Mike Wolanin | The Republic Viewpoint Books owner Beth Stroh puts out copies of former Vice President Mike Pence’s book “So Help Me God” before a reception and book signing event last year.
At a store freely allowing its local authors’ best work to rub covers with national best-selling writers, here’s some title-worthy news: Local wordsmiths’ efforts again have landed amid Viewpoint Books’ most popular books of the year.
Not that such is any grand surprise to to store co-owner Beth Stroh at Sixth and Washington streets in downtown Columbus. She has long promoted a range of Bartholomew County authors, knowing full well that their audience is her audience, too.
“Not only are their books remarkably well-written, but each of the authors enthusiastically promotes their hometown book store,” Stroh said. “It’s a collaboration that reflects the very best of community-focused partnerships.”
With only four months of selling time, Columbus resident Brandon Andress, a former Republic Faith section columnist, landed in the overall top 10 at No. 9 with his latest “And So By Fire.” The novel is a sequel to his previous 2021 release “What Can’t Be Hidden,” which finished at No. 9 on 2023’s adult nonfiction list.
The latest work continues the first book’s story with the main character of Thura. Now, still on the island of Pangea, she delves deeper into The Coalescence’s dark agenda. And she confronts the harsh reality that her ideals and convictions alone may not be enough to challenge its control over the island’s residents.
“His books resonate with a variety of readers on so many levels,” Stroh said.
Former Columbus resident Lucky Diaz landed at No. 3 on the year’s bestseller list for children’s books with “La Guitarrista.” It marks his second bestseller for publishing giant HarperCollins. The story follows a tenacious girl who achieves her wildest dreams with a little help from her community and a broken guitar.
“We loved hosting Lucky Diaz on his visit in May when “La Guitarrista” was released,” Stroh said. “His joyful, bright, and encouraging stories for young children are favorites among our families.”
Columbus writer Connie Radovanovic’s 2022 humorous debut work, “Innocence and Wisdom of My Little Seeds,” details decades of tykes’ lighthearted quips about nearly every possible kid-related topic, from their pets to their siblings.
The book took the eighth spot on the adult nonfiction list for the year. Proceeds from it allowed the author to make a generous donation this year for research related to fighting childhood cancers.
Stroh called the book “a bestseller that is much more than a cherished keepsake. It’s also a warm hug for families hurting from the ravages of cancer.”
A work from former Republic special publications editor Paul Hoffman has remained a bestseller since its initial release six and a half years ago. It landed at No. 5 on the adult nonfiction list for the year.
And the book itself lives up to its rather sensational title. It highlights real shadows of the city’s past, ranging from The Republic’s editor tangling with the Columbus mayor in a street fight in 1877 to a top surgeon at then-Bartholomew County Hospital being poisoned in 1977.
“Paul’s book continues to attract attention from residents and visitors, even six years after its publication,” Stroh said. “I guess people are as interested in the less attractive parts of our history as they are in the renowned aspects.”
Viewpoint’s 2023 top sellers
Across All Categories
1. “Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success,” Marc Brackett (NF)
2. “Laughter Yoga: Daily Practices for Health and Happiness,” Madan Kataria (NF)
3. “Demon Copperhead,” Barbara Kingsolver (F)
4. “Iron Flame (Empyrean Book 2),” Rebecca Yarros (F)
5. “Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus (F)
6. “Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography,” Little Golden Books (CH)
7. “Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Dog Man Book 11),” Jeff Kinney (CH)
8. “Fourth Wing (Empyrean Book 1),” Rebecca Yarros (F)
9. *“And So By Fire,” Brandon Andress (F)
10. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” Taylor Jenkins Reid (F)
Children’s Books
1. “Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography,” Little Golden Books
2. “Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (Dog Man Book 11),” Jeff Kinney
3. *“La Guitarrista,” Lucky Diaz
4. “Bluey: Grannies,” Penguin Young Readers
5. “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” Judy Blume
6. “The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet,” Tom Fletcher
7. “No Brainer (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 18),” Jeff Kinney
8. “Love You, Baby (Indestructibles),” Stephan Lomp
9. “Into the Wild (Warriors: The Prophecies Begin Book 1),” Erin Hunter
10. “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh,” Mo Willems
]
Adult Non-Fiction (H for hard cover, P for paperback, O for other)
1. “Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success,” Marc Brackett (P)
2. “Laughter Yoga: Daily Practices for Health and Happiness,” Madan Kataria (P)
3. “The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How,” Daniel Coyle (H)
4. “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” David Grann (P)
5. *“Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” Paul J. Hoffman (P)
6. “Jesus Calling: Enjoyng Peace in His Presence,” Sarah Young (H)
7. “Spare,” Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex (H)
8. *“Innocence and Wisdom of My Little Seeds (Signed Edition),” Connie Radovanovic (H&P)
9. “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder,” David Grann (H)
10. *“The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet,” John Green (P)
Adult and New Adult Fiction (H for hard cover, P for paperback)
1. “Demon Copperhead,” Barbara Kingsolver (F)
2. “Iron Flame (Empyrean Book 2),” Rebecca Yarros (F)
3. “Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus (F)
4. “Fourth Wing (Empyrean Book 1),” Rebecca Yarros (F)
5. *“And So By Fire,” Brandon Andress (H&P)
6. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” Taylor Jenkins Reid (F)
7. “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” Shelby Van Pelt (H)
8. “Tom Lake (Signed Edition,” Ann Patchett (H)
9. *“What Can’t Be Hidden,” Brandon Andress (H&P)
10. “Happy Place,” Emily Henry (H)
