B&N’s Advent Book Countdown

Good v. Evil! Monsters! Saving the world! & a dog named Radar. We’re starting the countdown right with Stephen King’s Fairy Tale.

The hunt for the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run is afoot! With delicious narrative suspense couched in a breakneck pace, American Demon is a barn burner.

A new way to think about the Roman Empire, from the riveting perspective of the office of Emperor itself. Emperor of Rome is the new gold standard, at least until Mary Beard writes another.

Horror, fantasy and humor in a finely tuned harmony that sees menial office work paired with world domination. Assistant to the Villain is pure joy.

The story of the women caught in the orbit of the Vietnam War; Absolution is a character study that reminds the world why Alice McDermott is so darn special.

This trip to the Underworld doesn’t require duping Hades to return from, and it’s at least a tad bit more gorgeous than fiery depths. Peek beneath the surface of the Earth. It’s okay, it’s safe.

Danger! Danger! Don’t trust the narrator. This thriller is the very definition of destabilizing the reader and you will be oh-so-grateful for the unsteady ride.

Haunting and creepy, but in a good way, The Mysteries is an adult fable that will stretch your brain and have you questioning reality. But, again, in a good way.

Our Discover Pick of the Year, Berry Pickers is a heartwarming story of family lost and found with a drizzle of mystery on top to keep the pages turning.

A police investigation! Witty banter! & a town called Dingle! With these powers combined, No Strangers Here is fun in the Irish countryside with a side dish of murder.

A true life escape from the confines of Southern tradition, Necessary Trouble is Drew Gilpin Faust’s coming-of-age set against the backdrop of a familiar America.

Oh baby, baby, this is the Britney tell-all the world needed. From childhood stardom to the tribulations of the modern day, this is her story, unfiltered.

It’s a cabin in the woods, without as much death and haunting, but still a little. North Woods is a literary marvel that tells the story of a single plot of land and how the world turns around it.

Cryptocurrency laid bare, revealing that the emperor had no clothes. It’s ripped from the headlines without any murder. This refreshingly accessible and refreshingly clever exploration of a dry subject is a treasure.

Magic! Mythology! Enemies-to-lovers romance! Hurricane Wars is that and so much more, a dazzling debut that sizzles and steams its way into your heart. 

In case you’ve forgotten, the world around us is pretty magical. An Immense World is here to remind us, one wild animal and their equally wild senses at a time.

Fallen angels, fae and a fiery romance, House of Earth & Blood is fantasy with layers of goodies packed on top of each other. It. Is. So. Good.

If you’ve ever wondered where massive wealth comes from, use the Astor family as a case study. This family history is about as American as it gets.

For those who enjoy being completely wrecked by a work of fiction, only to be built up again by that same book, Flight is for you. Three siblings grappling with loss find a needed lift in their shared love.

The gods are dead! Or at least they’re supposed to be. A gorgeous fantasy featuring reluctant companions on a journey to save the world, you’ve never experienced stakes like those Godkiller has to offer. 

Even though there is only one Dave Grohl, he’s in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about music and storytelling. This is his reminiscence of that doubly legendary life.

Don’t plan your mutiny without knowing what an actual mutiny looks like. The Wager is brilliant nonfiction about a shipwreck that is impossible not to be captivated by. David Grann’s writing makes history come alive and is why we’ve named him our Author of the Year.

Well, the gods are fighting again. And it’s up to two journalists caught in the crossfire to save the world and also fall in love. Divine Rivals is a unique and epic fantasy with the power to nestle into your heart and make you feel whole.

Our 2023 Book of the Year starts with a skeleton in a well and turns into an inspired story of community and perseverance. This story still has faith in humanity, even if you don’t.