FAVORITE
Com pi l ed by J essi ca St ri nger and Mart ha Zaytoun
SEASON’S READINGS
The staff at the four Best Bookstores share their picks for summer books
bookstore
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“You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty” by Akwaeke Emezi “Steamy, literary, electric. I absolutely loved it.” – Elese Stutts, Flyleaf Books
“Something Bad Wrong” by Eryk Pruitt “It got a little blurb in the New York Times! Eryk is the owner of Yonder, the bar across the street from us, and hosts Noir at the Bar events. – Sharon Wheeler, Purple Crow Books “Eryk Pruitt, owner of Yonder Bar in Hillsborough and the architect of Yonder’s Noir at the Bar reading series, has a new novel out, and it’s a doozy! The story revolves around a sheriff in a small North Carolina town. You will dive into the soul of these characters and not come back up until the end of this terrific novel.” – Pete Mock, McIntyre’s Books
July/August 2023
“Homebodies” by Tembe Denton-Hurst “A searing yet quiet novel that succeeds as a commentary on the racism ingrained within media content, as a relationship drama and as a story of protagonist Mickey’s path to self-discovery and self-respect.” – Sam Edge, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
“Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld “I want Sally to be a real person and also my best friend. SNL lovers will enjoy the behind-thescenes peek into what making a show like that is like. Plus, it’s romantic with hilarious dialogue. A winner.” – Maggie Robe, Flyleaf Books
“Bang Bang Crash” by Nic Brown “Thoughtful, funny and suffused with both melancholy and joy. It explores what happens when you achieve your dream of being a rock star and realize it’s not what you want. Nic Brown chronicles his transformation from a drummer into a writer, a husband, a father, a teacher and eventually, a drummer again.” – Tony Peltier, Flyleaf Books
“This Isn’t Going to End Well” by Daniel Wallace “Vulnerable and engrossing all in one, this is an intensely personal portrait of grief. Wallace reflects on his lifelong friendship with his late brother-in-law with intimate precision. His larger-than-life memories of William are interjected with the inevitability that things aren’t going to end well.” – Kat Baltisberger, Flyleaf Books
“I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself” by Marisa Crane “Captivating and original, this book is a stark reminder of the shadows we all live with, both visible and invisible.” – Gaby Iori, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
“Silver Alert” by Lee Smith “Classic Lee Smith. The story takes place in Key West where we meet vivid characters who feel like friends. This book is full of hope, typical of Lee.” – Sharon Wheeler, Purple Crow Books