Enjoy these August recommendations from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’ only independently owned bookstore. Order online at BookishFS.com.
Mississippi Blue 42
by Eli Cranor
In this latest novel, Cranor introduces us to Rae Johnson, a freshly minted FBI agent with a sharp mind and something to prove. Her first big case? A dead body and a whole lot of secrets buried deep within the world of college football. What starts as a murder investigation escalates into an exploration of power, corruption, and the steep price athletes pay to keep the system running.
Cranor’s signature tension and pacing are very much at play, but Mississippi Blue 42 goes deeper. It asks what we demand from young athletes. For some, it’s entertainment, for others, it’s a billion-dollar business. But for the players on the field, it can be a matter of survival—physically, emotionally, even morally.
With Mississippi Blue 42, Cranor delivers a story that’s as gripping as it is timely. He blends crime fiction with social commentary, pulling back the curtain on the machinery of college sports. The result is a page-turner that doesn’t flinch from asking tough questions: Who benefits? Who gets hurt? And what kind of justice is possible when the stakes are this high?
Atmosphere
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Reid’s newest summer love story is perfect for anyone who grew up obsessed with the night sky and wonders of space. Joan is living every 80s kid’s dream of chasing stardust, possibility, and love beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Packed with nostalgic nods and cosmic curiosity, Atmosphere blends heart, humor, and a touch of science – it’s a romance as unforgettable as the stars themselves.
The Emperor of Gladness
by Ocean Vuong
Set the day after nineteen-year-old Hai leaves rehab, the story follows his unexpected friendship with a woman living with dementia. What unfolds is a tender exploration of found family, second chances, and life on the margins. Vuong’s prose captures both the ache and the beauty of being alive and reminds us that even in our most fragile moments, there’s grace to be found.
Dream Count
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
With her signature clarity and power, Adichie asks: What does it mean to love deeply, and what do we risk to truly know ourselves? You’ll meet four unforgettable women: Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer reflecting on lost loves; Zikora, a lawyer forced to reckon with heartbreak; Omelogor, a confident cousin questioning her path; and Kadiatou, a housekeeper and mother facing an unimaginable choice.
