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.

“Olive is a scientist. Olive is also not a dater. She dated a guy named Jeremy, but that ended because 1) she didn’t really care and 2) she saw sparks fly between him and her BFF. Olive wants her best friend to be happy and decides to kiss a random guy to prove that she has moved on. The problem is, the random guy she kisses turns out to be none other than the known asshole professor, Dr. Adam Carlsen. Mortified, Olive apologies, but it’s not long before everyone finds out and spreads the rumor that they are dating. As Olive tries to put a stop to it, she realizes with Adam, that both can gain something from a fake dating situation. Thus, they move forward with rules and an end date in mind. But what happens when Olive starts to see a softer side of Adam? One who buys her pumpkin spice lattes and gives her such encouragement regarding her science? Also, he is pretty gorgeous. Can Olive really keep this up? Or will it implode before their end goal? This book was such a surprise that had me curled up in bed for hours. The details, the character development, and the intensity of written emotion had me feeling like I had been wrecked and then put back together, only wanting more.”

Jen, Vroman's Bookstore

If you enjoyed I'll Be the One, then you’ll love How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe.

“Magical realism and rivals to lovers on a tour bus? This was such a fun ride, literally. I loved the way Moon pondered words and worked on her photography. Moon working through her low points was handled so sensitively and filled me with hope! ”

Gina, BookPeople

Iron Widow

“Bloodthirsty and tender, full of power, powerlessness, and determination, I could hear Wu Zetian roaring her vengeance call long after I finished this thrilling sci-fi masterpiece.”

Miriasha, Phoenix 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

“Six YA superstars collaborate on this delightful collection of short love stories about black teenagers falling in love during a city-wide blackout. With such a diverse lineup of voices and romance tropes, there is a love story in here for every reader.”

Sofie, Phoenix 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

“Im still rereading sentences pondering and listening to the voices. I've never even remotely read anything like this before....Hats off to Ruth Ozeki!”

Jayne, Mystery to Me

Harlem Shuffle

“A tribute to Harlem...a mystery...so well written, and great characters too!”

Elsie, Bookstore1Sarasota

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

“Fantastic book, my first S.A. Cosby book, but not my last. I enjoyed it on audio -fantastic narrating! It kept me tuning back in. ”

Laura, Oxford Exchange

Cloud Cuckoo Land

“A beautiful tribute to the human need to preserve and share stories. One to read and read again! One of my Top 3 for 2021!”

Samantha, A Great Good Place for 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 book wraps you in all the beauty and sorrows of the world. The magical matriarch of the Montoya family, Orquídea Divina, invites each of her descendants to her funeral - even though she is still alive. As the past and present weave together, the Montoya family can only escape their curse by unspooling what happened to Orquídea. This story is full of wonder and love, a spell that I never wanted to break.”

Samantha, Rediscovered Books