[title subtitle=”RECOMMENDATIONS and IMAGE courtesy Bookish”][/title]
Five must-read book recommendations for book lovers of all ages, from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore.
The Huntsman
by Hayleigh Worgan
The classic fairy tale gets a modern reboot in the first book in a series by Worgan. The good vs. evil trope we are so used to seeing in age old fairy tales takes on a nuanced tone as the wolf possesses the huntsman nearly a decade before he even meets Red Riding Hood. Told as a frame story after a bad breakup, Worgan will have you pining to find out what happens next!
Garrison Avenue
by Joyce Faulkner & Dr. Micki Voelkel
This piece of historical fiction centers on an event that happened right here on Garrison Avenue in the early 1900s. The incident surrounding Sanford Lewis and Andy Carr brings to life characters from Fort Smith’s past that are important and should be remembered as we move into a new decade. (Red Engine Press)
The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee
by Talya Tate Boerner
Fans of child protagonists will love ten-year-old Gracie Lee. She knows all about tree climbing and sneaking across the hardwood floors in her home. But there are also things that keep Gracie up at night. Gracie finds solace the way we all do, by unlocking her imagination to adventure. You’ll adore getting to know Gracie and struggle to make decisions right alongside her.
Bridging the Gap
by Kevin Johnson
Johnson is interested in interesting stories that reflect parts of ourselves. You’re not going to “fall in love” with Eric. He’s your typical 20-something IT guy living in Fort Smith in the early 2000’s (but we all know him!). You will, however, root for him. Through clever dialogue and grounded in a regional catastrophe that helped shape our community, this little story will allow you a brief escape just before forcing you to reflect on where you were when it all happened. (Tipsy Mockingbird Press)
Rabbit-Trapped
by Jacquelyn Holmes
YA readers will love this tale steeped in mystery and mythology. The first book of the Native Legends series introduces us to Ash, Neveah, and Elliot. As they search for something different and journey into something more, they learn that secrets can make life a lot harder than it needs to be. Holmes is a gifted up and coming writer who crafts characters who show us their feelings and help us understand their motivations. Her understanding of Native American mythology is nestled within each line.
