Bliss Books & Wine Book Club Picks - 2021

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones.... Read more »

An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well-Read Black Girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature.

Remember that moment when you first encountered a character who seemed to be written just for you? That feeling of belonging remains with readers the rest of... Read more »

Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee; a girl with her mother's bright blue eyes and her father's jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But Lydia is under pressures that have nothing to do with growing up in 1970s small town Ohio. Her father is an American born... Read more »

“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” –President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony

"Just As I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. Here, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been...

Legendborn

“I am blown away, out of the water, and through the roof. If this book doesn't make ALL the best of 2020 lists, I will burn them to the ground. Legendborn had me hook, line, and sinker from the start, and it just kept getting better. Bree is a force to be reckoned with and I loved her wholeheartedly. Deonn never reduces her or holds back the anger that is rightfully hers, nor does she reduce Bree to that anger. This is a story of overcoming grief and turning it into something hopeful. This is an ode to family (both found & born), to Black Girl Magic, to overthrowing that which only serves a privileged few. And that Twilight reference? Slayed me! A blazing beauty of a book. My only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next one.”

Britt, Second Star to the Right

Named in USA Today's "5 books not to miss," and New York Post's "The best new books to read"

From New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey—named one of USA Today’s 100 Black Novelists and Fiction Authors You Should Read—comes his final work: an unflinchingly timely novel about history, hearts, and family.
 
It’s the summer of 2019, and... Read more »

If you enjoyed The Lions of Fifth Avenue, then you’ll love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

“What a great read! Perfect balance of pure gossip and Hollywood drama with a gut-wrenching love story all told from the perspective of a woman who is so flawed and so endearing. This book went somewhere that was so surprising and yet made so much sense. It turns all preconceived notions of Hollywood on their head and certainly makes you question anything you've read in tabloids and online. A must-read! I just re-read this for my book club almost 3.5 years after the first time (and the release date). Damn, it is still an engrossing read. The audiobook was narrated by three faves: Alma Cuervo (the PERFECT EVELYN! STUNNING!), Robin Miles (who is amazing), and Julia Whelan (genius idea to give a different voice to all the celebrity rags and Whelan's voice was perfect for it).”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

Firekeeper's Daughter

“This story of a young woman roped into a federal investigation of a drug ring tearing her Ojibwe community apart is riveting and sorrowful. Daunis is an 18 year old non-enrolled Ojibwe with plenty of ambition and skills and won't see a clear path to her future that doesn't involve working in her community. This book moved me in so many ways but Daunis' connection to her elders and their traditions really drove this plot. While her parents' choices keep her from acceptance and death seems to haunt her, Daunis stays focused on her values: preserving and protecting the Ojibwe way of life for the next 6 generations. I loved how Boulley wove the Anishinaabe language, traditions and teaching into this story without spelling it all out for non-Native readers. This book tells the story of some of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) and helps us connect with the stories more personally.”

Jessica, BookBar

While Justice Sleeps

“Highly recommend this legal thriller! I was pleasantly surprised by Ms. Abram's writing style and talent. She kept me engaged and on my toes throughout the entire book. I couldn't figure out what was coming and the reveal came as a surprise.”

Julia, The Book Worm Bookstore

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller!
 
From debut author Asha Lemmie, “a lovely, heartrending story about love and loss, prejudice and pain, and the sometimes dangerous, always durable ties that link a family together.” —Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Nightingale

Kyoto, Japan, 1948. “Do... Read more »

Mexican Gothic

“Although Mexican Gothic begins in an unassuming Gothic way, with a psychotic cousin and a haunted house, the book slowly turns until you are completely snatched from reality and cannot put the book down. Until the end, I couldn’t figure out which of the creepy characters were trustworthy or even which scenes were reality. The atmosphere and setting of this book were remarkably vibrant; I could picture High Place and each of its residents in full disgusting detail. While the book may begin slowly, and some readers may be tempted to put it down after the first 50 pages, this one was worth sticking it out for me and many others.

This is definitely a horror novel, and some readers may need content warnings for sexual assault, suicide, domestic abuse, incest, hallucinations, murder and gore, cannibalism, eugenics, death of a parent and other family members, miscarriages, and racism. It is difficult to provide a full review of this book without delving into spoilers, but it is certainly more than just a haunted house. Readers of fast-paced action-filled horror and readers of beautiful yet devastating prose will find something to enjoy in this story. Despite the plethora of content warnings, I would recommend this book to young adults as well as adults that enjoy horror.”

Endya, Beausoleil Books

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

Their lives began together, but their worlds couldn't be more different. After thirty years of missed connections, they're about to meet again...

Minnie Cooper knows two things with certainty: that her New Year's birthday is unlucky, and that it's all because of Quinn... Read more »