her nemesis, the gorgeous and cold cheerleading captain, Irene, the two are drawn together by circumstance and an ill-fated romantic revenge plot.

Spark Book Club: August Selection Down to Earth

By Betty Culley

The August Spark Book Club selection is Down to Earth by Betty Culley.

Henry is a homeschooled student who loves rocks and minerals. A meteorite falls on his family’s farm in Maine and the town’s water immediately dries up. Henry is the perfect person to investigate with the help of his best friend, his little sister, and a new scientist friend.

Science facts pepper this exciting adventure.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A captivating middle-grade novel.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A meandering, idealistic tale for budding scientists.” —Kirkus

“Heartwarming and absorbing.” —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 August Selection In the Wild Light

By Jeff Zentner

The August 2021 ParnassusNext selection is In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner.

Cash plans to spend the upcoming school year doing what he typically does: helping care for his sick Pawpaw, protecting his best friend Delaney, and fishing on the river. When he and Delaney make a scientific discovery, they suddenly find themselves in the middle of Connecticut attending a prestigious prep school. Life comes at Cash quickly, and Cash struggles to get his bearings until his English teacher has him turn to poetry to make sense of his new world.In the Wild Light is a beautiful, moving tribute to family, friends, and the natural world.If you’re near Nashville, join us for an in-store event with Jeff Zentner, in conversation with David Arnold, on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 6:30pm. Admission is free, but registration is required.Early praise for the novel:“A brilliant treasure of a book that holds up a mirror to the best parts of our humanity.” —Kirkus (starred review)“Evocative and moving, highlighting Zentner’s impressive skill with both poetry and prose.” —Publishers Weekly (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.

Well, Well, Well: It’s Time for August Staff Picks Already

All’s well that ends well, we know, it’s just that some … things … don’t seem to end. On another note, summer is absolutely zipping by, July is behind us and what that means right now is that we get to share with you what our booksellers have been reading! We’ve got 29 (twenty-nine!) great reads to keep the bad news at bay, commune with nature, tingle the spine, connect with solitude, escape into adventure — whatever your pleasure. Shall we begin? Might as well.

Recommended by Ann All’s Well: A Novel

By Mona Awad

What’s harder to deal with, the person who is never well or the person who is endlessly, manically gleeful? This is a funny and spirited riff on Shakespeare, theater, and the cult of personality. I loved Awad’s three witches.

Our First Editions Club selection for August! Scroll to the bottom to read more.

Recommended by Karen The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

By Dawnie Walton

For fans of Daisy Jones and the Six, this book may at first seem similar: A dynamic female singer joins forces with a talented musician-songwriter. Keep reading. Opal is a Black rock singer in a time when that was relatively rare and the relationship between her and Nev is complicated. This is a smart, entertaining read.

Recommended by Lindsay Intimacies: A Novel

By Katie Kitamura

If you’re wondering how many pages Katie Kitamura needs to take your breath away and reconfigure your entire brain, the answer is 225. Told in beautiful and precise language, this slim novel about a translator at the Hague is a slow burn that will stay with you long after its final page.

Recommended by Lindsay The View Was Exhausting

By Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta

If you love a fake-dating trope as much as I do, look no further than The View Was Exhausting. This debut follows what happens when a staged celebrity romance becomes a little too real. I got sucked in for the descriptions of lavish parties in Saint-Tropez, but I stayed for the compelling story about who gets to control their own narrative in the age of social media.

Recommended by Sissy Something New Under the Sun: A Novel

By Alexandra Kleeman

Protagonist Hamlin has written a book that’s being turned into a movie, and disaster ensues (on set and globally). The earth is drying up, yet the cameras keep rolling in Hollywood and people keep being terrible. Somehow, instead of remembering ANYTHING from high school or college Hamlet, I remembered every detail from the 1996 Mel Gibson movie. Anyhow, Kleeman’s dialogue is pitch perfect and she’s hilarious.

Recommended by Kathy Falling: A Novel

By T. J. Newman

Do you want to be riveted to your chair for a few hours with a non-stop suspense thriller? This is the one for summer 2021. Probably shouldn’t read it on a plane though. …

Recommended by Sissy The Final Girl Support Group

By Grady Hendrix

Grady Hendrix draws us in with his humor and terrifying scenes and pacing, but he keeps his fans loyal with the heart in every book. In this tale, a support group of mass-murder survivors (who all had their stories exploited in the movie industry) are still adrift and angry. Their struggle is far from over as they become targets of a killer yet again. I could not put it down! WHO is this killer? WHO will survive?

Watch our virtual event with Grady Hendrix and Adrienne King!

Recommended by RJ So We Meet Again: A Novel

By Suzanne Park

When Jessie Kim is blindsided by an unexpected job loss, she moves back to her parents’ house in Nashville to reevaluate her life. Re-connecting with her love of Korean cooking sends Jessie down a whirlwind path of entrepreneurial adventure, while the re-appearance of her hated childhood rival sparks an unexpected romance. This story of food, family, and high-stakes business drama is a true delight.

Watch our virtual event with Suzanne Park!

Recommended by Kathy Crooked Hallelujah

By Kelli Jo Ford

New in paperback, this novel-in-stories of four generations of Cherokee women in Oklahoma and North Texas in the ’70s calls to mind Valentine, my favorite book of 2020. I love the setting, the insightful writing and realistic characters.

Recommended by Ben Ghost Forest: A Novel

By Pik-Shuen Fung

Tender and supple, this sparse novel illuminates the complicated bonds of a family who emigrate from Hong Kong to Vancouver while the father stays behind to work, eventually falling ill. Micro-chapters of memory use white space brilliantly, breathing life into the unspoken ways relatives love and grieve when there are not enough words, not enough time.

Recommended by Sissy
The Book of Accidents: A Novel

By Chuck Wendig

This is the best Wendig yet. There are hints from his older novels everywhere, which is fun, but this work is his most heartfelt. Generational abuse and regret scar a family who moves to the country. Escaping the city may not be the answer, but they strive for a better life. Ghosts from the past threaten them immediately. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book, and was very surprised by the ending.

Recommended by Heather Palm Beach: A Novel

By Mary Adkins

Money is complicated. Adkins explores the the positives and negatives, the power and influence, and what you owe to those who have it and want to “help” you in this engaging new novel. Be careful what you wish for!

Don’t miss our virtual event with Mary Adkins, in conversation with Ophira Eisenberg!

Recommended by Patsy Waiting for the Waters to Rise

By Maryse Condé, translated by Richard Philcox

Condé interweaves the lives of Babakar, a Malian doctor living alone in Guadeloupe who undertakes care of Anaïs, an orphaned child, with those of Movar, a Haitian man, and Fouad, Palestinian, as they venture to Haiti searching for the little girl’s family. This is a timely story of the effects of colonization in the Caribbean and the search for meaning and humanity in the face of loss of loved ones and places.

Recommended by Chelsea She Who Became the Sun

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 side characters are complex, the world building is immense, and Zhu’s quest to be great is filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Recommended by Sissy Ghosts: A novel

By Dolly Alderton

Anyone who enjoyed Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason will enjoy this smart novel. It starts out hysterical, then mellows after a few pages into a story about growing up and loss. I loved her theme of ghosts crowding around us throughout our lives. Beautifully done.

Recommended by Becca Survive the Night: A Novel

By Riley Sager

I will gladly read anything that Riley Sager writes, and Survive the Night might be my favorite Sager book yet. It’s terrifying and campy, and twisty enough to keep me guessing the entire way through. This book has a serial killer, murderous roadside diner staff, and just enough campy ’90s references to make it feel like a classic horror film.

Recommended by Marcia Such a Quiet Place: A Novel

By Megan Miranda

The perfect slow burn of a summer murder mystery kept me eagerly turning the pages until the end that I did NOT expect! Read it at the beach or curled up on your couch — it will make you look at your neighbors twice!

NONFICTIONRecommended by Karen Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship

By Catherine Raven

A Park Ranger living in solitude in the Montana wilderness crosses the bridge someone with a Ph.D. in biology is not supposed to, by becoming close to a fox living on her land. Daily at 4:15 the fox shows up and Raven makes sure she is there to greet him. This is a lovely book that makes us look closely at our relationship with nature.

Recommended by Lindsay Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness

By Kristen Radtke

Like many other people, I’ve spent the last year questioning how we differentiate between loneliness and aloneness. Kristen Radtke’s Seek You is a gorgeous fully illustrated meditation on the often stigmatized epidemic of loneliness and an investigation into how we form bonds with others. I’m so grateful that this book exists.

Recommended by Steve Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor

By Anna Qu

At its center Made in China is a deeply, often painfully personal story about family, upward mobility, and the thin line between a harsh upbringing and an abusive one. There are no easy answers here. I admire the detail, the patient and vulnerable way Qu trawls her memory; as she puts it, “It was terrible and surprising how things turned out.” Understated and extraordinary.

Recommended by Becca The Way She Feels: My Life on the Borderline in Pictures and Pieces

By Courtney Cook

In this graphic memoir, Courtney Cook writes about Borderline Personality Disorder the same way that it feels. It’s painful, awkward, hilarious, smart and heartbreaking. Though the content may be triggering, I think this is a must-read for anyone suffering from BPD, or anyone looking to understand one person’s lived experience with this debilitating disorder that affects 1.4 percent of the adult U.S. population.

Recommended by Elyse Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light: Essays

By Helen Ellis

A collection of funny, touching essays for women of a certain age. In your face realities of getting older, fierce friendships, along with the gift of laughter make this book one of my favorites to pick up and read over and over again!

Recommended by Madeline Stray: A Memoir

By Stephanie Danler

With elegant prose and heart-wrenching tales, this autobiography called many of my own California childhood memories to mind. Danler illuminates the tragedies of an L.A. life, the defiant beauty of family, and what true determination looks like as a daughter.

Watch our virtual event with Stephanie Danler!

Recommended by Ben Conquering Jerusalem

By Stephen Dando-Collins

Dando-Collins chronicles the First Jewish Revolt (66-73 AD) with impressive detail and a fast-paced narrative. I learned so much — for instance, Roman commander Titus did not intend for the Second Temple to be destroyed. Both sides were brave and brutal, showing fortitude and folly, and while the moral high ground is murky, the consequences of these pivotal few years still reverberate to this day.

Recommended by Hannah Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering

By Scott A. Small

Who among us hasn’t lamented over lost or fuzzy memories? Small has devoted his medical career to understanding how and why our brains forget what they do, and he relays his surprisingly beneficial findings in this fascinating new book.

Recommended by Jordan Don’t Let It Get You Down: Essays on Race, Gender, and the Body

By Savala Nolan

Nolan’s powerful essay collection focuses on the intersections of being a big-bodied mixed-race Black woman. Humorous, thoughtful, and complex, this memoir is a perfect summer read for fans of Roxane Gay and Samantha Irby.

Recommended by Heather The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation

By Anna Malaika Tubbs

Tubbs chronicles the lives and influences of Louise Little, Alberta King and Berdis Baldwin on their famous sons: Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Baldwin. This book weaves world events with political and black history to give the reader a sense of the sources of strength these women drew upon and passed along to their sons. What a gift! It is important, riveting, heartbreaking and breathtaking.

Recommended by Becca Pretty Boys: Legendary Icons Who Redefined Beauty (and How to Glow Up, Too)

By David Yi & Paul Tuller

Pretty Boys is combination history book and self-help guide that explores the history of beautiful men, from fashion movements to cultural icons, ranging from to Lord Byron to Frank Ocean. The book is gorgeous, with bright illustrations and sophisticated typographic treatments throughout, and an eye-catching reflective mirror set into the cover. An excellent gift pick for yourself or your most beautiful friend!

POETRYRecommended by Hannah Goldenrod: Poems

By Maggie Smith

Deeply honest and wholly accessible, Smith’s newest poetry collection turns the happenings of everyday life into art. Using deeply resonant images, she grapples with parenting in a pandemic, the current sociopolitical climate, and the many complicated feelings entangled in aging, divorce, solitude, and hope.

First Editions Club: August Selection All’s Well: A Novel

By Mona Awad

Dear Friends,

Let me tell you upfront: this novel is a little unhinged. But, it’s 2021, and I think it’s safe to say that we all feel a little unhinged.

All’s Well tells the story of stage-actress-turned-college-professor Miranda Fitch, who really isn’t feeling great these days. While her life, career, and relationships all fall apart around her, Miranda just wants to stage a production of Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. There are only a few hitches: her company of undergrads have threatened to mutiny against her, she’s in chronic pain that renders her unable to move most of the time, and there’s a surreal trio of men who promise that they can make all these problems go away. What follows is a story that is hilarious, unsettling, and brimming with empathy.

So, if after the last few years, you’re feeling a bit off, kind of weird, maybe even unstable, I hope you’ll find some happy company with the strange cast of characters in All’s Well. I know 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: Meet New Parnassus Shop Dog Marlee

Working for a living: Marlee

We, the Shop Dogs of Parnassus, have been busy. The store was closed for a while, and then the store opened up again. That was exciting. Stalwart dog employees moved away, young pups came in. You can’t just walk out on the floor and call yourself a shop dog the first day on the job. It’s not all biscuits and tummy rubs around here (although, to be fair, it’s mostly biscuits and tummy rubs). This is a career, friends. To be a Shop Dog requires a level of excellence few average dogs could dream of attaining. So after a long period of internship, it’s time to introduce you to the newer members of our team.

We’ll start with Marlee.

Marlee is a border collie. Her ancestors herded sheep for a living. Because Marlee lives in the city and there are no sheep, she sells books with us. Sometimes she sees us as sheep, and we don’t tell her the difference. Old habits die hard. Marlee is a very smart dog, but she tries not to lord it over us. She went to school and got a license to be a therapy dog, which means that while the rest of us have to wait in the car while our shop people go to the grocery store after work, Marlee gets to go into Kroger with Heather. The nice woman at Starbucks gives her something called a Frozen Puppocino in a to-go cup. We hardly think this is fair.

Hoop dreams: the only way out is through!

Marlee also knows how to jump through a Hula-Hoop. Hula-Hoop, Hula-Hoop, Hula- Hoop. We never hear the end of it. Of course we know how to jump through Hula-Hoops as well. We just don’t feel like it. Go to the back office and ask Marlee to jump through a Hula-Hoop. She feels like doing it all the time. She also can do synchronized dancing, which we could do too, if we felt like it, which we don’t. Marlee also chases her own shadow. Frankly, we wouldn’t be caught dead chasing our shadows.

Marlee was born deaf. It turns out it’s a fabulous quality in a Shop Dog, because while the rest of us are driven witless by the sound of the approaching UPS truck — yeah, we’re looking at you, Charles — Marlee sleeps right through it: the arrival, the unloading, the departure, the entire thing. You’d need a piece of bacon to wake her up. I guess all that Hula-Hoop jumping and synchronized dances wears a gal out after a while.

While the Shop Dogs as a group are still in full debate as to whether not the Summer Olympics should be held in Tokyo, Marlee is unequivocally in favor of the games proceeding. That’s because she’s in love with Simone Biles. She wants to be Simone Biles’ dog. She thinks they could do a magnificent floor exercise together.

Marlee doesn’t kick back very often, but when she does, here are some of the titles she recommends:

G.O.A.T. – Simone Biles, 3: Making the Case for the Greatest of All Time

By Susan Blackaby

Speaking of Simone Biles, there’s a case to be made (in this book) that she is the GOAT. (Not a dog, but that’s OK.)

The Queen’s Gambit: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

By Walter Tevis

She watched the Netflix series, sure, but she’s more interested in chess than in the clothes.

Dogs at Work: Good Dogs. Real Jobs.

By Margaret Cardillo & Zachariah OHora (Illustrator)

The title pretty much says it all here, right?

Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog

By Lisa Papp

Marlee loves this story of a fellow therapy dog but thinks you’ll like it even if you’re not one like her.

Book I Love: Kate DiCamillo on Lorrie Moore’s Birds of America

Here I am holding Lorrie Moore’s Birds of America. Reading this book is like jumping into a cold pond on a hot day. These stories wake you up. The beautiful shock of them might make you laugh, or cry, or laugh and cry at the same time. —Kate DiCamillo

Friendly Adventures: 16 Shop Dog-Approved New Books for the Young and Young at Heart

If there’s a theme connecting this month’s picks for young readers, it might be friendship — a moth and a butterfly, a racoon and a seed, kids growing up and trying to figure out how to be in the world. And of course, shop dogs. Books can be like friends, too. They tell you stories, help you pass the time and are always there for you when you need them. If you’re looking to make some new book friends or just want some new reading adventures, we’ve got a few great ones to keep your summer reading going strong.

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann
Moth & Butterfly: Ta Da!

By Dev Petty & Ana Aranda

Two caterpillar friends emerge from their cocoons and so much has changed! Butterfly flies during the day and moth at night. But one thing stays the same in this beautifully illustrated picture book, their friendship.

Watch our virtual event with the author and illustrator!

Recommended by RJ Faraway Things

By Dave Eggers & Kelly Murphy

A wonderfully told story full of fantastic vocabulary and subtle emotion is balanced by beautiful illustrations. When Lucian finds a lost cutlass on the beach, it instantly becomes his most prized possession, but as his story unfolds he discovers something that’s worth treasuring even more.

Recommended by Chelsea We Are All Under One Wide Sky

By Deborah Wiles & Andrea Stegmaier

A beautiful counting book that takes readers on a worldwide journey while reminding us just how much we have in common.

Recommended by Becca Are You a Cheeseburger?

By Monica Arnaldo

A lonely raccoon named Grub tends to a mystery seed that he found in the trash. Grub and Seed daydream about what kind of plant Seed might grow up to be. In the end, Grub discovers that there are other things in life (like friendship and beautiful flowers) that are at least as important as cheeseburgers. Monica Arnaldo’s lush and emotive illustrations make the story feel more like a short animation than a book.

Recommended by Becca Don’t Hug Doug: (He Doesn’t Like It)

By Carrie Finison & Daniel Wiseman

Boundaries and consent are worth teaching at any age. Luckily, Doug and his friends and family have it figured out. This funny and kindly honest book teaches us that it is OK to not want to be hugged. Or to only want to be hugged sometimes. The important thing is to remember to always ask!

Recommended by Shop Dog Marlee
Dogs at Work: Good Dogs. Real Jobs.

By Margaret Cardillo & Zachariah OHora

Good dogs work! I work. I love work. Busy all the time. My folks were herders and kept all the sheep in line. I keep all the staff and customers in line at Parnassus. They wander and I have to bring them back — and jump through hoops and shake hands and read with the children. Children should read this book. Sit! Read! Love dogs!

Want to hear more from the canine workers of Parnassus? Check out the Shop Dog Diaries!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by RJ Both Can Be True

By Jules Machias

Both Can Be True is a tender and emotionally complex story of two kids teaming up to (successfully) save an aging Pomeranian from being euthanized. Ash’s gender identity changes, and they struggle to fit into the boxes society wants to put them in. Daniel has emotions that often overwhelm him. Together they explore all the messy feelings that come with family, friendship, first love, and young queer identity.

Recommended by Chelsea Almost Flying

By Jake Maia Arlow

Dalia’s life has been too much like a roller coaster recently: Her dad is remarrying; she needs a new best friend; and she’s dealing with her first ever crush. A road trip with her soon-to-be stepsister gives her the chance to ride roller coasters for the first time ever, and Dalia realizes this trip may just help sort everything out. This tender coming-of-age story is perfect for middle schoolers.

Recommended by Brad His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass Illustrated Edition

By Philip Pullman & Chris Wormell

One of the most iconic, timeless fantasy stories of our time comes to life in a new way with Chris Wormell’s gorgeous illustrations. This new edition of The Golden Compass makes it the perfect read-aloud story, or a beautiful, collectible treasure for your shelf.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by RJ Rise to the Sun

By Leah Johnson

When Olivia and Toni cross paths at the Farmland Music and Arts Festival, they have no idea how much one weekend of music, competition and emotion can change their lives. Leah Johnson follows up her smash hit You Should See Me in a Crown with another fabulous novel full of deep emotions and dazzling romance.

Recommended by Chelsea Blackout

By Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk & Nicola Yoon

The queens of young adult fiction are here with the must-read book of the summer. These interconnecting stories of love found during a blackout in New York City are irresistible, and you’ll turn the page again and again to read just one more story.

Recommended by Brad Sisters of the Snake

By Sasha Nanua

Fans of Children of Blood and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes, rejoice: You’ve found your newest obsession. With an incredibly fascinating magic system, exceptional world-building, and twists and turns lurking around every corner, Sisters of the Snake had me devouring every page. Forgotten magic, hidden sisters, and ancient prophecies make this story impossible to put down.

Recommended by Chelsea This Poison Heart

By Kalynn Bayron

Briseis has the chance to truly explore her magical gift when she inherits a crumbling estate from her aunt. When her family moves, the town proves to have more secrets than answers. Perfect for fans of Lore and Legendborn, this mythology-influenced tale is intriguing and well-paced.

Recommended by Brad Six Crimson Cranes

By Elizabeth Lim

An exiled princess, a deathly curse, dragons and magic come together to make Six Crimson Cranes a breathtaking fantasy that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Elizabeth Lim’s world-building is lush and dreamy, and Shiori and her brothers are simply wonderful. If you love fantasy and books that feel like a fairy tale, I dare you to pick up Six Crimson Cranes and try to set it down — prepare to be addicted.

Recommended by Chelsea Eat Your Heart Out

By Kelly deVos

I have to admit that I picked up this book solely based on the cover, and the action story inside did not disappoint. A once-in-a-century blizzard is hard to enough to survive, but six teens discover that new diet bars have turned their peers into fast, strong zombies. I especially loved that we get to know the characters through the alternating perspectives.

Spark Book Club: July Selection Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom

By Sangu Mandanna

Kiki draws in her sketchbook when she’s anxious, but she never expected her drawings to show up in her bedroom, fully alive. When they take her back to the kingdom she created, she must find an evil god and keep her real world safe from destruction. Indian mythology leaps from the page in this first book of a new fantasy series.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“Mandanna has created an engaging fantastical story that will strongly appeal to readers of Rick Riordan, Roshani Chokshi, and Sayantani DasGupta.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Sangu Mandanna brings the reader to magical Mysore, India through the eyes of young Kiki, a relatable character trying to save both herself and the fantasy world she finds herself in. Mandanna weaves the healing power of art and imagination into this unique and fascinating adventure!” —Veera Hiranandani, author of the Newbery Honor Book The Night Diary

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 July Selection When We Were Strangers

By Alex Richards

After Evie Parker’s father dies suddenly, she goes home to find his bags packed to move out. To hide this from her mother, Evie unpacks everything, pretending things are normal. Until they find out her dad had a girlfriend, and she’s pregnant. A new crush and a summer photography class is the perfect cover for stalking her dad’s girlfriend, until Evie starts to doubt her plan and whether keeping her dad’s secret from her mom is healthy.

Humor combined with an exploration of grief permeates this story of how far one should go in the name of family and forgiveness.

Early praise for the novel:

“A moving portrayal of grief, family, and the complexity of different perspectives.” —Kirkus (starred review)

“Absorbing contemporary novel . . . Dynamic characters . . . add brightness to this introspective story of changing emotions and a softening heart.” —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.

It’s Brutal Out There: 24 Page-Turning Reads for July

We’re not really sure what to say besides it is simply too hot to do anything but read. Running? Going outside? Moving one’s corporeal form around in just about any manner? Pretty much out of the question. (We don’t make the rules.) Reading books, however, is a way to keep your mind active without generating unnecessary heat. Not to mention the cooling effect as you turn page after page! We rest our case, along with the rest of our weary, wilted selves. Here’s what we’ve been into this month…

FICTIONRecommended by Lindsay Filthy Animals

By Brandon Taylor

For any readers out there who are on the fence about picking up a story collection: Take a chance on Filthy Animals. Brandon Taylor is one of those writers who is so good, I’m honestly angry at him. How dare these stories be so beautifully wrought, so intimate, so compelling. I’m so irate I’ll probably keep re-reading it until Brandon comes out with another book.

Recommended by Steve Parable of the Sower

By Octavia E. Butler

I finally got around to reading Parable of the Sower recently, and not only does it live up to the hype — it’s truly a transcendent work — it felt uncomfortably plausible. If you’ve been meaning to pick up this classic, there’s no better month: The story begins on July 20, 2024.

Also available as a graphic novel adaptation!

Recommended by Chelsea Razorblade Tears: A Novel

By S. A. Cosby

Two fathers are drawn together in their shared fight to find out what really happened to their sons. Cosby manages to exquisitely write two anti-heroes that you will root for from page one and miss immediately after you finish the book.

Recommended by Elyse Animal: A Novel

By Lisa Taddeo

Lisa Taddeo has a voice that won’t be denied. In Animal, the more uncomfortable or taboo the act or the situation, the more openly and unashamedly she presents it. Joan, a young woman who has experienced significant trauma, heads out on a journey across the country to find the one person who might be able to shed light on her past. Not an easy read but, in my opinion, well worth the time.

Check out our virtual event with Lisa Taddeo!

Recommended by Kathy The Sweetness of Water: A Novel

By Nathan Harris

Yes, I know it’s our First Editions Club pick; I know it’s the Oprah pick. But is it good despite all the hype? I’m here to tell ya, it’s great! Be patient (30 pages patient) and you will be rewarded with a compelling, unforgettable novel. I loved this one.

See below for more information about our First Editions Club!

Recommended by Heather Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead: A Novel

By Emily Austin

This book is just so funny. As one who has hidden certain facets of her life and personality in a desperate attempt to fit in, I can identify. The Catholic Church of my youth never brought me so much laughter.

Recommended by Rae Ann
The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

By Kristin Harmel

A woman stolen from her parents at birth has lived most of her life in the forest. She encounters a band of Jewish refugees as WWII erupts around them. Both rely on the skills of the other in this story of survival based on true events.

Recommended by Hannah For the Wolf (The Wilderwood #1)

By Hannah Whitten

Little Red Riding Hood meets Beauty and the Beast in this richly atmospheric fantasy debut! It has it all: beautiful prose, careful folkloric world-building, delicious dual-perspective irony, slow-burn romance… Even if you’re like me and don’t typically read fantasy, this novel is not one to miss. (And I promise the author and I sharing a first name is purely coincidental!)

Recommended by Becca The Woman in the Purple Skirt: A Novel

By Natsuko Imamura, translated by Lucy North

This voyeuristic short novel is sparse and suspenseful. It reads like a sophisticated episode of Black Mirror. If you are looking for a book that you will devour in a single sitting and then think about forever, look no further than The Woman in the Purple Skirt.

Recommended by Heather Hairpin Bridge: A Novel

By Taylor Adams

This is the perfect summer read. Engaging, consuming, can’t-put-it-down mystery. I so understand the need to get to the bottom of something, to understand what happened, and thinking that you know someone and what they would do — and wow. Just wow. Did not see this coming.

Recommended by Heather In the Heights: Finding Home

By Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes & Jeremy McCarter

As we search for ourselves, our place, and our people in a world that’s gone way past broken, In the Heights demonstrates how we create the home and family we need. A celebration of music, dance, love and family.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Karen The Hero’s Way: Walking with Garibaldi from Rome to Ravenna

By Tim Parks

Tim Parks is an Englishman who has lived and written about Italy for years. In this book he and his wife, Eleonora, hike the 250-mile route that Giuseppe Garibaldi took in his retreat from Rome in 1849. I love a book that allows you to take a vacation vicariously and this one has the added benefit of teaching you a fascinating piece of the puzzle that led to the unification of Italy.

Recommended by Sarah The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America

By Carol Anderson

“To be clear, this is not a pro-gun or anti-gun book. Guns are not the key variable here. It’s Black people.” Dr. Anderson presents illuminating and compelling evidence for the intersection of race, guns, violence and systemic oppression. Continue your anti-racism education by picking up this book by a renowned historian and educator.

Recommended by Sissy Kin: A Memoir

By Shawna Kay Rodenberg

An adolescent is pulled between worlds — poor and poorer, secular and spiritual, generous and withholding. Every second of this rural Kentucky memoir is almost too tense to bear. Not only is Rodenberg forced to witness and participate in adult situations at a very young age, but the adults in her life are often as confused as children themselves. How does one learn, or even survive?

Recommended by Chelsea Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance

By Jessamyn Stanley

I’ve been a Jessamyn Stanley fan for a long time; I was in the audience at her event here at Parnassus for Every Body Yoga. This collection of essays explores not only our relationship with yoga but wrestles with big questions about cultural appropriation, racism and materialism. Jessamyn’s way with words made each essay memorable and thought-provoking.

Recommended by Sissy Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story

By Julie Rodgers

This is required reading for all ex-vangelicals. Rodgers’s journey through the Christian gay conversion therapy world is so painful, yet her growth is so beautiful and wise.

Recommended by Sidney Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood

By Cheryl Diamond

When I saw this book being compared to Tara Westover’s Educated, I knew this coming-of-age memoir would be right up my alley. Cheryl Diamond describes her exceedingly unstable childhood with vivid memories of growing up as an outlaw — having lived six (yes, six) different lives by the time she was nine years old. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, Nowhere Girl tells the story of an unthinkable adolescence.

Recommended by Sissy The Cruelty Is the Point: The Past, Present, and Future of Trump’s America

By Adam Serwer

I’ve followed Serwer’s articles in the Atlantic for several years. In this collection of his most moving pieces, he’s added a short introduction to each one with new insights and background. Bonus: Kevin Kruse blurbed it.

Recommended by Ben
Shearwater: A Bird, an Ocean, and a Long Way Home

By Roger Morgan-Grenville

Mingling nature writing with memoir, Morgan-Grenville spends a year following the fascinating Manx shearwater around the world. Fulfilling a lifelong quest, he goes from the Scottish coast to the wilds of Argentina to the edge of Ireland as the bird embarks on its own astounding journey. Lively, humble, and well-researched, it’s perfect for readers of Helen MacDonald and Marc Hamer.

Recommended by Ben The Passenger: How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship

By Chaney Kwak

On assignment aboard the cruise ship Viking Sky in 2019 when its engines failed in a cyclone and it drifted perilously close to Norway’s coast, Kwak finds his adventure beginning even as his story sinks. Droll and sympathetic to below-deck staff, rescue crews and fellow passengers, he flashes from the predicament at sea to the disintegrating relationship with his long-time partner back on dry land.

Recommended by Patsy Letters to Camondo

By Edmund de Waal

I adored this book! In 58 imaginary letters to Moïse de Camondo, the author recounts the history of this art collector friend of his great-great grandfather’s cousin, neighbors and members of the Jewish diaspora who both arrived Paris in 1869. If you are dreaming of a trip to Paris, are in search of a fresh perspective and appreciated books like The Hare with the Amber Eyes and A Gentleman in Moscow, this book is for you.

Recommended by Sissy Books Promiscuously Read: Reading as a Way of Life

By Heather Cass White

I do not write. I just read. I often forget that not every person is a reading-obsessed nerd. This book put into words what I’ve never been able to: Reading takes a mind to another place in both literal and figurative ways. I particularly loved the quotes from my favorite authors about how reading transformed their worlds.

Recommended by AndyWaves and Beaches: The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast

By Kim McCoy & Willard Bascom

Patagonia has reissued the classic Waves and Beaches in a beautifully illustrated edition. Originally published in 1964 (I bought my first copy in 1968), it has been updated to include new information about the effects of global warming on our coastlines. It is essential reading for surfers, sailors, oceanographers, climate activists and all those fascinated by the struggle for supremacy between the land and the sea.

POETRYRecommended by Ben Worldly Things

By Michael Kleber-Diggs

Conversational and neighborly, with empathy and without pretension, Kleber-Diggs threads the everyday with the expansive. These poems are about many things: the ghost of his father; racism in our nation; his experience as a Black son, husband, dad, citizen. Page after page, he shows how despite the sufferings and misunderstandings we all wade through, there exists connection, luminosity, joy.

First Editions Club: July Selection The Sweetness of Water: A Novel

By Nathan Harris

Dear Friends,

I have a confession to make: I haven’t always been an avid reader of historical fiction. For a long time, the genre brought to mind stories that have been told so many times they begin to feel completely divorced from our current reality.

But something interesting is happening — more and more, I see debuts in historical fiction that can take whatever preconceived notion I have of the past, flip it on its head, and make me reconsider everything I know about the present. The Sweetness of Water is a perfect example. With this novel, Nathan Harris is redefining historical fiction, digging into the facets of life in the post-Civil War South that we haven’t seen in films and history books. The Sweetness of Water shows us the interior lives of the freed Black men who remained in the South, the women who restructured their lives while their husbands and sons went to war, and the white men who needed to reckon with the atrocities they committed.

The Sweetness of Water breathes so much life into these narratives. This is a necessary novel, and one I look forward to becoming a classic in the coming years.

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.

31 Flavors of Summer Reading: Classics and Beyond

Bookseller Madeline catches some rays while catching up on some reading.

Summer reading can mean many things to many people, and “beach read” is often a default this time of year. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a good beach read, no matter how you define it — but even while we can finally start to move around a bit more, let’s face it — not all of us are headed to a beach. Pool, maybe. Front porch, hopefully. Any place with a comfortable chair and some uninterrupted reading time? Most definitely. For this summer reading list, we asked our booksellers to think not only of summery (again, loosely defined) recent releases but also those big classics that loom large and, given some time, you might finally get around to opening up again. Or for the first time. Hope you enjoy.

Recommended by Ann My Year Abroad: A Novel

By Chang-rae Lee

What I want for summer reading is a book I can’t put down and keep rushing back to. This shaggy tale of great adventure was exactly that. And it is brilliantly written, which is always a plus.

Recommended by Ann Endless Love: A Novel

By Scott Spencer

Sex, obsession, true love, bad choices, great writing, this book has it all. Forget that bad Brooke Shields movie. No, wait, you’ve already forgotten that.

Recommended by Karen Florence Adler Swims Forever: A Novel

By Rachel Beanland

Set in Atlantic City in the summer of 1934, this is a family drama, both touching and humorous.

Recommended by Lindsay The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

I love a good bit of celebrity gossip as much as the next person, but I can’t count the number of times I’ve misjudged or been wrong about the private lives of celebrities — which is why I loved this book so much. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a fun read that will challenge your expectations at every turn.

Recommended by Sissy The Assistants

By Camille Perri

Girls in the city steal a great deal of money by accident. Hilarity ensues.

Recommended by Brad The Song of Achilles: A Novel

By Madeline Miller

You’ve probably seen it everywhere lately. In this epic tale of glory, love, betrayal, and sacrifice, Achilles and his companion Patroclus take center stage as Madeline Miller dives deep into the text of The Iliad to explore how far the bounds of unconditional love truly extend. With a rich narrative, scenes that didn’t hesitate to rip my heart out, and characters that have stayed with me long after turning the final page, this is easily my favorite novel. Ever.

Recommended by Elyse Nothing to See Here

By Kevin Wilson

College friends, kids who spontaneously combust when upset, friendship, loyalty, trust. This book has it all.

Recommended by Hannah East of Eden

By John Steinbeck

My favorite classic of all time! Rich in detail, sweeping in scope, and breathtakingly masterful, Steinbeck’s ambitious novel exploring love, loss, and family is worth the read. These are characters you’ll never forget.

Recommended by Ben Collected Fictions

By Jorge Luis Borges

This collection of short stories is perhaps the best introduction to one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century — surreal, literary, and imaginative. Borges’s towering ability to blend magical realism, philosophy, myth and cultural commentary with surprising twist endings is on full display in this fantastic tome.

Recommended by Chelsea
Station Eleven

By Emily St. John Mandel

When people ask about my favorite book, I press this book into their hands. Read it. It’s a masterpiece.

HISTORICAL FICTIONRecommended by Rae Ann
The Secret Life of Violet Grant (The Schuler Sisters Novels #1)

By Beatriz Williams

A woman receives a mysterious suitcase that belonged to her great-aunt, her family’s big secret. This compelling story moves between 1960s New York and WWII Europe, full of intrigue and romance. If this sounds like your perfect summer read, good news: It’s the first in a trilogy!

Recommended by Kathy The Rose Code: A Novel

By Kate Quinn

If you want a long book to lose yourself in this summer, this suspense-filled read fits the bill! Three young female code-breakers in WWII must root out the traitor among their group who is still on the loose and could cause irreparable harm to post-war Britain. I love this book!

Recommended by Rae Ann
Wild Women and the Blues: A Fascinating and Innovative Novel of Historical Fiction

By Denny S. Bryce

Ambition in Jazz-Age Chicago’s glitzy nightlife alternates with a modern-day filmmaker trying to solve the secrets of the past in this fascinating novel.

Recommended by Rae Ann
Life After Life: A Novel

By Kate Atkinson

A woman born in 1910 dies repeatedly, before being reborn over and over. Each time she learns and grows as her life path changes and the world marches into WWII. An utterly unique and fascinating novel.

ROMANCERecommended by Chelsea Get a Life, Chloe Brown: A Novel (The Brown Sisters #1)

By Talia Hibbert

The book that made me fall in love with a whole genre I hadn’t seriously read before.

Recommended by Brad Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel

By Casey McQuiston

If you’re looking for the perfect feel-good novel of the summer, you’ve hit the jackpot. Sworn enemies Alex (First Son of the United States) and Prince Henry of England must enter into a fake friendship to save political alliances between their respective countries … but falling in love was never part of that plan. Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall in love over and over again.

Recommended by Hannah People We Meet on Vacation

By Emily Henry

Raise your hand if you miss traveling … yeah, me too. Emily Henry’s sophomore novel is whimsical and funny — the perfect summertime escape!

MYSTERYRecommended by Lindsay The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

By Stuart Turton

A whodunnit with a surreal twist! Every day our narrator wakes up in a different body belonging to someone at an ill-fated party where Evelyn Hardcastle gets murdered every night until the mystery of her death is solved. If you ever wanted the show Russian Doll to have a baby with the film Gosford Park, this is for you.

Recommended by Sissy My Best Friend’s Exorcism: A Novel

By Grady Hendrix

I’ve always spent summers in Charleston SC, and this ’80s scary romp is right on.

Recommended by Sissy The Stone Girl: A Novel

By Dirk Wittenborn

A girl-power thriller set in the Adirondack wilderness. The setting is so real it will cool you off instantly! (Paperback coming July 13, if you can wait!)

Recommended by Chelsea The Likeness: A Novel (Dublin Murder Squad #2)

By Tana French

A character-driven psychological thriller that captures you from the first page.

Recommended by Sissy Pretty Things: A Novel

By Janelle Brown

Who is the real con artist here? This smart thriller will keep you up all night.

Recommended by Sissy The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel

By Grady Hendrix

Charleston, SC again. Grady has written a scary yet touching tribute to his badass mother. A must read for all tough moms!

NONFICTIONRecommended by Ann In Cold Blood (Vintage International)

By Truman Capote

Do you like true crime? Guess what? Truman Capote invented the genre. No one did it better.

Recommended by Andy Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

By William Finnegan

Finnegan, a political writer for the New Yorker, turns his sights on the sport of surfing. This Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir chronicles the authors life long obsession as he travels the world looking for that elusive “perfect wave.”

Recommended by Steve The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

By Michelle Alexander

Remember the “summer of reckoning” that came and went last year? Michelle Alexander’s treatise on the racist underpinnings of prisons and overpolicing was already a decade old at the time. Now, as then, it’s only a start, but sadly feels as urgent as ever.

Recommended by Sissy Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays

By R. Eric Thomas

Truly there is no funnier man on earth! You’ll fall in love with R. Eric.

Recommended by Ben Travels with Charley in Search of America

By John Steinbeck

In this timeless travelogue, Steinbeck sets out on the road with his French poodle, Charley, to authentically experience the country he’s written about for decades. His conversations with strangers and musings on place highlight the loneliness and kindness at the heart of our national character.

Recommended by Ben Desert Solitaire

By Edward Abbey

Once dubbed the “Thoreau of the American West” by Larry McMurtry, Abbey recounts summers spent as the lone ranger of what is now Arches National Park, praising the necessity and beauty of nature while lamenting civilization’s disconnect from wilderness. Tuck this one in your backpack so you can read it while on a summer road trip out west!

YARecommended by Brad Lovely War

By Julie Berry

Set during the days of World Wars I and II and narrated by a host of Greek gods, Lovely War is the perfect choice for those looking to add a stellar historical fiction to the top of their to-be-read pile. With incredible relationships, tense and haunting scenes, and a narrative fit for the goddess of love herself, Lovely War is unforgettable.

Recommended by Brad Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1)

By Neal Shusterman

In Neal Shusterman’s masterful dystopia, two teens living in a perfect world learn that great power comes with even greater consequences. Shusterman’s commentary on society, class, and power is incredibly thought-provoking and makes for a nail-biting and thrilling story.

Summer Reading 2021

Bookseller Madeline catches some rays while catching up on some reading.

Summer reading can mean many things to many people, and “beach read” is often a default this time of year. Now, there’s nothing wrong with a good beach read, no matter how you define it — but even while we can finally start to move around a bit more, let’s face it — not all of us are headed to a beach. Pool, maybe. Front porch, hopefully. Any place with a comfortable chair and some uninterrupted reading time? Most definitely. For this summer reading list, we asked our booksellers to think not only of summery (again, loosely defined) recent releases but also those big classics that loom large and, given some time, you might finally get around to opening up again. Or for the first time. Hope you enjoy.

Recommended by Ann My Year Abroad: A Novel

By Chang-rae Lee

What I want for summer reading is a book I can’t put down and keep rushing back to. This shaggy tale of great adventure was exactly that. And it is brilliantly written, which is always a plus.

Recommended by Ann Endless Love: A Novel

By Scott Spencer

Sex, obsession, true love, bad choices, great writing, this book has it all. Forget that bad Brooke Shields movie. No, wait, you’ve already forgotten that.

Recommended by Karen Florence Adler Swims Forever: A Novel

By Rachel Beanland

Set in Atlantic City in the summer of 1934, this is a family drama, both touching and humorous.

Recommended by Lindsay The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

I love a good bit of celebrity gossip as much as the next person, but I can’t count the number of times I’ve misjudged or been wrong about the private lives of celebrities — which is why I loved this book so much. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a fun read that will challenge your expectations at every turn.

Recommended by Sissy The Assistants

By Camille Perri

Girls in the city steal a great deal of money by accident. Hilarity ensues.

Recommended by Brad The Song of Achilles: A Novel

By Madeline Miller

You’ve probably seen it everywhere lately. In this epic tale of glory, love, betrayal, and sacrifice, Achilles and his companion Patroclus take center stage as Madeline Miller dives deep into the text of The Iliad to explore how far the bounds of unconditional love truly extend. With a rich narrative, scenes that didn’t hesitate to rip my heart out, and characters that have stayed with me long after turning the final page, this is easily my favorite novel. Ever.

Recommended by Elyse Nothing to See Here

By Kevin Wilson

College friends, kids who spontaneously combust when upset, friendship, loyalty, trust. This book has it all.

Recommended by Hannah East of Eden

By John Steinbeck

My favorite classic of all time! Rich in detail, sweeping in scope, and breathtakingly masterful, Steinbeck’s ambitious novel exploring love, loss, and family is worth the read. These are characters you’ll never forget.

Recommended by Ben Collected Fictions

By Jorge Luis Borges

This collection of short stories is perhaps the best introduction to one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century — surreal, literary, and imaginative. Borges’s towering ability to blend magical realism, philosophy, myth and cultural commentary with surprising twist endings is on full display in this fantastic tome.

Recommended by Chelsea
Station Eleven

By Emily St. John Mandel

When people ask about my favorite book, I press this book into their hands. Read it. It’s a masterpiece.

HISTORICAL FICTIONRecommended by Rae Ann
The Secret Life of Violet Grant (The Schuler Sisters Novels #1)

By Beatriz Williams

A woman receives a mysterious suitcase that belonged to her great-aunt, her family’s big secret. This compelling story moves between 1960s New York and WWII Europe, full of intrigue and romance. If this sounds like your perfect summer read, good news: It’s the first in a trilogy!

Recommended by Kathy The Rose Code: A Novel

By Kate Quinn

If you want a long book to lose yourself in this summer, this suspense-filled read fits the bill! Three young female code-breakers in WWII must root out the traitor among their group who is still on the loose and could cause irreparable harm to post-war Britain. I love this book!

Recommended by Rae Ann
Wild Women and the Blues: A Fascinating and Innovative Novel of Historical Fiction

By Denny S. Bryce

Ambition in Jazz-Age Chicago’s glitzy nightlife alternates with a modern-day filmmaker trying to solve the secrets of the past in this fascinating novel.

Recommended by Rae Ann
Life After Life: A Novel

By Kate Atkinson

A woman born in 1910 dies repeatedly, before being reborn over and over. Each time she learns and grows as her life path changes and the world marches into WWII. An utterly unique and fascinating novel.

ROMANCERecommended by Chelsea Get a Life, Chloe Brown: A Novel (The Brown Sisters #1)

By Talia Hibbert

The book that made me fall in love with a whole genre I hadn’t seriously read before.

Recommended by Brad Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel

By Casey McQuiston

If you’re looking for the perfect feel-good novel of the summer, you’ve hit the jackpot. Sworn enemies Alex (First Son of the United States) and Prince Henry of England must enter into a fake friendship to save political alliances between their respective countries … but falling in love was never part of that plan. Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall in love over and over again.

Recommended by Hannah People We Meet on Vacation

By Emily Henry

Raise your hand if you miss traveling … yeah, me too. Emily Henry’s sophomore novel is whimsical and funny — the perfect summertime escape!

MYSTERYRecommended by Lindsay The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

By Stuart Turton

A whodunnit with a surreal twist! Every day our narrator wakes up in a different body belonging to someone at an ill-fated party where Evelyn Hardcastle gets murdered every night until the mystery of her death is solved. If you ever wanted the show Russian Doll to have a baby with the film Gosford Park, this is for you.

Recommended by Sissy My Best Friend’s Exorcism: A Novel

By Grady Hendrix

I’ve always spent summers in Charleston SC, and this ’80s scary romp is right on.

Recommended by Sissy The Stone Girl: A Novel

By Dirk Wittenborn

A girl-power thriller set in the Adirondack wilderness. The setting is so real it will cool you off instantly! (Paperback coming July 13, if you can wait!)

Recommended by Chelsea The Likeness: A Novel (Dublin Murder Squad #2)

By Tana French

A character-driven psychological thriller that captures you from the first page.

Recommended by Sissy Pretty Things: A Novel

By Janelle Brown

Who is the real con artist here? This smart thriller will keep you up all night.

Recommended by Sissy The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel

By Grady Hendrix

Charleston, SC again. Grady has written a scary yet touching tribute to his badass mother. A must read for all tough moms!

NONFICTIONRecommended by Ann In Cold Blood (Vintage International)

By Truman Capote

Do you like true crime? Guess what? Truman Capote invented the genre. No one did it better.

Recommended by Andy Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

By William Finnegan

Finnegan, a political writer for the New Yorker, turns his sights on the sport of surfing. This Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir chronicles the authors life long obsession as he travels the world looking for that elusive “perfect wave.”

Recommended by Steve The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

By Michelle Alexander

Remember the “summer of reckoning” that came and went last year? Michelle Alexander’s treatise on the racist underpinnings of prisons and overpolicing was already a decade old at the time. Now, as then, it’s only a start, but sadly feels as urgent as ever.

Recommended by Sissy Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America; Essays

By R. Eric Thomas

Truly there is no funnier man on earth! You’ll fall in love with R. Eric.

Recommended by Ben Travels with Charley in Search of America

By John Steinbeck

In this timeless travelogue, Steinbeck sets out on the road with his French poodle, Charley, to authentically experience the country he’s written about for decades. His conversations with strangers and musings on place highlight the loneliness and kindness at the heart of our national character.

Recommended by Ben Desert Solitaire

By Edward Abbey

Once dubbed the “Thoreau of the American West” by Larry McMurtry, Abbey recounts summers spent as the lone ranger of what is now Arches National Park, praising the necessity and beauty of nature while lamenting civilization’s disconnect from wilderness. Tuck this one in your backpack so you can read it while on a summer road trip out west!

YARecommended by Brad Lovely War

By Julie Berry

Set during the days of World Wars I and II and narrated by a host of Greek gods, Lovely War is the perfect choice for those looking to add a stellar historical fiction to the top of their to-be-read pile. With incredible relationships, tense and haunting scenes, and a narrative fit for the goddess of love herself, Lovely War is unforgettable.

Recommended by Brad Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1)

By Neal Shusterman

In Neal Shusterman’s masterful dystopia, two teens living in a perfect world learn that great power comes with even greater consequences. Shusterman’s commentary on society, class, and power is incredibly thought-provoking and makes for a nail-biting and thrilling story.