What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor (or former neighbor). Brew up a batch of your favorite tea or coffee and get ready to meet your next read, because we’re talking about locally written books in Winston-Salem. Spoiler alert: some include New York Times bestsellers.

Fiction

"Stealing Freedom" by Sylvia Leontaritis | Release date: April 5, 2022 | A 16-year-old has a plan to change the course of history as she spies on Italian troops during the Great War— but what happens when she falls in love with the enemy?
"The Unforgettable Tales of Adeline Bigsby" by Elizabeth Mowry | Release date: March 22, 2024 | Follow along as 15-year-old Adeline Bigsby, who's living her best life in Sunset Beach, NC, uncovers an ancient mystery hidden in the forest after a sudden tragedy.
"First Impressions: A Novel" by Charlie Lovett | Sept. 29, 2015 | The dual narrative links a book lover's quest for the truth with author Jane Austen and her fictional friendship with an aging minister.
"Chopped" by Dale Pollock | March, 6 2023 | Read how a young doctor uncovers the tragic truth behind the murder of a wealth man in Boston.

Non fiction

"Untethered: Faith, Failure, and Finding Solid Ground" by Laura Whitfield | Release date: April 5, 2022 | A stirring memoir about a young woman's quest as she sets out to dream big despite taking risks.
"The Mapmaker's Children" by Sarah McCoy | Release date: Feb. 9, 2016 | The daughter of abolitionist John Brown realizes her artistic talents can save slaves fleeing north. This New York Times bestseller defines courage, family, love, and legacy in a new way.
“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman | Release date: Jan. 1, 2015 | Chapman says it himself: Falling in love is easy. Staying in love — that's the challenge. The New York Times bestseller lays out practical steps to deepen your relationship with your partner.

Personal stories

"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou | March 5, 2002 | The modern American classic memoir captures the longing of lonely children in a joyful, yet mysterious and memorable way.
"Fight Songs: A Story of Love and Sports in a Complicated South" by Ed Southern | Sept. 5, 2023 | The lifelong Demon Deacons fan tells the story of how he got tangled between his love for sports and the complicated social landscape of the South.
"I Am My Mother's Daughter: Wisdom on Life, Loss, and Love" by Dara Kurtz | Sept. 1, 2020 | The local author shares pieces of wisdom passed down from generations of women in her family who passed away from cancer.

Winstonian Pride

"Great Houses and Their Stories: Winston-Salem's Era of Success, 1912-1940" by Margaret Supplee Smith | Release date: April 1, 2022 | This book tells stories of the families whose fortunes shaped neighborhoods like Buena Vista, West Highlands, and Reynolda Park.
"Haunted Winston-Salem" by Michael Bricker | Release date: Sept. 14, 2015 | Whether it was Winston, Salem or Winston-Salem, the book tells the tale of the city back when tobacco was booming.
"Winston-Salem (Then and Now)" by Molly Grogan Rawls | Sept. 17, 2008 | The second-generation Winstonian shares how the industrial town of Winston merged with the religious, historical town of Salem.

Need more recommendations? Stop by Bookmarks, The Bookhouse, or Book Ferret, to get expert advice from Winston-Salem's local booksellers.