August Booksellers’ Picks

We're more than just booksellers; we're your guides to the wondrous world of literature! Our passion for books goes beyond the pages, and we're thrilled to share that enthusiasm with you. Dive into this month's handpicked selection, curated with love by our team, and discover your next favorite read among our Booksellers' top picks.

Savannah—Bookseller, Johnson City, TN

Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui

“For anyone that is looking for a manga that feels like a warm cup of soup this is the one for you. The world and character building is immaculate and has season two for an anime on the way! I recommend any anime/manga lover to read this!”

Rose—Bookseller, Rocky Mount, NC

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

"Every Heart a Doorway was a beautiful genre salad that delighted and surprised me on every page. This story follows a boarding school for wayward children who have fallen through rabbit holes, wardrobes, or hidden doorways into fantastic realms and then come back to tell the tale. Truly captivating worldbuilding with sympathetic and well-rounded characters all in a snack-sized novella. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series.”

Anne-Marie—Bookseller, Beckley, WV

Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

“I don’t often read historical fiction because the women characters are obedient, subservient, and treated as second class citizens. As Jane Austen said, well behaved women rarely make history.  She may have been talking of Frozen River’s Martha Ballard, based on a true story. Midwife Ballard is called to assess a body pulled from the icy Maine river. When she determines it is the result of a murder, and not an accident, she causes quite a stir.  

Martha would fit in well in our world, and preferably among my circle of friends, as a headstrong, self-educated, open-minded woman. The writing is beautiful, eloquent, and literary, without being overly stuffy, and is interspersed with excerpts from Ballard’s own diaries, recognized by historians as an accurate portrayal of actual pioneer women’s lives in the 18th century.”

Dean—Bookseller, Albany, GA

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

“I am a HUGE fan of all of Holly Jackson's books, and her newest book is no exception. Solving your own "murder" while still being alive and having a time limit is something I've never read before. The feeling surrounding it is intense, and the main character ends up digging up more dirt than she ever imagined. If you love mysteries, complicated relationships, and unexpected endings, this book is for you!”

Alexis—Bookseller, Ft. Smith, AR

One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford

“A haunting narrative from a woman who will do anything to protect her now-zombie husband. Virologist Kesta Shelley is working for Project Dawn, a research team set on finding a cure for the undead outbreak, but she has more personal reasons for finding this miracle vaccine. Her husband, Tim, was infected six months ago, but since then she has kept him locked away and sedated in their apartment. Will Kesta and her team create the much-needed cure, or will a highly secretive lab just below them do the very opposite?”

Tzipporah—Bookseller, Murfreesboro, TN

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

“I could not put this book down! Andy Weir uses real, solid science to explain all the sci-fi happenings in a way that is engaging to read and well-thought out. Not to give away too many spoilers, but Rocky is absolutely one of the most lovable characters in all of fiction. Give it a read before the movie comes out in March!”

Adriana—Bookseller, Bradenton, FL

The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa

“If you enjoy ancient history and fantasy, this book is for you. Thalassa did a wonderful job of building her world in an ancient setting. This fast paced, action packed prequel novel to her Bewitched series kept me up all night reading. While this is a prequel, I do recommend reading it after Bewitched and Bespelled. While it could be read first, as the events of this book take place first, there would be some spoilers. If you love an unapologetic morally charcoal MMC, I highly recommend moving this series up on your TBR. While I loved the first two books, this was by far my favorite.”

Emily—Bookseller, Indianapolis, IN

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

“The Nickel Boys is a fictionalized story written about a very real boys reform school that existed in the Jim Crow South. It follows two boys Elwood and Turner as they look for ways to survive abuse, racism, and oppression in the 1960's reform school for boys. If you enjoyed The Underground Railroad or Beloved, you'll appreciate the emotional depth of The Nickel Boys. Colson Whitehead doesn't just recount abuse; he illustrates how systems aim to bury injustice in the name of reform. It is a story that stays with you long after you have closed the last page.”

Myla—Bookseller, Cleveland, TN

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

“This book transcends my definition of "romance" - each scene is filled with love and tenderness, and I am so happy to have read this over the past month. This book felt whimsical for all the right reasons, and each character was laced perfectly with imperfections and humanity that makes readers want to jump through the pages to comfort them during their trial and errors. For fans of New York City romances and quirky, cozy stories, The Seven Year Slip is perfect for those that need a little laugh, and a little cry.”

Ashley—Bookseller, Davenport, IA

Write Me for You by Tillie Cole

“Heartbreakingly beautiful, this book explores the trials and growing up of 2 17-year-old cancer patients that meet when both are chosen to partake in a clinical trial that could be their last chance at surviving. June, an aspiring romance author, is given an inspiration by fellow patient Jesse, who has made her realize what true love feels like. June endeavors to write her greatest love story of all time, which is the story of herself and Jesse in an alternate universe, where they beat their diseases and have their happily-ever-after. The question is: can June finish her story before their time runs out?”