Here is a list of the most popular books sold last month at Books Inc. in the Marina:
HARDCOVER FICTION
1. Funny Story, by Emily Henry
2. Long Island, by Colm Toibin
3. The Women, by Kristin Hannah
HARDCOVER NON-FICTION
1. The Demon Of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, by Erik Larson
2. The Algebra Of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security, by Scott Galloway
3. Burn: A Tech Love Story, by Kara Swisher
PAPERBACK FICTION
1. I Have Some Questions For You, by Rebecca Makkai
2. Just For The Summer, by Abby Jimenez
3. This Summer Will Be Different, by Carley Fortune
PAPERBACK NON-FICTION
1. You Deserve Good Gelato, by Kacie Rose
2. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman
3. The Courage To Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness, by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
YOUNG READERS
Young Adult: What The River Knows, by Isabel Ibanez
Picture Book: Oh, The Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss
Graphic Novel: Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers, by Dav Pilkey
NEW AND NOTABLE RELEASES
The Bright Sword, by Lev Grossman
Young Collum of Mull, with his pilfered armor and his dreams of knighthood, has journeyed from the Outer Hebrides to Camelot, hoping to join King Arthur’s famous Round Table in any capacity in which they will have him. On arriving, he discovers that the king is dead, along with most of his knights. The few remaining knights, led by Bedivere, try to convince Collum that the glorious era of the Round Table is over, but he persuades them that they have one more task to complete — finding a new king. Following in the footsteps of the classic stage play “Camelot” and T.H. White’s “The Once and Future King,” Grossman (“The Magicians”) sets his version of King Arthur in that same land of not-quite-history, mixing Saracens, plate armor, and Roman occupation. The novel puts Arthur into a mythical framework that lets the legends blend into an anachronistic but harmonious whole, while giving Camelot one last quest and one last hurrah that sets England on the path of its mythical history.
The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss, by Margarlit Fox
Fox (“The Confidence Men,” 2021) thrusts readers into the mesmerizing world of Fredericka Mandelbaum, a formidable figure in New York’s criminal underbelly during the Gilded Age. Her narrative doesn’t merely recount Mandelbaum’s exploits; it dismantles our romanticized notions of the era, revealing a complex tapestry of power dynamics and societal prejudices. Mandelbaum’s rise from immigrant peddler to notorious crime boss is a tale of cunning and resilience. Fox meticulously illustrates how her subject navigated the corrupt landscape of nineteenth-century New York, exploiting loopholes and leveraging her outsider status to build an empire. Through immersive storytelling, Fox delves into the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that shaped Mandelbaum’s world. “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum” is more than just a true-crime biography; it’s a riveting exploration of resilience and ambition in the face of adversity. Fox’s narrative prowess and meticulous research make this a must-read for history enthusiasts and fans of gripping storytelling alike. After turning the final page, readers will find themselves haunted by Mandelbaum’s indomitable spirit and pondering the complexities of her legacy.
Things Don’t Break On Their Own, by Sarah Easter Collins
When Willa was a teenager, her sister Laika disappeared walking to school. No trace of her was ever found, and every suspect had a firm alibi. Willa was haunted by the loss of her sister and felt alone, lonely and desperate. Then her family moved to avoid the tenacious British media, and Willa transferred to a new school. There, she met Robyn and spent the best summer of her life with Robyn’s family, after which the girls became staunch friends. As she grew up, Willa never gave up hope of finding Laika — constantly thinking she’d spotted her in the street or on a bus or across a par — but that led to her never really focusing on an education or a career or finding a boyfriend. Now grown and struggling with her life, she’s invited to a dinner party at Robyn’s, where she meets Claudette, who’s French and reminds Willa very much of Laika. But after two decades, Willa’s no longer sure of who her sister really was or what she’d look like now. Still, meeting Claudette sets off a cataclysmic cycle of events with a stunning resolution that changes Willa’s life forever. A gripping book about families, loyalty, lies, and love that is at once heartwarming and horrifying.
Chris Hsiang can help you find your next book at Books Inc., 2251 Chestnut St., 415-931-3633, booksinc.net.
