Book Bites: Cynthia Rylant, Helen Ellis, and More!
Submitted by blue willow con... on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 1:27pm
The summer heat is showing no signs of letting up. Fortunately, neither is the barrage of great new books coming into the shop each week. We suggest that you grab a stack and settle in for some air-conditioned (or poolside!) reading. Below, we have a list of recent recommendations for all ages—from a picture book biography of a Tejano icon to gentle middle grade, teen thrillers, literary fiction, and laugh-out-loud essays. Read on!
Summer reading is in full swing, and we have great new releases rolling onto our shelves every week to prove it. This week, we’re focusing mostly on novels, from cutting literary fiction to an effervescent new rom-com from the one and only Jasmine Guillory. (But for good measure, we’ve thrown in a great new series that straddles the line between early reading and middle grade, too.) So clear off some space on your bookshelf or nightstand and get ready to read—there are a few books below you won’t want to miss!
It’s summer in Houston, and the days are long, hot, and humid. In other words, conditions are perfect for diving into a good book. Luckily, we have just what you need in order to practice a little shelf care. Here, dig into staff reviews of six new novels we think you’ll love. If you’re feeling factual, we’ve thrown in a nonfiction title, too—inspired by a classic novel written by the author’s father. Read on!
Did you know that June is audiobook month? How about that audiobook purchases can support local, independent bookstores like yours truly? That’s right—our audiobook partner, 
We’re getting to that time of year when we pretty much want to do one thing: Settle in with a nice pile of books, directly underneath the strongest A/C vent we can find. (Maybe with an occasional trip to the poolside thrown in for variety’s sake.) Happily, there have been some great June releases hitting our shelves that will make building the perfect stack a breeze. Settle in for our latest recommendations, from middle grade to YA rom-com to summery novels to nonfiction. We’ve even thrown in a cookbook, in case you get peckish. Read on!
June is a month of celebrations, friends, and we’re here to remind you that books make the best gifts. So we’ve compiled a list of recommendations to help you celebrate the grad or dad in your life. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, words of wisdom, or just a bunch of cute animals to lift the spirits, you’ll find it in our grad section below. Scroll a little further, and you’ll come across a collection of dad-tested, dad-approved titles in fiction and non. Did we mention that we gift wrap? Oh, the places you’ll go… now that you have your gift-giving sorted out.
It was another rainy summer week in Houston, so if you’re anything like us, you’ve been mowing through your TBR list like nobody’s business. Lucky for you, we’re here with a fresh batch of recommendations to spruce up your shelves. This week, we have nine new titles for your consideration, from YA historical fiction to breezy beach reads to a book of essays about Juneteenth. So take a peek at our reviews below and clear some space on your nightstand—we think you’re going to find something you’ll love.
Summer reading is back, friends, which means that our shelves are spilling over with bright new literary confections. This week, we want to share a stop-in-your-tracks-gorgeous picture book that will inspire profound conversations. From there, you can take a refreshing dip into some middle grade magic or explore the buzzy new YA novel that’s part The Princess Diaries, part Crazy Rich Asians. We also have three breezy reads for adults, plus a wildly entertaining Texas-based family novel that takes its cues from Greek mythology. And finally, a dishy Hollywood memoir with surprising emotional resonance. Shake off your beach towel and stop in for a stack—we’d love to see you.
We have a bee in our bonnet about books around here—can’t stop reading them, can’t stop talking about them. So this week, we’re bringing you a range of buzzed-about recommendations that we just know you’re going to love. Below, you’ll find a stunning new picture book that encourages readers to stop and appreciate nature, a beekeeping novel, a sweet-as-honey rom com that’s perfect for the beach, an ode to the hummingbird, and much more. Give us a buzz and schedule your shopping appointment—there’s reading to be done!
Could your shelves use a little freshening, friends? (This is a trick question. The answer is always “yes.”) Our merry band of booksellers has been enjoying the wave of spring releases coming into the shop, and we’d love to share a few of our favorites with you. This week, we’re excited about an unusual new picture book from an all-time favorite, a pair of YA adventures loved by our teen advisory board, a modern short story collection that draws from mythology, and a trio of novels vetted by Liz. Read on!