Ann Patchett's Blog, page 6

Afternoons in June: 39 New Reads for Summer Days

Friends, can we all take a moment to appreciate how amazing our booksellers are? Month after month, they’re standing at the ready with literal armfuls of new recommendations for your perusal. They scour the shelves of advance reader copies in our back office, keep up-to-date on all the buzz in the literary world, and highlight the titles they think are especially worthy of sharing with you. This month, they have a casual thirty-nine books to offer. You have lots of wonderful reading ahead of you!

FICTIONRecommended by Lindsay The Safekeep

By Yael van der Wouden

This debut from Yael van der Wouden completely floored me–The Safekeep is at turns suspenseful, poetic, intimate, and absolutely stunning.

Recommended by Sarah Housemates

By Emma Copley Eisenberg

Housemates is a roadtrip story about queer love, finding your place, and what it means to create art. Eisenberg tackles these big topics through the lens of two generations of queer creatives, and she does it in a distinctly fresh and fascinating way.

Recommended by Maddie All Fours

By Miranda July

This one is a doozy. All Fours is an intense, unfiltered portrait of an artist in her mid-40s fighting tooth and nail to not lose her sense of self as she enters her mid-life. While embarking on a solo road trip, our main character decides to hole away in a motel just 30 minutes from her husband and child. What follows is a manic journey of sexual and emotional rebirth. You will not forget this book.

Recommended by Rachel My Darling Dreadful Thing

By Johanna van Veen

A gothic tale in the tradition of Edgar Allen Poe, two women connect over their strange experiences with spiritual companions. The tale that unfolds is macabre, gruesome, and sorrowful, with the clearest hints of beauty and love.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Last Twelve Miles

By Erika Robuck

Two women, a Coast Guard Special Agent and a bootlegger, face off against each other in this Prohibition-era novel. Their journeys of marriage, motherhood, and career intertwine in this fascinating story based on true events.

Learn more about Erika and her book in our latest Authors IRL post!

Recommended by Jordan The Guncle Abroad

By Steven Rowley

In 2021, Steven Rowley introduced us to The Guncle, our favorite gay uncle who hesitantly steps up to care for his niece and nephew in an Uncle Buck type of scenario. This summer, the Guncle and kids are reunited when they need each other most, and this time they are vacationing throughout Europe. This respectable sequel lives up to the humor and heart of the first book and is the perfect fun summer read.

Also loved by Lindsay!

Recommended by Hannah P. Women: A Novella

By Chloe Caldwell

There is so much packed into this little novella. Centering on identity, intimacy, heartbreak, and infatuation, it reads like a memoir as it unpacks the pains and plights of an all-consuming relationship. I would highly recommend this short-but-powerful gem to any readers of Carmen Maria Machado or Maggie Nelson.

Recommended by Jenness The Last Murder at the End of the World

By Stuart Turton

Is this a murder mystery where everyone we meet is a suspect, but no one remembers the crime and the how-dunnit part keeps changing? Or is it a sci-fi tale about the (possible) end of the world and the events leading up to it? Yes, it is.

Recommended by Maddie Bad Animals

By Sarah Braunstein

Maeve is a straight-laced librarian, but her life begins to spiral after a teenager accuses her of peeping in the bathroom. To cope, Maeve writes to her favorite author, Harrison Riddles. When Riddles responds to Maeve’s letters, she becomes intimately roped into his plans to write about her friend, a Sudanese refugee named Willie. Bad Animals leans into uncomfortable, taboo themes, but oh my god was it fun to read.

Recommended by Chelsea Mirrored Heavens (Between Earth and Sky #3)

By Rebecca Roanhorse

The ending of Roanhorse’s Between Earth & Sky trilogy is strong, suspenseful, and ultimately satisfying. Mirrored Heavens is full of intrigue, action, and the characters I grew to love (or love to hate). I cannot recommend this series enough. Start with Black Sun and you’ll find yourself drawn into the world of the Meridian, Roanhorse’s pre-Columbian fantasy setting, and you’ll devour the rest.

Recommended by Jennifer When Among Crows

By Veronica Roth

The gods, monsters, and legends of Slavic myth find themselves in the heart of Chicago, unpacking centuries’ curses and new twists and turns to their stories. When what’s monstrous looks a lot like what’s human, our main characters must solve the riddles of the past in order to have a future.

Recommended by Ashby One Perfect Couple

By Ruth Ware

Love Island meets And Then There Were None. A couples reality show goes horribly sideways when a storm hits the resort leaving contestants stranded with little food and water. Contestants disappear or are killed. Who is playing to win? Each of Ware’s books is so different then the last but each is a page-turner that leaves you guessing. Who is behind it? Will there only be one contestant left when help arrives?

Recommended by Sissy The Witches of Bellinas

By J. Nicole Jones

Newlywed New Yorkers Guy and Tansy are captivated by a community on the coast of California when they visit. It’s almost too perfect. Tansy thinks it feels a little cultish, but Guy is ALL IN. Nobody in their intellectual circle would ever get sucked into a cult, would they? These people could give them everything they’ve ever wanted. The fast-paced suspense will upend your ideas of belonging, intellect, and safety.

Recommended by Rachel Exile in Guyville

By Amy Lee Lillard

Black Mirror meets The Handmaid’s Tale. This unsettling short story collection imagines what happens when technological advances and misogynistic horrors meet.

Recommended by Ashby The Queen of Poisons

By Robert Thorogood

This is the 4th installment in the Marlow Murders series, and it won’t let you down. Suzie, Judith and Becks are now “official” liaisons for the police as they solve the mayor’s murder: poisoned with aconite, the queen of poisons, at a town council meeting. The trio sort through lots of quirky, seemingly guilty characters before figuring out the cross and double-cross that is a surprise.

Recommended by Katie A Letter to the Luminous Deep 

By Sylvie Cathrall

A cozy dark academia book told entirely through letters and secondary sources. A world with no identifiable land masses, only water as far as the eye can see. And a love story so precious it will squeeze your heart. I LOVED Letter to the Luminous Deep so much. For fans of Klune and Mandanna, this book is a must.

Recommended by Jenness The Bezzle

By Cory Doctorow

Scams to cover up scams and the counter-scams that arise. Privilege, corruption, and forensic accounting (really!) combine for an exciting ride through private islands and for-profit prisons. Returning Doctorow main Martin Hench, forensic accountant, is a captivating character (really!).

Recommended by Sydney Butcher

By Joyce Carol Oates

I’ve really enjoyed the last few releases from Joyce Carol Oates, but this is by far her most horrific and haunting work yet. Butcher, set in the 1800s, is essentially a fictional biography of Silas Weir—the father of Gyno-Psychiatry. Don’t read this if you’re squeamish, but for anyone looking for some grotesque horror with a strong feminist message, pick this up.

Recommended by Tara Here for the Wrong Reasons

By Annabel Paulsen, Lydia Wang

The premise is based on a group of women going on a Bachelor-esque show, but instead of falling head over heels for the man, two of the women fall for each other. Here for the Wrong Reasons is spicy, dramatic, and entertaining from the first page.

Recommended by Katie The Five Year Lie

By Sarina Bowen

A titan of the romance genre, The Five Year Lie is Bowen’s foray into the world of domestic thrillers. With her signature heart-punch romance at the center, Bowen delivers a spine-tingling thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the very last page.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Jordan Dust Storms May Exist: Poems

By Ben Groner

Dust Storms May Exist marries the sweetness and sorrows of life from both a personal journey and a broad perspective. Former Parnassus bookseller and award winning poet Ben Groner invites readers on a 10,000 mile road trip reckoning with beauty and brokenness. This collection tells an impactful story and is great for both long-time poetry fans and newbies. We are proud to have a new must-read for Parnassus regulars!

Also loved by… everyone!

Recommended by Lindsay When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion

By Julie Satow

One of my favorite movies of all time is George Cukor’s The Women, which pulls off a remarkable feat for 1939 in not featuring any men in the entire film. How’d he do it? Multiple scenes shot in department stores. Julie Satow’s When Women Ran Fifth Avenue is a history of women’s roles in developing American department stores, but it’s also an examination of the crossroads of feminism and capitalism–I loved it.

Recommended by Andy The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris – The Adventure That Accelerated the Twentieth Century

By Kassia St. Clair

Kassia St. Clair has chronicled an incredible tale of daredevil heroics and questionable methods as automobiles race across two continents from Peking to Paris in 1907. More than just retelling of the race of however, St. Clair ties in the geopolitical forces of the era that are about to transform the world as it races to modernity.

Recommended by Jake Miss May Does Not Exist: The Life and Work of Elaine May, Hollywood’s Hidden Genius

By Carrie Courogen

The first biography of the most underrated filmmaker in Hollywood history, Carrie Courogen’s book on Elaine May is a fascinating spotlight on a figure who so often hid in the shadows. Capturing her sketch comedy roots with Mike Nichols, her graduation into film directing, and her second life as a script doctor, this book is full of stunning insight into a notoriously reclusive living legend.

Recommended by Patsy Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent

By Judi Dench, Brendan O’Hea

In this gem of a collection of conversations, Brendan O’Hea explores play by play roles Dame Judi has inhabited over a long career on stage. Interstitial chapters on the company, audience, Shakespeare’s language and more give insight on history, method, costumes. Theater fans and actors alike will delight in the details and humor.

Recommended by Andy The Call to Serve: The Life of an American President, George Herbert Walker Bush: A Visual Biography

By Jon Meacham

A beautifully illustrated portrait of George Herbert Walker Bush with Meacham’s commentary throughout. It captures a political landscape that seems so distant today. Bush was driven by a desire to serve his country and its people. Today’s politicians would do well to emulate Bush’s life code, “Tell the truth. Don’t blame people. Be strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course.”

Recommended by Ashby Let’s Make Bread!: A Comic Book Cookbook

By Ken Forkish, Sarah Becan

A different take on a cookbook. Ken Forkish’s 2012 book Flour Water Salt Yeast is THE book for the home baker. In this book he turns baking into visual fun! Forkish provides techniques and recipes in Becan’s inviting comic book format. Great for anyone who wants to bake bread.

Recommended by Cheryl The Book of Mothers: How Literature Can Help Us Reinvent Modern Motherhood

By Carrie Mullins

This a book that reviews the influence of mothers in literature. It can be a parenting book as well as a launch to read or reread some classics. Fun to explore.

Recommended by Ashby Grateful for You

By M. H. Clark, Cecile Metzger (Illustrator)

This beautifully illustrated book full of cute animals is a reminder to be grateful. Look around and be thankful for all the things but remember it is people who bring joy. Books and hot cocoa are nice but people are nicer! The perfect way to tell someone how much they mean to you.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Cat When I Sing, Mountains Dance

By Irene Solà

Set in the remote Pyrenees Mountains, this is the lyrical and heartbreaking story of one family in a village told through alternating viewpoints- humans, the mountains themselves, the roe-deer, and ghosts. We see the fallout of the untimely death of Domènec and what happens to the family that must cope with his loss. The writing is stunning, but it is also a testament to stunning translation skills.

Recommended by RJ Open Throat

By Henry Hoke

This is a very short, very weird book about a queer feral mountain lion caught between climate crisis starvation and the inexplicable human civilization of LA. If you weren’t immediately sold at “queer mountain lion POV” I don’t know what you want from a book.

Recommended by Lindsay The New Life

By Tom Crewe

Set in late nineteenth century London, Tom Crewe’s The New Life follows two men, both married to women, who write a book in defense of gay love. I missed this when it debuted and was so happy to discover this beautiful novel that explores a chapter of queer history I didn’t know that much about.

Recommended by Katie Dawn (Lilith’s Brood #1)

By Octavia E. Butler

To know me is to know I love a monster/alien romance, and Octavia Butler’s Dawn is one of my all time favorites. When humankind has ruined Earth beyond repair, an alien race takes over the planet, putting humans in stasis until Earth can be healed. Centuries later they are awoken and one woman is tasked with saving her people. But salvation comes at a cost.

Recommended by Mac Daisy Miller

By Henry James

Henry James humorously engages how Europeans and Americans interact through the adventurous Daisy Miller – a travelling “flirt” who gracefully disrupts European norms.

Recommended by A.J. The Luminaries

By Eleanor Catton

An intricate novel covering the fallout of two mysterious crimes on the South Island in the 19th Cent. that gets curiouser and curiouser with each revelation. While it’s amazing even if you don’t know/care about astrology, each of the characters and their interactions are associated with and reflected by the positions the heavenly bodies were in during the timeframe of the novel. A challenging read, but so worth it!

Recommended by Rachel The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

By N. K. Jemisin

The blueprint for good fantasy. Page turning with an incredibly intricate structure and a yearning romance amongst gods. I stayed up all night to finish it!

Recommended by Mac Enter Ghost

By Isabella Hammad

Through various storytelling methods – prose, drama, multiple languages – Isabella Hammad follows Sonia, an actress returning to Haifa to visit her sister. Once there, Sonia joins a company doing a West Bank production of Hamlet. A wonderful story of family, home, passion, and resistance, this novel is a must-read. I am obsessed with Hammad’s storytelling, and have my eyes peeled for what’s to come.

First Editions Club: June Selection Sandwich

By Catherine Newman

I was recently having a conversation with a friend about a book I started and didn’t finish. When she asked me why I stopped, I said I thought the characters were petty and bitter, and the plot felt overly familiar. My friend nodded sympathetically. “I felt the same way at first,” she said. “But in the last hundred pages the whole book came together. The last hundred pages made the slog worthwhile.”

Maybe I read too much. I don’t have the time or inclination to stick with a book until it gets better. I want a book that starts great and stays great.

Enter Sandwich by Catherine Newman, a manuscript that was passed from bookseller to bookseller until it was dirty and torn. I can remember my sister saying to me, “I just can’t get into anything right now.” I held out the first page of Sandwich. She started laughing. “Give me this book!” she said. “Give me this book immediately.”

Oh, to have a book that’s funny and smart, a book in which you see yourself no matter who you are, a book that drags you to a chair and won’t let you stand up until you’re finished. Is that too much to ask?

Sandwich is about a woman who is part of the sandwich generation—those who are looking after both their children and aging parents. They’re also near Sandwich on Cape Cod. And she makes a lot of sandwiches.

Here’s what I wrote for the jacket: “Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry. Catherine Newman does a miraculous job reminding us of all the wonder there is to be found in life.”

Go find your comfortable chair.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

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

Love, Parnassus: June Selection Birding with Benefits

By Sarah T. Dubb

Newly-divorced, almost-empty-nester Celeste is finally seeking adventure and putting herself first, cliches be damned. So when a friend asks Celeste to “partner” with his buddy John for an event, Celeste throws herself into the role of his temporary girlfriend. But quiet cinnamon roll John isn’t looking for love, just birds—he needs a partner for Tucson’s biggest bird-watching contest if he’s ever going to launch his own guiding business. By the time they untangle their crossed signals, they’ve become teammates…and thanks to his meddling friends, a fake couple.

Celeste can’t tell a sparrow from a swallow, but John is a great teacher, and the hours they spend hiking in the Arizona wilderness feed Celeste’s hunger for new adventures while giving John a chance to practice his dream job. As the two spend more time together, they end up watching more than just the birds, and their chemistry becomes undeniable. Since they’re both committed to the single life, Celeste suggests a status upgrade: birders with benefits, just until the contest is done. But as the bird count goes up and their time together ticks down, John and Celeste will have to decide if their benefits can last a lifetime, or if this love affair is for the birds.

Praise for Birding with Benefits:

“This lovely debut about mature characters manages to be both comforting and sexy.”  — Kirkus

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Authors IRL: Meet Erika Robuck, Author of The Last Twelve Miles

I’m so happy to welcome Erika Robuck, author of The Last Twelve Miles to Musing. This is a book about two strong women on opposite sides of the law during the Prohibition Rum Wars. I believe summer is the perfect time for a book about mystery and intrigue on the water. – Rae Ann Parker, Director of Books and Events for Young Readers

Erika Robuck | Photo by Nick Woodall

First, tell us a bit about your book and what inspired you to write it: Three separate people at three separate events for my women in WWII intelligence novels told me I should write about cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman. When I began to research her fascinating life, though she worked from the Great War through World War II, I was most captivated by the Prohibition years, when she handled almost all the codebreaking for the U. S. Coast Guard. The cast of rumrunner characters she helped nab was rich and colorful but when I found the notorious, glamorous, devious, brilliant Marie Waite I knew I hit the story jackpot. Truth is always more interesting and much stranger than fiction.

I love to watch: I was obsessed with The Crown and there is a real hole in my life where that is gone. From the opening credits to the cinematography to the scripts and casting, Hemingway’s iceberg principle is in full effect. We see just a sliver but what looms out of view is every bit as—if not more—powerful than what’s on the surface. 

My family loves to watch Jeopardy and The Office together. We’ve also started watching good old-fashioned music videos on MTV. Some nights it’s eighties, others hip hop or nineties alternative—we all love it.

My husband and I just started The Bear, and it’s riveting. The characters are already lodged in my heart after two episodes.

I’ve been listening to: My favorite podcasts are spiritual in nature, and I listen on long daily walks after writing. I’m on my fourth trek through Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz, and I love Abiding Together with Sr. Miriam James, which is geared toward women and deeply therapeutic. Finally, Saint Maria Faustina’s Diary in a Year is heavy, mystical, and challenging, but I love it. I’m working on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

In terms of craft, I love Dedicated Podcast, hosted by Doug Brunt, which pairs authors and their favorite cocktails. It seems especially fitting considering my current novel subject matter.

Something I saw online that made me laugh, cry, or think: Seeing Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs sing Fast Car together at the Grammys made me cry. The two of them are so different yet they sang Chapman’s iconic song together in perfect sync. Their distinctive voices came together beautifully, and they kept looking at each other and smiling. It was pure joy to watch. Talk about the iceberg principle. There was a lot going on in terms of bringing people together. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the audience. 

A creator who’s doing something I admire: I’m obsessed with map artist Ed Fairburn. He overlays hand drawn portraits over old maps. It’s a world in a person or a person in a world. It’s my dream to have one of his creations as a book cover. 

A book I recently recommended to someone else: Just one? Impossible. I’ll limit myself to four. 

I’m nuts over Chanel Cleeton’s novels, and her recent The House on Biscayne Bay was gothic fiction at its finest. I loved Allison Pataki’s Finding Margaret Fuller—epic bio-fiction at its finest. Finally, The Secret of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry has really stayed with me. I love her books. 

Finally, in terms of nonfiction, Wanting by Luke Burgis was eye opening. It explores mimetic desire—we want what we want because the people around us want it. It follows that who we surround ourselves with, and by extension what we consume (media, books, news, shows, reels, etc.), shapes who we are. I mull this constantly and it has led me to be a far more thoughtful curator of content and people. 

If I could teleport anywhere in the world right now, I’d go to: I’m dying to go to Turin, Italy. I have a personal fascination with the Shroud of Turin, the scientific studies on it, and its history. I’m also a fan of a young man from Torino named Pier Giorgio Frassati who died in the early nineteenth century of polio. There have been two miracles attributed to him, so he will likely be canonized in 2025. That is also a year slated for a potential showing of the Shroud. If those events could intersect, I would love to teleport to Italy. 

I wish I knew more about: I wish I knew more about cryptanalysis. Researching Elizebeth Smith Friedman, I tried on one occasion to start to learn codebreaking. It lasted approximately seven minutes before I quit. The book would be much better if I could get into codebreaking scenes in more detail, but I can’t, so it’s not. Ha!

My favorite thing about indie bookstores: I love indies because they capture the heart and soul of a region. Place is important to me. It shapes so much of who we are. Indie bookstores have the personality and flavor of the region that allow readers to get to know a place, and a place to get to know readers. Community and coming together makes us all better, especially when ideas can be exchanged freely and in good faith. That’s something I hope we never lose.

The Last Twelve Miles will be published on June 4, 2024. Pre-order your copy now!

Martians, Mermaids, and Meet-Cutes: 17 Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Summer vacation is finally on the horizon! How about some stay-up-late-reading-under-the-covers-worthy books to celebrate? Take a look at some of the titles we hope you’ll take with you on your summer adventures!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann Being Home

By Traci Sorell, Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

A beautifully illustrated story of returning home and being surrounded by the love of community and family.

Recommended by Chelsea I’m Not Small

By Nina Crews

A great introduction to sizes and comparisons, this delightful board book is so sweet and filled with fun illustrations. Grown ups and kiddos alike will enjoy finding new details on each re-read!

Recommended by Katie Animals Brag about Their Bottoms

By Maki Saito, Brian Bergstrom (Translator)

A charming and funny board book featuring animals from around the world admiring how differently shaped their booties are. Finding small ways early on to admire differences is such a treasure, and every baby I know will be getting this sweet little book.

Recommended by Ashby The Prickletrims Go Wild

By Marie Dorleans, Polly Lawson (Translator)

What’s better? An ordered garden? An overgrown wild patch of earth? The Prickletrims learn to find joy in the unexpected, appreciating the hidden treasures and wonder found in disorder. A wonderful lesson for adults too!

Recommended by Marcia The Truth About the Couch

By Adam Rubin, Liniers (Illustrator)

Where do couches come from? How many types of couches are there? Have you ever been pillow sliding? Or lost your grandma in the cushions? Everything you needed to know about our all time favorite piece of furniture!

Recommended by Rachel Mermaid Lullaby

By Kenneth Kraegel

A sleepy swarm of colorful pages, Mermaid Lullaby has a soothingly simple storyline with vibrant and complex illustrations. Let your little one drift off to dreams of sea creatures!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Ann Orris and Timble: The Beginning

By Kate DiCamillo, Carmen Mok (Illustrator)

A rat, an owl, a piece of butterscotch candy and a red velvet slipper set the stage for a beautiful and unlikely friendship. Get in on the ground floor of what will be a beloved series. Bonus: it’s dedicated to me.

Recommended by Rae Ann Deep Water

By Jamie Sumner

Tully plans to swim across Lake Tahoe. She’s sure that if she completes the 12-mile swim, her mother will return. But Tully doesn’t have permission to be on the lake, and only her friend, Arch, knows where she is. Jamie Sumner’s novel-in-verse sweeps the reader up in an emotional riptide and gently settles them on the shore.

Recommended by Rachel A Game of Noctis

By Deva Fagan

Pia Paro lives in a sinking city filled with deadly magical games. Pia has long relied on rules to keep her safe, but when the system lets her down, she joins a ragtag team in the most deadly game, attempting not only to win, but to change the game from within, and save her grandfather from a life of servitude.

Recommended by Jake Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

By Chanel Miller

It’s finally summer and Magnolia Wu has nothing to do. No vacation, no friends, no fun. But sitting around in her parents’ laundromat, she comes up with an idea: she will return every one of the many socks left behind to their rightful owners. Featuring fantastic illustrations and a wonderful story, Chanel Miller’s middle-grade debut is perfect for anyone who misses their favorite sock.

Recommended by Katie Korgi: The Complete Tale

By Christian Slade

This beloved “silent comic” from former Disney animator Christian Slade is all together in one seriously stunning and insanely adorable compilation. When Ivy and her beloved corgi Sprout wake up one morning, they have no idea about all the adventures they’ll have in Korgi Hollow. A truly all-ages book, Korgi is a delightful ride for everyone.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Katie The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

By Matthew Hubbard

They say that revenge is a dish best served hot, and Matthew Hubbard’s debut YA is practically on fire. When three queer friends find themselves suddenly single, they plot a sweet and satisfying revenge, but when the local school board starts censoring queer voices they find a purpose bigger than themselves. A fun YA that packs a big punch and lots of heart. Hubbard is a bright star in the YA world.

Recommended by Aly The Ballad of Darcy and Russell

By Morgan Matson

Morgan Matson returns to her roots in this beautiful and hilarious story. Darcy believes in true love. That’s why, when she meets Russell at the bus station and borrows his phone charger, she knows it’s fate. But can anyone truly get to know and love someone in just one night?

Recommended by Jenny A Magic Steeped in Poison

By Judy I. Lin

A perfect fantastical escape into love, courage, court intrigue, and magical tea. The end had me on the edge of my seat!

Recommended by Katie Canto Contigo: A Novel

By Jonny Garza Villa

A queer rivals to lovers mariachi romance set at the fictional Selena Quintanilla Performing Arts Academy. SAY LESS! Jonny Garza Villa is one of my absolute favorites. I want to put this book (or any of his books for that matter) in the hands of everyone who comes in the store. It’s just that good.

Sprout Book Club: May Selection Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story

By Lucy Ruth Cummins

The May 2024 Sprout Book Club selection is Dalmartian by Lucy Ruth Cummins. This is the story of a  boy and his dog… if the dog were from outer space. A Dalmatian-like visitor is left behind when his spaceship departs Earth. The two new best friends get off on the wrong paw, but soon one must make a big choice in this delightful picture book.

Early praise for the book:

“A loving look at a friendship that spans the stars above.” – Kirkus

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

Spark Book Club: May Selection The Secret Library

By Kekla Magoon

The May 2024 Spark Book Club pick is The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon. Eleven year-old Delilah “Dally” Peteharrington’s after-school time is limited to classes selected by her mom. One day she finds a secret library, a library full of secrets, and her time-travel adventures into her family’s past begin.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A deeply satisfying, page-turning, genre-defying read.” – Kirkus, starred review

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

ParnassusNext: May Selection The Ballad of Darcy and Russell

By Morgan Matson

The May 2024 ParnassusNext selection is The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson. Darcy is stranded at a bus station after a music festival where she meets Russell, an aspiring musical theater writer. This is a swoony romantic novel about love at first sight, and the awkwardness that can come after. It asks…is it possible to fall in love in just one day?

Early praise for the novel:

“A strongly plotted romantic comedy with plenty of well-structured, pitch-perfect drama to dig into.” – Kirkus, starred review

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

May the Books Be With You: 42 New Reads for Your TBR

We have so many staff picks this month, we couldn’t get all of them to fit in one picture! Don’t worry, this is an excellent problem to have. You want just the right title to stick in your beach bag on vacation this summer, to read poolside on a sunny day, to… peruse amidst the backdrop of deafening cicada buzzing? Have a browse!

FICTIONRecommended by Ann Sipsworth

By Simon Van Booy

Sipsworth is a love story about a woman and a mouse. Reason suggests that such a relationship couldn’t possibly work, and yet I found myself pulling for this unlikely duo on every page. Simon Van Booy’s characters are loaded with charm, resilience, and the deep desire for connection that all mammals share. I loved it.

Recommended by RJ I Cheerfully Refuse

By Leif Enger

This near-future story follows Rainy, a musician who embarks on an unexpected odyssey across Lake Superior after tragedy upends his life. Along the way he finds both the kindness and community, along with the dangers and cruelties, of a collapsing world. Rainy is a deeply lovable narrator, and the novel is equally heartfelt and heartbreaking as it follows his journey through grief and stormy waters.

Recommended by Rae Ann Colton Gentry’s Third Act: A Novel

By Jeff Zentner

Colton Gentry’s Third Act is a story of second chances, in life and love. It’s a laugh-out-loud funny story told in beautiful language, full of heart. Jeff Zentner may be the Southern Emily Henry.

Recommended by Heath Long Island

By Colm Toibin

Set 20 years after Brooklyn, Long Island finds Eilis as the mother of two teenagers and at a crossroads in her marriage to Tony. While figuring out what to do in order to save their marriage, Eilis decides to visit her mother in Ireland for the first time in years, and some familiar faces pop up. I flew through this book, and seeing Eilis again was like catching up with an old friend.

Recommended by Ashby The Ministry of Time: A Novel

By Kaliane Bradley

WARNING: You can’t put it down! Weaving multiple genres-science fiction, mystery, romance and comedy. An Arctic explorer is brought to the present, assigned a female “bridge” to live with and help him adapt to the modern world. The time-travelers and their handlers face challenges. Spotify? Hiroshima? The complexity of their relationship as well as the government’s power make this a powerful page-turner.

Recommended by Cheryl The Paris Novel

By Ruth Reichl

A young woman is left a small inheritance from her mother, and it has to be used for a trip to Paris, but she has no idea why. Once there, she discovers herself as well as her mother’s past. It is the most sensual book I’ve read in years via designer dresses and French food. Highest recommendation.

Recommended by Jennifer The Hemlock Queen

By Hannah Whitten

Immersed once again in the fantastical world of The Foxglove King, we meet all of our favorite characters with even deadlier stakes than ever before. This time, however, court intrigue takes a divine turn as Lore finds her destiny and heart intertwined with the cruel games of the gods. Will Lore’s stubborn humanity stand a chance against the whims of the immortal? I couldn’t put this book down.

Recommended by Tara Funny Story

By Emily Henry

Emily Henry continues to be the queen of writing emotionally grounded characters and dialogue sparkling with wit. I could not stop grinning while I read this.

Recommended by Rae Ann The British Booksellers

By Kristy Cambron

Two booksellers are at the heart of this story that takes readers from the trenches of WWI to the Coventry Blitz of WWII. This dual timeline narrative shows us the heart of a community working together and the value in forgiveness.

Recommended by Hannah P. Clear: A Novel

By Carys Davies

An atmospheric, moving piece of historical fiction. During the Scottish Clearances of the 1840s, a minister is sent to a remote island to evict the land of its last inhabitant. This brief but profound portrait of humanity, connection, and hope will stay with you long after you finish.

Recommended by Cheryl Daughter of Mine: A Novel

By Megan Miranda

Twenty years after her mother left her a note before running away and leaving her with her adopted family, a car is found in the lake. I would think I had reached a stopping point in reading, but every answer revealed another rabbit hole! Highly recommend to those who think they can solve mysteries before finishing books.

Also loved by Marcia!

Recommended by Jennifer The Familiar: A Novel

By Leigh Bardugo

A dark romance taking place in the midst of the Spanish Inquisition, The Familiar is a haunting tale full of paradoxes and secrets. Magic is forbidden, but sought after, and love might be the most dangerous and intoxicating magic of all. When faced with a system that breaks anyone who doesn’t fall in line, what will the powerful and overlooked Luzia do to survive?

Recommended by Jenness A Kind of Madness

By Uche Okonkwo

This lovely debut collection of unrelated short stories touches upon the common idea of madness and how we experience or interpret it in our lives: mental illness and its stigma, self-delusion, and the chasms that exist between our own beliefs and those of others. We’ve all experienced and contributed to a kind of madness.

Recommended by Tara Lavash at First Sight

By Taleen Voskuni

Lavash at First Sight is a fun, light-hearted romance set in the Windy City. The banter will have you kicking your feet and squealing with delight.

Recommended by Marcia Summers at the Saint: A Novel

By Mary Kay Andrews

MKA at her best! Traci and her friend grew up working at The Saint, a luxe hotel in coastal Georgia, but they were from the “wrong side of the causeway.” The girls’ lives take wild turns; Traci marries into the family that owns the hotel. Tragedy strikes and she finds herself tasked with running the hotel and in a power struggle with her brother-in-law. A perfect blend of mystery, drama, and beach vibes!

Also loved by Rae Ann!

Recommended by Katie The Prospects: A Novel

By KT Hoffman

Every possible chance that I get to talk about this book I will. A queer romance about two former college teammates and rivals who find themselves playing on the same minor league team is a a grand slam. It’s a love letter to baseball, to queer folks & to the romance genre. You will absolutely be Team Gene & Louis. Go sports!

Also loved by Rachel and Jordan!

Recommended by Chelsea Only and Forever

By Chloe Liese

I have been waiting (somewhat patiently) for Viggo’s story, and Only and Forever did not disappoint. This is Liese at her best: full of heart, a little spice, funny, and the brothers and sisters we all adore. I cried at the end of this because Liese perfectly wrapped up the Bergman universe for us readers!

Recommended by Katie The Kiss Countdown

By Etta Easton

I love all things forced proximity and fake dating. Watching two people bumbling along pretending its all fake while secretly panicking because clearly they are in LOVE. The Kiss Countdown is a fantastic debut that follows a down-on-her-luck event planner who has 3 months with her fake boyfriend before he leaves the country for…outer space. Charming and sweet, Etta Easton’s debut is out of this world.

Recommended by Ashby How to Solve Your Own Murder: A Novel

By Kristen Perrin

A fortune teller predicts Frances’s murder when she is a teenager. Frances became an eccentric old lady focused on solving her own murder before it happens. Annie, Frances’s grandniece, grew up in Frances’s crumbling house with her artist mom. Anne ships the basement junk back to Frances which sets things in motion. Frances is murdered and Annie has to solve it to win the fortune.

Recommended by RJ The Brides of High Hill

By Nghi Vo

I have loved every installment of Nghi Vo’s Singing Hills Cycle, and The Brides of High Hill is no exception. A wandering story-collecting cleric is lured into a lavish wedding where nothing is as it seems, a celebration where blood, beauty, and monsters go hand in hand. Like all the Singing Hills books, this reads fine as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read them all!

Recommended by Jenness Missing White Woman

By Kellye Garrett

A twisty, pointed entry in crime fiction’s (and our culture’s) obsession with missing white women. A fast-paced thriller where maybe nothing turns out to be what it seems, and a protagonist you root for until the last page.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Ann Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder

By Salman Rushdie

People talk about not being able to put a book down but truly, I read this in a day. It is the story of art and politics, medical miracles and horrible suffering, anger and peace, and most of all love. For a book written by a man who was nearly murdered, the story is drenched in love.

Recommended by Cat The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

By Hampton Sides

Hampton Sides always amazes me with his ability to craft a narrative from an array of sources while also painting a vivid picture of the world he is portraying. This is a history of the third and final voyage Captain Cook undertook populated with an ensemble cast of the ships crew. Cook’s legacy is hotly debated, but the story of this voyage is nothing short of remarkable and fascinating.

Recommended by Andy An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

Richard and Doris Goodwin were married for 42 years. This memoir/history covers the Sixties from the optimism of JFK’s administration to the War in Vietnam and assassinations that marred the end of the decade. The Goodwins were witness to it all.

Recommended by Jennifer The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality

By Amanda Montell

The Cultish podcast host is back again, this time venturing to explore and discuss why the human mind often chooses fantasy and anxiety over reason. Surprisingly heartwarming while incredibly interesting, I could not put this one down!

Also loved by Jordan and Sarah!

Recommended by Cheryl The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

By Erik Larson

Once again Erik Larson has written nonfiction that reads like fiction. Fort Sumter may be noted as the beginning of the Civil War but it was not a violent battle but instead a series of miscommunication and misdeeds. Lincoln’s inauguration paralleled the building isolation of the Fort Sumter. troops. It was a small spark that lit a firestorm.

Recommended by Katie Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees

By Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Described by the author as both a “personal and natural history,” Bite by Bite is a beautifully written memoir by the author of World of Wonders. Stunningly illustrated, the book is centered around 40 different foods that stir memories for Nezhukumatathil and nestles them in the larger history of the food. A perfect blend of genres (essay, memoir, food narrative, poetry), Bite by Bite is an absolutely delicious book.

Recommended by Ashby Somehow: Thoughts on Love

By Anne Lamott

Is there any word with more weight than love? Lamott explores the complexity of love in all its different iterations aligning with our age and place in life. A collection to keep on your shelf and one to give away.

Recommended by Rachel Eve Bites Back: An Alternative History of English Literature

By Anna Beer

If you were an English major who wished your syllabi included more women writers, this one is for you.

Recommended by Hannah P. The Orange and Other Poems

By Wendy Cope

I love these poems. I’m glad I exist.

Also loved by Lindsay!

Recommended by Cheryl The Backyard Bird Chronicles

By Amy Tan, David Allen Sibley (Foreword by)

By taking her first drawing class in her sixties, Amy Tan perfected her bird obsession by sketching them in her journal. They are beautiful and enrich her words. Other than a lovely book as a gift it should inspire others to discover hidden talents no matter your age.

Recommended by Rachel  Queer Power Couples: On Love and Possibility

By Billie Winter (Photographer), Hannah Murphy Winter

This book is stockpiled with hope and intimacy. A look into the inner lives of fourteen queer couples, from how they met to what shaped them into the role models they are today.

Recommended by Ashby The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief

By Rena Pederson

A perfect read after The Art Thief. Dallas. The 1960s. A jewel thief strikes while homeowners sleep. Rich dined on marble tables surrounded by water. Parties with snow flown in. Pederson interviewed hundreds to tell the story. Beyond cars, houses and clothes, she presents the underside-gambling, mafia, drugs, strippers. Two distinct worlds and the police whose own stories prove just as enigmatic.

Recommended by Katie Crave: Bold Recipes That Make You Want Seconds

By Karen Akunowicz

It’s Taurus season! And that means I’m gonna find me some little treats at every turn. First up – a new cookbook! And this one delivers! I’ve already made the pickled cherries, pea and farrow salad, and will be making the cacio e pepe crisps as soon as I’m done writing this review. Inventive, delicious but still easily accessible to a home cook, this will be a staple on my shelf for years to come!

Recommended by Cheryl The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

By Karen Valby

Little known before there was Misty Copeland, there were 5 young Black ballerinas recruited in the 1960s by famed dancer Arthur Mitchell. They became the core of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They were famous and then faded from history until now. Captivating.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Lindsay Still Life with Oysters and Lemon: On Objects and Intimacy

By Mark Doty

Do yourself a favor and take an afternoon to read poet Mark Doty’s beautiful book-length essay on Dutch still life paintings, the intimacy of art, family history, and mortality. It’s one of my favorites that I return to time and time again!

Recommended by Andy Remembering America: A Voice from the Sixties

By Richard N. Goodwin

A fantastic history of the sixties by someone who witnessed much of it. A great companion to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s new one, An Unfinished Love Story, out this month.

Recommended by Chelsea Poison Study

By Maria V. Snyder

I love when a great backlist book gets a new cover, especially in time for some summer reading fun! A romantasy before the word was coined, Poison Study is the story of Yelena, a young woman who escapes a death sentence by becoming the Commander’s food taster. While disasters mount within the walls of the palace, will Yelena be able to escape her situation or her growing feelings for the head of security?

Recommended by Lauren Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

By Patrick Radden Keefe

Patrick Radden Keefe does an amazing job exploring how the Sackler dynasty started with three brothers trying to make a difference in the medical field to a generational empire of power and greed. This book is riveting, emotional, and deplorable all at the same time.

Recommended by Mac Time Is a Mother

By Ocean Vuong

Ocean Vuong’s second poetry collection stuns just as much as the first. Vuong often confounds his voice and perspective throughout the collection with that of his mother’s. This collection gracefully, yet sometimes abrasively, explores queerness, grief, and language. Written with the force that we can always expect of Vuong, you want to participate in the conversations he’s opening.

Recommended by Patsy Our Spoons Came from Woolworths

By Barbara Comyns

Young artists Sophia and Charles fall in love and marry, navigating poverty, family life, and the attentions of others. This classic novel recounts a predictable tale, while painting an engaging picture of 1930s London and countryside. This is a great and transporting read in which to lose yourself.

First Editions Club: May Selection Long IslandBy Colm ToibinThe conflict of Long Island arrives at the start. An Irishman knocks on Eilis Forello’s door while her husband Tony is at work. The Irishman tells Eilis that Tony is the father of the child his wife is carrying, and when the baby is born, he plans to bring it to her doorstep and leave it for Eilis to raise.To make matters worse, Tony and his large Italian family like babies very much. Sure, the circumstances aren’t perfect, but who wouldn’t want a nice new baby? (Spoiler: Eilis would not like a nice new baby. Not one that belongs to her husband’s mistress.)To make matters even worse than that, this is Eilis, and this is Tony, the once-young lovers from Colm Tóibín famous novel of twenty years ago, Brooklyn . Remember? Eilis was fresh off the boat from Ireland. They met at a dance and were married in secret before Eilis had to suddenly return to Ireland to help out after her sister’s death. There she reunited with her friend Nancy. She started hanging around with Jim, who was such a lovely guy. Things got complicated in the past. They get complicated this time as well.Do you have to read Brooklyn to understand and fully enjoy Long Island? No, you do not. But Brooklyn is a masterpiece of quiet understatement and Long Island is its worthy successor. To read the two together is to understand the state of love and conflict these characters inhabit more fully.We’re so lucky that Colm Tóibín came to Nashville, and that we can send you this treasure signed. It will be a very special addition to your collection.Enjoy.Ann PatchettMore 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.Love, Parnassus: May Selection A Little Kissing Between Friends

By Chencia C. Higgins

I love the month of May. It’s my birthday month, and I am a firm believer in celebrating ALL month long. Part of that celebration includes reading May’s Love, Parnassus pick, A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia Higgins, again. This is the perfect spring Sapphic romance and my current obsession. ALKBF follows best friends, Cyn the Starr (music producer on the rise) and Jucee (single mom and celebrated adult dancer) as they navigate their burgeoning feelings while making sure their friendship stays front and center. Hooking up with your ride-or-die is always risky, but sometimes taking a risk is worth it. —Katie Garaby, Love, Parnassus coordinator

Praise for A Little Kissing Between Friends:

In this wonderful sapphic romance, Higgins portrays an upbeat and plausible friends-to-lovers relationship.”—Publisher’s Weekly

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Ready to Read: 18 Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Spring has sprung, and so have these great new reads! A new YA mystery from a fan favorite? Check. A tiny punk rocker? Check again. A book that can read your mind?? Amazingly, yes! Check! Explore our April favorites below, and grab some spring reads!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann The Shadow and the Ghost

By Cat Min

This is a book about a ghost and a shadow who become friends thanks to a wish on a meteor shower. Beautiful illustrations make the story shine!

Recommended by Chelsea Ready to Soar

By Cori Doerrfeld

Sometimes the world is too noisy and overwhelming, and it’s easy to forget why you’re trying something new. In Ready to Soar, Riley gets distracted by everyone’s expert opinion when they really just need a supportive friend. Full of birds (my son’s favorite animal right now), this was a huge readaloud hit at my house.

Recommended by Hannah P. Spider in the Well

By Jess Hannigan

When the wishing well stops granting their wishes, the townspeople of Bad Göodsburg send the naive Newsboy out to investigate. You’ll never guess what he finds! This twisty, tongue-in-cheek tale is just as vibrant and colorful as its neon illustrations. It is sure to enchant readers of all ages!

Recommended by Rae Ann The Book That Can Read Your Mind

By Marianna Coppo

Is this a picture book? A magic trick? It’s pure fun! You will want to read this over and over again.

Recommended by Rachel Where’s Randolph?

By Marianna Coppo

A cozy game of hide-and-seek inside on a snowy day! Includes lift the flaps and life advice perfect for any little reader!

Recommended by Chelsea Metal Baby

By Stephen W. Martin, Brandon James Scott (Illustrator)

The very quiet Mumfords were very shocked to learn that they brought home Metal Baby! Metal Baby just wants to rock all day and all night, but how is Metal Baby supposed to get some sleep? This hilarious story is perfect for millennial new parents who still love their emo playlists.

Recommended by Hannah P. A Friend for Eddy

By Ann Kim Ha

Eddy feels lonely in his fishbowl until he starts to play games with a new friend on the other side of the glass. When Eddy takes a leap of faith (literally) to get closer, he finds a friendship much bigger than he expected! I loved this cleverly illustrated story of friends from unexpected places.

Recommended by Rae Ann Gather Round

By David Covell

A girl and her dad build a campfire. Soon new friends join them in the firelight in this picture book about building community.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Jenny Big Ideas from Literature

By The Life of School, Anna Doherty (Illustrator)

I really enjoyed this exposé on books and reading. This book covers it all: from Confucius to Anne Frank, from book binding to movie adaptations. This is the perfect book to read together: kids of all ages (and grown ups too) will enjoy it. What I really love about it are the gentle prompts, activities, and wonderings that help readers engage with the big ideas. A perfect read for a curious mind!

Recommended by Lauren Sky & Ty 1: Howdy, Partner!

By Steve Breen

Sky and Ty, a cowgirl and a T-Rex, are an unexpected but perfect pair! These two solve problems within the community while dancing and having fun. Sky and Ty is a great graphic novel for all ages!

Recommended by Katie & Ellis Catwings

By Ursula K. Le Guin, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

One of my greatest joys as a parent is reading to my child every evening. Le Guin’s classic story of a set of cat siblings who are miraculously born with wings and leave the city to discover the world is our first series we finished together. At the end my kiddo cried because he desperately wanted to follow them on more adventures. A great first series for your burgeoning reader.

Recommended by Rae Ann Louder Than Hunger

By John Schu

This novel in verse by beloved librarian Mr. Schu is the fictionalized account of his experiences and emotions as a young teen in residential treatment for an eating disorder. It tells the story of an honest, courageous journey on the path to healing.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Rachel Icarus

By K. Ancrum

This is one of those books that makes you hold your breath. An exploration of the Icarus myth with young queer love, poetically short chapters, and art thievery. Icarus stole my heart and won’t give it back.

Recommended by Jordan The Reappearance of Rachel Price

By Holly Jackson

Since Holly Jackson’s A Good Girls Guide to Murder series ended, nothing has come along that has scratched the itch of missing those books until now. Jackson knows how to do a chaotic family mystery like no other. This one will keep you up all night turning the pages!

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Hannah P. Long Way Down

By Jason Reynolds

Will might only be 15, but he’s old enough to know The Rules, and he knows the most important one to follow: Seek revenge. Strapped with his murdered brother’s gun, Will steps into the elevator and starts his long journey down. Written in verse and spanning only sixty potent seconds, this is a propulsive and powerful story of memory, loss, and the cycle of violence.

Sprout Book Club: April Selection Emma Full of Wonders

By Elisha Cooper

The April 2024 Sprout Book Club selection is Emma Full of Wonders by Elisha Cooper. Emma is a big dog with lots of tiny dreams. One day, they all come true in this beautifully illustrated picture book by Caldecott Honoree Elisha Cooper.

Early praise for the book:

“A gradual look at how Emma’s dreams become reality and a contemplative story about the state of waiting—and being ‘full of wonders.'” – Publishers Weekly

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

Spark Book Club: April Selection The Night War

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The April 2024 Spark Book Club pick is The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. In 1942, Miri is saved from a roundup that takes her entire family. She is taken in at a boarding school in the French countryside and must pretend to be Catholic. One night, she is called upon to face a deadly task. Newbery Honoree, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, returns to the world of The War That Saved My Life in an amazing story of courage and friendship.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“This poignant story moves quickly but takes care to consider with sensitivity the excruciating choices Miri must make at every turn as she’s torn between choosing safety and honoring her heritage and her convictions.” – Kirkus, starred review

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

ParnassusNext: April Selection Kill Her Twice

By Stacey Lee

The April 2024 ParnassusNext selection is Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee. Los Angeles, 1932. When Lulu Wong, rising star and the pride of Chinatown is murdered, the Chow sisters set out to find the person responsible for their childhood friend’s death. Their investigation takes them from Chinatown to glittering Hollywood parties in this compelling mystery.

Early praise for the novel:

“This twisty mystery, brought to life by a vibrant cast and abundant historical details, will keep readers in suspense until the very end.” – Kirkus

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

April Showers, Read for Hours: 35 New Reads for April

This month is a great showcase of all the genres our booksellers like to read. From historical fiction to retellings of classics, romances to poetry collections, and memoirs to sports history, these staff picks really have it all! Go ahead and have a browse — we feel confident you’ll find something to love!

FICTIONRecommended by Ann James: A Novel

By Percival Everett

James is both life changing and game changing, a spectacular read that’s sure to be one of the most important and talked about books of the year.

Recommended by Sarah Like Happiness: A Novel

By Ursula Villarreal-Moura

Like Happiness grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. It’s an intimate exploration of power dynamics and the weight of words, but its fine-tuned attention to perspective and devotion is where it shines. Villarreal-Moura’s debut is a quiet stunner.

Recommended by Cat The Tree Doctor: A Novel

By Marie Mutsuki Mockett

I was immediately engrossed by Mockett’s beautiful descriptions of the natural world and the garden that is so much at the heart of this novel. She weaves the life cycle of a garden and the complexity of The Tale of Genji so expertly with the uncertainty of the early days of the pandemic and our narrator’s own rediscovery of herself. I couldn’t put it down.

Recommended by Rachel These Letters End in Tears: A Novel

By Musih Tedji Xaviere

An epistolary look at tragic lesbian love in Cameroon. The timeline weaves in and out of present events and memory with perfect delicacy, guiding you through a twisting tale of love, loss, and the unfortunate price one must pay in a world that will not accept them.

Recommended by Rae Ann The House on Biscayne Bay

By Chanel Cleeton

A murder from the past haunts a Miami mansion and its residents in this Gothic mystery full of secrets and second chances.

Recommended by Ashby Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop: A Novel

By Hwang Bo-reum, Shanna Tan (Translated by)

What’s it like to change everything about your life in one year? Job. Marriage. Location. Yeongju is brave. She moves to a small town outside Seoul and opens a bookstore. At first, she cries, but then she learns how to run a bookstore and create a community of readers and writers. She falls in love with her new life. You, the reader, will fall in love with Yeongju.

Recommended by Maddie Worry: A Novel

By Alexandra Tanner

A book about two sisters trying to make it in New York City, Worry is deadpan, quirky, and flinchingly realistic. You will drive yourself crazy trying to decide if you love, hate, or begrudgingly relate to these two women before settling on the fact that it is in fact possible to feel all three of these things at once.

Read Maddie’s interview with Alexandra Tanner!

Recommended by Tara Begin Again: A Novel

By Helly Acton

Begin Again is a beautiful novel about the choices we make, but also the ones we don’t when we are too stuck in fear. Perfect for fans of Emma Straub’s This Time Tomorrow.

Recommended by Cheryl Finding Margaret Fuller: A Novel

By Allison Pataki

Margaret Fuller was a well respected writer and friend of Thoreau, Hawthorne and Emerson. Incredibly smart and ahead of her time for women’s rights, she was still taken advantage of financially. Horace Greely even sent her as a correspondent to Italy. Trailblazing history.

Recommended by Kathy Burma Sahib: A Novel

By Paul Theroux

This is historical literary fiction at its best. Theroux depicts the five years a young George Orwell spent as a policeman for the British Raj in Burma after WWI, showing how he developed as a writer and a man. I loved it.

Recommended by Hannah P. Rainbow Black: A Novel

By Maggie Thrash

When teenage Lacey’s family is torn apart by horrific accusations in the Satanic Panic hysteria of the 90s, her life explodes. This uniquely dark thrill ride grabs you from page one and never lets go. Mash up a brutal murder mystery, a coming-of-age story, and gay outlaw lovers; mix in a propulsive plot and a superb narrative voice; sprinkle in dark humor; and you get Thrash’s masterpiece.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Underground Library: A Novel

By Jennifer Ryan

Jennifer Ryan’s new novel recreates the world of Londoners escaping underground each night to survive the Blitz. New communities and found families are bound together by books with the underground library as their epicenter.

Recommended by Tara Just for the Summer

By Abby Jimenez

I am calling it right now, this is THE beach read of 2024. Just for the Summer features a lakeside setting, a Reddit meet-cute, and Abby Jimenez’s trademark sparkling dialogue. Perfect for fans of Every Summer After by Carley Fortune and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

Recommended by Katie This Could Be Us

By Kennedy Ryan

Emotional, poignant and incredibly written, This Could Be Us is a romance for those of us who want their characters grown, sexy and working on being their best selves. Kennedy Ryan is one of the finest writers out there, and her beautifully crafted love stories are not to be missed. Soledad and Judah will have your whole heart.

Recommended by Jordan Here We Go Again: A Novel

By Alison Cochrun

This is the perfect sapphic road trip book to take you on an emotional adventure this summer. With a friends to enemies to lovers trope and a remix on Tuesdays with Morrie, have the tissue box handy for tears. But don’t worry, the journey is worth it!

Recommended by Ashby The Husbands: A Novel

By Holly Gramazio

No first dates. No first anythings. Each time Lauren sends a husband into the attic, a new one emerges, one she has never met before. Their stories emerge; she discovers how they met and married. Some last weeks, others minutes. Comedic moments are interspersed with sad ones, making each of us think about the nature of our own relationships and if we would send current partners into the attic.

Recommended by Tara Ready or Not: A Novel

By Cara Bastone

Ready or Not is both delightfully funny and heartwarming. The found family aspect of this book was a delight and I wish I could have spent even more time with these characters.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Jake Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball

By Keith O’Brien

The definitive biography of the most controversial figure in baseball history, this is a stunning treatise of Pete Rose as a hero too good to be true, ultimately undone by his own hubris. O’Brien also compellingly argues that Rose’s fall from grace was the first step in what would eventually become the death of America’s pastime. Charlie Hustle is one of the best baseball books of the year.

Recommended by Jenness We Loved It All: A Memory of Life

By Lydia Millet

We Loved It All is a swirl of memoir and environmental treatise, effortlessly flowing from the dawn of life on Earth in all of its forms to Millet’s own childhood and motherhood and back again. Her reverence for all life and her dedication to its preservation is insistent and inspiring, her words poetic and prophetic as she describes the “complex and inscrutable interdependence” between all living things.

Recommended by Sydney The Manicurist’s Daughter: A Memoir

By Susan Lieu

When Susan Lieu was eleven years old, her manicurist mother died from a botched tummy tuck surgery. Her death became a taboo subject in her Vietnamese family, and Lieu was forced to process this loss in silence, with no answers. Why would her mother risk her life for physical beauty? Poignantly written, this memoir is a heartfelt look inside mother/daughter dynamics and grief.

Recommended by Mac The Moon That Turns You Back: Poems

By Hala Alyan

Alyan’s newest collection is wide-spanning, touching Beirut, Jerusalem, the Midwest, and more. Alyan brings readers on a journey with her, exploring her body and diasporic consciousness, and experimenting with form to find poetry in places readers might not expect.

Recommended by Hannah P. You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World

By Ada Limón (Editor)

Ada Limón, you’ve done it again. In this diverse collection of striking new poems, fifty writers reflect on our belonging within nature while also encouraging us to rethink our preexisting ideas of both literary and literal landscapes. If you think you already know “nature poetry,” think again. Of course, it is 100% required that you enjoy this while sitting outside on a beautiful day.

Recommended by Rachel Theophanies

By Sarah Ghazal Ali

“The one bright / gift of my life is that I was / witnessed. The only thing / God asks of me is to bear it.”

Recommended by Katie The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster

By John O’Connor

No one is more surprised than me to be recommending this book, but on a recent road trip with my wife we picked this to listen to, and it was a fun and weird look at American mythmaking and the crazy world of cryptids. A great listen!

Recommended by Chelsea You Get What You Pay For: Essays

By Morgan Parker

A strong, impressive essay collection filled with smart observations, Parker has an incredible way with words that is both witty and insightful. No essay is too long, and I found the ones criticizing pop culture especially intriguing. The audiobook is read by the author, and each essay was read like a performance. I found myself re-listening to paragraphs to hear her read it again.

Recommended by Andy To the Linksland (30th Anniversary Edition)

By Michael Bamberger

Bamberger together with his newly wed wife headed to Europe to explore the wide world of golf, first as a caddie on the European Tour before landing in Scotland. There he fell under the spell of one of the most interesting and intriguing teachers of the game. To the Linksland is a great read for first time readers and for those who enjoyed this book years ago.

Recommended by Patsy The Moth Presents: A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go

By The Moth

This collection of stories originally performed on stage for The Moth podcast is heart-rending and uplifting, often simultaneously. The common thread is what we hold on to and what we are able to release. Favorites include Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical, for which he pens lyrics that have long been stewing, and the tale of an international rescue mission of an Army officer’s beloved teddy bear. Balm for the soul.

Recommended by Tara JoyFull: Cook Effortlessly, Eat Freely, Live Radiantly (A Cookbook)

By Radhi Devlukia-Shetty

This cookbook is filled with gorgeous photographs and delicious plant-based recipes. The tandoori taco recipe is not to be missed!

Recommended by Andy The Black Box: Writing the Race

By Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Derived from his Harvard introductory course on African American History lectures, Gates writes of what it means to be Black in America. He explores the diversity and uniqueness of Black writers as they explore their search for freedom within the confines of a racist society. Gates uses their writing to focus attention on how we address today’s conversation about school curriculum and how Black history is portrayed.

Recommended by Chelsea There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension

By Hanif Abdurraqib

The subtitle hints that this book is about basketball, but it is truly about so much more: love, grief, family, and home. So even if you are not a sports person, I dare you to read the intro and not fall in love. Abdurraqib writes with such heart using the most beautiful language.

Recommended by Jordan Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image

By Siobhán Gallagher

This graphic memoir tells the story of Siobhan Gallagher’s journey of self-love with the relatable hurdles many of us face. It is full of heart and humor and the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump!

Recommended by Rachel The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

By Tim Alberta

If you want to understand the internal climate of “the right,” read this book. A deep dive into the hypocrisy of American evangelicals. Comprised of hundreds of interviews, this book details the complex history between Christianity and extreme conservatism in America, specifically following the switch from private political beliefs to supporting politicians from the pulpit. Interesting and infuriating.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Lindsay Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Riotous Black Girls, Troublesome Women, and Queer Radicals

By Saidiya Hartman

In Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments, cultural historian Saidiya Hartman reimagines the lives of Black and queer women at the turn of the twentieth century in New York and Philadelphia. A gorgeous examination of stories often lost to history–this book made me question everything I know about what nonfiction can be!

Recommended by Lindsay My Private Property

By Mary Ruefle

Happy National Poetry Month! If you think you’re afraid of poetry, may I introduce you to the world of prose poems? Treat yourself to this delectable little book from Mary Ruefle!

First Editions Club: April Selection James: A Novel

By Percival Everett

Percival Everett is the best known writer you might not know.

He’s published over twenty novels, as well as collections of short stories, collections of poetry, and a children’s book. His work has been made into movies, won awards, been heralded in reviews. He’s a professor at USC. Somehow he isn’t a household name.

I have a feeling that’s about to change.

James is a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Jim, the enslaved man who heads out on a raft down the Mississippi with Huck. Even if you’ve never read Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, you know who Jim is. Like Huck and his friend Tom Sawyer, Jim’s iconic character is part of the public consciousness.

But who was Jim? What was his life like? Who were his friends and his family? Not only does Percival Everett question what we know about him, he questions what we know about enslavement, about the people who perpetrated it and the people who endured it. Time and again while I was reading this book I felt myself stopping to examine my own assumptions. What did I know about what life was like in Missouri in the 1840s? Nothing.

Great literature has the power to change hearts and minds. It has the power to correct what we never understood to begin with. It’s hard to imagine there will be a more moving, powerful, or important book this year, not to say one that is more impossible to put down. That’s the magic of James—it is not a punishing lesson, it’s a spectacular read.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

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

Love, Parnassus: April Selection The Prospects: A Novel

By KT Hoffman

The Prospects by KT Hoffman is April’s Love Parnassus pick, and I can’t help but think of it as the grand salami of baseball romances. A book so full of love for baseball and the queer community it bursts right off the page.  The story centers around Gene and Luis, two former college teammates and rivals who find themselves on the same minor league team.  Forced to work together these two quickly learn  what’s possible when we allow ourselves to want something enough to swing for the fence. I hope you love this book as much as I did!

Praise for The Prospects:

“Tenacious, sexy, effervescent, doggedly hopeful, and endlessly charming, with characters to root hard for and an irresistible voice—I completely adored it.” —Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Sisters, Sisters: An Interview with Alexandra Tanner

A book about two sisters trying to make it in New York City, Alexandra Tanner’s debut novel Worry is deadpan, quirky, and flinchingly realistic. You will drive yourself crazy trying to decide if you love, hate, or begrudgingly relate to these two women before settling on the fact that it is in fact possible to feel all three of these things at once. I was so thrilled to chat with Alexandra and learn more about how her book came to be.

—Maddie Grimes, Parnassus bookseller

Maddie Grimes: First of all, huge congrats on your debut! I adored this book, and I’m excited for more readers to be able to get their hands on it. Even though Worry is your first novel, you’ve had your writing published in other forms for quite a while. Does putting this novel out into the world feel different than things you’ve done before?

Alexandra Tanner | Photo by Sasha Fletcher

Alexandra Tanner: Thanks Maddie! It’s an exciting time, and it does feel different from any other part of my career so far—when you’re writing and publishing shorter pieces, you spend maybe a few weeks working really intensely on something and thinking about it a lot and sometimes getting to talk to a few people about it, and then it’s kind of out of your head. With a novel there’s so much to do over such a long period of time, and so many people to discuss the work with in all these different ways, and your relationship to the project goes through so much change—sometimes you feel close to it, and sometimes you have a little more distance; you discover new regrets, and new points of pride. I guess the biggest difference is that my writing is beginning to feel like it’s the center of my day-to-day life lately rather than something I have to steal away time for. It’s been very cool to see that shift start to happen, I’ve been waiting and hoping for it for a long time.

MG: More than almost any other narrator I’ve read, Jules effortlessly came to life in my head as I was reading. Was it difficult to pin down her voice as a narrator? How much of yourself do you see in Jules?

AT: That means the world to hear. I think nailing Jules’s voice was difficult in that she’s a really negative force, and to capture what I wanted to about her I had to attune myself to my own cruelest thoughts, my own most ungenerous reading of the world. But it was also really cathartic to speak through her. I drew so many of the little things that happen throughout the book directly from conversations and experiences I was having in my own life. So if something upset me or scared me or otherwise took up a lot of emotional space in my mind, I found I could kind of process it by putting whatever my most extreme feeling about it was on the page and assigning it to her—then I’d feel better emotionally, even though she was sort of spiraling out. I could be a voyeur of a different version of myself. The things that ate me up inside became the things that fed Jules, and that made me feel a greater degree of power over and relief from my own fears and anxieties and hatreds.

MG: The heart of this novel is the complicated sister relationship between Jules and Poppy. Even though I don’t have a sister, I still found myself relating Jules and Poppy’s dynamic to my relationships with other women in my life, and I think a lot of readers will feel the same way. Was it difficult in your writing to convey those toxic and fraught moments while still making it clear that Jules and Poppy do genuinely care for each other?

AT: What I set out to do in writing Jules and Poppy was to sort of ignore traditional stakes—I wanted readers to have the sense that these are two people who are, at the end of the day, unconditionally devoted to each other. So the question of the novel for me was never about whether there’d be something that would cause them to fall out of one another’s lives; it was more about watching them decide who they were going to be to each other, and how much of themselves they were willing to give. Family stories hold all these questions about fate, authenticity, the self, free will, entwinement—your family can be a tremendous oppressive force, or it can be a kind of lifeboat; family relationships are intimate, instinctual, scary, freeing. I wanted to try to observe how all that baggage can make something as small as deciding who’s going to carry the groceries home or who’s going to walk the dog into a very serious drama. I don’t know that it was difficult from a craft perspective, but I would absolutely get caught in these big emotional roundabouts with Jules and Poppy as I was writing them into opposite corners again and again, trying to make them feel the weight of all their history: I saw why each of them was right and wrong, I wanted them both to win.

MG: I am hesitant to admit how much of myself I saw in Jules’s obsessive “Instagram mommy” check-ins. What compelled you to make this a part of her character (and can you offer me any reassurance that I’m not the only person who also partakes in this particular type of doom scrolling)?

AT: There were a couple reasons that scrolling became such a significant part of the book—before I started writing or even really thinking about this story, I knew I wanted to write something that would closely describe how it felt to move around the internet every day, tracking patterns and activity on a granular level. I’d envisioned doing a fragmented piece or a longform essay or something, but it felt more satisfying to attach the writing I was doing about social media to a fuller narrative and have the chance to have it mirror what was going on in a set of characters’ emotional lives. I was also just noticing, throughout 2019 and into 2020, how much time I was spending numbing out on my phone—I’d kind of let myself become an iPad baby, I’ve never had good willpower. I was in a huge mommy-blogger phase, totally absorbed by finding these bizarre accounts and checking in on them every day. Their drama was so real to me. When they’d get kicked out of Wal-Mart for refusing to wear shoes or when they’d be sharing pictures of their children in comas or when they’d be posting twenty-slide stories about how the earth was flat—it felt like getting crazy gossip every day about people I really knew. They scared me, but I also had genuine fun with them. I thought Jules, who has a more intense and destructive personality than I do, would be driven to the edge of herself by them in a way that would be high-stakes and funny but also scary to dramatize. I still enjoy a nice long doom scroll. But I’m off the mommies.

MG: I think you did such an impressive job at using the setting to add dimension in this novel. How much did having Worry set in New York impact the story you were trying to tell?

AT: I’ve lived in New York for a decade now, and to me it’s always been a place of real emotional and physical and experiential extremes. Every time you leave the house you see something delightful or terrifying—sometimes you see both things within the length of a block—and so while it’s home, it’s not necessarily the place where I’ve felt the most stability or security in my own skin. Or where I’ve felt most tethered to reality. You have a sense of anonymity and smallness living there—just like with family, that can be either really freeing or really frightening. I can’t imagine Worry taking place anywhere else; Brooklyn especially as a setting just enlivened the emotional atmosphere I was trying to create and really made me feel like I could get away putting with the impossible and the uncanny right on the page, because those things are part of everyday life here.

MG: And finally, we always end with this question: what is your favorite thing about indie bookstores?

AT: I love how indies reflect their communities; how you can get such a strong sense of a place by visiting its bookstores. I’m thinking of Firestorm Co-op in West Asheville, or Books & Books in Coral Gables, or Unnameable Books in my neighborhood, Prospect Heights—even if you’re just a visitor, you feel this immediate intimacy and familiarity: you understand who the booksellers are, who their neighbors are, what the community is about. I love when an indie has a big local interest section or a healthy used books situation best of all—that’s when I really know a bookstore is going to be a portal into the hearts and lives that surround it.

Alexandra Tanner’s debut novel, Worry, is on shelves now! You can get your copy from Parnassus here.

Authors IRL: Meet Ursula Villarreal-Moura, Author of Like Happiness

Back in August, I was in a major reading slump. All of the books I picked up were fine, but nothing really drew me in. When the kind folks at Celadon Books sent me a very early copy of Like Happiness, it had no cover image, no blurbs, no color. It was just a bound manuscript with a short description of the plot, but that was all I needed to dive in. The story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. It’s an intimate exploration of power dynamics and the weight of words, but its fine-tuned attention to perspective and devotion is where it shines. Like Happiness is a quiet stunner, the kind of book you can’t wait to get back to once you set it down. I’m so excited to introduce you to Ursula Villarreal-Moura and her work.

—Sarah Arnold, Parnassus Marketing & Communications Director

Ursula Villarreal-Moura | Photo by Levi Travieso

First, tell us a bit about your book and what inspired you to write it: My novel Like Happiness is about a young Chicana who feels isolated at her New England college. She reads a book by a Latino writer, feels seen for once in her life, and decides to contact him. The novel traces their decade-long relationship and her quest for happiness. I started drafting this novel in 2011 because I wanted to untangle ideas I had about gender, power, sexuality, and self- actualization. In particular, I wanted to examine society’s role in fostering or thwarting a woman of color’s drive to self-actualize.

I’ve been listening to: Olivia Rodrigo’s album GUTS has been my anthem since its release.

I love to watch: The sunset while I’m running. I also love to watch my cat when she’s playing or showing me affection.

Something I saw online that made me laugh, cry, or think: I’m hooked on Between the Covers, the Tin House podcast hosted by David Naimon. Nearly every episode is a masterpiece. I’m always ruminating over what I’ve heard in those interviews.

A creator who’s doing something I admire: If I had to pick only one, it would be Bisan Owda in Gaza. Her intelligence, humanity, creativity, and resilience are truly unmatched. Sadly, I don’t know if she’ll still be alive by the time this interview goes to print. In the writing world, I admire Tommy Orange, Shelia Heti, Sigrid Nunez, and Fernando A. Flores, to name a few. In the world of the TV/Film, I am often blow away by Sam Esmail.

A book I recently recommended to someone else: Three books that I loved somewhat recently were Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza, The Lonely City by Olivia Laing, and Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi.

If I could teleport anywhere in the world right now, I’d go to: Chile or Argentina. I really miss living in Buenos Aires. I adore South America. I have family in Brazil, and I had a wonderful experience in Uruguay, but I’d have to go with Chile.

I wish I knew more about: Every year, I make a goal to learn about two new topics. In 2022, I learned about the Chicano Movement and the Hopi. In 2023, I learned more about cooking and a bit of Middle East history. This year, my goal is to learn about Frederick Douglass and the hacker group Anonymous.

My favorite thing about indie bookstores: Nothing beats a well-curated indie bookstore. The joy of discovering a new-to-me writer or book is unmatched.

Like Happiness is on our shelves now! Grab your copy here.

The Shop Dog Diaries: Auggie Finds His Spark

Hi! I’m Auggie, the newest shop dog at Parnassus Books. I felt nervous when I first got the job that it would be hard to find my thing here. Winnie’s thing is being the best dressed. Barnabus helps Pete receive all the books in the back. Roxy is the best at making friends. Sparky is the big boss’s dog. What would my thing be? Thank goodness Rae Ann took me under her wing. She helped me discover that I’m a big middle grade reader, and now I help her with the Spark Book Club! As my first official task, I interviewed the authors of our upcoming Spark Book Club selections about their books and, perhaps more importantly, their pets.

The March selection is Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. It’s a barktastic book about a girl named Ferris, a ghost, and her grandmother.

AUGGIE: Kate, what is your favorite thing about Ferris ?

KATE DICAMILLO: Auggie, is it shameful to say that I have many favorite things about Ferris?  The book makes me laugh.  Which I love to do.  And also, there is a moment in the book where everyone gathers together around a table for a fabulous meal.  And that is one of my favorite things in the world: to be at a table with people I love.  And then there’s Boomer.  Who is such a good dog.  Every story is better if there’s a Boomer in it, right?

AUGGIE: Do you have a pet, Kate? If yes, what is their name and please send a photo.

KD: I have a dog.  Her name is Ramona.  I will send a picture.  In fact, I will send several pictures.  Because Ramona has requested that I do so. Woof!

Ramona and her toyRamona lounges in a hammockRamona wears her crown

 

 

The April selection is The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. It’s a World War II book and woof, it’s full of bravery.

AUGGIE: Do you have a pet, Kim? If yes, what is their name and please send a photo.

Cava and Beverly Cleary

KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY: Hello, Auggie! So nice to meet you. I’ve always loved the Parnassus shop dogs and I’m delighted you’ve joined them. (I miss Bear. If you’re stepping into his place, you’re filling big shoes.) My dogs Cava (a cavoodle) and Beverly Cleary (a schnoodle) send their love. They’re not bookstore dogs, but they’re excellent writer dogs, always keeping me company while I work. (Bev sometimes insists on helping type. She’s not very good at it.)

In addition to my dogs, I have a cat named Mouse and horses named The Good Ship Sarah (she’s the size of a barge; I just call her Sarah) and Rosalind Franklin (I call her Rosie, though I always feel a little bad about it, since the scientist Rosalind Franklin, for whom my horse is named, hated that nickname.) My daughter’s horse Merlin lives with us too.

AUGGIE: Kim, what is your favorite thing about The Night War ?

KB: My favorite part of The Night War is a spoiler! So I can’t tell you. But it’s absolutely something I’ve never done before, and I absolutely love it. It has to do with one of the characters, who is not entirely what they first seem to be.

Thanks, Auggie! Next time I come to Parnassus, I’ll bring you a biscuit. xo Kim

The May selection is The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon. It’s a howling good book about a library of secrets and time travel.

AUGGIE: Kekla, what is your favorite thing about The Secret Library ?

KEKLA MAGOON: My favorite thing about The Secret Library is that it’s a time travel adventure. In the book, Dally discovers a library of secrets–every “book” in the library contains the story of someone’s real-life secret. When she opens each book, she travels to another place and time, either to the moment when the secret was

Jed takes his editing job very seriously

created or a moment when it was revealed to someone new. The Secret Library gives Dally many exciting (and surprising) chances to learn secrets about her friends and family, and ultimately helps her figure out who she wants to be herself. It was a lot of fun to write a time travel story and to go with Dally on her adventures!

AUGGIE: Do you have a pet, Kekla? If yes, what is their name and please send a photo.

KM: I do! This is Jed, who contributes to all of my stories. He is very helpful, especially when I have a manuscript that needs chewing…I mean, editing. Jed gives five meows and a purr to the Spark Book Club!

AUGGIE: Thank you to my new author friends! I love each of these books! The Spark Book Club is barking perfect for readers ages 8 to 12. If that’s you and you’re not a member yet, sign up here ! 

Campy Questing: An Interview with Kimberly Lemming

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend Love Y’all Fest in Atlanta. It was three days filled to the brim with romance authors. An actual dream! My list of folks I wanted to meet was long, but at the absolute top of that list was Kimberly Lemming, an author whose Mead Mishaps series is a sexy, campy, romantasy. It was also February’s Between the Covers pick. If I were a bard, I would sing loudly (and probably off-key) to all who would listen about just how much I adore her books. But since I am not a bard I will just have to settle for interviewing her for Musing and hand-selling them like crazy to any romance lover who wants a light-hearted and joyful adventure romance with badass WOC leads and devilishly handsome monsters.

I was so excited to catch up with Kimberly this week, because the final (for now) in the series, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human, just dropped on Tuesday! So grab your copy at the store and find the nearest patch of sunshine to devour this gem. Happy Sexy Questing!

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

Katie Garaby: The fantasy romance genre has a long history of being dark and angsty. But your books are a freaking delight. They are campy and sexy and so much fun. How did you make the decision to write a series that goes in such a different direction?

Kimberly Lemming

Kimberly Lemming: I was just desperate for a bit of fun. The world is dark and terrible enough as it is. When I wrote the first book, I just wanted to take myself on a fun little adventure where I knew everything was going to be ok in the end.

KG: Could we talk a little about the leap from indie publishing to trad-publishing? I imagine it’s a wild ride to have generated so much buzz online and to be offered a traditional publishing deal. I’m grateful that your books are available for an even wider audience. How has the transition been?

KL: It’s definitely been an adjustment. I’m so used to telling my readers everything, because I’m so used to taking them along in the process with me. Now with trad, I need to wait for whatever scheduled release that they have planned. On the bright side, having a publisher has taken a few hats off my head, so I have a lot more time to relax and write.

KG: These covers. THESE. COVERS. THESE ABSOLUTELY STUNNING COVERS. When I saw them I nearly passed out. To see gorgeous Black women with these stunning demons on covers that harken back to the classic bodice ripper is just incredible (inserts little happy dance). Could you talk a little bit about your vision with new covers and what it was like working with the artist, Mike Pape?

KL: I must have poured through hundreds of artist portfolios before I came across Mike. He was the only one I found where you could feel the emotions of the characters coming off every piece. His work is incredible and I nearly fell over myself as soon as I saw that he had commissions open. He didn’t even need much direction. Just took a look at the original covers I drew and took off from there. I’m not sure if he or his partner has ever read any of my books, but I was so blown away at how well he was able to capture the vibe of each story.

KG: Let’s imagine it’s the Hero’s Call Festival and you and your friends are pulling up to the local tavern. You lock eyes with one of the characters from your book. Who is it and why?

KL: Dante. I just adore that big weirdo with my whole heart. We’ll chill in his library with some drinks and he can regale me on whatever music he’s currently obsessed with.

KG: I recently saw that your next series was picked up by Berkley, and you are blessing us with an alien romance (I Got Abducted by Aliens So I’m Gonna Make it Everyone’s Problem). Congrats! We are already obsessed. Can you tell us anything at all about this upcoming project?

KL: Imagine you’re minding your business as an animal researcher and then out of nowhere you get attacked by a lion. Rude right? Now imagine you and that lion get abducted by aliens and brought onto a ship with a bunch of freaky looking birds trying to poke and prod at you. You manage to fight your way to freedom, steal an escape pod and crash land onto a planet populated by taller, hotter aliens and dinosaurs. Also, the lion talks now. So, there’s that.

KG: The fantasy romance realm is woefully underrepresented and the need for more queer, Black and BIPOC authors/characters is paramount. Who are you reading right now that you want folks to know about?

KL: I just finished Binti by Nnedi Okorafor and I loved every second of it!

KG: And our favorite question to ask: What is your favorite thing about indie bookstores?

KL: The vibes are always friendly and immaculate. I want to drink coffee next to the shop cat and find my next read.

Get your copy of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human, or any of the other titles in the Mead Mishaps series, in-store or online at parnassusbooks.net!