A fast-paced, completely delightful new mystery about what happens when parents get a little too involved in their kids' schools, from NAACP Image Award nominee Elise Bryant.

Mavis Miller is not a PTA mom. She has enough on her plate with her feisty seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, an exhausting job at a nonprofit, and the complexities of a multigenerational household. So no one is more surprised than Mavis when she caves to Trisha Holbrook, the long-reigning, slightly terrifying PTA president, and finds herself in charge of the school’s brand-new DEI committee.

As one of the few Black parents at this California elementary school, Mavis tries to convince herself this is an opportunity for real change. But things go off the rails at the very first meeting, when the new principal's plans leave Trisha absolutely furious. Later that night, when Mavis spies Trisha in yellow rubber gloves and booties, lugging cleaning supplies and giant black trash bags to her waiting minivan, it’s only natural that her mind jumps to somewhere it surely wouldn’t in the light of day.

Except Principal Smith fails to show up for work the next morning, and has been MIA since the meeting. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Mavis, along with the school psychologist with the great forearms (look, it’s worth noting), launches an investigation that will challenge her views on parenting, friendship, and elementary school politics.

Brilliantly written, It's Elementary is a quick-witted, escapist romp that perfectly captures just how far parents will go to give their kids the very best, all wrapped in a mystery that will leave you guessing to the very end.

From bestselling YA authors comes thirteen dazzling contemporary romances inspired by the songs of Taylor Swift!

If you could live inside one Taylor Swift song for a day, which would you pick? In this shimmering anthology, thirteen best-selling and acclaimed authors do just that, reimagining some of Taylor’s most iconic songs as love stories.

Whether you’re in an era of fairy lights and folktales or diss tracks and dance floors, here’s a playlist that features all the hits: The soaring high note of first love. The minor key of heartbreak. And the steady rhythm of true friendship and self-discovery.

As clever and unforgettable as the songs that inspired them, these stories are sure to play on repeat in your head and your heart.

Stories by:
Elise Bryant
Jennifer Dugan
J. Elle
Jessica Goodman
Sloan Harlow
Crystal Maldonado
Krystal Marquis
Katharine McGee
Julie Murphy
Lynn Painter
Laura Sebastian
Sara Shepard
Jesse Q. Sutanto

A vibrant, heartwarming collection of 15 middle grade stories and poems that celebrates the joy, strength, and experience of Black girlhood, including stories from Ibi Zoboi, Sharon M. Draper, and Leah Johnson, as well as cover art from Caldecott winner Vashti Harrison.

Black girl power is…

Bringing your favorite stuffed animal to your first real sleepover. . .
Escaping an eerie dollhouse that’s got you trapped inside. . .
Making new friends one magical baked good at a time. . .
Finding the courage to dance to the beat of your own drum. . .

And more! From 15 legendary Black women authors comes a dazzling collection of stories and poems about the power we find in the everyday and the beauty of Black girlhood.

Contributors include: Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Dhonielle Clayton, Natasha Diaz, Sharon M. Draper, Sharon Flake, Leah Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Janae Marks, Tolá Okogwu, Karen Strong, Renée Watson, and Ibi Zoboi

In How We Heal, bestselling author Alexandra Elle offers a life-changing invitation to heal yourself and reclaim your peace. In these pages, readers will discover essential techniques for self-healing, including journaling rituals to cultivate innate strength, accessible tools for processing difficult emotions, and restorative meditations to ease the mind.

Alex Elle elegantly weaves together themes like self-healing, mindfulness, inner child work, and boundary setting and presents the reader with easy-to-follow practices that have changed her life and the lives of the thousands of people she has taught. Her 4-part framework for healing will appeal to anyone who wants a clear process, while the compelling personal stories leave the reader feeling connected and ready to begin again.

Complementing the practices are powerful insights from Alex Elle's own journey of self-discovery using writing to heal, plus remarkable stories of healing from a range of luminary voices, including Nedra Tawwab, Morgan Harper Nichols, Dr. Thema Bryant, Barb Schmidt, and many more.

Brimming with encouragement and delivered with Alex Elle's signature warmth and candor, How We Heal is a must-have companion for anyone that wants to unlock their inner wisdom and confidence to heal on their own.

*ships in 7-10 business days* 

From feeling at home in your body to tapping into the wisdom that already lives within you, Taylor Elyse Morrison, founder of the lifestyle brand Inner Workout, guides you to discover what “self-care” truly means and cultivate a dynamic relationship with your whole being.

• Physical (Feel at Home in Your Body)
• Energetic (Work with Your Energetic Cycles)
• Mental and Emotional (Cut Through Your Brain Fog)
• Wisdom (Tap into the Wisdom within You)
• Bliss (Experience Care Through Connection) 

• Anyone ready to develop easy self-care routines
• Health and wellness enthusiasts and practitioners looking for new approaches
• Expanding upon personal interests in chakra healing, yoga, body positivity, and other forms of health and wellness
• Corporate or private group resource for combatting burnout and promoting well-being
• Supportive and thoughtful gift for students, recent grads, overworked moms and dads, coworkers, or friends who would benefit from the permission to put themselves first
• Followers of Dive In Well, Black Girl in Om, Well + Good, and MindBodyGreen

*Ships in 7-10 Business Days*

Part-manifesto, part-memoir, from the revolutionary editor who infused social consciousness into the pages of Teen Vogue, an exploration of what it means to come into your own—on your own terms

Throughout her life, Elaine Welteroth has climbed the ranks of media and fashion, shattering ceilings along the way. In this riveting and timely memoir, the groundbreaking journalist unpacks lessons on race, identity, and success through her own journey, from navigating her way as the unstoppable child of an unlikely interracial marriage in small-town California to finding herself on the frontlines of a modern movement for the next generation of change makers.

Welteroth moves beyond the headlines and highlight reels to share the profound lessons and struggles of being a barrier-breaker across so many intersections. As a young boss and often the only Black woman in the room, she’s had enough of the world telling her—and all women—they’re not enough. As she learns to rely on herself by looking both inward and upward, we’re ultimately reminded that we’re more than enough.

A transformational guide that blends psychology, life coaching, and spiritual insight to help heal past wounds, navigate life’s toughest seasons, and manifest lasting success and inner peace.

Drawing from a decade of experience working with elite clients—from celebrities and athletes to CEOs and pastors—Dr. Bryant reveals a universal truth: success doesn’t shield anyone from trauma, emptiness, or the mental toll of unhealed wounds. In fact, the higher you climb, the more that unresolved pain threatens to undo everything you’ve built. Her unique, psychology-integrated coaching method offers a powerful alternative to traditional therapy—fast, effective, and rooted in both science and spirit.

Dr. Cheyenne Bryant shares her own remarkable journey—from a chaotic, love-filled upbringing in a multigenerational home to building a multimillion-dollar estate where her family now lives and thrives—and opens the gates to both her physical paradise and the spiritual and psychological path that got her there. Inspired by the biblical story of Moses, Live Your Promise reframes the challenging in-between moments of life as sacred territory for transformation. It's not the Promised Land, but the wilderness—where discomfort meets divine growth—that shapes who we become. With tools, strategies, and real-life insights, this book is your guide to navigating that wilderness with courage, clarity, and grace.

Whether you're just starting out or already living your dream, Live Your Promise will help you sustain success, find lasting peace, and manifest the life you were meant to live.

*ships in 7 - 10 business days*

An encouraging guide to cultivating self-love, courage, and joy from Alexandra Elle, a celebrated leader in self-care.

Greet each day with confidence and positivity with In Courage Journal, a daily writing practice to help you set intentions, find strength, and learn self-love. Celebrated self-care author Alexandra Elle presents simple morning and evening journaling prompts, creative writing exercises, and inspiring mantras to help you process your emotions and show up in the world with courage and clarity. Delivered in a shimmery package with luminous details, and brimming with Elle's signature warmth and wisdom, this encouraging journal is an invaluable companion for anyone interested in self-care, mindfulness, and personal transformation.

• BELOVED AUTHOR: Alexandra Elle is a celebrated leader in the wellness world. She hosts online courses on writing and self-care for her large following, and travels the country giving workshops on wellness, empowerment, and courage. She is the author of After the Rain and the host of the Hey, Girl podcast, where she features interviews and stories from female writers, wellness experts, artists, and more.
• BEAUTIFUL TO DISPLAY: With a luminous cover, shimmering flourishes, and a ribbon marker, this package is both practical and gorgeous, making it an uplifting gift or self-purchase for anyone who needs a little encouragement or inspiration and a beautiful accessory to display.
• EASY TO USE: With simple prompts to complete each morning and evening, this inviting journal makes it easy to process emotions, set intentions, and practice self-care in everyday life.
• VALUABLE CONTENT: Touching on themes of stress, anxiety, and burnout, this book offers compassion and encouragement for all of life's difficult moments and provides valuable wellness practices, including gratitude exercises, empowering mantras, and affirmations.

Perfect for:

• Fans of Alexandra Elle
• Self-care enthusiasts and mindfulness seekers
• Anyone in search of techniques to reduce stress and anxiety

Following on from her Sunday Times best-seller, I Wish I Knew This Earlier, Toni Tone is back again—and this time, filled with advice that goes beyond our dating and romantic lives.

‘In my opinion, change as a form of evolution is wonderful, because nobody should stay exactly the same forever. If you’re not evolving or growing, what are you doing? Embrace personal change if it means the you of today is better than you of yesterday.’

Do you wish you had more confidence in yourself?

Are your friendships changing as you get older and you’re not sure how manage it?

Is your career unfulfilling or taking over your life?

These are the kinds of issues that Toni Tone explores in her brand-new book, Take Note: Real Life Lessons. Threading in her own experiences, and in particular, what she took away from her twenties, Toni provides genuine and insightful advice on a whole array of topics.

Everything from ageing to making (and ending) friendships, to reinventing yourself and challenging your comfort zone, to ignoring ‘deadlines’ and going at your own pace – Take Note has all of the ingredients you’ll need to reach your fullest potential, in one handy, accessible place.

Let's celebrate a few of the new-ish Black women mystery writers! 

EVENT DEETS

When: Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 6:30 PM CT

Where: Virtual! Sign up and we'll send you the link to the Zoom. 

How: RSVP ONLY to get the link to the Zoom! RSVP WITH BUNDLE to get a copy of each of the authors' book and support the bookstore!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Zoe B. Wallbrook is a recently tenured professor whose academic research has appeared in outlets such as the New York Times and The New Yorker. She was selected for mentorship by LA Times bestseller Elizabeth Little, and History Lessons, her first novel, was a runner-up for the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award. Zoe’s hobbies include beginning all emails with, “My sincerest apologies for my slow reply,” pretending to understand how astrological signs work, and crying at the end of every Call the Midwife episode. She and her husband live with their stalker, a black lab/pittie mix named Sophie.

SANDRA JACKSON-OPOKU is the author of Hot Johnny and the Women Who Loved Him and the award-winning novel The River Where Blood is Born. She also coedited the anthology Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks. Her fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works have been published and produced in Adi Magazine, Midnight & Indigo, Aunt Chloe, Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, New Daughters of Africa, Obsidian, storySouth, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and others.

Elise Bryant is the NAACP Image Award-nominated author of Happily Ever Afters, One True Loves, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, and It’s Elementary. For many years, Elise had the joy of working as a special education teacher, and now she spends her days reading, writing, and eating dessert. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Long Beach, California. You can visit her online at www.elisebryant.com.

Joins us as we celebrate the release of How We Heal with Alexandra Elle in conversation with Deun Ivory. 

EVENT DEETS

When: November 11 at 7:00 PM CST

Where: St. John's Downtown (2019 Crawford Street, HTX77002)

How: Get General Admission or VIP Meet & Greet tickets via Eventbrite. Each ticket comes with a book. 

About the Book

Beloved wellness author and teacher Alexandra Elle shares this practical and empowering guide to self-healing.

In How We Heal, bestselling author Alexandra Elle offers a life-changing invitation to heal yourself and reclaim your peace. In these pages, readers will discover essential techniques for self-healing, including journaling rituals to cultivate innate strength, accessible tools for processing difficult emotions, and restorative meditations to ease the mind.

Alex Elle elegantly weaves together themes like self-healing, mindfulness, inner child work, and boundary setting and presents the reader with easy-to-follow practices that have changed her life and the lives of the thousands of people she has taught. Her 4-part framework for healing will appeal to anyone who wants a clear process, while the compelling personal stories leave the reader feeling connected and ready to begin again.

Complementing the practices are powerful insights from Alex Elle's own journey of self-discovery using writing to heal, plus remarkable stories of healing from a range of luminary voices, including Nedra Tawwab, Morgan Harper Nichols, Dr. Thema Bryant, Barb Schmidt, and many more.

Brimming with encouragement and delivered with Alex Elle's signature warmth and candor, How We Heal is a must-have companion for anyone that wants to unlock their inner wisdom and confidence to heal on their own.

About the Author

Alexandra Elle is a writer, wellness educator, and certified Breathwork coach. Her work has been featured by a wide range of media outlines, including the New York Times, NPR, Good Morning America, ABC News, Essence, The Cut, MindBodyGreen, Bet, and Forbes, among many others. She teaches workshops and leads retreats centered around writing and self-care, and was host of the popular hey, girl podcast. She is the author of several books and journals, including, most recently, After the Rain and the In Courage Journal. She lives in the Washington DC metro area with her husband and three daughters.

About the Conversation Partner

Deun Ivory is a creative director, photographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work centers and celebrates black women.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Deun has photographed campaigns and projects for brands such as Apple, Google, Glossier and Nike, as well as covers and editorial shoots, including CRWN Mag’s cover of Issa Rae. She has also worked as the Art Director for Black Girl in Om. 

As the Founder and Creative Director of the body: a home for love – a 501 (c)3 non-profit and creative wellness space for black women, Ivory has cemented her power and influence as a thought-leader and visual storyteller in the mental health and wellness spaces. Ivory’s work has been featured in Essence, Glamour, Refinery29, Vogue and other national and international publications. 

Amazon Editors Pick for Best Biographies & Memoirs

It ain’t easy getting your shit together, but this book is the solution. And Tabitha Brown says, “you can trust him.”

If any of this sounds like you, it’s best you start reading this book now!

• You seek more fulfilling relationships and dating experiences
• You’re ready to shake off shame about past mistakes and step into your power
• You want to say “see ya” to the toxic people and emotional gut-punchers
• Your “people pleaser” days are over and it’s time to learn how to effectively say no