Volume 270
Issue 6
02/06/2023
Below is a sampling of the scores of novelists and nonfiction writers presenting their adult works to booksellers at Winter Institute, followed by a section on children’s authors and illustrators appearing there. With almost 1,000 booksellers in attendance and 130 authors and illustrators, much of the WI18 programming and all of the author receptions will take place at the Seattle Convention Center.
Fiction
Katharine Beutner
Killingly (Soho Crime, June; $27.95; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “We’re thrilled to publish Edmund White Award winner Katharine Beutner’s riveting and harrowing novel set in 1897 at Mount Holyoke College, a novelization of an unsolved historical disappearance of a student. The book will win the hearts of Donna Tartt and Sarah Waters fans.”—Juliet Grames, associate publisher/Soho Crime editor, Soho Press
Opening: “That morning Agnes was drawing the cracked pelvis of a beaver.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Melissa Blair
A Shadow Crown (Union Square, May; $17.99; trade paper; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I’m excited about this explosive follow-up to A Broken Blade, Melissa Blair’s debut set in a colonial fantasy world written from an Indigenous perspective. We get right back into the action with Keera, a deadly assassin turned double agent, plotting revolution with the rebel leader she once considered her enemy. This epic fantasy series is a high-octane ride with a sizzling romance and packs a serious emotional punch!”—Laura Schreiber, executive editor, Union Square
Opening: “I punched the prince in the face.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Diane Marie Brown
Black Candle Women (Graydon, Feb.; $28.99; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “The four generations of women in this story captured our hearts from the beginning with their distinct voices, raw emotion, and sense
of humor. Add in complicated family dynamics, gorgeous voodoo and hoodoo traditions, and an inherited curse, and you get a
special novel about love, legacy, and learning to let go.”—Melanie Fried, senior editor, Graydon
Opening: “The flight attendant told Augusta Montrose that she would have to remove her purse from her lap and put it on the floor before the plane took off.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Patti Callahan Henry
The Secret Book of Flora Lea (Atria, May; $28.99; 200,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Fifteen years after the end of WWII, a young bookseller in London discovers a secret book that will lead her to answers about her sister who went missing during the war. Patti Henry is an expert weaver of the immersive and transporting storytelling that only the best historical fiction can bring. This is a book that will not only move and inspire readers, it will last.”—Lindsay Sagnette, editorial director, Atria
Opening: “On a red blanket by the river, six-year-old Flora Lea Linden awakens alone for the first time in her life, a dome of blue sky above her and birdsong wild about her.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
J.C. Cervantes
The Enchanted Hacienda (Park Row, May; $30; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is the kind of novel I love best: an immersive, universal story about celebrating our unique gifts and finding the bravery to use them. It follows a young Mexican woman who, at career and romantic crossroads, returns to her family’s flower farm, a place where magic grows in the soil and charmed flowers hold secrets, spells, and dreams. However, readers will find the real magic lives in Cervantes’s exceptional storytelling.”—Laura Brown, senior editor, Park Row
Opening: “Life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Rita Chang-Eppig
Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea (Bloomsbury, June; $28.99; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Two words: Pirate Queen. Shek Yeung is a legendary figure, brought to life in this heart-pounding adventure novel as a flesh and blood woman with everything to lose. She is a religious devotee, a reluctant mother, a traumatized trafficking victim, and a ruthless leader willing to do whatever it takes to retain her place in power. Shek Yeung’s story captivated me from the first page to the last.”—Grace McNamee, editor, Bloomsbury
Opening: “The moment Shek Yeung saw the enemy’s cutlass carve through her husband, she learned two important things about herself: First, she loved Cheng Yat more than she’d ever thought she would be able to love the man who had, without much consideration of her wishes, stolen her away to the sea. Second, she would not mourn him.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Melissa Coss Aquino
Carmen and Grace (Morrow, Apr.; $32; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Within a few pages, Melissa Aquino had me in tears and deeply invested in the lives of these women. Her prose has devastating power and transports you right into this world. For Melissa, this project’s been 30 years in the making. I am honored to be a small part of that journey.”—Jessica Williams, executive editor, Morrow
Opening: “The small, cement room was not built for the woman wearing a long, black skirt, with a lot of initials and titles after her name, who passed through the low steel threshold of the door frame radiating light like the full moon hanging low.”
Lunch and Booksellers Present: Indies Introduce Authors, Feb. 22, 6ABC, 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Andre Dubus III
Such Kindness (Norton, June; $29.95; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Redemption is not exactly a fashionable theme in secular fiction, but we could all probably use some, and in this emotionally powerful novel by the author of Townie, a working-class white man finds a path from anger and bitterness to a surprising redemption.”—Alane Salierno Mason, executive editor, Norton
Opening: “Our Good Samaritan drives us through softly falling snow under street lamps that have come on early.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
J.T. Ellison
It’s One of Us (Mira; Feb. $27.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “J.T. Ellison’s exceptional thrillers consistently receive starred reviews and all-star endorsements. Yet this stunning page-turner—full of twists and deliciously unpredictable—is entirely fresh. It will delight fans of fast-paced suspense and has an emotional depth that will appeal to book clubs. The personal nature of the struggle with infertility is fodder for endless discussions, and the author has shared her own experiences in her moving author’s note.”—Nicole Brebner, editorial director, Mira
Opening: “A woman is missing.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Claire Fuller
The Memory of Animals (Tin House, June; $27.95; 40,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Working with Claire Fuller is one of the great joys of my career. This taut and stirring novel is unlike anything I’ve read, but—if pressed—it’s a mash-up: Sequoia Nagamatsu’s How High We Go in the Dark meets The Breakfast Club meets My Octopus Teacher. A smart, searching, sometimes scathing book about the world as it is and the future we hope to find.”—Masie Cochran, editor, Tin House
Opening: “Dearest H, Is it possible to fall in love at twelve?”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Chloe Gong
Immortal Longings (Saga, July; $28.99; 300,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “My first time reading Chloe Gong’s entry into adult fantasy was like stepping into a wild, spellbinding storm. As fierce, free-spirited Calla and suave, calculated Anton go head-to-head in a set of deadly games, I inevitably fell in love with both of them. Brimming with fight scenes, romance, and a magical ability that challenges our very notion of identity, Immortal Longings will sweep you up and leave you breathless.”—Amara Hoshijo, senior editor, Saga
Opening: “A living thing, when faced with a break or injury, is compelled to heal itself.”
“New Voices in Genre with Lunch” keynote panel, Feb. 21, 6ABC, noon–1 p.m.
Jimin Han
The Apology (Little, Brown, Aug.; $28; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “What a joy it is to work on a novel like this! While the big themes of sisterhood, secrets, and family bonds drive the story, I was also charmed by the main character, who is acerbic, funny, and loud—a rarity of traits when it comes to a literary Asian matriarch. We want to root for her even when she makes choices we may not agree with.”—Vivian Lee, senior editor, Little, Brown
Opening: “Fleeing in a panic is not recommended.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Alex Hay
The Housekeepers (Graydon, July; $30; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “We just couldn’t resist this novel’s wholly original premise: a revenge heist led by a group of working-class women against London high society. With an unforgettable ensemble cast; over-the-top, juicy ball; and smart, timely exploration of class, gender, and power, this is one dazzling story.”—Melanie Fried, senior editor, Graydon House
Opening: “Mrs. King laid out all the knives on the kitchen table.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m
Nancy Horan
The House of Lincoln (Sourcebooks Landmark, June; $27.99; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “What is so intriguing about this novel is that it is a story sprung from the prairie, of the state that became known as the ‘Land of Lincoln.’ In Nancy Horan’s skilled hands, House of Lincoln brings a story of searing change as seen through that unique lens of the Midwest home front that sent Abraham Lincoln out to the world.”—Shana Drehs, editorial director, Sourcebooks Landmark
Opening: “Below, the men are eating turtle soup.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Ana Huang
King of Wrath (Bloom, Apr.; $17.99; trade paper; 200,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This was one of the most addictive books I read this year. I could not put it down. I adored Dante and Vivian and the complicated world they both were maneuvering, and I was utterly charmed by their ‘reluctant’ love story. Ana just gets better and better!”—Christa Désir, editor, Bloom
Opening: “I can’t believe he’s here. He never comes to these things unless it’s hosted by a friend....”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Lydia Kiesling
Mobility (Crooked Media, Aug.; $27.95; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Lydia Kiesling brilliantly mines the space where the personal and political collide, giving us both an education in the oil industry and a glimpse into the mind and body of an American teenage girl. It’s a novel about the power of privilege and the destructive nature of ambivalence. This is a book for our times. We’re exceedingly proud to publish this Trojan horse of a novel.”—Emily Bell, head of editorial, Zando
Opening: “The grass of the picnic field was strewn with broken watermelons, their flesh warming like human tissue in the punishing sun.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Jessica Knoll
Bright Young Women (S&S/Rucci, Oct.; $27.99)
Why the buzz: “This dazzling thriller flips the script on our cultural obsession with serial killers and features Jessica Knoll’s signature high stakes, dizzying plot twists, and several fierce, unforgettable heroines. It’s un-put-downable.”—Marysue Rucci, publisher, Marysue Rucci Books.
Opening: “ ‘You may not remember me, but I have never forgotten you,’ begins the letter written on good navy-bordered stationery.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Fran Littlewood
Amazing Grace Adams (Holt, May; $27.99; 300,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Grace Adams is every woman who has ever been catcalled, had to put her ambitions on hold, had their adoring child turn into a scornful teenager, or been otherwise pushed to the limit who not only pushes back, but in the process breaks every misogynistic rule. The book shows a woman who has been beaten down, and then gets back up. It’s funny, smart, and devastating yet inspiring in all the best ways. It’s all I could ask for in a novel, and more.”—Amy Einhorn, president, publisher, Henry Holt
Opening: “Grace is hot. There’s the sun, like boiled breath, on the roof of her car, but it’s more than that.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Ruth Madievsky
All-Night Pharmacy (Catapult, July; $27; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Ruth Madievsky is a poet, professional pharmacist, and essayist who proudly, and humorously, writes about being an eldest immigrant daughter. It’s no surprise to see traces of this in this story of two sisters whose bond is forged and fractured by nights spent partying. It’s exciting seeing Ruth connect with readers already—through social media and handmade preorder rewards. I can’t wait for them to read this novel!”
—Alicia Kroll, editor, Catapult
Opening: “Spending time with my sister, Debbie, was like buying acid off a guy you met on the bus.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Magogodi oaMphela Makhene
Innards: Stories (Norton, $28; May; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “In this bewilderingly humorous portrait of Black South Africa today, Innards ushers readers into the vibrant and rich lives of a people and community as they’re rarely seen in fiction.”—Nneoma Amadi-obi, assistant editor, Norton
Opening: “Everyone claims ancestral royalty. Even slaves. No one imagines their beginning damned or marred by mediocrity.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Janika Oza
A History of Burning (Grand Central, May; $29; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This novel ties language to both the stories and silences that occur over four generations of a family during the 20th century across India, East Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada. All the words we use to talk about ‘a great novel’ should be used to describe Janika Oza’s debut, but I found none of them sufficient in conveying the true depth of emotion and love for her characters that she brings to the page.”—Seema Mahanian, senior editor, Grand Central
Opening: “The last day Pirbhai spent in Gujarat was ignited by a sun that could not last.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Ed Park
Same Bed, Different Dreams (Random House, Nov.; $28.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I can’t wait for readers to experience what I felt the first time I finished reading the first draft: a feeling of excitement, yes; a sense of awe at Ed Park’s wild imagination, for sure; but also the best kind of bewilderment—the kind that sends you right back to page one, to start all over again, hunting for Easter eggs you missed, hidden layers that only revealed themselves at the end, and a sense of how the heck he pulled this off.”—Andy Ward, publisher, Random House
Opening: “What is history? That is the question, that is the job.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Sarah Penner
The London Séance Society (Park Row, Mar.; $30; 300,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Sarah Penner proves herself to be the reigning queen of bold, feminist
historical fiction with a sultry,
intoxicating tale of murder, magic, romance, and revenge. With blurbs from the likes of Nita Prose, Laurie Lico Albanese, and others, the buzz is building for this exciting new novel, which is poised to be another bestseller for Sarah.”—Erika Imranyi, editorial director, Park Row
Opening: “At an abandoned château on the wooded outskirts of Paris, a dark séance was about to take place.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Cecile Pin
Wandering Souls (Holt, Mar.; $26.99; 80,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This family saga is as epic in its portrait of history and psychic inheritances as it is intimate in its explorations of personal choice, grief, and the afterlife and living nature of love. I was moved as much by Anh and her brothers as the incredible skill, grace, and intelligence Cecile Pin applies to her ambitious and uniquely rendered telling of their story. Each sentence and moment in this gem of a novel is a wonder.”—Retha Powers, executive editor, Henry Holt
Opening: “There are the goodbyes and then the fishing out of the bodies—everything in between is speculation.”
Lunch and Booksellers Present: Indies Introduce Authors, Feb. 22, 6ABC, 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Shelley Read
Go as a River (Spiegel & Grau, Mar.; $28; 200,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I was hoping for a breezy love story when I began reading; what I discovered was so much more: yes, it’s a riveting and unforgettable story of first love set on a family peach farm in Colorado, but it’s also a stunningly written, deeply moving exploration of family, home, the natural world, mothers and sons—and an all-too-relevant depiction of our intolerance for those who are different from us.”—Cindy Spiegel, publisher, Spiegel & Grau
Opening: “Imagine what lingers on the black bottom of a lake.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Kiley Reid
Come and Get It (Putnam, Jan. 2024; $28)
What’s the buzz: “Kiley Reid’s writing is deceptively clean but so very layered. She is obsessed with details: you know exactly how much these characters pay in rent and when they last washed their car. This level of observation explains Kiley’s biggest talent: her ability to draw characters with an eye that’s as empathetic as it is critical. You find yourself rooting for, and rooting against, every character—because you see yourself in all of them.”—Sally Kim, publisher, Putnam
Opening: “Agatha Paul stood in front of Belgrade dormitory at six fifty-nine pm. One block down was an ice cream store with outside seating. Young women holding paper cups. There was an airstream trailer across the street selling tacos, a colorful pennant banner draped around the top. Two students with large backpacks walked past her into the dormitory entrance.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Jeneva Rose
You Shouldn’t Have Come Here (Blackstone, Apr.; $26.99; 60,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Jeneva Rose is at the top of her game with her new thriller, and we are so proud to be teaming up with her. The opportunity for her to connect with independent booksellers ahead of our next launch will help catapult Jeneva to the next level, where she deserves to be!”—Anthony Goff, president, Blackstone
Opening: “I didn’t want to stop, but when the low fuel light lit up on the dashboard of my car, I knew I had no choice.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Terah Shelton Harris
One Summer in Savannah (Sourcebooks Landmark, July; $16.99;trade paper; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “From the moment I read the first paragraph, I knew it was going to be an incredibly special story. Harris explores one of the most difficult things a person can do—forgiving someone who hurt them—in such a powerful yet tender way that it changed the way I think about forgiveness. This is a deeply emotional book that has stuck with me long after I finished it.”—Erin McClary, associate editor, Sourcebooks Landmark
Opening: “It’s difficult to pinpoint the moment I started loving my daughter.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Charles Soule
The Endless Vessel (Harper Perennial, June; $30; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is a tour de force, mixing history, science and family drama to create a novel that is part Ready Player One, part Cloud Atlas, and part Midnight Library—and yet, it’s wholly itself. I’m hard-pressed to remember a novel that so inspired and impressed me.”—Sara Nelson, executive editor, Harper Group
Opening: “Francois LeDuc was so happy.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Laura Spence-Ash
Beyond That, the Sea (Celadon, Mar.; $28; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “It broke my heart to finish this novel, and not just because it is heartbreaking, haunting, moving, unforgettable. I simply wanted it to go on forever; almost every other reader has said the same thing. I think it may become a classic. It is certainly a book readers will cherish.”—Deb Futter, president and publisher, Celadon
Opening: “Back then, Beatrix liked to sit next to Mr. G when he rowed them all to the mainland.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
L.S. Stratton
Not So Perfect Strangers (Union Square, Mar.; $16.99; trade paper; 60,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This deliciously twisted domestic thriller is a sharp update on Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. Think ‘women supporting women,’ but make it murder in this story of a Black woman and a white woman who both want out of their marriages. It’s also an examination of domestic abuse and systemic racism, and a tart send-up of the white savior complex.”—Laura Schreiber, executive editor, Union Square
Opening: “Guilty people run away from the scene of a crime, and that is what Tasha Jenkins was doing as the Gingells’ house burned.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Megan Tady
Super Bloom (Zibby Books, May; $26.99; 160,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Megan Tady writes with a voice that I want to listen to all day long. Her quick wit and humor mix perfectly with grief, longing, and soul-searching in this romp of a book with a full cast of resplendent, nuanced characters all designed to lead us to a sea change
in Joan, the disgruntled massage therapist. You won’t ‘knead’ to read anything else”—Zibby Owens, publisher, Zibby Books
Opening: “I harbor a secret fantasy to go apeshit at work. Maybe today’s the day.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Neely Tubati Alexander
Love Buzz (Harper Perennial, May; $17.99; trade paper; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the Buzz: “This is the best kind of romance. It’s about falling in love, but it’s also about taking chances, trusting your instincts, and finding yourself. We fell in love with Love Buzz and Neely Tubati Alexander, and can’t wait for you to as well.”—Amy Baker, associate publisher, Harper Perennial
Opening: “Mandatory attendance at a bachelorette party in New Orleans during Mardi Gras is a special kind of torture.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Wendy Walker
What Remains (Blackstone, June; $27.99; 60,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “I first read the book over a weekend getaway and probably annoyed my husband by not spending enough time with
him because I couldn’t break away. Our entire drive back home was silent because I had to know how it ended. Wendy Walker is a master at her craft and this book does not
disappoint.”—Addi Wright, senior acquisitions editor, Blackstone
Opening: “I’m in the towel aisle at Nichols Depot when I hear the shots.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Tyriek White
We Are A Haunting (Astra, Apr.; $26; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “As an editor, I seek voices that sound true to the world I know. Raised in the same marginalized environs Tyriek White conjures, I’m thrilled by his attention to the everyday concerns of everyday people. This is the Brooklyn of Jacqueline Woodson’s Another Brooklyn, the American South of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing. Tyriek writes New York City the way I’ve always wished to see it.”—Danny Vazquez, senior editor, Astra
Opening: “One day, I fell backwards into a scar in the world, a fall sudden and lasting.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Nonfiction
Tove Danovich
Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them (Agate, Mar.; $27; 6,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This compulsively readable odyssey into the mysterious lives of chickens by Tove Danovich—part reporter, part animal activist, and part hen mother—offers expert interviews, sociological research, and memoir to open our eyes and hearts to these birds, who have taken flight, metaphorically, all across America, moving from bygone farm animal to pampered pet. Beware: you’ll be building your own backyard coop after reading.”—Amanda Gibson, editorial manager, Agate
Opening: “When I told my grandma I was getting chickens, the first thing she did was ask me how many.”
Lunch and Booksellers Present: Indies Introduce Authors, Feb. 22, 6ABC, 12:45–2:15 p.m.
Alisha Fernandez Miranda
My What If Year (Zibby Books, Feb.; $26.99; 70,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is the first Zibby Books release and represents everything we stand for: entrepreneurship, creativity, humor, intelligence, empathy, warmth, soul, voice, and originality. Alisha is a powerhouse, and her very personal, hilarious, inspiring memoir will literally change readers’ lives. Alisha spent a year of her life at age 40 trying out four internships in the careers not traveled. What if you did, too?”—Zibby Owens, publisher, Zibby Books
Opening: “It all started innocently enough.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy
Sorry, Sorry, Sorry: The Case for Good Apologies (Gallery, out now; $28.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is one of those rare tomes that anyone can not only benefit from reading, but also will thoroughly enjoy. It’s informative, enlightening, and completely delightful—somehow, these two authors make a daunting task into something that seems easy and even fun. I have no doubt that this book has the power to transform everyone’s life for the better.”—Hannah Braaten, senior editor, Gallery
Opening: “Apologies are evidence of a society that cares about itself, a society that honors other people’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings as precious.”
“Creating Connections and Bridging Divides in Turbulent Times” panel, Feb. 21, 607, 4:10–5:30 p.m.
Roger Reeves
Dark Days: Fugitive Essays (Graywolf, Aug.; $26; 10,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Roger Reeves is already a critically acclaimed poet, a Whiting Award recipient, and a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award in poetry. His nonfiction debut is a provocative collection of essays on the historical and contemporary violence of America, silence and art as vital places of refuge, ecstasy as a necessary form of protest, and liberation through solidarity achievable even during these dark days.”—Claire Laine, publicity director, Graywolf
Opening: “History rarely has an angel.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Safiya Sinclair
How to Say Babylon (S&S, Aug.; $28.99; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “There are memoirs in which the story is so incredible, you think one person couldn’t have possibly survived so much. Such is the case here. Whiting Award–winning poet Safiya Sinclair’s story of finding her own voice despite growing up with a father who adhered to the most patriarchal strains of the Rastafari faith is as powerful and beautifully rendered a memoir as I’ve ever read. I cannot wait to introduce it to the world.”—Dawn Davis, editor, S&S
Opening: “Before the music came the rain.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Jessica Swift
Radiant Rainbows: Messages of Hope, Healing, and Comfort (Gibbs Smith, Mar.; $16.99; 15,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Jessica’s story of loss—her husband died unexpectedly when she was pregnant with her second child— and healing is powerful, beautiful, and uplifting. This book is exactly what we need these days: simple messages of hope to help us all get through tough times.”—Lizzi Middleman, senior manager, marketing & sales promotion, Gibbs Smith
Opening: “Life isn’t easy.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Héctor Tobar
Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino” (MCD, May; $27; 100,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “This is a work whose time is unquestionably now. The topic is big and fraught and urgent—and it’s being met by absolutely the ideal writer. Héctor Tobar has always written with rare thoughtfulness and generosity; here, he is personal and direct in a way that makes the book vital and simply not to be missed.”—Sean McDonald, senior v-p, MCD
Opening: “You write words for me to read, a string of memories that place me inside the eyes of the child you were.”
Evening author reception, Feb. 22, 4B, 5–6:30 p.m.
Jane Wong
Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City (Tin House, May; $27.95; 20,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Jane Wong brings a poet’s sensibility to her prose and writes with such striking originality and creativity. I love how she includes moments of joy and strength and humor alongside harder, more difficult memories, and the structure of this memoir really interests me—it feels innovative and new, exploring and expanding the boundaries of the memoir form.”—Elizabeth DeMeo, editor, Tin House
Opening: “In the murky broth of yet another heartache, my mother cuts me slices of dragon fruit.”
Author lunch reception, Feb. 23, 4B, noon–1:30 p.m
Corey Yeager
How Am I Doing? 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself (Harper Celebrate, out now; $22.99; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Dr. Yeager maintains that mental health begins with a conversation rooted in truth telling, intentionality, and vulnerability. The 40 questions in this book include reflections, prompts, and self-care strategies, all with the goal of helping you show up in the world a better version of yourself.”—Michael Aulisio, publisher, Harper Celebrate
Opening: “To me, therapy is a conversation.”
“Bookselling and Your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Well-Being” presentation, Feb. 23, 607, 3:10–4:10 p.m.
