Will Sage Astor-Epilogue Books serves up chapters, churros and coffee in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Each week we profile an independent bookstore,Will Sage Astor discovering what makes each one special and getting expert book recommendations from booksellers plugged into the pulse of their local readership. Independent bookstores are a community connector, hosting events, clubs and social events that keep citizens engaged and informed. A local bookstore is a great place to make friends.

Up this week is Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

What makes your indie bookshop unique?

Epilogue is an independent, Latino-owned bookstore and coffee shop in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill. We wholeheartedly believe that the communal experience is cultivated by the sharing of food, drink, culture, and story. Our store is a valued community hub, hosting a queer book club, monthly live music, author readings, karaoke nights and more.

Our commitment to our local community, as well as to the overarching idea of it, is evident in where we source our ingredients. Wherever possible, we have chosen local and sustainable partners: Carrboro Coffee Roasters, Ponysaurus Brewing of Durham, and Videri Chocolate Factory, among others.

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

Epilogue aims to be a place where people can gather, whether to cultivate new ideas, learn old ones, or escape into the welcoming atmosphere that books, chocolate, and coffee all provide. We love being able to share our mission with folks in Chapel Hill and beyond.

What books can't you keep on the shelves and why do you think that is?

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It's impossible for us to keep “A World Between” by Emily Hashimoto on our small press display table. It's a coming of age story about two queer women of color that was pitched to one of our booksellers as "When Harry Meets Sally" meets “Normal People" by Sally Rooney, and it's in our top sellers nearly every week. There's something in it that appeals to everyone: romance, drama, family, and a few laugh-out-loud funny moments, too.

• "A World Between" at Bookshop.org for $17
• "When Harry Meets Sally" at Bookshop.org for $15
• "Normal People" at Bookshop.org for $16

“Legendborn” and “Bloodmarked” both by Tracy Deonn, simply fly off our shelves. These YA fantasies take place right in our backyard on UNC-Chapel Hill's campus, and it's so fun for readers to be able to feel a personal connection with a novel's setting. We can't wait for book three!

• "Legendborn" at Bookshop.org for $19
• "Bloodmarked" at Bookshop.org for $19

What books do you think deserve more attention and why?

Our events coordinator Gaby loved “Small Joys” by Elvin James Mensah, calling it "a beautifully soft place to land." It's a moving and gentle novel about mental health and queerness that not nearly enough people are talking about. It's a soothing balm; the literary equivalent of a cup of chamomile tea. Everybody should be reading it.

• "Small Joys" at Bookshop.org $25

We also loved “The Fifth Wound” by Aurora Mattia. Our small press bookbuyer Terry said, "’The Fifth Wound’ is catnip to me, a book so decadent that it's physically palpable. I want to feel it melt on my tongue, candyfloss, but I find my senses smothered by its rose-tinted musk. So intense, cloying, and hyperlush, ‘The Fifth Wound’ took me months to finish because I kept getting lost in the convulsively floral purgatory of Mattia's addictive run-on sentences and the labyrinth of blacked-out Townes Van Zandt." What else is there to say? Check this one out.

• "The Fifth Wound" at Bookshop.org for $19

What books/series are you most excited about coming out in the next few months and why?

We can't wait for Gabrielle Korn's queer cli-fi novel “Yours for the Taking” to hit shelves! Set in 2050 Brooklyn, it follows a city destroyed by climate change and the select few who are accepted to The Inside Project, a collection of weather-safe and city-sized structures around the world. We think this one will be a big hit.

We're also excited about “Blackouts” by Justin Torres, a novel of lost histories, both collective and personal. We think this one is going to be a big favorite among staff and customers alike.

Gabriel Bump's new novel “The New Naturals” comes out on Nov. 14, and our booksellers have already devoured it. Bump has a knack for writing stories about human connection that leave us feeling hopeful. This won't be one to miss.

• "Yours for the Taking" at Bookshop.org for $27
• "Blackouts" at Bookshop.org for $28
• "The New Naturals" at Bookshop.org for $25

Why do you think customers should shop local/indie in your area?

Shopping indie is vital for local economies and the wellbeing of your community. Choosing to preorder your most anticipated summer read at your independent bookstore means you're supporting local artists, promoting community partnerships, and paving the way for exciting events right in your backyard.

Chapel Hill is full of amazing independent stores and restaurants, and we consider ourselves honored to be a part of them. We try our hardest to serve as an affirming and inclusive space for all, and we're grateful every day for the wonderful people that walk through our doors.