October's Bookseller Picks

Beautiful Country

“In this brutally honest coming-of-age memoir, Qian Julie Wang comes to terms with the deprivations and struggles of her undocumented Chinese upbringing in New York City in the 1990s.”

Kayleen Rohrer, InkLink Books

If you enjoyed The Kiss Quotient, then you’ll love The Love Hypothesis.

“Ali Hazelwood's debut is a HIT! This book has it all. On the serious side, we've got valuable conversations of asexuality and a focus on women in STEM and the realities of the academic world. On the tropey side, we've got fake dating, a bit of the grump/sunshine dynamic, and a hilarious play on "there was only one bed"! This book has so many laugh out loud moments, often courtesy of Olive's best friend Ahn, that I cannot stop thinking about. There's really something for everyone in this story, and it's one I couldn't put down! If you are a fan of contemporary romances, or are just starting out in the genre, this is an absolute must-read!!!”

Sarah, Anderson's Bookshop

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

“This was just so darned delightful. I loved Moon, and her sharp retorts (she comes up with the best insults!), as well as her determination to succeed at her goals even though she constantly doubts herself. She and her twin sister, Star, are opposites in all ways. Star is the beautiful one, and Moon is not. Star is loved, and Moon is not. Star is a social influencer, and Moon, well, you'll find out. While there is a great enemies to lovers romance, with a wonderful cinnamon bun, Santiago, to me, this is more about Moon's family dynamics and how she reconciles them with her life. I listened to this and the narrator is fantastic.”

Audrey, Belmont Books

Iron Widow

“This book was amazing, brutal, unique, and horrific. The audio book was absolutely fantastic. There was so much representation and so many difficult topics and situations handled really well. The characters are extremely morally grey but it made it so intriguing to never know what they were going to do next. I will definitely be recommending this book!”

Lauren, Schuler Books

The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova

“A feel-good family mystery, with a host of quirky characters. Travel back to the golden era of holiday camps in the UK, where magic and reality collide for a young clairvoyant, creating a tangled web for the next generation. I loved listening to this book on Libro.fm. ”

Amy, Bright Side Bookshop

Blackout

“From six of the most incredible YA writers in the game comes a unique set of intertwining stories that exemplify the beauty of young black love. A heatwave has caused a major blackout in New York City and six unlikely couples find themselves stuck together in different parts of the city. With six distinctive voices, they all managed to harmoniously come together to create a single story that is altogether breathtaking. This is the young adult romance book that I never knew I needed. ”

Elisa, Cellar Door Books

Olga

“Translated from German, this was a most excellent tale of Olga. It read like a memoir. I enjoyed the varied narrators, each with a different view of her simple, yet profound life. This felt like sitting down with my grandmother's journals and rediscovering she lived a thousand lives aside from the one I knew like the back of my own hand.”

Kathy, The Well-Read Moose

Fault Lines

“Emily Itami has given us an incredibly engaging, hilarious, and relatable narrator in Mizuki as she navigates the fault lines in her marriage, in her past, and within herself.”

Danielle Raub, Itinerant Literate Books

A Little Devil in America

“I loved Hanif Abdurraqib’s A Little Devil in America. This essential book explores a handful of Black performers—some world-famous, others everyday people—across a wide variety of disciplines, seamlessly woven into snippets and stories from Hanif’s own life about Black culture and the performance of Blackness. JD Jackson’s low and easy narration is the perfect complement. Hanif’s commentary on tenderness and rage is especially moving.”

Mary, Raven Book Store

If you enjoyed The Magicians, then you’ll love The Last Graduate.

“If you fell in love with El like I did, you will be thrilled to know she is her same snarky self. A grander scheme will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. And oh... what an ending! Once again, flawlessly narrated by Anisha Dadia.”

Kristine, Buttonwood Books and Toys

The Book of Form and Emptiness

“What I love most about Ruth Ozeki's writing is that it's different every time. You get some of the same vibe but her storylines are vast and unpredictable and you never know what you are getting into, but it will be good and 100% worth your time! The Book of Form and Emptiness started off bizarre but sucked me in so fast and then made me slow down to absorb every single word. It was almost meta with one of its main voices, a Book, and hit hard with its deep dive into mental illness. Parts of this book skewed a little Murakami in tone but coming from someone who doesn't always love Murakami, there is something so human and relatable in Ozeki's writing that separates her a little. Benny lives alone with his mother Annabelle after losing his father in a terrible accident a few years previous. Plagued by the voices of inanimate objects around him, Benny struggle with his mental health throughout the novel. In part narrated by one of his voices, an omnipresent Book, whom Benny first encounters at an abandoned Bindery at his local library. The Book tells us the story of Benny and Annabelle through a third party lens. We encounter a fun cast of characters from Benny's adventures who all band together to help this family get through a tough time. Truly a magical reading experience that is full of heart, Ozeki's newest work is a must read for fans of literary fiction.”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

Harlem Shuffle

“A wonderful evocation of a time and place, which is not to say it doesn't have the tension of a crime thriller. It's fun to ride along with Ray, who may be more than a little bent, but will likely become your favorite furniture salesman, nevertheless.”

Robin, Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

Under the Whispering Door

“TJ Klune has the unmatched ability to make my heart go all warm and gooey like a chocolate chip cookie. ”

Amber, Quail Ridge Books

Razorblade Tears

“At once gritty and graphic, tender and heart wrenching, Razorblade Tears is the story of two fathers hardened by life circumstances and their respective prejudices who seek vengeance against those who killed their gay sons. The audio was perfection. We NEED this novel to be on the big screen, with Denzel Washington playing Ike. ”

Jessica, Main Street Books Davidson

If you enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind, then you’ll love Cloud Cuckoo Land.

“I loved this book so much. The intersection of the various stories surrounding a profound awareness of the importance of books was perfect. I also appreciated the weaving of the classic tale intertwined all throughout the book. Each character's story could have been a book all by themselves, but having them all together was brilliant. This is a book that I didn't know I needed, but was the perfect book for the time I listened to it.”

Tim, Schuler Books

On Animals

“I really enjoy Susan Orleans' writing, but I REALLY love listening to her. On Animals is a lovely collection of essays on animals. Ruminations on chickens (hers), mules, pandas, dogs and more get the wonderful "Orlean" treatment. At times funny, some sad, but always with a sense of wonder and surprise. ”

Liesl, Boulder Book Store

An international bestseller!

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling, “dark coming-of-age adventure” (Culturess) about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead.

The spirits of the dead do not rest.

Artemisia is training... Read more »

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

“This story sparkles and enchants! It’s a rich and layered multigeneration saga featuring strong women and a mystery veiled in magical realism that will tease and feed your imagination.”

Grace Rajendran, University Book Store