Mt Laurel Library — Time to pick up a new book and we have some great suggestions. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

The Birmingham literary scene has been booming lately. With a new book set in Birmingham, an author hitting number one on Amazon and another author who is a gold winner for nonfiction—there is a lot to celebrate. Keep reading to learn more and find a new book to get lost in.

Judas Goat | Gabrielle Bates

Gabrielle bates, judas goat, literary news — Author Gabrielle Bates. (Liesa Cole)

Birmingham native, Gabrielle Bates, is the author of Judas Goat, which was recently named as a must-read book of 2023 by Vulture and Chicago Review of Books. On the day of the book’s release, it skyrocketed to number one on Amazon under the category “Love Poems”.

The book is a collection of 40 poems that wrestle with real-life topics such as betrayal, violence, womanhood and sacred love. They question what it means to love another person and how to exorcise childhood fears.

Author: Gabrielle Bates
Genre: Poetry
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Magic City Blues | Bobby Mathews

literary news, magic city news — (Bobby Matthews)

Magic City Blues written by Bobby Mathews is a murder mystery set in Birmingham. This is the author’s second book, releasing on Friday, February 24.

“Birmingham is fascinating and full of endless possibilities. Inspiration to write a book based in Birmingham came from the way I look at the Vulcan and the Statue of Electra. That the greatest lost love story. The way they look at each other, but are never able to reach one another.”
Bobby Mathews, Author, Magic City Blues + Living the Gimmick

Birmingham locals will recognize many landmarks found in the novel such as crime fighting scenes in the John Hand Building and exploration of the Crestwood neighborhood. In an interview with Matthews, he describes that although the story takes place in Birmingham, it is seen through the narrator’s eyes.

“The book may not be the Birmingham you have experienced, but is a Birmingham that is familiar.”
Bobby Mathews, Author, Magic City Blues + Living the Gimmick

The book is now available for preorder and in local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, Second and Charles, Books A Million and Wild Roast. You can also find it at the Piggly Wiggly in Bluff Park as well as on Amazon and Kindle.

Author: Bobby Mathews
Genre: Thriller, mystery
Release date: Friday, February 24
Author reading: Saturday, February 25 | 6PM | Red Cat Coffeehouse Pepper Place

Accidental Plague Diaries | Andrew Duxbury

Dr. Andrew Duxbury’s book, Accidental Plague Diaries, follows the real-life events and reactions of COVID-19 from a veteran doctor living through this unexpected time in American history.

The Birmingham doctor and author has recently received the Gold Winner for the Nonfiction Authors Association as well as a 4.5 star review on Amazon.