| FICTION |
| Recommended by Lindsay
With her debut Lo Fi, Liz Riggs has written a love letter to Nashville, music, and creative self discovery. Al is an aspiring songwriter who’s found herself stamping hands at a music venue, navigating her career and messy relationships between shifts and late nights. If you’ve been the person standing alone in a crowd while your significant other plays on stage, wondering if you’ll ever have your moment–Lo Fi is for you. |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
A woman’s mother reveals a family secret before surgery. Juan is your father. Confession or pre-op haze? The stories of this mother-daughter duo’s past and present are revealed with the backdrop of their favorite telenovela framing the story of their family in this literary mystery. |
| Recommended by Kathy
Do you like quirky, a-bit-alternative westerns? Here is an Irish novel set in 1891 Butte, Montana, a love story between two wild people fleeing their past and heading for trouble. Such a fun, quick read! |
| Recommended by Rachel
A dramatic multi-POV tale of two children lost in the woods, a brother and a sister, one in 1975 and the other 14 years prior. This far-reaching narrative takes you deep in the woods of a small community and all their innermost secrets. |
| Recommended by Maddie
A witty, deadpan, meandering, and relatable story with a cast of characters who you love to loathe. This book felt like watching a reality TV show where you’re witnessing a group of people all seemingly competing among themselves to see whose life is secretly more messed up, and they’re all winning. |
| Recommended by Jake
A wealthy family’s suburban paradise is shattered when their patriarch is kidnapped and held for ransom. Returned only a few days later, the family is seemingly fine. Decades later, however, it’s clear that the kidnapping affected each family member in different, frequently ridiculous ways. An engaging familial epic, Long Island Compromise is also the funniest novel ever written about generational trauma. |
| Recommended by Lindsay
This posthumous collection of stories from Brad Watson is surreal, beautiful, Southern, strange, and a hundred other adjectives that Brad would’ve told me were excessive if he workshopped this staff rec. Brad’s incredible writing and mentorship convinced me to live in Wyoming for two years, and hopefully picking up this collection will convince you to love his work as much as I do. |
| Recommended by Ashby
Can a wedding change everything? Phoebe checks into the Cornwall Inn as the only guest not there for the wedding. The bride discovers Phoebe has come for one night with the intention of killing herself and is determined to not let her since it would ruin her wedding. The wedding and the people in attendance change everything, waking Phoebe up, bringing her back to life. |
| Recommended by Jennifer
In this resplendent tale of old Hollywood, we meet three women: the dangerous and seductive Nancy trying to get ahead of the game, the naive but strong Vera, and the mysterious legend of Salome. Through these three women, Moreno-Garcia captures the glitz, gossip, and dark underbelly of one of the most glamourous times in American history. |
| Recommended by Hannah P.
I was immediately sucked into a trance when reading this kaleidoscopic novel. Told through short vignettes, the lives of various New Yorkers intersect in the search to find a missing woman. Weaved within the rich plot and diverse web of characters are pulsating themes of race, privilege, history, and betrayal that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. |
| Recommended by RJ
A pair of exes accidentally embark on a European food tour together, only to discover there was more to the story of their breakup than either suspected. A vivid journey full of sensuously described meals and landscapes provide a vivid backdrop to this emotional second-chance romance. |
| Recommended by Jenness
Our hero, Beep the Monkey, travels from Central America to New York and incites a revolution in defense of the Earth against climate change. The animals rise up, the children rise up, the world takes notice. A heartwarming, inspiring call-to-arms |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
A woman who spent her summers on Cape Cod returns to celebrate her debut novel. Instead of a reunion of friends, she’s met with anger about the contents of her book. When the bookstore where she spent her summers, needs her behind the counter again, she finds herself and her community again in this delightful beach read. |
| Recommended by Ashby
Remember the 80s TV show Scarecrow and Mrs. King? Suburban mom to secret agent. Recent divorcee, Gabby is recruited to stand-in for a murdered spy she resembles. Minivans, homework, laundry, Mr. Bubbles the dog, mob bosses, dart guns, money laundering, Russian oligarchs. Gabby ditches her yoga pants, reclaims herself and kicks some butt along the way. |
| Recommended by Katie
For lovers of Kylie Reid and Jesse Sutanto, It’s Elementary is the new quick-witted and fun mystery from Elise Bryant. As one of the few Black parents at her child’s school, Mavis Miller finds herself reluctantly leading the new DEI committee and embroiled in school politics and potential criminal activity. A cozy mystery with a smidge of romance at the center, this book is a great summer read. |
| Recommended by Jennifer
When a sorceress and her strange daughter arrive on Hester’s doorstep, nothing can prepare her for the chaos that ensues afterwards. With the help of a former love, a gambler, and a very tired butler, Hester must find a way to thwart the dark power that threatens to take over her home. The perfect marriage of fantasy, regency, mystery, and humor, this book is the definition of a page turner. |
| Recommended by Tara
This one is for the Bravo girlies. A satirical take on a family making a reality show pre- and during the pandemic. Anytime I wasn’t reading this, I was thinking about it constantly. |
| Recommended by Chelsea
This religious heist set in 1087 featuring a monk and a treasure hunter made me laugh out loud, gasp at the action scenes, and ultimately stole my heart. Anderson’s adult debut handles faith and love with such wit. I’m already pondering a re-read in the near future. |
| Recommended by Rachel
Civil War era Nashville + secret society of powerful women + queer representation + a speculative twist = your next read |
| Recommended by Cheryl
This debut novel begins almost at the end of the story. They are from Senegal, Switzerland, America and Paris yet they all come together. How can we be brave orphans opening ourselves to trust and love? Music and setting help form the unforgettable characters. |
| Recommended by Jennifer
Davico is the son of one of the most powerful families in Navola, a wealthy and seductive city in the realm. However, in this Italian-influenced fantasy, there is always a dangerous plot, always something cunning underneath the smiles of the elite. Power is a game, and someone must lose. |
| Recommended by Raegyn
To be an outcast is to be alone, and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. For years, Ashâke has watched her fellow acolytes ascend to priesthood, but she remains the only one the orisha won’t speak to. Now, a cosmic war is looming, with Ashâke at the heart of it. In the Shadow of the Fall starts a duology of power, destiny, and cosmic forces that shape our lives, reminiscent of the fantasy queen N.K. Jemisin. |
| Recommended by RJ
Woodworm is a short, strange novel spanning generations of women’s trauma and vengeance. A haunted house story unlike any you’ve read before. |
| Recommended by Katie
Two career thieves and former lovers reunite for one last heist to honor their long-time mentor in this sexy sophomore romance from Cherish Reid. If you love rooting for the anti-hero, crave a good adventure romance and want spice for days, Jewel Me Twice is a must for your TBR stack. Charish Reid has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors. |
| Recommended by Patsy
How can Benny manage to keep the family oyster business going? Debut author Joselyn Takacs skillfully weaves a layered tale recounting the effects of the historic 2010 oil spill on the Louisiana coast and its businesses, communities, and residents. If you enjoy a good family saga and have an affinity for the Gulf Coast, this book is for you. |
| Recommended by Tara
Not only is this the best cover of 2024, but this book absolutely CONSUMED me. Not Another Love Song follows Gwen as she navigates sharing the string section of the Pops Quartet with orchestra’s bad boy, Xander Thorne. This rivals-to-lovers romance is sizzling with chemistry between the two main characters and is nearly impossible to put down. |
| Recommended by A.J.
I’m a sucker for any type of retelling, and Grossman knocks it out of the park with this Arthurian tale. The story follows Collum–a knight who arrives at Camelot too late–and fleshes out many characters in the Arthurian canon who receive less attention. Perfect middle of a Madeline Miller-George R.R. Martin Venn diagram. |
| NONFICTION & POETRY |
| Recommended by Jenness
As the daughter of a Car Guy – and a female driver – I was drawn to this part-memoir, part-history account of women and the automobile. The oh-so-gendered marketing, design, and usage of vehicles since the early 1900s is fascinating and infuriating. |
| Recommended by Jordan
This memoir by Tia Levings, who was featured in the documentary Shiny Happy People, tells the story of a brave woman’s escape from an abusive fundamentalist marriage and lifestyle. This is the perfect book to read while we unpack our religious trauma and fight for our rights. |
| Recommended by Chelsea
This is the meteoric rise and then fall of Inigo Philbrick, a young art dealer who is ultimately convicted of fraud, as told by his friend and one-time business partner. The author holds back nothing, giving the reader a true peek behind the curtain into the sometimes morally gray world of art dealing. If you were a fan of Anna Delvey’s drama or The Art Thief, make this your next read. |
| Recommended by Ashby
Dr. Conlee’s Chaucer course at William & Mary began with his recitation of the Canterbury Tales prologue in Middle English. Chaucer wrote prose and poetry, in French and English. His works span the tragic love of Troilus and Cressida to fart jokes. Beyond writing, Chaucer held a range of positions during a period of British upheaval. Flannery’s depiction made me want to invite him to a dinner party. |
| CLASSICS & BACKLIST |
| Recommended by Hannah P.
Son and Father are the only living beings in a world of ghosts. Son doesn’t remember his life before Father saved him. When Father says it’s time to venture into the mysterious, shadowed world outside, Son questions everything he knows. This is a haunted house story flipped on its head, a lyrical masterpiece, a fever dream, and a coming-of-age story about being pushed into a world that doesn’t feel meant for you. |
| Recommended by Katie
Recently the NY Times made a big list of the top 100 books of the 21st century and there was nary a romance in sight. For shame! If they had only reached out I would have told them that The Boyfriend Project, first in a trilogy by the fabulous Farrah Rochon, would absolutely be on that list. We love this series for its strong female friendships, hot AF MCs, and so much more! The perfect backlist summer read. |
| Recommended by Ester
Do NOT look at the page count. Trust me, it is worth every page, chapter, and word. The Way of Kings has some of the best characters and plot I have ever read in fantasy. I feel like a little wind spren companion, immersed in the world of Roshar. I’m obsessed and I repeat: Do NOT look at the page count. |
| Recommended by Naomi
Blythe, a new mother, is heartbroken and disappointed when she cannot form a connection to her newborn daughter Violet. But as Violet grows older and devastating “accidents” begin to occur around her daughter, Blythe wonders if Violet may be more sinister than she appears. |
| Recommended by Katie
An epistolary memoir composed of letters shared over twenty years between the author and Frank Doel, Chief Buyer for Marks & Co, an antiquarian bookseller. A simple premise, but the book is so utterly delightful. Readers will be quickly charmed by Helene and Frank. If you want a cozy little classic to consume in one sitting, 84, Charing Cross Rd is absolutely the book for you. |
| Recommended by A.J.
Tracing a century of family history, shenanigans, traditions, and tragedy, White House by the Sea tells the story of the Kennedy Complex on Hyannis Port from Joe Kennedy’s purchase of the land in the early 20th cent. to the modern day. It explores not just Jack and Bobby, but all the family members. Great Americana summer escapism. |
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By Elizabeth Strout
I don’t know how Elizabeth Strout does it. Every report from the world of Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge and dear Bob Burgess holds me spellbound. I sit down thinking, Is this going to work? Can she do it again? And I stand up thinking, This is the best one of all. There is a directness and clarity in the writing that could be confused with simplicity, but it’s the least simple thing in the world. As readers we are taken in, as one is taken into the confidence of a friend. The story pours out and we gratefully accept it. I don’t know anyone who writes like Elizabeth Strout, and I find her work wildly inspiring. She makes me want to be a better writer.
But what if you’ve never read her before? What if the names Lucy and Olive and Bob mean nothing to you? Don’t worry. Life is a narrative, and you can jump in anywhere you want. It will all make sense, and then you’ll have the supreme pleasure of going back to read all the Strout novels that came before.
What is Tell Me Everything about? Love and friendship. Loss and regret. Everything and nothing at all. In that way it is very much like life. I loved it, and I’m betting you will, too.
Ann Patchett
More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.
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By Mallory Marlowe
Calling all cryptid enthusiasts! You are in for a treat this August with our Love, Parnassus pick! Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe is a delightful romance between a cynical web producer and paranormal conspiracy theorist who discover that the hardest thing to believe in isn’t Bigfoot, but true love. If you ever found yourself watching Scooby Doo on a Saturday morning and wishing somebody would kiss already, Love and Other Conspiracies is the book for you!
“If Hayden and Hallie’s show Out There were real, I would ABSOLUTELY be in the comment threads shipping them and posting timestamps for my favorite close encounters. Mallory Marlowe’s debut Love and Other Conspiracies is the most fun possible — chock-full of references to conspiracies that can be debated but also chemistry that can’t be denied. I’m obsessed with this book!”—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World
“Mallory Marlowe awakened my Mulder-Scully ship obsession in the most thrilling way with her captivating debut that will leave even the most steadfast skeptics believing in love. The truth IS out there: Love and Other Conspiracies is a 10!”—Jo Segura, USA Today bestselling author of Raiders of the Lost Heart
The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months. |
Musing 