Book Talk Recommendations - February, 2026
At our quarterly Book Talk event, P&P staff discuss their favorite new and upcoming releases of the season. Purchases and special orders that night receive a 10% discount!
Our last Book Talk was in February 2026, with Anderson, Mary-Bradley, Stacy, and Carolyn!
Here’s the list in case you missed it!
MUST READS
THE CREEK, THE CRONE AND THE CROW by Leah Weiss
Though some of Weiss's characters from If the Creek Don't Rise are in this remarkable book, the story stands alone. Deep in Appalachia the residents of Baines Creek grapple with the closing of the state's last one room school house. A psychic searches for the elusive Birdie, a powerful local witch. Kate, the local school teacher is skeptical of Birdie's so called powers and is stunned when Birdie passes away and leaves her precious collection of hand made books. — Carolyn
GOOD PEOPLE by Patmeena Sabit
GOOD PEOPLE is a remarkable, emotionally charged debut novel that I could not put down. Through the story of an immigrant Afghan family’s rise and fall, Patmeena Sabit deftly tackles the struggle to uphold cultural traditions and beliefs while adapting to the societal norms of a new country. Testimony of individuals on both sides of an investigation — family, friends and neighbors, casual witnesses and naysayers — provides a propulsive, compelling narrative. Through these contrasting voices, Sabit authentically portrays the prejudices, judgements and assumptions of everyone involved. A raw, engrossing and important read!
— Anderson
LADY TREMAINE by Rachel Hochhauser
You will be swept away by Rachel Hochhauser’s clever and engrossing spin on the Cinderella tale. Lady Tremaine follows the life of Etheldreda and the woes and joys she experiences in family, marriage, and society. Ethel is determined to create a secure life for her two daughters, no matter the cost. When all is lost and a royal ball promises a better future, is Ethel willing to turn a blind eye when the fairytale isn’t what it seems? This is a must read! —Mary-Bradley
THE SMILING LAND, by Alan Doyle
This travel memoir is pure joy. Alan Doyle, a native Newfoundlander, is a warm and masterful storyteller as he journeys across his home province and shares what he discovers. In the spirit of Bill Bryson or Stanley Tucci, Doyle’s passion for Newfoundland and his intimate grasp of its long, colorful history makes this book a delight to read. It’s far richer than the usual touchstones of Vikings, the Titanic, or Come From Away. I truly smiled my way through it, indeed. — Stacy
New Releases
WITH HER OWN HANDS by Nicole Nehrig
With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories blends archaeology, anthropology, global textile traditions, and personal narrative into an exploration of women’s creative power. Its interdisciplinary depth can feel slow at times, but the storytelling—and its insistence on reframing “women’s work” as art, community, and cultural memory—more than compensates. What stayed with me most is the reminder that even though textile work is often solitary, women have always sought one another out to make together—and to make beauty out of the everyday. (I think of Claire in Outlander peeing on the wool while the women sing and work the yarn at the table.) Readers who loved The Salt Path, Braiding Sweetgrass, or The Red Tent will find a kindred spirit here. — Stacy
MEET THE NEWMANS by Jennifer Niven
A 1960's sitcom mom finds herself "out of the kitchen" and unexpectedly at the helm of her family's faltering t.v. show. She struggles to find her balance between the life she knows and her new feminist role. Her transition is real, tender, funny and heart warming as we are reminded of the trails these brave women blazed. — Carolyn
IMPOSTER by LJ Ross
Imposter is pure BBC‑crime‑drama energy—tight, moody, and addictive. You’re inside profiler Dr. Alexander Gregory’s head the whole time, seeing only what he sees, which means every person in a quiet Irish village——(yes, it’s a quiet Irish village!) is a potential killer. It’s lean, tense, and wildly fun to guess your way through. Perfect pick for anyone who loves a smart dark-skies thriller that refuses to give the game away until the very end. — Stacy
THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU by Libby Page
Prepare to be inspired by Libby Page’s charming new novel, THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU. It is a lovely, heartwarming story that celebrates the power of books - the many ways they comfort, support and sustain us. It is a beautiful homage to bookstores, booksellers and the community of readers that make a local bookshop both a haven and a home. — Anderson
GRACELESS HEART by Isabel Ibanez
Historical romance with elements of fantasy, Ravenna, a sculptress in Renaissance Florence must use forbidden magic to save her brother. Her actions land her in the middle of a dangerous political game between a corrupt pope and a wealthy, powerful Florence family. The rich historical detail is enough to make this a fabulous read but Ravenna's sizzling attraction to the ruthless Saturnino makes it irresistible! — Carolyn
THE UNCOOL by Cameron Crowe
This multi- generational cultural time capsule is a true pleasure. . The heart of it, Crowe’s whole magic is that he’s there for the wild, iconic moments of youth culture, but he’s never the swaggering center of the room. As shown in Almost Famous, (he won an Oscar for the screenplay) he’s the earnest observer, the kid with the notebook, the one who gets let into the green room because he’s sincere, not slick. That’s the soul of The Uncool. He’s writing for Rolling Stone at age 14, brings us movies that defined whole generations— Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Say Anything, Singles, Jerry Maguire. It’s no surprise that this guy is interesting. This is a wonderful memoir. — Stacy
I, MEDUSA by Ayana Gray
Ayana Gray brings new life into this tragic yet beautiful retelling of the Medusa legend. I, Medusa focuses on the enraged woman behind the myth, and the young girl before the monster we know her as. At the heart of this tragedy is a story of sisterhood, love, acceptance, and the terrifying power of a woman’s anger. —Mary-Bradley
CANTICLE by Janet Rich Edwards
I might be making up a genre here, but I would describe Canticle as a spiritual thriller. Set in 13th-century Bruges, Belgium, we meet Aleys-a strong-willed, intelligent, and at times naive young woman prone to mystical visions. Fleeing an unwanted marriage, she finds refuge with the Beguines, a community of independent religious women. When Aleys begins performing "so-called" miracles, word spreads, drawing the attention of the Bishop-a man driven by power and greed. Once he becomes involved, trouble ensues. Lyrical, immersive, thought-provoking and impossible to put down. —Anderson
TUCK ME IN by Nathan Pyle
Science meets bedtime story in this charming book about how the moon controls the tides as it "tucks in" the beach every night. Beautifully illustrated! — Carolyn
Upcoming Releases
OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER by Nora Murphy (Feb 10)
Extremely clever plot twists kept me guessing and guessing again! Nora Murphy has taken the suspense novel to a new level.
HANNIBAL LECTER by Brian Rafferty (Feb 10)
An in depth account of how Thomas Harris came to create one of the most iconic characters of the twentieth century. Raferty reveals new information about how the movies were made, the actor's selected and many surprising details about the evolution of pop culture and the entire film industry.
ASTRAL LIBRARY by Kate Quinn (Feb 17)
Kate Quinn has brought every book lovers dream to life! The Astral Library is a dazzling, delightful tribute to readers, librarians and the magical, life-changing power of books. Her latest novel is unlike anything she's written before! It's unforgettable, completely fantastical and utterly timely. The book follows a struggling young former foster kid, Alix, who is down on her luck and finds herself whisked off into the magical realm of the Astral Library where lost souls can find refuge from their real lives in fictional books. Immersive, enchanting and impossible to put down!
A FAR FLUNG LIFE by M.L. Steadman (Mar 3)
Absolutely breathtaking! M.L. Stedman’s A Far Flung Life is the kind of wholly engrossing novel that seizes your heart and won’t let go. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in the MacBrides, a family who suffers inexplicable loss and heartbreak, hardship and regret. But their love and resilience is as durable as the harsh Australian landscape, offering sanctuary in the storm. An unforgettable story that will stay with me!
THE BEHEADING GAME by Rebecca Lehmann (March 24)
Absolutely brilliant! The Beheading Game is a unique, immersive retelling of Anne Bolelyn, the discarded queen who finally gets her revenge on Henry VIII. Rebecca Lehman has crafted an ingenious, propulsive story rooted in Tudor history, threaded with a bit of magic and a heavy dose of vengeance. This one will seize you by the throat and won’t let go! AUTHOR EVENT 4/9
THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke (Apr 9)
Six authors, one private island, and seventy-two hours to write an ending that could change their lives forever. Best-selling fantasy author V.E. Schwab and screen writer Cat Clarke join forces under the pen name Evelyn Clarke to create The Ending Writes Itself. These two have spun a tale that truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Whether you love or loathe the characters, it’s undeniable that Evelyn Clarke knows how to bring a character to life and keep the reader second guessing themselves until the very end.
THE CALAMITY CLUB by Kathryn (May 5)
A long-awarded new novel from Kathryn Stockett, the author of The Help. Set in 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, The Calamity Club is a heartwarming, immersive novel of historical fiction about a group of women-including a well-intentioned Birdie Calhoun, some prominent socialites, a group of desperate prostitutes, and a charming, honest and innocent young orphan, whose lives intersect during the Great Depression as they form an unlikely sisterhood and take a dangerous risk to earn some desperately needed cash, right some wrongs, and for many of them, start a new life. I fell in love with each of these formidable women and did not feel the 600 page length at all. AUTHOR EVENT 5/16
ENORMOUS WINGS by Laurie Frankel (May 5)
The immensely talented Laurie Frankel has truly outdone herself with Enormous Wings! cannot think of a better title for this big, bold and thought-provoking novel. I loved her first two novels, This is How It Always Is and One Two Three, but this one may be my favorite! To say this book had a unique premise is an understatement! After a minor car accident, Pepper, a 77-year old woman, is placed in an assisted living facility by her adult children. She soon meets a romantic interest named Moth at the annual "prom" and ends up getting pregnant. Chaos ensues, given her age and the uncharted territory she's venturing into in the conservative state of Texas. Highly recommend!