On Wednesdays, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestseller List is published. Every week, we love to see what books have been most popular in independent bookstores around our region. As we peruse the list, we look for something special to showcase. Then we present this weekly feature: Thursday Themes. Have you seen the gorgeous ombres on this week’s …
Scavengers is so clever and beautifully written. The layered mother-daughter dynamics add depth without feeling heavy-handed, and Boland’s voice is totally original. For readers who love smart, emotionally rich storytelling. —Liz Burkwist, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene, ID Scavengers releases nationally on January 13, 2026. Did you know that independent bookstores are delighted to preorder …
Pattee takes us inside the mind of soon-to-be mother Annie in her attempt to reunite with her husband after a huge earthquake. Tilt poses imperative questions about our nature as individuals and collectively in the face of societal collapse. —Aubrey Winkler, Powell’s Books, Portland, OR Pick up new paperbacks at Powell’s Books and other independent …
A mutual friend goes missing and twin sisters Frankie, a young teen on the spectrum, and popular Tess try to solve the mystery. The loyalty of sisters, friendship, and acceptance all come into play in this well-written and engaging book. — Marlene Craig, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene, ID Discover overlooked gems at The Well-Read …
Tilt plunges into the catastrophic aftermath of a megathrust earthquake, as revealed through the eyes of nine-month pregnant Annie. Physically and mentally exhausted, barely mobile, she is injured and stranded miles from home after the quake. Annie quickly grasps the brutal reality that no one is coming to save her. Walking among the dead and …
The Cat Who Saved Books is a love letter to book lovers, championing the emotional impact that stories have in the hearts and lives of readers. Tiger adds a bonus charming and Ghibli-esque aesthetic to this thoughtful, tender novel. — Andrew King, Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle, WA It was International Dog Day last week, but …
When a meme mocking her cousin’s body hair becomes the talk of the school, TJ Powar begins to wonder how and why something as natural as hair is seen as disgusting or unclean—she then decides to discontinue her shaving and waxing regimens to test just how much it affects her social status. TJ Powar Has …
In Black Brother, Black Brother, Rhodes looks at colorism, prejudice in schooling systems against people of color, and whitewashing in history all in a brilliant sports narrative. After being falsely accused of disrupting class at his private school and then arrested for being angry that no one would listen to him, Donte is encouraged to …
Ocean Vuong is a pretty famous poet, and this is his debut novel. It is so beautiful, exquisite, raw, and heartbreaking that you question: how is this NOT a memoir? It is set all over the place–they moved quite a bit. The main character, Little Dog, is writing this book as a letter to his …
Does your local indie bookstore have the Kids’ Next Indie Next list? Most do! It’s a quarterly newsletter compiled by the American Bookseller’s Association, with recommendations from booksellers all around the country. The Spring Kids’ Next List just came out, and Washington booksellers are well-represented. Hooray, us! To see the full lists, click here. Below, …
