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Kira's Staff Picks

Kira (she/her) has been working in bookstores for the better part of the last fifteen years. A lover of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance, Kira is passionate about the transformative potential of imaginary worlds and the power of collaboration and collectivity in fact and fiction. She will likely remain perpetually All-But-Dissertated - her research in comparative studies focused on belonging and found family in speculative audio fiction (podcasts) and fan communities. Kira has a chapter in Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age: Essays on Transmedia Storytelling, Tabletop RPGs, and Fandom from McFarland. Her piece looks at collaborative storytelling, worldbuilding, and audience participation in the actual-play Dungeons & Dragons comedy podcast The Adventure Zone. She loves playing RPGs and video games, crocheting, volunteering at PAWS Atlanta, reading and watching sci-fi and fantasy, and wrangling her cats: Ichabod Crane, Magrathea, and Hazelnut.

Recommended Booklists:
Fantasy and Science Fiction for the Queer Romantic | Unconventional Historical Romance For the Cat Lover in Your Life - Children | For the Cat Lover in Your Life - Teens & Adults | Cozy Queer Reads - A Holiday Gift-Giving Guide by Kira

Some Desperate Glory By Emily Tesh Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250834980
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tordotcom - April 11th, 2023

Instant National Bestseller and International Bestseller!

A thrillingly told queer space opera about the wreckage of war, the family you find, and who you must become when every choice is stripped from you, Some Desperate Glory is Astounding Award Winner Emily Tesh’s explosive debut novel.


Just as You Are: A Novel By Camille Kellogg Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593594704
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Dial Press Trade Paperback - April 25th, 2023

Equal parts witty and steamy, this debut rom-com brings a healthy dose of queerness and a whole lot of spirit to a Pride and Prejudice-inspired enemies-to-lovers romance.

“Brims with heart, spice, and humor.”—Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care


Bitter Medicine By Mia Tsai Cover Image
$18.95
ISBN: 9781616963842
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tachyon Publications - March 14th, 2023

STARRED REVIEW] "Sparks fly in Tsai's refreshing and enchanting paranormal debut.... With brilliantly developed, multifaceted characters; a clever magic system; and witty prose, the pages of this fantasy fly. This marks Tsai as a writer to watch."
--Publishers Weekly


Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl By Sara Waxelbaum, Brianna R. Shrum Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781335453655
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Inkyard Press - May 2nd, 2023

"The most delightfully snarky romance I've read this year." --New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston

This charming YA rom-com follows Margo, who suddenly realizes that she's gay but has no clue how to express her identity, so she enlists out-and-proud Abbie to act as her tutor on everything "Queer 101"...and first love.


Northranger By Rey Terciero, Bre Indigo (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Rey Terciero, Bre Indigo (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780063007383
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: HarperAlley - June 6th, 2023

In this swoony and spooky teen summer romance graphic novel set on a Texas ranch, sixteen-year-old Cade Muñoz finds himself falling for the ranch owner’s mysterious and handsome son, only to discover that he may be harboring a dangerous secret.


Spell Bound By F.T. Lukens Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781665916226
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books - April 4th, 2023

An instant New York Times bestseller!


Sizzle Reel: A Novel By Carlyn Greenwald Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593468197
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - April 18th, 2023

An unputdownable queer coming-of-age rom-com about life and love in Hollywood. • "Both an irresistible love story and a riveting exploration of Hollywood dynamics.” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk


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A Lady's Guide to Scandal: A Novel By Sophie Irwin Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593492000
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Penguin Books - July 11th, 2023

Nothing about this book went the way I expected - and it is all the better for it! Meek, long-suffering Eliza gets a new lease on life when she is unexpectedly bequeathed a fortune. As she begins to come out of her shell, she finds joy and inspiration in new places and begins to question the rigid expectations of society -- all while finding herself the object of desire of two very different men.


Liar City By Allie Therin Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781335621948
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Carina Adores - February 28th, 2023

A murder has Seattle on edge, and it falls to a pacifist empath--and a notorious empath hunter--to find the killer before it's too late


A Taste of Gold and Iron By Alexandra Rowland Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781250800398
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tordotcom - May 30th, 2023

Now an Indie Next pick! A Most Anticipated Pick for BookRiot | FanFi Addict | The Nerd Daily | io9 | We Are Bookish | Buzzfeed

Book of the Year for Kirkus Reviews, Book of the Year for Gizmodo


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Ocean's Echo By Everina Maxwell Cover Image
$27.99
ISBN: 9781250758866
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tor Books - November 1st, 2022

For fans of The Expanse and the anti-imperialist messaging of Andor, and those who like their sci-fi queer.

A ne'er-do-well socialite with the power to read minds and a by-the-book soldier with the ability to re-write them must fake a "soul-bonded" mental connection in order to contend with military corruption and the dangers of chaotic space.


A Rulebook for Restless Rogues: A Victorian Romance By Jess Everlee Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781335680006
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Carina Adores - July 11th, 2023

A PASTE MUST-READ ROMANCE BOOK OF 2023

"Readers will want to savor every word of Everlee's splendid debut, the launch of her Lucky Lovers of London series, like a fine vintage wine."
--Booklist, on The Gentleman's Book of Vices


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A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding #1) By Freya Marske Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250831798
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tordotcom - October 18th, 2022

An immersive, intricate Edwardian fantasy world filled with magic, danger, and romance. Hard to put down, especially with the engaging conceit of the alternating viewpoint chapters of the two leads who are both stubborn, passionate, loyal, and brilliant in their own ways. -Kira @ Charis


Dead Collections: A Novel By Isaac Fellman Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780143136910
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Penguin Books - February 22nd, 2022

A whirlwind romance between an eccentric archivist and a grieving widow explores what it means to be at home in your own body in this clever, humorous, and heartfelt novel.


Reforged By Seth Haddon Cover Image
$21.95
ISBN: 9781956422016
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Blind Eye Books - October 4th, 2022

Since time immemorial the warriors of the Paladin Order have harnessed arcane powers to protect their rulers. For Balen, who has given up his chance at love and fought his way to the top of the Paladin Order, there can be no greater honor than to serve his king. But when assassins annihilate the royal family, Balen suddenly finds himself sworn to serve the very man he abandoned.


The Queer Principles of Kit Webb: A Novel (London Highwaymen #1) By Cat Sebastian Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780063026216
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Avon - June 8th, 2021

"The Queer Principles of Kit Webb kept me up all night! I simply couldn’t put it down."— Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author


Chilling Effect By Valerie Valdes Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062877239
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Harper Voyager - September 17th, 2019

“Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artifacts, and lovable characters... a tremendous good time and an impressive debut.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred)


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Peter Darling By Austin Chant Cover Image
$17.19
ISBN: 9781087808659
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Austin Chant - June 1st, 2021

Did you LOVE Our Flag Means Death? Then you will absolutely adore Peter Darling by Austin Chant. It has everything you could want: trans Peter, enemies-to-lovers, swordfighting, ~tension~, and a truly moving look at a grown-up Peter trying to navigate worlds both magical and real.


Band Sinister By Kj Charles Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9781912688036
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Kjc Books - October 18th, 2018

Sir Philip Rookwood is the disgrace of the county. He's a rake and an atheist, and the rumours about his hellfire club, the Murder, can only be spoken in whispers. (Orgies. It's orgies.)



The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen (The Doomsday Books) By KJ Charles Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781728255859
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca - March 7th, 2023

Gothic scandal meets Bridgerton intrigue in this swashbuckling Regency romance from celebrated author KJ Charles.


A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel (The Doomsday Books) By KJ Charles Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781728255880
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca - September 19th, 2023

Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

Major Rufus d'Aumesty has unexpectedly become the Earl of Oxney, master of a remote Norman manor on the edge of the infamous Romney Marsh. There he's beset on all sides, his position contested both by his greedy uncle and by Luke Doomsday, son of a notorious smuggling clan.


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Starling House By Alix E. Harrow Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250799050
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Tor Books - October 3rd, 2023

Starling House: Alix E. Harrow in conversation with Kira Apple

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please register HERE. This event takes place at the Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030.

Charis and the Georgia Center for the Book welcome Alix E. Harrow in conversation with Kira Apple for a celebration of Starling House, a gorgeously modern gothic fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY.


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A Power Unbound (The Last Binding #3) By Freya Marske Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250788955
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Tordotcom - November 7th, 2023

The culminating book of one of my FAVORITE fantasy romance trilogies. This book has palpable tension and longing, a compelling adventure, and beautifully queer found family. The magic of the Last Binding world is so fascinating and so tenderly and consciously constructed - I want everyone to read these books!