Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from The Bookies Bookstore in Denver recommends a novel that brings secrets to the screen, a tale of breaking bonds of poverty and a graphic novel of testing family ties.
The Second Chance Cinema
By Thea Weiss
Atria Books
$29
October 2025
Purchase
From the publisher: At the end of a fog-covered alley glitters a glamorous cinema. It’s nearly impossible to find. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they’re shocked to discover what’s playing inside the red-velvet auditorium: their formative memories.
Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She’s haunted by a night from her past that she doesn’t fully remember. This is her opportunity to piece the story back together. But as the memories displayed on screen inch closer to the present, they realize they’re both keeping secrets from each other. With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if seeing their pasts changes their plans for a future together.
From Bess Maher, event liaison: Written by a Colorado author, “The Second Chance Cinema” will give you the chance to escape into a sweet romance while also thinking about bigger questions, such as how much do we really need to know about our romantic partners’ pasts and how much can we forgive? The novel’s answer to those questions is inspiring and warm. Though author Thea Weiss has been a screenwriter for over a decade, this is her first novel and an impressive showing.
Thank You, John
By Michelle Gurule
The Unnamed Press
$28
September 2025
Purchase
From the publisher: Michelle, a queer, wanna-be writer exasperated by student loans, bad teeth, and the poor decisions of her loveable sitcom-worthy family, believes a sugar daddy is written in her destiny as firmly as she believes her idol, Alanis Morissette, holds the musical blueprint to the life she desires most.
With a salt-of-the-earth Chicano father who’s convinced aliens will eventually rule the world, a white mother who maxes out her credit cards on fast food, and a sugar-hyped 7-year-old nephew, Michelle diagnoses herself as self-parentified with a core mistrust in the world’s unreliability. Left to her own devices and barely making ends meet, she turns to the world of stripping until her chance for financial freedom arrives in the form of John, a lonely older man who offers her a weekly pile of cash for lively conversation and sex. She will keep her family, and only her family, availed of all the gritty details.
Grateful and convinced by the immediate improvement money makes in her life, sugaring takes the role of any other exploitative job in America—the physical wear and tear, competition between colleagues, the crossed personal boundaries, dangerous power imbalances, and the reliance on hierarchy to keep only the rich and powerful rich and powerful — it’s just a lot more intimate.
From Marilyn Robbins, children’s book buyer and programs manager: I have never read a book that has brought out so many emotions, everything from fascination to anger, sadness, and empathy. Michelle Gurule’s story of doing whatever it takes to break out of poverty might shock you. But in it you will find a story of a woman you admire. This memoir is one that you need to read, learn from, and celebrate. If your book club is looking for a great read, this is it!
The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang
By Stan Yan
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
$14.99
September 2025
Purchase
From the publisher: Twelve-year-old Eugenia Wang has never celebrated her birthday on her actual birthday, April 4th, because of her mom’s belief in the Chinese superstition that four is an unlucky number. And that’s not the only thing Mom’s strict about; she won’t let Eugenia go to a summer comic art camp because she thinks art is a waste of time. This year, Eugenia is determined to defy her mom by applying for the camp, having her party on her actual birthday, and inviting her super cute crush while she’s at it, too!
But when Eugenia gets hit in the head with a sneaker during PE, she starts getting unnerving visions of impending doom about her upcoming birthday. It might be the after effects of her head injury, or maybe she’s just anxious about turning 13. As the visions get worse, even affecting her artwork, Eugenia suspects an unseen force may be sending her messages. If she’s haunted after all, Eugenia will have to figure out why before it’s too late. Even more horrifying, she may have to do the unthinkable: admit her mom was right.
From Marilyn Robbins, children’s book buyer and programs manager: If you live in or around Denver, you may have been lucky enough to have already met Stan Yan and had your caricature drawn by him. If you haven’t met Stan or discovered his work, you’ll have the chance now because his new book releases on September 30. “The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang” is a graphic novel perfect for ages 8 and up. In it, Eugenia has visions of doom, but don’t worry, this book has just the right amount of scare.
THIS WEEK’S BOOK RECS COME FROM:
The Bookies Bookstore
2085 S. Holly Street
Denver, CO 80222
As part of The Colorado Sun’s literature section — SunLit — we’re featuring staff picks from book stores across the state. Read more.
Type of Story: Review
An assessment or critique of a service, product, or creative endeavor such as art, literature or a performance.