Wondering what to read this fall? Here are the newest book releases by Nashville authors, from Cherokee astronauts to vampire romances and a Grand Ole Opry tribute.
Fall 2025
“To the Moon and Back” by Eliana Ramage
Steph Harper has wanted to become the first Cherokee astronaut since childhood, but in pursuing her goal, she risks breaking ties with the women she holds most dear. Read debut author Eliana Ramage’s interview with WPLN!
“Bees in June” by Elizabeth Bass Parman
Rennie Hendricks lives in a small Tennessee town in 1969. Mourning the loss of her infant son and finding no solace with her abusive husband, she begins helping her uncle care for his bees, who magically glow when she’s near.
“Fowl Play” by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
When middle schooler Chloe’s uncle dies, he leaves her his African grey parrot, Charlie. After hearing Charlie squawk the words “murder” and “cyanide,” Chloe decides to investigate her uncle’s death. Tubb has written numerous novels for kids 8+, like this one.
“Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry!” by Emily Frans & Susanna Chapman, forward by Lainey Wilson
This children’s picture book takes readers behind the scenes of the Grand Ole Opry in celebration of its 100th birthday. The Opry invites young readers inside to prepare for a performance, while the collage illustrations show famous musicians who have been on the stage in the past.
“Twin Lead Lines” by Lou Turner
Musician Lou Turner’s debut is a collection of poems exploring show business, art-making, and found family. Turner is a Nashville Metro Arts Thrive Grant recipient and 2024 winner of The Porch Prize in Poetry.
“Road Trip With a Vampire” by Jenna Levine
In the third installment of Levine’s funny paranormal romance series “My Vampires,” former bad witch Zelda is done working with vampires, until a hot vampire with amnesia appears on her doorstep, asking for help. Each book can be read as a standalone.
“No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen” by Kennedy Ann Scott, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J, Lagoona Bloo, & Nina West
In a collection of 30 essays, six drag queens share their personal stories, from their experiences with Drag Queen Story Hour to coming out and becoming queer activists. One of the authors, Kennedy Ann Scott, is a Nashville local and a former MNPS Teacher of the Year.
“The Six Triple Eight” by Tonya Abari & Lance Evans
This nonfiction children’s picture book tells the story of the Six Triple Eight battalion during World War II — Black women who advocated to enlist in the military, and were given the task of sorting through millions of letters and sending them to soldiers on the frontline.
“Beyond the Glittering World” edited by Stacie Shannon Denetsosie, Kinsale Drake, & Darcie Little Badger
This collection of multi-genre short stories and poems by Indigenous authors explores feminism, gender, love, language, and more. The anthology is edited by three Indigenous authors, including local Diné writer Stacie Shannon Denetsosie.
“Lord of Blade and Bone” by Erica Ivy Rodgers
The “Waking Hearts” young adult fantasy duology comes to an end with this second book, as Lady Charlotte Sand and Captain Luc de Montaigne attempt to save their kingdom on the brink of war. Read “Lady of Steel and Straw” first.
Summer 2025
‘Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil’ by V.E. Schwab
This is like the toxic lesbian vampire version of “Interview With a Vampire” by Anne Rice. It switches perspectives between María, whose recent marriage in 16th century Spain fails to live up to her hopes, and new college student Alice in 2019, whose one-night stand transforms her into something new — and she wants to find out why.
‘Dan in Green Gables’ by Rey Terciero & Claudia Aguirre
This young adult graphic novel reimagines “Anne of Green Gables” in rural Tennessee. When 15-year-old Dan Stewart-Álvarez’s mother takes them to Tennessee, he hopes they’re going to Dollywood, but instead she drops him off at his mawmaw’s. There, he struggles to find his place as a queer Mexican American teenager.
Country music enthusiasts will enjoy this nonfiction, featuring interviews and anecdotes from industry professionals, about the biggest country music hits from the last 50 years. It includes analysis of classics sung by Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and contemporary favorites by Luke Coombs and Jelly Roll.
‘Grow, Seed, Grow!’ by Caroline Derlatka & Carole Aufranc
This is the perfect little board book for toddlers, with interactive flaps, spinners, and slides. The story follows a seed as it’s planted, grows, and turns into a tree.
‘You Can Sit with Me’ by Rachel Tawil Kenyon & Tatiana Kamshilina
A great back-to-school read for early elementary and preschool kids, this rhyming picture book about making kids feel welcome is so heartwarming, with a simple message that feels like a hug. The illustrations are warm and lovely.
‘Today at School: With Yesterday and Tomorrow’ by Jessica Young & Renée Kurilla
This sweet picture book would also be a great back-to-school read! It stars three animal characters as they prepare for the first day of school: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Yesterday wants to stay in bed, while Tomorrow is ready for the future. Both need a little help from Today, who shows them what it means to live in the moment.
‘How to Survive a Horror Story’ by Mallory Arnold
After legendary horror author Mortimer Queen dies, seven authors visit his manor to hear his last will and testament, each with their own history with Queen. Once there, they’re invited to play a game: Solve a riddle, and proceed to the next room. If they get the riddle wrong, well, the house will eat them. It’s very hungry. This is Mallory Arnold’s debut novel.
‘How to Sell a Romance’ by Alexa Martin
Emerson Pierce loves being a kindergarten teacher, but it doesn’t exactly pay the bills. Out of desperation, she signs on to sell makeup with the company Petunia Lemon. Recently divorced investigative reporter Lucas Miller believes Petunia Lemon ruined his marriage, and is out to expose the company as a pyramid scheme. The two meet at a conference, and sparks fly. However, it turns out Emerson is teaching his kid. If you enjoy this one, Alexa Martin has several other rom-coms to check out!
‘Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story’ by Barry Mazor
This is the first biography to explore the relationship between the Everly Brothers, who were among the most popular musicians from 1957 to 1962 and influenced The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, and many others.
‘Oddity Woods’ by Kay Davault
This middle grade graphic novel stars 13-year-old detective Marietta, who enters an alternative world in the woods in search of her missing father. Armed with a magical magnifying glass, she teams up with a group of supernatural friends to figure out why people keep going missing in the woods. The art is colorful and cute, and kids will love the fun story.
‘Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror’ by Ashley Cullins
If you love the “Scream” movies, then you’ve got to check out this nonfiction deep dive into the franchise. Cullins unpacks behind-the-scenes chaos and includes new interviews from cast and crew.
‘The Zoo: The Inside Story’ by Jawnie Payne & Susan Deming
This nonfiction for kids is written by a former Nashville Zoo zookeeper, who’s turned into a bit of a social media star! Payne explores a day at the zoo, from feeding animals to cleaning enclosures and protecting endangered species. Previous books in this series explore a hospital and an airport. My kid loves both, and can’t wait to read this one.
