Lit Happens

Books to Celebrate International Music Day on Oct. 1

All around the world, people connect with music, and this is celebrated on Oct. 1 with international music day. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite books that highlight this love and leave us hearing sweet melodies. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett A gripping tale of unexpected connections and beauty in the […]

W. B. Murph/Joni McCoy interview

Welcome to our Authors Forward series, where our innovative and talented Books Forward authors interview other great, forward-thinking voices in the industry. W.B. Murph is a 5-year-old Beagle living his best life in Colorado. He whispers story ideas to his ever-faithful, former veterinary nurse human, who writes them down. Murph interviewed author and bookstore owner […]

Real Life BFFs: Books Forward BFFs September Influencer Newsletter

Check out the latest newsletter for our Books Forward Friends. This issue features highlights of our BFFs, fun titles available for review, and special opportunities for our friends. Download the September 2023 newsletter here!

Celebrate the new My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie and get yourself to Greece with these mythology retellings

Was anyone else obsessed with Greek mythology as a kid? There’s been an uptick in retellings of the famous stories in recent years, and we wanted to celebrate a new My Big Fat Greek Wedding film (I also loved the original movie as a kid) with a list to set the stage for a country […]

Young witch flees family abuse, seeks own happy ending

“A multi-layered and intoxicating fantasy that explores the adverse effects of emotional abuse and the courage it takes to break away and pave your own path.”  -Lenore Borja, author of “The Last Huntress” Greensboro, NC – Wander the world with Georgette and her magical friends in this tender and hopeful fantasy story from award-winning author, […]

Former Vet Nurse pens poignant children’s book on compassion and second chances

One beagle’s journey thoughtfully sheds light on the reality of animal neglect Colorado Springs, CO – W.B. Murph is a real-life silly Beagle who loves whispering his story ideas to his faithful, former veterinary nurse human. Together, pet and owner have created a heartfelt new children’s picture book that confronts the importance (for animals and […]

Triumphant coming-of-age memoir uncovers the truth about love and queer pride after purity culture

Minneapolis, MN – In the inspirational coming-of-age memoir, “Finding Sunlight” (Wise Ink, November 2023), Chrissy Holm separates purity culture, LGBTQ religious trauma, and a patriarchal father-daughter relationship from all the possibilities of meaningful love.  The church has a lot of views on women’s relationships. Respect the sanctity of marriage. Save yourself for your husband. And […]

Books to read to celebrate Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, Guts

Around here, we love to pretend we’re teens and get angsty with Olivia Rodrigo. So we’re very excited about the September release of Guts, and we put together a little list of books to match some of our favorite Olivia songs in celebration. Brutal: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” […]