From the Land of SIBAA message from SIBA to its membership
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First Things First...
8/8: NVNR August! (register)
9/7 & 9/8: Pass A Good Time with SIBA in New Orleans (info coming soon!)
Booksellers, be featured in the SIBA newsletter: click here
Read something great? Submit your review to SBR: click here
If you missed any of the Rep Picks session at NVNR May, they are available to all NVNR attendees watch at newvoicesnewrooms.org. Register or sign in to see the videos and access links to the accompanying Edelweiss collections.
Looking Ahead and a Call for Authors
Mark your calendars for SIBA's next in-person event in the always lovely city of New Orleans, September 7&8, 2022.
"Pass a Good Time with SIBA" is an in-person bookseller event which includes Author Receptions and Meals, a Bookstore Tour of New Orleans, and a Day of Education. Registration opens June 15th.
The NVNR Readers of the Last ARC Galley Room is always one of the most popular stops for booksellers during an NVNR event. Although the request form is currently closed, the Galley Room itself is open for browsing to NVNR Attendees. There were 188 books in the NVNR May Galley Room. Here is the "bestseller list" of most-requested titles.
Horse by Geraldine Brooks / Viking
Invisible: A Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez / Graphix
The Little Book of North American Mammals : A Guide to North America’s Mammals, from Bears to Bison by Forrest Everett / Bushel & Peck Books
Black Girl Rising by Brynne Barnes / Chronicle Books
Bookish People by Susan Coll / Harper Muse
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander / Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng / Penguin Press
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean / Tor Books
Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd / Scholastic Press
The Island by Adrian McKinty / Little, Brown and Company
Legendary Creatures by Adam Auerbach / Christy Ottaviano Books
Future Hero by Remi Blackwood / Scholastic Press
Koshersoul by Michael W. Twitty / HarperCollins/Amistad
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Cultured Donuts : Take a Bite Out of Art History by Chloe Tyler / Flowerpot Press
Francis Discovers Possible by Ashlee Latimer / Abrams/Abrams Books for Young Readers
How to Money by Jean Chatzky / Roaring Brook Press
A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia / Sourcebooks Landmark
Barb and the Ghost Blade by Dan Abdo / Simon & Schuster/ S&S Books for Young Readers
Dirtbag, Massachusetts by Isaac Fitzgerald / Bloomsbury
Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong / Margaret K. McElderry Books
Ithaca by Claire North / Redhook
Anne of Greenville by Mariko Tamaki / Melissa de la Cruz Studio
A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair / Union Square & Co.
Galleys & Giveaways: What We Owe the Future
What We Owe the Future
by William MacAskill
Basic Books / Hachette Book Group
On Sale Date: August 16, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781541618626
Hardcover $32.00
Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy
“This book will change your sense of how grand the sweep of human history could be, where you fit into it, and how much you could do to change it for the better. It's as simple, and as ambitious, as that.” —Ezra Klein
An Oxford philosopher makes the case for “longtermism” — that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time
The fate of the world is in our hands. Humanity’s written history spans only five thousand years. Our yet-unwritten future could last for millions more – or it could end tomorrow. Astonishing numbers of people could lead lives of great happiness or unimaginable suffering, or never live at all, depending on what we choose to do today.
In What We Owe The Future, philosopher William MacAskill argues for longtermism, that idea that positively influencing the distant future is a key moral priority of our time. From this perspective, it’s not enough to reverse climate change or avert the next pandemic. We must ensure that civilization would rebound if it collapsed; counter the end of moral progress; and prepare for a planet where the smartest beings are digital, not human.
If we put humanity’s course to right, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will thrive, knowing we did everything we could to give them a world full of justice, hope and beauty.
Sign Up for Indie Shindig, Pride Edition!
ABRAMS Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, Candlewick Press, Chronicle Books, Sourcebooks, and Workman Publishing have partnered together for to continue this successful annual virtual event series for independent booksellers. This year's Indie Shindig theme is Everybody Needs Pride, celebrating books with queer content and/or by queer creators, and raising money for the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and Lambda Literary. Participating publishers will split a donation of $20 per bookseller attendee for each event between the NCAC and Lambda Literary. Read more
The Anti-Racist Bookseller
How "Good Intent" Undermines Diversity and Inclusion
Many businesses, especially those like bookstores which are community-focused and host public events, have developed some kind of "Code of Conduct" both as a statement of their commitment to creating a civil and safe space, and also to let people know what behaviors will not be tolerated in that space.
Codes of Conduct are generally designed to mitigate and resolve conflicts between individuals, but unless impact is prioritized over intent, they can inadvertently serve to excuse or erase the harm caused by microaggressions and systemic racism. The very "safe space" a code of conduct is intended to produce becomes unsafe:
"Being mindful of systemic inequalities is essential when handling code of conduct concerns. Addressing incidents as if they’re simple conflicts between the parties involved sets up a false equivalence between dealing with discrimination and dealing with the momentary discomfort of being told you hurt someone."
That is, when your code of conduct is violated out of carelessness or ignorance, if you don't address the hurt caused to the victim before the feelings of the transgressor, you are in effect creating a space where things like systemic racism, homophobia, etc are allowed exist.
Read more about SIBA's Circle of Sites Program (aka the "banner for dues" program) and find out whether your store is eligible to participate and receive free membership dues.
Wow! Brooks knows how to tell a story and this one weaves many characters that all have one thing in common: The Horse called Lexington, a great racehorse but also the greatest sire of the late 19th Century. Lexington was a real horse, and this novel contains true facets of his life and real people around him, but also fictional characters that cared for him both during his life and after his death. We have a big equestrian community in our county and they will love this, as will book clubs. ―Beth Carpenter from The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, NC Buy from The Country Bookshop
Horse by Geraldine Brooks Brooks has woven an extraordinary adventure about Lexington, a Kentucky thoroughbred. His accomplishments were extraordinary. He won all but one of his races but more significantly his legacy as the most successful leading sire in America during the last half of the nineteenth century makes him unparalleled in horse history. Other figures play into this story: Jarrett, the slave boy groom who loved him, Thomas Scott, the painter who captured Lexington on canvas and others whose contributions were significant. A fascinating story! Brooks is a masterful storyteller! I loved it! ―Stephanie Crowe from Page & Palette in Fairhope, AL Buy from Page & Palette
A compelling and beautifully-crafted story with a mystery at its giant, horse-sized heart. This is a book about the fragility of life, love, and liberty for people of color in this country, in the past and in the present day. ―Maggie Robe from Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC Buy from Flyleaf Books
A novel written as a memoir of Dana Potowski (who is also a restaurant critic) chosen as one of eight members of her church’s search committee for a new senior minister. This is a wonderful story of diverse ages and personalities striving to reach a decision that adheres to their mission and is best for all, regardless of their personal opinions – and each of the members has an opinion. I loved this book and stayed up way past my bedtime reading it because I couldn’t put it down.
Linda-Marie: Reading: The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman. The first novel I've read that brings Covid front and center, which makes for a more somber read than usual for Viola Shipman. As a former sewing enthusiast, details about cloth and buttons and changes in the garment industry from personal to commercial add depth and interest to this story about unearthing family secrets and finding joy however you can.
Listening: Have heard a lot of rap during a week visiting family in Boston, and enjoyed hearing my two nephews sing along.
Watching: The French Open and, because I wanted to be among family, the newest season of Stranger Things, which was absolutely terrifying.
Robin: Reading: The Book of Night by Holly Black. Siren Queen made me think of Flung Out of Space by Grace Ellis about Patricia Highsmith and the critical necessity of representation. It’s a incomplete thought on my part, but I recommend Flung Out of Space as an interesting portrait of a complicated, flawed person. Listening: Finished and loved Siren Queen. Nigh Vo keeps getting better. The tiny callback to The Chosen & The Beautiful was *chef’s kiss* and I love the idea that there might be more of this dangerous magical world to come. Watching: Nothing in particular at the moment.
Nicki: Reading:The Books of Jacob (yes, still. It is a really long book.) Finished Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's Good Wives -- no one brings to light the complexities and nuances of a woman's life in early colonial New England like she does. And now I've picked up Joseph Mitchell's Up in the Old Hotel for what may be my hundredth re-read because I wanted to read something beautiful. Listening: Jennifer Higgie on Suzanne Valadon, on the Great Women Artists podcast. The acrobat-turned-model-turned-artist whose work was somehow never front and center for me, dammit. She is amazing. Watching: On an Endeavor refresh, can't wait for the new season later this month!
SP: Reading: About to crack the virtual cover of Frances Spaulding's 1983 biography of Vanessa Bell (Vanessa Bell: Portrait of a Bloomsbury Artist) so I can spend the rest of the summer imagining I'm a Bloomsbury bohemian with a thrillingly florid domestic life. Listening: Wilco's brand-new double album, Cruel Country, which sounds more like Wilco-of-old which is fine by me. More than fine, in fact. Watching: Stranger Things 4, which was much too long and squicky and I kind of forgot what happened in Stranger Things 3 and I really did not like some of the narrative choices and I guessed the big twist at the end almost from the start. Obviously, I enjoyed every second and can't wait for the rest of it in July.
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HARDCOVER FICTION
1. Sea of Tranquility
Emily St. John Mandel, Knopf, $25, 9780593321447
2. This Time Tomorrow
Emma Straub, Riverhead Books, $28, 9780525539001
3. The Paris Apartment
Lucy Foley, Morrow, $28.99, 9780063003057
4. The Midnight Library
Matt Haig, Viking, $26, 9780525559474
5. The Candy House
Jennifer Egan, Scribner, $28, 9781476716763
HARDCOVER NONFICTION
1. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir
Michelle Zauner, Knopf, $26.95, 9780525657743
2. Riverman: An American Odyssey
Ben McGrath, Knopf, $29, 9780451494009
3. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy, HarperOne, $22.99, 9780062976581
4. So Help Me Golf: Why We Love the Game
Rick Reilly, Hachette Books, $29, 9780306924934
5. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Brené Brown, Random House, $30, 9780399592553
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance
Supporting independent bookstores in the South
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
Useful Links
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Available during regular business hours at 803-994-9530, or anytime at siba@sibaweb.com
Thank you for your interest in SIBA,
Nicki Leone
SysAdmin nicki@sibaweb.com
SIBA | 51 Pleasant Ridge Drive | Asheville, NC 28805
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What We Owe the Future 
How "Good Intent" Undermines Diversity and Inclusion
