The Bookies Bookstore suggests titles full of obits, sorcery, angst

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from The Bookies Bookstore in Denver recommends a novel about an obituary writer, a fantasy about magical beings and a helpful middle-school tale.

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From the publisher: Obituary writer Bud Stanley isn’t really living his best life. He’s fallen into a funk after a divorce. (She left him for another man, who, in fairness, was far more interesting.) He’s not doing his job well. He’s given up on dating. And he’s about to be fired for accidentally publishing his own obituary one mildly drunken night (though technically the company can’t legally fire a dead person).

As Bud awaits his fate at work, he does the only logical thing: He goes to the wakes and funerals of total strangers to learn how to live again.

From Judy, bookseller: The first few chapters of this book had me laughing out loud! And even as the humor and tone got darker, I was still enjoying myself. It’s funny and quirky with some good dark humor. I loved the interesting characters and the deep friendships that were developed.

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From the publisher: In the tiny town of Pine Hollow, barista and fledgling sorceress Talula Smith runs The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium, aka the worst coffee shop in town. The café’s horrible reputation hides its true purpose: providing new identities and safe passage to at-risk magical beings while keeping humans far, far away. That is, except for town local Dahlia. Dahlia’s devastating dimples, addiction to Talula’s cocoa recipe, and keen observation skills keeps the smitten barista scrambling to ensure that her magical abilities (or, lack thereof) stay a secret.

But when big game hunters start preying on magical beings, her powerful sorceress mother is called away to track them down, leaving Talula and her barely-there magic in charge of The Blue Moon. With the impending Samhain festival to organize, magical refugees to help, half of the town turning against her, and her ever-growing feelings for Dahlia, Talula’s magical destiny feels further away than ever. But as the hunters set their sights closer to home, it’ll be up to Talula to master her craft, trust her heart, and bring her magical and human communities together . . . before she loses everything she loves. 

From Krista, store manager: This book was a whimsical hit of fall which was extremely welcome in the middle of our summer heat wave. Talula struggles with her confidence in the first third of the book which did make it a bit slow, but the growth she undergoes felt earned and the book developed into a couldn’t-put-down. It wrapped me in a lovely cozy blanket of Halloween/Samhain feelings that left me craving pumpkin pie and cool nights.

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From the publisher: Ruby Emmerson has always felt like the “dumb” twin. Struggling with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, she feels out of place at her competitive charter school, especially as her twin brother Bryce excels both academically and socially. When she fails a math test despite getting extra help, she fears she’ll flunk out of Benton Academy and drag her brother back to their old school.   

In a moment of frustration, Ruby vents anonymously online, describing herself as an imposter—a mango among lovebirds. But to her surprise, she’s far from alone.   

As her account gains a following, tensions rise with her brother and her posts draw the unwanted attention of the school administration. Now, Ruby must find the courage to challenge Benton’s high-pressure environment and advocate for herself and all the other “Mangoes” out there.

From Anne, children’s buyer: It’s back to school season and we all remember how starting middle school was, but these Colorado authors really bring it all back with “Confessions of a Mango.” You’ll sympathize with Ruby as she struggles through classes, math tests and becoming a secret truth teller on social media. One extra cool thing about this book is that it’s printed in Lexend font; a font designed to decrease reading stress and help struggling readers and those with dyslexia, like Ruby. If you have anyone in your life struggling to fit in (especially in middle school) this book is for them…and for you. Many Bookies employees have read and loved this book!

Type of Story: Review

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