Book scene: autumn bestsellers, from ‘Hope’ to ‘Dune’ | Arts and entertainment

It has become a small tradition for us to share our bestsellers with the readers of the Yakima Herald-Republic SCENE at the end of each season. Our Fall 2021 list has some great titles, and many have been read by one or more of our staff. In no particular order, here are this fall’s bestselling books in the Inklings Bookshop:

• “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman (Washington Square Press, $ 17)

From the publisher’s marketing: “Looking at real estate is usually not a life situation, but an open house in an apartment turns out to be exactly the same when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage.” Sue Domis of Inklings says, ” Anxious People “is” humorous and definitely entertaining. It is interesting to see and explore how each and every participant deals with the same situation. None of the hostages are quite what they appear to be, but they all need to be rescued somehow.

• “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Troubled Times” by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams (Celadon Books, $ 28)

In this book, Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams explore what it means to be human and to have hope. The book is kind of a sequel to Abrams’ The Book of Joy from 2016, which recorded a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Hope and joy, two things we could all have a little more of.

• “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr (Scribner, $ 30)

In Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr masterfully connects the lives of five characters over hundreds of years through their relationship with a book. This book tells the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so he can fly to a utopian paradise in the sky. As these five characters are introduced to the reader, we learn how Aethon’s story influenced their lives.

• “Freshly Brewed Murder” by Emmeline Duncan (Kensington Publishing, $ 15.95)

In this novel we get to know the barista Sage Caplin. Sage has high hopes for her new Ground Rules coffee cart until she finds the body of one of her very first customers in front of her car. There are many suspects, but who committed the murder? To make matters worse, one of Sage’s own box cutters is discovered as a murder weapon. Mystery lovers and coffee fanatics alike will be amazed by this story.

• “The storyteller: stories about life and music” by Dave Grohl (Dey Street Books, $ 29.99)

“The Storyteller” are the self-written memoirs by Dave Grohl. In it he shows his love for music from his childhood and his time in the business, especially at Scream, Nirvana and Foo Fighters. Full of love and humor, his memoirs contain plenty of behind-the-scenes stories to keep the reader engaged and entertained.

• “I hate you more” by Lucy Gilmore (Sourcebooks Casablanca, $ 14.99)

This one is for lovers of dogs, dog shows, and romantic comedy. It’s packed with hilarious scenes with the main characters and a very untrained dog. Ruby grew up in the world of beauty pageants and left it behind a long time ago. But when one of the older ladies she cares for asks her to show off her Golden Retriever at the upcoming Canine Classic Show, she can’t refuse. The bitch is hopeless, but when Ruby gets something on her mind, nothing can stop her, not even the very handsome and also very angry Canine Classic judge Spencer Wilson.

• “Dune” by Frank Herbert (Ace Books, $ 10.99)

No wonder that “Dune”, a science fiction classic from 1965, is a bestseller again. The latest film based on the book was released in October, but as all book lovers know, the book is better! So it has to be read. “Dune” is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who moves with his family to a new planet and is forced into exile after the fall of his father’s government. The publisher’s marketing says: “A breathtaking mix of adventure and mysticism, environmental protection and politics.”

• “Cooking a healthy cookbook” by Elaina Moon (Healthy Eating, $ 23.50)

This one of Yakima’s own Elaina Moon was checked a few weeks ago by one of our employees at Inklings and we sold it faster than we can get it!

Inklings’ JT Mernard said, “Moon deserves praise for putting together such a simple but elegant cookbook. The “Healthy Cookbook Cooking” is perfect for individuals or families looking for a cost-conscious way to eat healthy and tasty. Yakima is fortunate to have her expertise. “

• “Luke McCain” Secrets No. 1, 2, and 3 by Rob Phillips (Latah Books, $ 16.75 and $ 17.75) and “The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse” by Charlie McKesy (HaperOne, $ 22.99)

These titles have been on our bestseller list since their release: Rob Phillips’ first book in 2020 and Charlie McKesy’s book in 2019.

If you haven’t gotten around to it, the mystery series “Luke McCain” is set in the Cascade Mountains and you will recognize many of its locations. The first book, “Cascade Killer”, sold over 1,000 copies here at Inklings alone. This mystery series is fun, fast-paced, and a pleasure to read.

“The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse” is one of those titles for all ages and a perfect little gift for almost everyone. This little marvel offers inspiration and hope at a time when it is badly needed.

• Anne Zastrow works for Inklings Bookshop. You and other Inklings staff review books in the field every week.