We had so much fun roaming the tents full of books at the 2017 Texas Book Festival. We came home with a few more books than intended but still many on our wish list. Here are ten books we spotted at the festival that we are excited to dive into!
“Sisters First: A Celebration of Sisterhood”
by Jenna Hager Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush
What Is It? A memoir by the former first daughters, full of stories about their whirlwind lives and the bond of being twins.
Why Are We Excited? Jenna and Barbara have been famous since their teen years, but this is the first time they’ve been able to tell these stories on their own, unfiltered by the press. Check out the recap from their Texas Book Festival panel here.
“Las Nalgas de JLo/JLo’s Booty: The Best & Most Notorious Calumnas & Other Writings by the First Chicana Columnist in Texas 1995-2005”
by Renaud González
What Is It? A collection of columns, articles, reviews and poems by the author, who was formerly an independent columnist for The San Antonio Express-News.
Why Are We Excited? Some of the writings in this book were previously unpublished due to their content, and with a book title like this, how could we not be excited to see what González has to say?
“All Around Us”
by Xelena González and Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia
What Is It? This children’s book celebrates family while exploring the cyclical nature of life. It features beautiful artwork that helps to tell the story.
Why Are We Excited? This book is the debut of its writer and its illustrator, and we can definitely see a future in storytelling for them.
“What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism”
by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner
What Is It? A collection of essays about American freedoms and principles that also serves as an analysis of what history means for our present-day and for our future.
Why Are We Excited? Dan Rather is one of the country’s most respected journalists and is sure to have plenty of cogent things to say about the current political and ideological climate. We’re also fans of his following our interactions with him at Austin Film Festival.
“What We Lose”
by Zinzi Clemmons
What Is It? A novel that details the grieving process in a way that doesn’t feel too heavy, while also touching on ideas of identity and intimacy.
Why Are We Excited? This is the debut novel for Clemmons, whose style is distinct, poetic and personal.
“Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America”
by Samhita Mukhopadhyay and Kate Harding (editors)
What Is It? A collection of non-fiction writings on the current political climate and what it means for women.
Why Are We Excited? It features a diverse lineup of 23 feminist writers, including Samantha Irby, Cheryl Strayed, Randa Jarrar and Sarah Jaffe.
“Piper”
by Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg and Illustrated by Jeff Stokely
Love holding the beautiful cover of my next book, PIPER (a graphic novel). You can pre-order now and read on Halloween, which is so perfect! pic.twitter.com/g2rBVEZkQf
— Jay Asher (@jayasherguy) April 14, 2017
What Is It? A graphic novel that tells a story of two young people who fall in love in a medieval setting.
Why Are We Excited? Jay Asher wrote “Thirteen Reasons Why,” inspiring the hit Netflix series, so we know he writes teenagers and young adults well. The illustrations look gorgeous and will surely help with the atmosphere of the narrative.
“This Is Not the End”
by Chandler Baker
What Is It? A science fiction tale featuring a teenage girl who loses her best friend and boyfriend in a single car accident, and must choose which one – if anyone at all – to use her one resurrection on.
Why Are We Excited? The premise of this novel would be intriguing even without the sci-fi aspect, but adding in that element adds a sense of mystery to the story that will keep us reading endlessly.
“All the Dirty Parts”
by Daniel Handler
What Is It? A novel about a teenage boy who is obsessed with sex: having it, thinking about it, and consuming pornography.
Why Are We Excited? From another author, this premise might seem stale, but Daniel Handler (better known as his pseudonym Lemony Snicket) is finally offering up his sense of humor to some more adult tales, and we’re interested to see what he does.
“It’s News To Me”
by Olga Campos Benz
What Is It? Marissa Cavelo awakens under an alcohol-induced fog and has just minutes to get to a meeting at the television station where she works. She’s sure her career is doomed.
Why Are We Excited? Olga Campos Benz spent more than 30 years covering the biggest news stories in Houston, Corpus Christi and Austin. Who better than to write a fun, fictional novel set in the newsroom?!
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Jackie has called Austin home since choosing to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism. She loves spending time with her dogs, writing about pop culture in all its forms and spending time with friends – eating, drinking and doing trivia.