Highlights of what we've been reading and loving.
The Dog Days of Summer may *technically* be over, but we Texans know it's still plenty hot out there. Here, our part-time shop dog Jacky Dawson shares her thoughts on this summertime phenomenon—plus some of her top reading picks for you (about dogs, of course)!
Ah, September. Here at the shop, it's one of our very favorite months, and not just for its innate "Shop Around the Corner" vibes. See, September also marks the start of the busiest, most exciting season in publishing, when box after box of great new releases hit our shelves (and shortly thereafter, yours). In fact, the staff has read so many wonderful books coming out this month that we're doubling down on staff picks and bringing you a new set of recommendations every week. Up first? An all-ages, all-genres, all-interests buffet full of familiar favorites and a few new names. Dig in!
Who else has been enjoying the rainy weather around here? It's good for the trees, and it's good for our to-be-read piles, which were frankly starting to get a little out of hand. We've been reading up a storm around here (pun absolutely and shamelessly intended), and we'd love to help steer you towards a new book or two to cozy up with this week. Mystery? Middle grade? Romance? Short stories? We've got all that and more — read on!
Looking for a fresh read? If you're a fan of fiction, you've come to the right place. This week, we're featuring six wonderful novels here on the blog — with one irresisitble middle grade adventure and a rollicking piece of historical nonfiction thrown in, to boot. What will it be: Romance? Thriller? Historical? Or perhaps something new from a literary powerhouse (we've got several of those!). Whichever strikes your fancy, you're sure to be delighted by the recommendations below. Read on!
Summer's ticking away, which reminds us to ask: How are your Summer Reading bingo cards shaping up? You have about a week left to squeeze in another square or two — or three or four if you're going for blackout. Lucky for you, our staff picks have all kinds of bingo potential. We've got a funny picture book, provocative mysteries, beach reads, a first-rate memoir, and more — dig in!
The heat, the heat, the heat. Are we the only ones who feel like we're a degree or two away from starting to melt? There's really only one reasonable reaction to this kind of weather: Stay indoors, throw some ice in your drink, and crack open a stack of new books. Happily, our staff is full of great recommendations this week. We've got books that will make you laugh or make you cry. Books that will show you another world or another time. Books to share, and books to savor alone. Most importantly, books that will keep you turning the pages. If you read fast enough, it's kinda like having a fan. Read on!
Is it too early to call these blazing afternoons the "dog days" of summer? The stars may say no, but we're going to go ahead and do it anyway. Fortunately, we know the very best way to beat the heat: Stay inside with a great new book, like one of the recent releases we're featuring below. Only one is actually about a dog. But there's another one about bones, which we think should count for something. And all of them are perfect summer reads. Enjoy!
There's nothing quite like that special bookshop smell. (Just ask Rory Gilmore.) Lately, our shelves have been positively perfumed by the sweet scent of summer reading. There have been so many wonderful new releases hitting our shelves that are just perfect for road trips, the beach, or just a lazy summer afternoon with a glass of iced tea and a comfortable chair. Below, we've rounded up a few of our newest favorites, for readers of all ages. There's romance, friendship, adventure, history, and magic to be found below. Breathe deep, and dig in.
Step into our shop these days, and it will take you about two seconds to find the perfect book for summer reading — three of the new releases we're featuring below have waterfront covers, for goodness' sake. So grab your bingo card (or print one out at home) and join us for a summer full of great books for readers of all ages. We've got YA, romance, literary fiction, and lots more to share with you this week — including a few great picks to help you usher in Pride Month in style. Make some space on your bookshelf and come see us. We've got cool air, a smile, and some opinionated recommendations to share with you all.
Have you heard that books make the best gifts? It's true... and we know that many of you have called or stopped in recently looking for gifts for a couple of specific late-spring occasions: High school and college graduations, and Father's Day. Here, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite in-stock recommendations for each occasion. So if you’re seeking words of wisdom, inspiration, or helpful college cooking tips, check out our grad section below. Scroll past those picks, and you’ll find an assortment of dad-approved titles from picture books to nonfiction. Stop in or give us a call, and we'll even take care of the gift-wrapping — leaving you more time to celebrate the dads and grads in your life. Hooray!