Recommendations and Reviews

Are y'all ready for this? Early May marks the start of the big summer publishing push, and our crowded back room can attest to the fact that there are lots of great new books heading your way soon. Scientifically speaking, we're talking "oodles." Frankly, we'd really appreciate it if you paid us a visit and brought your biggest tote bag. We're sure you'll find some gems to take home — after all, this Tuesday alone boasts new releases from favorite authors like Carter Higgins, Vashti Harrison, Katherine Applegate, Angeline Boulley, Emily Henry, and more. Read on!

How's your summer reading list shaping up? Because ours is looking absolutely great (if perhaps a little ambitious, in terms of its length), thanks to another wave of incredible new releases now gracing our shelves. Do you want to start with a steamy rom-com as the weather heats up? A graphic novels that pack a punch? Mystery? Thriller? Historical fiction? Memoir? You'll find all that and then some among our most recent batch of staff picks. Decisions can be tough, so here's our best advice: Squeeze all twelve onto your shelf and work your way through them in the months ahead. You won't be disappointed.

The staff has been reading faster than ever here at the shop. Thank goodness, too — there have been so many great books hitting our shelves that it's been hard to keep up! This week, we've selected a whopping twelve of our favorite new releases — six for kids, and six for adults. No matter what you're looking for, we know you're going to fall for one of the staff picks below. Funny picture book? Twisty teen mystery? Historical fiction? Historical fact? You'll find all that and more... read on!

Books are a bit like donuts, don't you think? Sure, you could stop in for one or two. But it's way more fun to just go for a dozen and share them with friends. (Or just keep them all for yourself! No judgments here.) So this week, we're bringing you a longer-than-usual roundup of a twelve of our favorite new releases, featuring titles for readers of all ages and interests. Only one thing to do: Dig in!

How are you for shelf space? Because you may want to consider clearing some room — we're entering a busy time in publishing, with lots of new favorites coming into the store every week. Here, we've selected ten of the very best new books, from kid lit by beloved creators like Kelly Yang and the Pumphrey brothers to a novel that might just end up being our favorite of the year. There's also nonfiction, a thriller, romance... even a sweet picture book that's perfect for your family's next multi-generational story time. Come on in and we'll load you up — if you think your bookshelves can take it.

Just two months into the year, we can't believe how many great books we've already shared with you. There are lots more on the way, too, starting with this batch of new releases that definitely deserve a spot on your shelf. We've got all ages and pretty much all interests covered below. The only question is, which one will you read first?

New books are here! This year in publishing is starting off with a bang — we can tell that a few of the titles we've already shared with you on the blog will find their way onto our year-end "best books" list. As a matter of fact, we may have a few new contenders in our latest grouping of staff picks below, from heartfelt middle grade to riveting nonfiction. And have you heard? Blue Willow Mystery Day is coming up on February 11, so you'd better believe we have some thrills and intrigue on offer, too. Dig in!

Calling all armchair sleuths and thrill-seekers! We’re celebrating Blue Willow’s first-ever Mystery Day on Saturday, February 11. It’ll be just like any other day at the shop — opinionated service and possible hand-flailing — but we’ll be focusing especially on some of our favorite mystery novels for readers of all ages and inclinations. So stop by, check our special displays, and ask the staff for their favorite thriller or whodunnit — you’ll never see the twist coming! Here, Valerie shares a note on her lifelong love of the genre, followed by a handful of staff favorites you can look for on the 11th. The game is afoot — read on!

Did you set any reading goals for the year? To try out a different genre, maybe, or to read a certain number of books? You're in luck — we've got a new wave of rom-coms, thrillers, page-turners, and more that will help you start the year off right. The publishing world is off to a hot start in 2023, and we'd love to steer you towards your ideal read. Scroll through the list below to see our latest and greatest staff picks — or give us a call for a personalized pick. Either way, read on!

It may be a new year, but here at the shop we're up to all of our same old tricks. Namely, we're reading tons of great books and probably causing lots of future problems for your available shelf space. Here, we've compiled a great collection of early-January releases that we think will fit right in to your existing TBR pile. We've got a lovely picture book, thoughtful middle grade, and a quintet of novels in different genres. What are you in the mood for? Read on to find the perfect fit!