Blogs

Are you staying safe and warm, friends? It’s been a long, cold week here at the shop, and we’ve been thinking of you all. If your house is heated, if your pipes are unfrozen, and if you’re sitting in front of a fire looking for something to read, we have a few new suggestions for you below—lots of great novels have been published this month. If you’re looking for something shorter, there’s a fabulous new picture book we know your family will love. Bundle up and read on!

February is Black History Month, and we hope you’ll join us in marking the occasion by adding a few new books to your shelves. Here, we’ve collected a list of newly released and forthcoming books by some of our favorite Black creators—with helpful blurbs from our staff of booksellers! The recommendations below span all ages and interests, so whether you’re in the mood for a sweet picture book or a thoughtful collection of essays, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your TBR list. 

Here on the blog, we do our best to shine a light on the very best new books that we think you’ll love. Sometimes, that means that we focus in on a few exciting new novels. Other times, we may shine a light on a handful of great new picture books. And sometimes, like today, we have a range of fun recommendations for toddlers, grandmas, and everyone in between. That’s right: It’s a classic, all-ages Blue Willow bookish love fest. Dig in!

Let’s talk about girlhood. All around the world, teenage girls are going to school, making friends, dreaming big dreams. We see news headlines, but we know so little about ordinary girls’ day-to-day lives.

Girlhood, a new book from journalist Masuma Ahuja, shares those stories. It’s a thoughtful and informative project, centering the voices of thirty teens from twenty-seven countries through diary entries and photographs, with reporting and research to put their stories into context.

We’re thrilled to launch the book with a free, virtual event featuring Masuma in conversation with journalist Rainesford Stauffer. Plan to join us on February 9—you can register for the event here, and purchase your own copy of Girlhood here. In the meantime, check out our exclusive Q&A with the author!

If you’re anything like us, 2021 is already shaping up to be a great year of reading. With big releases already on the shelf from favorites like Angie Thomas, Liese O'Halloran Schwarz, and George Saunders, how could it not be? Here, we collect seven of our favorite new reads, ranging from a tender and important picture book to a literary master class on reading and writing. In between, you’ll find charming love stories, searing historical fiction, and more. Clear some room on your nightstand and dig in.

If you’ve known us for long, you know that we always have a go-to Appalachian novel on our shelves to recommend. More often than not, that’s thanks to Valerie, our fearless leader and devoted reader. Here, Valerie shares an appreciation of one of her favorite authors in the Appalachian genre, Silas House. Both of our store book clubs are discussing House’s work this month, and we’d love for you to join us—you can learn more about our book clubs here.

Friends, it’s time to turn the page on a new year of reading. Books have been such a comfort to us all over the last twelve months—they have educated us, allowed us some needed escapes, made us laugh, made us cry, and made us gasp out loud over an unforeseen twist or a perfect sentence. And let us tell you: There are some truly wonderful reads awaiting you in 2021, too. To start the new year, we’ve collected a roundup that’s heavy on fiction, including a handful of Valerie’s recent favorites. Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet picture book, a family saga, or a thriller, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy below. Read on!

By popular demand! This week, we're eschewing our usual roundup of recent staff favorites in favor of something a little more specific. If you've shopped our store for a while, you probably know Alice. And if you know Alice, you understand implicitly that she'll never steer you towards a bad read. So we've collected a few of Alice's recent favorites—some you can buy now, some you'll have to wait to read until next year—and offer them here as a starter-pack for your 2021 TBR list. Trust us: You're going to love these. Read on!

The holidays are squarely upon us! Even though your celebrations may look a little different this year, there's nothing like a well-timed festive read to capture the magic of the season and time spent with loved ones. Our list of holiday picks is full of great choices to share with the excited kiddos in your life—even if you'll be reading together by Zoom this year. Bookseller pro tip: Reading these sweet books is a great way to get yourself into the holiday spirit, too. Who says children's books can't be enjoyed by adults? Here's to happy, cozy, and safe reading, friends.

Our wonderful and hardworking Teen Advisory Board is back with their last monthly YA recommendations of 2020. We are extremely grateful for their many hours of reading and reviewing. Take a look below to find your next read! There's a little of everything: Rom-com, drama, fantasy, suspense. One of the picks below, The Good Girls, has been selected as the official December pick in Blue Willow's YA First Editions Club subscription program. (A little reminder for you all: The holidays are right around the corner and the subscription makes a great gift.) Looking for some more? Scroll back through the other amazing recommendations on our blog. Happy reading!