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THREAD on book recs and indies. Long.
We are headed into the holiday season, and I want to take a moment to celebrate the indie bookstores that helped get me through this year. Not only did they keep me stocked with books for myself, friends and family, but thanks to their recs
We are headed into the holiday season, and I want to take a moment to celebrate the indie bookstores that helped get me through this year. Not only did they keep me stocked with books for myself, friends and family, but thanks to their recs
I discovered books I'd never have found otherwise, and that it turns out I desperately needed. And indie bookstores need us too. This has been such a difficult time for small businesses, and our support keeps their doors open. Luckily, you don’t even have to leave home to help!
Indies have done a heroic job of shifting their services online, offering everything from virtual personal shoppers, to curated recommendations, and book “blind dates.” Many ship all over, as well as offering pick up, and some, like @NarberthBooks, even deliver to your house!
Usually bookstores are the perfect place for last-minute gifts, but this season booksellers advise that earlier is better. Thanks to Covid there are book supply-chain issues, and hot titles may be unavailable. Ordering early also spaces out orders and keep things more Covid-safe.
Finally, some bookstores have set up storefronts on the new http://bookshop.org . It offers incredibly fast shipping, a portion of their sales go to support indies generally, and you can select a specific indie to support to give them an even larger portion of your order.
On to book recommendations! Some I’ve read and loved, some I can’t wait to read, or give as gifts. Along the way I will also highlight some beloved indie stores. My apologies in advance for not naming more. There are literally dozens and dozens of indies that I love, and I had to
cut myself off somewhere because this third novel is not writing itself. (Also, my two young children at home with me since March are not writing it either). But please know: I am so grateful to you for all you do for readers and writers. We love you!
I've found solace in poetry this year. Natalie Diaz’s “Postcolonial Love Poem" is an astonishing work of lyricism, sensuality, grief, rage, and joy, recommended by the amazing Josh ( @InOrderOfImport) at @PorterSqBooks. Josh is incredibly knowledgeable about contemporary
poetry, and also has a cat named Circe. Plus, everyone at Porter Square Books is a brilliant book recommender! I am also loving “When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry,” edited by (among others) Joy Harjo.
GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER by Bernardine Evaristo is one of my favorite books of the last two years. Brilliant, funny, sharp, gripping, and also, it won the Booker. Order it from one of my local favorites, @ReadsAndCompany in Phoenixville, PA.
Susanna Clarke’s new novel PIRANESI was a favorite, as was a new translation of BEOWULF by the awesome @MARIADAHVANA. I had the good fortune to speak with Maria and Emily Wilson, at an event hosted by the @Center4Fiction. https://www.crowdcast.io/e/v8j1ei5p . A good place to order would be...
NYC favorite @booksaremagicbk run by the also magic @emmastraub. Then you can add a signed copy of Emma’s terrific new novel, ALL ADULTS HERE.
I cannot wait to read LUSTER by Raven Leilani, which I ordered from the award-winning @astoriabookshop, run by book warrior @lexiatwork. I am also so excited to read THE NIGHT WATCHMAN by Louise Erdrich. You can get a signed copy from her bookstore, @birchbarkbooks.
Non-fiction: if you love subverting the Classics, get the incredibly powerful ANTIGONE RISING by @helenlmorales. I ordered my copy from @MidtownScholar in Harrisburg PA. Add in WILD LIFE by @roberts_keena, a poignant and funny coming of age adventure story.
One of the most powerful books I read this year was MEDICAL BONDAGE by @drcooperowens. It's a vital and horrifying piece of medical history we should all know. Support local treasure, @harriettsbooks in Philly to buy it.
And since Harriett’s is one of author @kileyreid's favorite stores, don’t forget to add in Kiley’s terrific novel set in Philly: SUCH A FUN AGE.
THE WRITER’S LIBRARY, created by book heroes @Nancy_Pearl and @JeffSchwager10 is a series of funny, candid and gripping interviews with authors about their literary influences. A great gift, or great to keep for yourself! Spoilers: apparently we all love Watership Down.
Also spoilers: You will hear about two secret influences of my writing, my mother’s large collection of feminist texts, and the complete works of Tennessee Williams. Get it at Nancy's hometown indie, the wonderful @ubookstoresea in Seattle!
Everyone is talking about HOMELAND ELEGIES by @ayadakhtar, and reading the first chapter it is obvious why. The book is perfect. Get it from beloved @JosephBethCincy, and add I WANT TO BE WHERE THE NORMAL PEOPLE ARE by @Racheldoesstuff, the genius behind Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
I read a lot of kid's books these days. Without telling tales on the children in my life, THE GREEN PANTS by Kenneth Kraegel is a gentle, funny story to help kids work through rigidity without shaming them for their feelings. I got my copy through @bigbluemarblebk, which has
incredible recommendations on everything, particularly LGBTQIA titles. I ordered the novel PATSY by Nicole Dennis-Benn from them, which I have been wanting to read for a year! Kids book cont: A CHAIR FOR MY MOTHER by Vera B. Williams. It's a story of grief...
patience, resilience, and the warm love of family (which feels just right for this year especially). Also, HOUNDSLEY AND CATINA, by James Howe, which has taken my children by storm. Nostalgia alert—Howe wrote Bunnicula, which terrified my sensitive seven-year-old self so much
that I had to tape paper over the cover to read it. You can get all these and more at @CBWHaverford, which will give you personalized recs for all the kids in your life!
Some YA: CEMETERY BOYS by @aidenschmaiden. I’ve only read the first pages so far, but love it. And, THE LAST TRUE POETS OF THE SEA, by @JuliaDrake__ , which won the New England Book Award. Get them at @ParnassusBooks1 in Nashville, and add some signed Ann Patchett books as well!
Also wanted to give a shout out to the lovely people at a favorite UK bookstore, @gaystheword. They have wonderful recs, and would be a perfect place to order Anne Carson’s superlative translations of Sappho, IF NOT, WINTER, or my favorite Sarah Waters book, FINGERSMITH.
Finally, I have heard from several readers about ordering signed and personalized copies of Circe and The Song of Achilles. My fabulous local indie @MainPoint_Books is the place to go! They ship all over, even to some international places. Here's the link: https://www.mainpointbooks.com/madeline-miller
TL:DR--Support Independent Bookstores, now more than ever! Get great book recs, order early and often! Stay healthy and safe, and thanks for listening.
I am realizing I missed tagging some of these brilliant writers who are on Twitter! Adding below. Read not just GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER but everything by @BernardineEvari!
And for some reason she didn't get added to the thread: @NatalieGDiaz wrote Postcolonial Love Poem, my favorite poetry collection of the year.
Also, if bookstores want to add their names, or people want to shout out their favorites, please please do! More indie love is always great!
