Note from the Times: This bestseller list comes to us straight from The Raven Book Store in Lawrence. See other editions of the list here.
Looking at this week’s bestsellers, I’m struck by how many ways there are for a book to end up on our list. Of course, there are big new releases (3, 4, 6), staff picks finding their audience (7, 9), and new classics (8). But there are also older books people are returning to after book bans (2) and TikTok favorites (a two-way tie for 10).
Still, the most tried-and-true way to end up on our list is to be a fantastic book with a local connection, as Lawrence authors Jennifer Raff and Meg Heriford demonstrate with their No. 1 and No. 5 placements, respectively.
1. Jennifer Raff, Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas
2. Art Spiegelman, Maus, a Survivors Tale: My Father Bleeds History
3. Sarah J. Maas, House of Sky and Breath
4. Marlon James, Moon Witch, Spider King
5. Meg Heriford, Ladybird, Collected
6. Chuck Klosterman, The Nineties: A Book
7. John Darnielle, Devil House
8. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
9. Banana Yoshimoto, Moshi Moshi
10. Madeline Miller, Song of Achilles
10. Edward Powys Mathers, Cain’s Jawbone
