Current Newsletter: More great reads: Southern Book Prize Fiction Finalists.

Bookstores with reviews in this week's newsletter:

• James Harrod, Malaprop's in Asheville, North Carolina
• Tara Leimkuehler, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
• Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Sharon Davis, Book Bound Bookstore in Blairsville, Georgia
• Susan Williams, M Judson, Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina
• Miranda Sanchez, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Kelli Dynia, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida
• Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop in Midlothian, Virginia
• Sarah Dimaria, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana
• Jamie Southern, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Sandra Huff, Virginia Highland Books in Atlanta, Georgia
• Halli Heinmets, Underbrush Books in Rogers, Arkansas
• Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Josh Niesse, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia
• Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia
• Tracy Billing, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
• Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Book Buzz Feature: Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
I grew up reading Agatha Christie. Her mysteries are classic and even amidst the dead bodies, oddly nostalgic and comforting for me. I have always wanted to write a mystery with lots of plot twists but do it in a way that feels true to me and my interests. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Egyptologist, and so when I grew up and writing became my career, I knew I’d one day write a story set in Egypt. The Secrets of the Nile duology has all of my favorite things: a main character who isn’t a warrior but a dreamer, wanting to belong somewhere and yearning to make sense of the world around her. She’s bright and curious and impulsive, a teenager of her time and perhaps with an eye to the future, too. The love interest is morally gray and constantly questioning people and their motives and intentions. He’s cynical and sensitive and probably a little sad all the time. Together, I think they learn to heal and grow up, making mistakes along the way because no one gets it right the first time, or even the second. ― Isabel Ibañez, Interview, She Reads

Decide For Yourself Banned Book Feature:
Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnsons
It’s picture day at school, and Molly doesn’t want to wear the dress her Mom picked out; it doesn’t even have pockets! I loved this picture book that celebrates personal expression and the importance of being your true self. Bright, playful art with a wonderful message, Molly’s Tuxedo is a picture book winner!.
― Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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