Below is a selection of authors who will be speaking alone, in conversation with a bookseller, or on panels, as well as poets giving brief readings and writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who will mingle with booksellers virtually at Tuesday or Wednesday’s author reception. All programs are listed in Eastern Time.
Fiction
Jayne Allen
Black Girls Must Be Magic (Harper Perennial, Feb. 1; $16.99 trade paper; 150,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Black Girls Must Be Magic is the perfect follow-up to Jayne Allen’s debut novel. Allen once again dives headfirst into the adversity that many Black women face, while also showcasing the immense courage and strength they possess and the community they create for themselves. I am so excited for readers to connect further with Tabby and the amazing group of women she surrounds herself with.”—Sarah Ried, associate editor, Harper and Harper Perennial
Opening: “ ‘Is it mine?’/ Across the table, Marc’s face crinkled with intensity as he spoke.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Daniel Black
Don’t Cry for Me (Hanover Square, Feb. 1; $26.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Don’t Cry for Me is a monumental novel that articulates what so often goes unspoken within families—the weight of history, and the struggle to convey love across difference. As an epistolary novel, it sits alongside other great works like An American Marriage, Gilead, and The Color Purple. But Daniel Black is giving voice to a deeply felt perspective that stands on its own. Lyrical and plainspoken, this novel is an ode to human empathy.”—John Glynn, senior editor, Hanover Square
Opening: “November 12th, 2003/ Dear Isaac,/ For a life like mine, there is no redemption.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Kashana Cauley
The Survivalists: A Novel (Soft Skull, Jan. 10, 2023; $26)
Why the buzz: “Kashana Cauley is the most exciting writer I’ve had the pleasure of publishing in my six years at Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull Press. The Survivalists is an electric, brilliant debut novel capturing the malaise and absurd danger of American life, from careerism in a law firm to end-of-days anxiety and doomsday prepping. The Survivalists will show readers the perils of assuming life is predetermined when all expectations are upended, and we are left only with ourselves.”—Mensah Demary, editor-in-chief, Soft Skull
Opening: ”Aretha stood in front of her dresser, waiting for something in her wardrobe to declare itself up to the existential challenge of her third first date in a week.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Lydia Conklin
Rainbow Rainbow: Stories (Catapult, May 31; $16.95 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Lydia Conklin’s voice is funny and tender, and their stories in Rainbow Rainbow follow an array of characters on the gender spectrum, highlighting queer, gender-nonconforming and trans characters. Their compassionate and delightful voice is one we need. None other than Lorrie Moore has said that Conklin ‘writes with humor and tenderness about the way we love now,’ and the book is one of Time’s most anticipated for the year.”—Megha Majumdar, editor-in-chief, Catapult
Opening: “Maggie and I had been living in Wyoming for three months when I finally agreed we could get pregnant.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Sopan Deb
Keya Das’s Second Act (Simon & Schuster, July 5; $26)
Why the buzz: “Keya Das’s Second Act by Sopan Deb is funny, entertaining, and very moving. It tells the story of the Das family who, when tragedy brings them low—stay with me here—takes the stage. A play brings catharsis for these characters. both relief and understanding. And the story of this play brings readers both many laughs and a reminder that we are capable of tremendous and inspiring change.”—Emily Graff, senior editor, Simon & Schuster
Opening: “The wooden box was simple, elegant even.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Jennifer Egan
The Candy House (Scribner, Apr. 5; $28)
Why the buzz: “Jennifer Egan is one of the very finest writers of our time, stunning in her range, her imagination, and her humanity. Every one of her books is masterful, and in The Candy House, she soars over her own extraordinarily high bar. She has moved the characters in A Visit from the Goon Squad deeper into the future, and, though her vision is frightening and credible, there is such heart in The Candy House, so much love—between siblings, between spouses, between parents and children—that we emerge from these pages both intellectually dazzled and profoundly moved. This is Egan’s most magnificent work yet.”—Nan Graham, senior v-p and publisher, Scribner
Opening: “ ‘I have this craving,’ Bix said as he stood beside the bed stretching out his shoulders and spine, a nightly ritual before lying down.”
Storytelling in the Cultural Moment, Mar. 10, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:30–7:25 p.m. ET
Delia Ephron
Left on Tenth (Little, Brown, Apr. 12, $29)
Why the buzz: “Delia Ephron’s Left on Tenth is the book I desperately needed at this moment in time—and maybe you do, too. It’s a book about great love, but great loss. And with the grief and loss surrounding us at this moment in time, help in processing how to let go and how to find a new way forward feels like grace.”
—Sabrina Callahan, v-p and executive director of publicity, Little, Brown
Opening: “I knew my husband was dying in June.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Jamie Ford
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy (Atria, June 28; $28; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Jamie Ford is an utterly gorgeous writer, and he has crafted a heartfelt and moving testament to everything in life that is worth fighting for—the ability to keep learning, to grow, to do more good than harm, to create compassion, and to understand that every person we encounter is not there by coincidence, that we all play a part in each other’s lives, that we are all connected.”
—Lindsay Sagnette, v-p, editorial director, Atria
Opening: ”Faye Moy signed a contract stating that she would never marry.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Melissa Fu
Peach Blossom Spring (Little, Brown, Mar. 15; $28)
Why the buzz: “I started reading Peach Blossom Spring on the subway and was so absorbed by Melissa Fu’s deeply affecting language, well-crafted characters, and moving plot that I missed my stop. Spanning continents and generations, this book is a bold and poignant look at the history of modern China, told through one family. It’s about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the ever-haunting question: What would it mean to finally be home?”
—Gabby Leporati, associate publicist, Little, Brown
Opening: “Tell us, they say, tell us where you’re from.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Kellye Garrett
Like a Sister (Mulholland, Mar. 8; $28; 35,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “It’s propulsive, fierce, surprising, and penned with Kellye Garrett’s signature wit. I couldn’t put Like a Sister down. I’ve loved Kellye’s writing since her first cozy mystery, but this new step into the domestic suspense space blew me away. Not only a page-turning family drama and a cleverly contemporary mystery, Like a Sister also movingly explores sisterhood and justice, and brings a much-needed Black perspective to the genre.”—Helen O’Hare, editor, Mulholland
Opening: “I found out my sister was back in New York from Instagram. I found out she’d died from the New York Daily News.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Jane Green
Sister Stardust (Hanover Square, Apr. 5; $26.99; 125,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Sister Stardust is one of those books that you finish and feel bereft to leave its narrative world. Jane Green is a beloved and prolific author, but this novel is by far her best, most keenly wrought work yet. Inspired by a true story, Sister Stardust transports you to a forgotten milieu of the swinging sixties and breathes new life into a magnetic, deeply troubled icon, Talitha Getty. It’s lush, page-turning, and unforgettable.”—John Glynn, senior editor, Hanover Square
Opening: “Claire, October 2020/ It wasn’t until my husband was in hospital, that I finally allowed myself to cast my mind back.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Jennifer Hillier
Things We Do in the Dark (Minotaur, July 19; $27.99)
Why the buzz: “One of the great joys for an editor is watching a talented writer steadily improve and master their craft. Jennifer Hillier is already a bestselling, award-winning thriller writer, but with her new novel, Things We Do in the Dark, she has not only written her best book yet but taken her style of thriller to a whole new level—wonderfully well-rounded, flawed, compelling characters, the likes of which we rarely see in commercial fiction, in a tightly plotted drama that constantly surprises. She’s not just one of the best, she’s a master, and it’s a delight to see her work.”—Keith Kahla, executive editor, St. Martin’s Press
Opening: “There’s a time and a place for erect nipples, but the back of a Seattle police car definitely isn’t it.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Joseph Han
Nuclear Family (Counterpoint, June 7; $26)
Why the buzz: “Nuclear Family is a knockout of a debut novel that has it all: Korean ghosts, local restaurants struggling to survive in Hawai’i, family secrets, and even a guest appearance from the king of Flavortown himself, making this powerful and heartwarming novel one that you will remember long after you’ve finished its final pages.”—Megan Fishmann, associate publisher, Catapult, Counterpoint, and Soft Skull Press
Opening: “Tae-woo stood on the ledge behind the Dora Observatory’s row of binoculars.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Oscar Hokeah
Calling for a Blanket Dance (Algonquin, July 26; $26.95)
Why the buzz: “There were so many ways in which I was knocked out by Oscar Hokeah’s debut novel: his terrific grasp on a range of voices from this community; his careful disruption of Native stereotypes as a single homogenous culture by exploring the intersection of various tribal communities; and above all, his deep love for his protagonist, Ever Geimausaddle, no matter how flawed or lost he may seem. I loved Oscar Hokeah’s embrace of every single character and this whole community, his genuine empathy, and the joy and the humor that binds them all together.”—Kathy Pories, executive editor, Algonquin
Opening: “I always told Turtle when I was raising her, ‘If a man acts like a child, then send him back to his ae-jee and let her straighten him out.’ ”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Ladee Hubbard
The Last Suspicious Holdout (Amistad, Mar. 8; $24.99; 50,000-copy first printing)
Why the buzz: ”Ladee Hubbard is one of the most original writers to emerge in a while, which is evidenced in the incredible stories and complex characters that are presented with wisdom, warmth, and wit. This book does more to illuminate everyday African American life than any documentary or news report.”—Patrik Henry Bass, executive editor, Amistad
Opening: “History:/ Raymond Brown hears the sound of laughter.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Zain Khalid
Brother Alive (Grove, July 12; $26)
Why the buzz: “Zain Khalid’s genius debut novel, Brother Alive, floored me with its incredible voice and beautiful sentences. I feel as strongly about it as I did about The Sympathizer or Freshwater, and I think it shares some DNA with both those novels. Brother Alive follows three adopted brothers living with their father, an imam at a mosque in Staten Island, and moves from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia to explore capitalism, sexuality, Muslim-American identity, and systems of control.”—Peter Blackstock, v-p, deputy publisher, Grove Atlantic
Opening: ”It is night, and Imam Salim is dozing in his mosque, a little drunk.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Brad Meltzer
The Lightning Rod (Morrow, Mar. 8; $28.99; 250,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “There are many reasons to love Brad Meltzer and this hugely entertaining new novel, The Lightning Rod. But what makes Brad stand out to me is his voice. He is the John Green or Frank Capra of thriller writers, a humanist in love with life and his characters, and it shows on every page. In an era when many thrillers feel similar, he is writing novels as warmhearted as they are suspenseful and ‘unputdownable.’ ” —David Highfill, v-p and executive editor, William Morrow
Opening: “These were the last fourteen minutes of his life.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Celeste Ng
Our Missing Hearts (Penguin Press, Oct. 4; $28)
Why the buzz: “Celeste’s brilliant third book is a timeless depiction of adolescence and of motherhood as only she can craft it. But this unforgettable portrait of family is set within a society that has allowed itself to be consumed by racism and fear. Our Missing Hearts is a stunning novel that is simultaneously an incisive, shattering commentary on this moment in American history.”—Ginny Smith Younce, executive editor, Penguin Press
Opening: “The letter arrives on a Friday.”
Storytelling in the Cultural Moment, Mar. 10, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:30–7:25 p.m. ET
Phaedra Patrick
The Messy Lives of Book People (Park Row, June 28; $16.99 trade paper; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Phaedra Patrick’s name is synonymous with charm. Every novel is like reading a warm hug wrapped in a cozy blanket. Readers will adore her latest, a fun and poignant story about a reclusive author and her devoted maid—a delightful coming-of-age tale and an entertaining book about books that will make readers laugh and cry all at once.”—Erika Imranyi, editorial director, Park Row
Opening: “Liv Green wore her polishing cloth draped over her arm in the same proud way a maître de might wear a napkin.”
Author reception, Mar. 9; 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Katie Runde
The Shore (Scribner, May 10; $26.99; 125,000-copy first printing)
Why the buzz: “I read The Shore in awe of Katie Runde’s ability to tackle tough topics with such a light touch. I felt many points of connection to this story, from little details like the importance of Emma Thompson’s character in Love Actually to the language of early-2000s emails, to the biggest things—mortality, marriage, secrets, sisterhood, overcoming grief, seeking joy. These characters surprised me in the best ways, and I was rooting for them to find solace and happiness. The Shore is heartbreaking and supremely satisfying.”—Kara Watson, executive editor, Scribner
Opening: “He writes one word on each Post-it: ember, embark, embolize, embarrass, empathy.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Douglas Stuart
Young Mungo (Grove, Apr. 5; $27)
Why the buzz: “I was reminded of Romeo and Juliet while reading the impossible love story of two boys—one Protestant, one Catholic—in 1990s Scotland. Queer history, the perils of masculinity, and the bounds of class are all explored in this intricate novel. Douglas set himself a hard act to follow with 2020’s Shuggie Bain winning the Booker, being named a finalist for the NBA, and receiving dozens of other accolades. Young Mungo is not just a worthy follow-up, but another masterpiece.”—Peter Blackstock, v-p and deputy publisher, Grove Atlantic
Opening: “As they neared the corner, Mungo halted and shrugged the man’s hand from his shoulder.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Shelby Van Pelt
Remarkably Bright Creatures (Ecco, May 3; $27.99; 200,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “When I read the first page of Remarkably Bright Creatures, I knew I was in good hands. How else could I be so persuaded by the voice of an octopus? But Marcellus—wise, witty, acerbic, and curious—drew me in, as did the story of his beautiful friendship with a grieving widow. And ultimately this is a novel about hope, something I think we especially need in these times.”—Helen Atsma, v-p and publisher, Ecco
Opening: “Darkness suits me.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
John Vercher
After the Lights Go Out (Soho, June 7; $26; 80,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “After the Lights Go Out, the story of a biracial MMA fighter in the throes of CTE dementia, is such an astutely wrought depiction of both brain trauma and America’s race malaise that it’s nearly madness-inducing. The book is unforgettable, a triumph of psychological energy as well as of allegory. John Vercher is an artist.”—Juliet Grames, associate publisher, Soho
Opening: “Last year, he left his groceries in the trunk for two days. He’d just gotten the call—a number-one contender fight.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12: 30–1:30 p.m. ET
Poetry
Danny Caine
Flavortown (Harpoon, out now; $16 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Flavortown was truly a delight to publish. A homage to the goofy perfection that is Midwest America and an exploration of fatherhood, this book will pull at your heartstrings before you even realize it’s happening.”—Gary Lovely, publisher, Harpoon
Opening: “On camera, I once said, ‘this pizza looks like a manhole cover in Flavortown.’ ”
Poets Take the Stage! (moderator), Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:35–7:35 p.m. ET
Katharine Coles
(Solve for) X (Turtle Point, Apr. 5; $16.95 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “I love the way Katharine Coles scrutinizes language and the world. She marries her fascination with science and nature with a probing sensibility that demonstrates the poet’s mind at play. Here, she explores the X of gender and the unknown. (Solve for) X is her eighth poetry book, but the first published by Turtle Point. It joins our two nonfiction titles by Coles, part of our Joan Books series showcasing adventurous women who forge their own paths.”—Ruth Greenstein, publisher and editorial director, Turtle Point
Opening: “If the sky is falling/ Hunt meteors or raise/ Your umbrella;”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
Misha Collins
Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You (Andrews McMeel, out now; $14.99 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Misha Collins is many things—beloved actor, longtime poet, and philanthropic activist—and now he’s added New York Times bestselling author to his list! We couldn’t be more delighted to publish Misha’s beautiful, charming, simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking poetry in Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You. Misha’s trademark wit and subtle vulnerability converge in this collection that is both a celebration of and aspiration for a life well lived.”—Patty Rice, executive editor, Andrews McMeel
Opening: “The longest kisses/ Were some of the first.”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
Ama Asantewa Diaka
Woman, Eat Me Whole (Ecco, Apr. 5; $24.99; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Diaka’s rich, layered, and provocative poetry gives voice to women’s experiences too often overlooked or dismissed, while also probing the bounds of mental illness and the dislocations of moving between cultures. Her ambitious work is singular at the level of the line and bold in its ideas and aspirations; it is both deeply rooted in her Ghanaian heritage and speaks to universal realities. We’re so proud and excited to be publishing this highly inventive, urgently relevant, and genre-defying work at Ecco.”—Gabriella Doob, editor, Ecco
Opening: “we do not know what she looked like–how/ stretched her flesh was laid out in the husk of her being,/ how charred her eyes may have been,/ how clickety her laughter may have sounded/ the elasticity of the jiggle in her behind when her feet/ landed on ground.”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
Kim Dower
I Wore This Dress Today for You, Mom (Red Hen, Apr. 19; $19.95)
Why the buzz: “Kim Dower explores motherhood from light to dark, down into the wild caves. This book explores the mothers we love, the ones we don’t, the loss we feel when they are gone. In this book, Dower gives motherhood as many complications as the subject needs. Being a mother is not for the faint of heart, and Kim gives us the struggle. We love our children to the moon and hope they come back to us.”—Kate Gale, co-founder and managing editor, Red Hen
Opening: “She’s Never Trusted Happiness/ Maybe it was something her mother said/ one morning as the young girl dipped/ her donut into a glass of whole milk/ powdered sugar still on her lips her mother/ tells her, don’t get used to this”
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 8, 5–5:05 p.m. ET
Linda Gregerson
Canopy: (Ecco, Mar. 22; $25.99)
Why the buzz: “Linda Gregerson’s poetry has always cast a loving eye on living beings, but this new collection takes a sharply environmentalist turn. Canopy weaves together personal, collective, and ecological narratives—from Covid losses to the language of maple trees—in a way that I’ve never seen before. I’m thrilled that we’ll be bringing out her first new collection in over a decade via our new home at Ecco.”—Jenny Xu, editor, Ecco
Opening: “Speak plainly, said November to the maples, say/ what you mean now, now that summer’s lush declensions lie like the lies/ they were at your feet.”
Poets Take the Stage!, Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:35–7:35 p.m. ET
Noor Hindi
Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. (Haymarket, May 31; $17 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “We are so thrilled to be publishing Noor Hindi’s defiant and urgent collection of poems, which navigates Arab womanhood, migration, queerness, and Palestinian identity with striking and evocative lyricism.”—Jim Plank, publicity director, Haymarket
Opening: “At the airport terminal, a woman is crying.”
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 9, 12:15–12:20 p.m. ET
Saeed Jones
Alive at the End of the World (Coffee House, Sept. 13; $16.95 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Saeed’s poems are lyrical, playful, musical, and political. This book troubles dominant assumptions about Blackness, sexuality, and inequality as he responds to a climate of white supremacy, heteronormativity, and Black death. In these poems, Saeed elevates the matters that keep him up at night, and makes us laugh, too. If Prelude to Bruise jettisoned oppressive structures Saeed experienced growing up, Alive is a reminder that the work continues, that freedom and equity are inextricably linked.”—Erika Stevens, editorial director, Coffee House
Opening: “The end of the world was mistaken/ for just another midday massacre/ in America.”
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 8, 6:30–6:35 p.m. ET
Poets Take the Stage!, Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:35–7:35 p.m. ET
Rupi Kaur
home body (Andrews McMeel, out now; $21.99)
Why the buzz: “We are thrilled to publish this gorgeous clothbound, foil-stamped hardcover edition of Rupi Kaur’s #1 New York Times bestselling home body. Rupi’s long-awaited hardcover edition debuts exclusive poems and wraps her beautiful words in a lush package with a ribbon marker dyed to match the case. home body is a collection of raw, honest conversations with oneself—reminding readers to fill up on love, acceptance, community, and family, and embrace change.”—Patty Rice, executive editor, Andrews McMeel
Opening: “After feeling disconnected for so long/ My mind and body are finally/ Come back to each other/ Home body”
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 9, 6:15–6:20 p.m. ET
Ada Limón
The Hurting Kind (Milkweed, May 10; $22)
Why the buzz: “We are very excited to publish The Hurting Kind by Ada Limón, her fourth collection with us. Ada’s artistry has grown with each book, as has her readership. And, for that matter, our press. A humbling parallel, likely not entirely coincidental, for all of us here at Milkweed Editions.”—Daniel Slager, publisher and CEO, Milkweed Editions
Opening: “I thought it was the neighbor’s cat, back/ to clean the clock of the fledgling robins low/ in their nest stuck in the dense hedge by the house,/ but what came was much stranger, a liquidity/ moving, all muscle and bristle: a groundhog/ slippery and waddle-thieving my tomatoes, still/ green in the morning’s shade.”
Poets Take The Stage!, Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:35–7:35 p.m. ET
Christopher Soto
Diaries of a Terrorist (Copper Canyon, May 3; $17 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Christopher Soto is one of the hardest-working activist poets I’ve met, and their debut is exceptional for its sharp political engagement. It’s a powerful, lyric document of the devastation of the police state and a call to abolish it. It’s also a series of love poems to the communities the police state most impacts: people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and immigrants. It is by turns moving, disturbing, and feverish, but also raunchy, funny, and punk.”—Ryo Yamaguchi, publicity, Copper Canyon
Opening: “Police killed our neighbor // On his/ Doormat // Fifty footsteps from his bed/ The bullet’s auburn cologne // Sprayed over him &/ After the first shot // There were fireflies stumbling”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
Paul Tran
All the Flowers Kneeling (Viking, Feb. 15; $18 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “Paul Tran is an irrepressibly brilliant creator of poems both grand and intimate, tender and brutal. All the Flowers Kneeling is a transformative collection, one that embraces the nonlinear and recursive aspects of healing and revels in how strange, unknowable, and glorious we can be. Paul invites readers to spiral, strut, and evolve alongside them as these mesmerizing, formally innovative poems bloom into being, testifying to the power of resilience, reinvention, and love.”—Allie Merola, assistant editor, Viking Books
Opening: “Into the shadows I go/ and find you, gorgeous as your necklace/ of nine hundred and ninety-nine index fingers.”
Poets Take the Stage!, Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:45–7:45 p.m. ET
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 9, 11–11:05 a.m. ET
Emma Straub
This Time Tomorrow (Riverhead, May 17; $28)
Why the buzz: “Emma’s most moving and emotional book yet also comes with an irresistible hook: What if you could take a vacation to your past? What if you could relive your youth for a day, and then return with renewed understanding of the past and the present? Emma’s heartwarming twist on time travel brought all sorts of childhood memories flooding back to me—and made me want to hug my dad.”—Sarah McGrath, senior v-p, editor-in-chief, Riverhead
Opening: ”Time did not exist in the hospital.”
Storytelling in the Cultural Moment, Mar. 10, 10–11 a.m., repeated 6:30–7:25 p.m. ET
Morgan Talty
Night of the Living Rez: Stories (Tin House, July 5; $16.95 trade paper; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Morgan Talty’s Night of the Living Rez just left me gobsmacked. I was astounded, first, by the masterful storytelling; second, by the authenticity of Talty’s characters, each at a cultural and personal crossroad; and, finally, by his penetrating insight into Maine’s Penobscot Indian community. There’s a sharp edge to each story, but by striking an expert balance between the sacred and profane, Morgan displays compassion, wit, tremendous heart, and ferocious verve, making the reading experience unforgettable.”—Craig Popelars, publisher, Tin House
Opening: “Winter, and I walked the sidewalk at night along banks of hard snow.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Alora Young
Walking Gentry Home: A Memoir of My Foremothers in Verse (Hogarth, Aug. 2; $18)
Why the buzz: “When David Ebershoff and I got this manuscript in, we pushed everything aside and fully immersed ourselves in Alora’s poetry. Only fitting from the Youth Poet Laureate of the Southern United States, these poems are an illuminating, incisive, and raw exploration of Black girlhood and the lives of Alora’s foremothers. After finishing Walking Gentry Home in one sitting, I just knew I had to work with Alora Young. Quite simply, I love this book.”—Darryl Oliver, editorial assistant, Hogarth and Random House
Opening: “I have many mothers.”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
Nonfiction
Melissa Bond
Blood Orange Night (Gallery, June 14; $27.99)
Why the buzz: “Melissa Bond’s writing is a siren song I can’t get out of my head. Her memoir, Blood Orange Night, achieves something precious and rare. While, at its heart, the book is about addiction, motherhood, and marriage, the deeper and more transcendent aspects of the book explore how we conceive of ourselves, what we lose when core parts of our identities are stripped away, and what it means to begin again.”—Rebecca Strobel, associate editor, Gallery
Opening: “When I first started falling and the bruises formed a map of yellows and browns on my body, I touched them and said, ‘This was my sway in the kitchen,’ ‘This was when I stumbled over the chair,’ ‘This was in the high grass outside, holding my daughter, Chloe.’ ”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Edgar Gomez
High-Risk Homosexual: A Memoir (Soft Skull, out now; $16.95 trade paper)
Why the buzz: “In his personal, self-deprecating writing, Edgar Gomez does what the best comedians do: he makes readers digest hard-to-swallow truths with the magic trick of surprise, so that we come to them with curiosity and openheartedness. He reveals such savviness and wisdom about how other people perceive him, recognizing when he as an individual is being unfairly made to represent a larger group, while holding immense care and compassion for how his actions might affect other people; he beautifully leads by example with a voice and perspective deeply needed in this world.”—Sarah Lyn Rogers, associate editor, Soft Skull
Opening: “Moments after I was born at the Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, my parents were handed a document, which I stumbled upon years later, curled and yellow at the edges, inside of a shoebox in a corner of my closet.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Lars Horn
Voice of the Fish: A Lyric Essay (Graywolf, June 7; $16 trade paper; 30,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “In addition to being a stunning example of what can be done with the lyric essay, Voice of the Fish reaches beyond itself, a deftly constructed work encompassing multiple moving parts, to help make space for stories about marginalized bodies, for whom the disruption of stagnant forms is essential. Lars Horn is able to do this while giving us room to learn about marine life, antiquity, gender, mythology, and visual art. They reveal how the blurring of boundaries between seemingly unrelated topics and the upturning of narrative structures can most genuinely capture lived experience.”—Claudia Acevedo-Quiñones, publicist, Graywolf
Opening: “On June 23, 1626, a fishmonger of Cambridge market discovered a century-old manuscript in the belly of a codfish.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Kate Kelly
Ordinary Equality: The Fearless Women and Queer People Who Shaped the U.S. Constitution (Gibbs Smith, Mar. 1; $27.99)
Why the buzz: “Ordinary Equality discusses the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Ratifying the ERA would impact future litigation and legislation, helping women and people of all marginalized genders receive equal pay, equal protection from abuse and harm, equal healthcare and reproductive access. There would be less ground to chip away at monumental court cases like Roe v. Wade. This book is at once an accessible history about the fight for gender equality, an inspiration, and a call to action.”
—Lizzi Middleman, marketing manager, Gibbs Smith
Opening: “I sat opposite U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch’s legislative aide.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe
Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk (Counterpoint, Mar. 8; $25)
Why the buzz: “Sasha’s debut work of nonfiction, Red Paint, is a revelation. Everyone at Counterpoint was immediately captivated by this indigenous artist’s blend of punk rock and the traditional spiritual practices of the women in her lineage. A journey of self and of home—what could be more important during this time? We hope its message will reach readers everywhere, virtually or in person.”
—Dan Smetanka, editor-in-chief, Counterpoint
Opening: “We were a hunter-gatherer society.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Jane McGonigal
Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything—Even Things That Seem Impossible Today (Spiegel & Grau, Mar. 22; $30; 75,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “Imaginable will change the way you think, allowing you to envision a future you’ve never dreamed of before—or thought was impossible—and then helping you create it. Instead of fearing what’s ahead, you will learn the power of ‘urgent optimism,’ an unstoppable force within each of us. Imaginable will help you unstick your mind, think the unthinkable, imagine the unimaginable, and feel more creative and confident in your own ability to shape a better world.”—Cindy Spiegel, partner and CEO, Spiegel & Grau
Opening: “The state of the planet is one of collective shock.”
How to Imagine the Future of Bookselling, Mar. 8, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:45–7:45 p.m. ET
Courtney Maum
The Year of the Horses: A Memoir (Tin House, May 3; $27.95; 25,000-copy announced first printing)
Why the buzz: “It’s a privilege to work with Courtney Maum again! The Year of the Horses is an honest excavation of selfhood and a celebration of redemption and remaking. In a last attempt to pull herself from the throes of depression, Courtney signs up for horseback riding lessons even though she hasn’t been on a horse in 30 years. The result is a deeply empowering look at a woman’s attempt to save her inner wildness and happiness.”—Masie Cochran, editorial director, Tin House
Opening: “I am standing by our front door as my daughter works her socks on.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Meredith May
Loving Edie: How a Dog Afraid of Everything Taught Me to Be Brave (Park Row, Apr. 19; $24.99)
Why the buzz: “Meredith May has a gift for blending poignance and emotion with warm and engaging
storytelling. In Loving Edie, she shares her experience raising an extremely anxious dog with honesty, heart, and humor. It is a moving story of unconditional love and personal transformation, and readers will fall head over heels for the adorable golden retriever at the heart of this beautiful book.”—Erika Imranyi, editorial director, Park Row
Opening: “Fear makes me feel alive. They call my kind of people adrenaline chasers, those who flirt with danger for the exquisite, specific euphoria that comes from relying on your wits to survive.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Javier Zamora
Solito: A Memoir (Hogarth, Sept. 6; $28)
Why the buzz: “I had read—and loved—Javier’s poetry, but even that hadn’t prepared me for the power and scope of Solito. When I first got the manuscript, I read it through dinner then through the night, pulled along by the force of Javier’s journey and the mesmerizing effect of his prose. By morning I was in love and knew I had found the perfect book to launch Hogarth’s new non-fiction list.”—David Ebershoff, v-p and editor-in-chief, Hogarth
Opening: “Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago—‘one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us.’ ”
Poetry Theater, Mar. 10, 2–3 p.m. ET
