Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

A moving and fascinating meditation on freedom, trust, loss, and our relationship with the natural world, explored through the story of one woman’s unlikely friendship with a wild hare.

This stunning volume captures a variety of North American and international garden styles, (cottage, courtyard, country, English, parks), emphasizing design and favored practices for gardening in the current climate and future. This gorgeous Rizzoli edition provides evocative inspiration for gardeners, travelers, and armchair dreamers alike. — Patsy

I fell in love with Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and I fell in love with her. She is not a cookbook author; she is a teacher and storyteller. Here she shares favorite recipes as well as tips and techniques you would expect from a private cooking class. You feel as if you are in her kitchen cooking alongside her and you leave after a huge hug. — Ashby

The James Beard nominee and chef of the Thai restaurant International Market in Nashville, Arnold Myint, shares how to make the Thai food he grew up with in a gorgeous cookbook that’s approachable yet packs a punch of flavor.

Alison Roman’s latest book features over 100 deceptively simple, casually stylish, impossibly delicious recipes that make the most of your pantry.

Art Work, by photographer and writer Sally Mann, offers a spellbinding mix of wild and illuminating stories, practical (and some impractical) advice, and life lessons.

One hundred creative prompts from one hundred creative beings. The perfect gift for anyone with a soul that needs nourishing, which seems to be each and every one of us in the year 2025. — Rachel

This is a story of a young girl who appears to be losing her sight. Her grandfather takes her once a week to a museum to focus on one famous painting to interpret what she sees and feels. It is touching and informative plus the book jacket folds out to show each painting. — Cheryl

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins captures the essence and mystery of dogs in this special collection of poems inspired by our beloved companions, with striking watercolor canine portraits by Pamela Sztybel.

A must-have gift book for every dog lover from acclaimed artist Alison Friend, featuring over 125 irresistible portraits—each uniquely mischievous, funny, and full of personality.

Renowned cartoonist Harry Bliss perfectly captures what it means to know and love your pet. — Sydney

From New York Times Games, home of Wordle and Connections, comes a collection that transforms your favorite digital games into a beautifully designed book that’s perfect for solo play, family game night, or gifting to puzzle-obsessed friends.

A pulse-pounding new Southern thriller from the author of the runaway bestseller A Flicker in the Dark. Perfect for the mystery lover in your life who loves to try to piece clues together and predict the plot twists before the end. We don’t think they’ll be able to see the conclusion of this one coming!

This is music writing at its best, and personal essay writing at its best. Stratis’ book is part of the University of Texas Press’ American Music Series. Buy this for your college kid, your friend who makes the best playlists or your friend who needs a push to start writing that essay collection. — Kim

A fascinating portrait of Elvis Presley and his charismatic manager. — Rae Ann

Tightly bound in the grit and grime of the late 80s rock scene, each chapter of Hot Wax crescendos to a bloody revelation in this slow-burn, atmospheric father-daughter story. M.L. Rio truly never disappoints. — Hannah P.

A radiant new memoir from artist and writer Patti Smith, author of the National Book Award winner Just Kids. The most intimate of Smith’s memoirs, Bread of Angels is “an expansive cradle-to-late-life account of Smith’s experiences over eight decades. One of the marvels of Bread of Angels is that. . . . it is remarkably fresh, with long sections on subjects about which Smith has rarely written or even said much publicly.” (NYT Book Review)

In typical Chernow fashion, get to know the paradoxical Samuel Clemens over the course of 1k+ pages, seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly of one of the U.S.’s most celebrated authors. Don’t be intimidated by the size–just like his novels, Twain’s life is more than entertaining enough to keep on chugging. — A.J.

On the fiftieth anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking, the bestselling author of The Great Halifax Explosion tells the definitive story of the “Mighty Fitz.”

In the second volume of the landmark American Revolution trilogy by the bestselling author of The British Are Coming, George Washington’s army fights on the knife edge between victory and defeat.

Sangu Mandanna might actually be a witch herself. How else can readers account for the spell she casts on us in her latest book? This long awaited and much anticipated follow-up is charming and fun. With dazzling romantic leads and a delightful cast of side characters, WGMI was well worth the wait. — Katie

The F in fantasy stands for FUN in Sachar’s adult debut. An endlessly entertaining, funny, and mystical read for those in need of a little whimsy in their lives. — Chloe

Exploring the most heavily coveted job in the world, American Kings covers Quarterbacks from Joe Namath to Arch Manning. Not just a sports history but a social and cultural history of football and how it impacts us all, American Kings is some of the very best sports writing of the decade so far. — Jake

Bamberger chronicles a year looking for the essence of golf. Inspired by those who love the game from dusty driving ranges to The Masters. Caddying, playing in ProAms, interviewing the famous and unknowns, Bamberger reminds us that “no matter our level of play, golf gives us the freedom to make our own crappy decisions, along with some good ones.” — Andy

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship. A wonderfully wintry YA romance!

A summer job at a lake-town resort brings together two women with an unlikely connection in this new contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Ashley Herring Blake.

Releases February 3, 2026. Pre-order a signed/personalized copy!

This debut picture book from acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Margaret Renkl—with collage illustrations by her brother, fine artist Billy Renkl—invites readers to observe and wonder about the various inhabitants in the vibrant ecosystem of a wildlife-friendly backyard garden. Features backmatter!

Releases February 24, 2026. Pre-order a signed/personalized copy!

Sure, it’s not out until June, but will there be a more highly anticipated novel for Patchett fans this year than Whistler? We think not! The acclaimed, prize-winning #1 New York Times bestselling writer returns with a moving, luminous novel that reminds us of the sweetness and impermanence of life and the power of connection to defy time.

Releases June 2, 2026. Pre-order a signed/personalized copy!

Marisa faces ennui over her brainless marketing job that no number of YouTube binges can fill. When this dissatisfaction meets grief over a coworker, things get wild at the company retreat. This book is hilarious and absurd, but also relatable. Perfect for weirdos who struggle with office jobs. — Genevieve

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Girl Dinner is a darkly fun novel about power, lust, and eating your fill, as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend.

Hilarious, horrifying, extensively researched and delightfully written. We think we control our health but we’re just being sold things. — Ann

Three women in three different eras encounter danger and witchcraft in this eerie multigenerational horror saga from the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.

A multigenerational story of love and war and life in small town Ohio. A truly great American novel. — Ann

An intriguing family saga with all the right elements: beautiful writing, compelling characters, scenic setting, and a captivating storyline. — Paige

Friends, could we agree that it would be nice to close out the year 2025 with some joy? That was my first thought when I got my copy of Susan Orlean’s new book, Joyride. Joy is the missing element these days, and it’s as essential as oxygen. Joy is what we need and, as it turns out, Susan Orlean has plenty to spare.

Joyride is a memoir, the story of Susan Orlean and her life as a writer. It is also the story of her profound interest in and engagement with the world. I loved the book madly, but then I wondered if I loved it because it was about being a writer. I knew a lot of the people she was talking about. I’d been in some similar situations. I asked some other people to take a look, first and foremost my wonderful FEC reading partner, Elyse Adler. Elyse assured me that I loved the book because it was amazing. Sure, it’s about writing, but we can assume if you’re a member of this club you’re interested in writing. And we can assume if you’re alive you’re interested in joy.

Welcome to the world of orchids and Rin-Tin-Tin, of libraries and chickens, of love lost and love found. Welcome to the Joyride. You’re going to have a wonderful time.

Enjoy!

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.

There are two things that Ruby Dhanji loves with her whole entire heart: Christmas and anything to do with the UK. For Ruby the holiday season means joy, generosity, and warm memories with her late mother. And now she’s on the verge of realizing the dream she and her mom always had: moving to England and opening a cozy inn. The only problem, Ruby needs some hotel experience first.

Rashid just doesn’t get all the holiday hype. But when he meets a woman dragging home a Christmas tree alone from the Winter Market, he has to offer to help—even if he soon finds Ruby adores all the things he dislikes. When Ruby discovers that Rashid’s family owns a luxury boutique hotel chain in Britain, she offers him a proposition: she’ll help him give his young nieces an amazing Christmas if he’ll facilitate an introduction to his family.

As Ruby and Rashid get closer, she realizes that the great big grump loves his large, eccentric family fiercely. And when their friendship turns to something more, she’s afraid she’s falling for someone weeks before she moves across the Atlantic and she’ll soon have to decide which dream she wants to chase.

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.

The December 2025 ParnassusNext selection is I’ll Find You Where the Timeline Ends by Kylie Lee Baker. This is a magical YA romance about a teen descendant of a Japanese dragon god who must find out the truth of what happened to her missing sister while trying not to fall for a handsome rogue agent as she travels through time.

Early praise for the novel:

“An entertaining time-travel romance with intricate worldbuilding.” – Kirkus

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.