Everyone’s heard of food and wine pairings. Why not food and books? After all, a romance novel may conjure up feelings that can only be subdued with chocolate. A tell-all memoir may require a four-course meal followed by a stiff drink. And a chapter book could make your mouth water for whatever the characters cook up in its pages. So bring your chair and locally connected book to the table for a multi-sensory experience.
By Randi Minetor
Lyons Press, 2025, paperback, $24.95
Are wild animals digging up your gardens and eating your vegetables? Are you afraid of being goosed by a goose or skunked by a skunk in your own backyard? Then this book is for you. No, it won’t tell you how to off your neighborhood animals, but it will bring an awareness to your shared spaces.
Raccoons, coyotes, bats, deer, and more are featured in this conversationally written book. The author shares anecdotes, historical facts about the species, and tips on how to deter them from infringing on your space. Animal lovers looking to learn more about their local wildlife or those seeking practical information to cohabit with them will enjoy this read.
As is frequently the case in Randi Minetor’s books, her husband, Nic, provided the fabulous wildlife photographs. After reading, seeing, and falling in love with the animals, you may want to go vegan for a bit. Try the Red Fern’s Buddha Bowl (add avocado purée) and do not skip dessert. minetor.com; redfernrochester.com
By Ryan Wolf
West 44 Books, 2025, paperback, $16.35
Teddy’s uncle hosts Shiver Search, a TV show that provides viewers evidence of the paranormal—usually with lackluster results. For the latest episode, he brings Teddy and three crew members to an abandoned amusement park. Sure enough, once they enter Dreamer Mountain, rusty rides come alive, shadow people arrive, and the five living souls may never leave.
West 44 Books is a unique and important imprint of Enslow Publishing that offers “hi-lo” novels: stories that appeal to “higher” age levels at “lower” reading levels. The books target reluctant readers, offering full plots with sparse text. All the novels are written in verse, which leaves lots of white space on the pages so the chapters aren’t intimidating. They are also a good choice for middle and high school students learning English.
Ryan Wolf writes in Buffalo, where he lives with his wife and two kids. Follow up on his carnival-themed story with a visit to Seabreeze Amusement Park this summer. At the Seabreeze Grill, grab a Zweigel’s hot dog (red or white) or Italian sausage, a side of potato salad, and a cherry Slush Puppy for a classic Rochester summertime meal. ryanswolf.com; seabreeze.com
The Grand Scheme of Things: Stories
By Sarah Cedeño
Harbor Editions, 2025, paperback, $18.00
In the novella Cold Storage, June is a pregnant teenaged college student who leaves school for a convent to have her baby in secret. The nuns put the infant up for adoption, and June’s boyfriend, who was drafted into Vietnam, is none the wiser. June returns to a changed family while she processes her losses.
Additional short stories take place around the same time period in Bridgeport, a fictional Brockport. Each one is substantial despite its brevity and feels connected because of the common setting. They all share a sense of unease that makes the reader savor every word until the end. Anyone who has spent time in a small canal town and/or college town will appreciate the setting.
After eighteen years of teaching English classes at SUNY Brockport, Sarah Cedeño now writes local interest stories about “westside” towns and villages. She recommends a plate of comfort food to accompany her book: al dente spaghetti and a side of crusty bread. See how the Millhouse Family Restaurant stacks up. sarahmcedeno.com; millhousefamilyrestaurant.com
By Rachel Harrison
Penguin Random House, 2025, hardcover, $30.00
When Clio’s estranged mother dies, she and her two sisters return to their hometown to collectively process the loss. Yet only Clio is interested in learning more about what led to their mother’s demise. Her childhood memories of the “haunted” house they lived in are fragmented—did things really happen the way her father says they did? As she spends time in the house and reads her mom’s account of the haunting, Clio believes the demon was real. Or is she just crazy too?
There are multiple layers to this novel, and the demon can be looked at literally and metaphorically, bringing joy to those who like their horror with a purpose. The dialog between the sisters is snappy and natural. Clio’s narcissism and sardonic nature add perfect dark humor to the narrative. This is Jennifer Weiner meets Stephen King at its best.
Rachel Harrison lived in Rochester during the release of her earlier work, though she now resides in New Jersey. Still, Harrison is sure Clio would start her night at Good Luck with a Noble Riot (black pepper-lavender gin), followed by Lux Lounge for a few shots, and hit up the Highland Park Diner at sunrise for the perfect hangover cure. rachel-harrison.com; restaurantgoodluck.com; lux666.com; highlandparkdinerny.com
By Mackenzie Reed
Storytide, 2025, hardcover, $19.99
Chloe needs to win her boarding school’s annual Wilde Trials. The prize money is the only way she can help pay for her sister’s cancer treatments. It doesn’t matter that Hunter died in the trials three years ago (the teachers claim that the new off-site location is perfectly safe). Chloe, her ex-boyfriend Hayes, and a cast of other teens take on the seven challenges, piecing together clues to win the cash. Maybe Chloe will also discover what really happened to Hunter.
This novel is a successful mash-up of mystery, suspense, puzzles, and teen romance. The author, a former (585) intern, does a good job of getting rid of cell phone access, isolating the characters, and raising tension from page to page. It is a fun, twisty novel for fans of Karen McManus, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and young adult fiction in general.
Mackenzie Reed’s debut novel for adults, I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell, releases in September. Until then, get Chloe and Hayes vibes at Vern’s Fern Room, dining on the Lost Meatball Ragu (shellbows, ricotta, basil, parm) and Bee Sting pizza (because you can’t go wrong with hot honey). mackenziemreed.com; iloveverns.com
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2026 issue of (585).
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