From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Thank You, Goodnight: A Novel by Andy Abramowitz (Touchstone, $26, 9781476791777). "Teddy Tremble is the former lead singer of Tremble, a one-hit wonder band from the '90s. Now pushing 40 and working as a lawyer for a respectable firm, Teddy receives a phone call from an old friend who tells him to fly to London and see his 'legacy hanging on a wall at the Tate.' Teddy finds himself part of a photography exhibit entitled 'Faded Glory: Where Do They Go When They Have Nowhere to Go?' Enraged, Teddy travels to Switzerland to seek out and confront the artist, only to discover that he has a large contingent of fans urging him to record again. Returning home, he convinces the band to reunite and deals with the complicated relationships that ensue. This is a heartwarming, funny look at love, life, and second chances that often aren't there for most of us." --Georgette Coan, Barbara's Bookstore, Chicago, Ill.
Dietland: A Novel by Sarai Walker (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $26, 9780544373433). "Meet Plum, a woman who has forever defined herself by her obesity and who gets through her daily routine by looking forward to the life that will come after her weight-loss surgery. When Plum discovers that she is being followed by a strange girl, her life is changed forever. While Plum embarks on her journey of self-acceptance, a violent feminist crusade takes the world by storm. As the two storylines converge, readers witness an unexpected transformation. This is a fun, no-apologies-offered debut!" --Tess Fahlgren, Fact & Fiction, Missoula, Mont.
Paperback
Painted Horses: A Novel by Malcolm Brooks (Grove Press, $16, 9780802123817). "Brooks sweeps post-WWII American prosperity, ancient native traditions, and the rush to tame the still-wild West together in a novel driven by diverse and deeply realized characters that come together in a heart-pounding story. Catherine Lemay is a talented young archeologist defying the traditions of a 'man's world' by accepting the challenge to explore a Montana canyon slated for flooding for hydroelectric power. What she discovers is beauty, history, threats, and John H--a former mustanger, Army veteran, and enigmatic canyon dweller. Far from her comfortable New York home, Catherine embraces Montana's stark conditions and with John H uncovers both secrets of the region and truths within herself. A breathtaking debut!" --Cheryl McKeon, Book Passage, San Francisco, Calif.
For Teen Readers
Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas (Bloomsbury, $17.99, 9781619635906). "Ollie and Mo's friendship unfolds during the course of their correspondence. Ollie, who is allergic to electricity, and Moritz, who has a pacemaker, can never meet face-to-face but the things they have in common form a unique bond between them. Ollie lives alone in the woods with his mother. Moritz attends a public school where his physical appearance makes him a target for ridicule and bullying as, in addition to a pacemaker, he wears dark goggles to hide the smooth skin where his eyes should be. There's a mystery wrapped up in this tale, but the beauty and humanity of the main characters is where this gorgeous book especially shines." --Elliott bat Tzedek, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, Philadelphia, Pa.
For Ages 9 to 12
Dragons Beware! by Jorge Aguirre, illustrated by Rafael Rosado (First Second, $14.99, 9781596438781). "Look out, lizards! The fearless Claudette of Giants Beware! is back, and nothing is going to stop her from rescuing her poppa from a dragon. But everything about her quest is complicated, especially when you take into account the presence of gargoyles, the apple hag, the many princes wooing Claudette's diplomatically skilled friend Marie, and the burning question of how a band of heroes will eat when their chef has sworn off cooking for a while. There's just so much to love about this breathless adventure in which everyone has a moment to shine--including that maybe not-so-terrible dragon!" --Molly Templeton, WORD, Brooklyn, N.Y.
For Ages 4 to 8
One Word From Sophia by Jim Averbeck (Atheneum, $17.99, 9781481405140). "Sophia is a spunky girl with a big wish: to own a giraffe! One by one, she approaches family members to explain how beneficial giraffe ownership can be, using graphs, charts, and detailed business proposals. Each time, though, she's told to use fewer words, until she finally finds the right one: 'please.' The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are bright and perfectly capture the mood as Sophia works to make her giraffe dream a reality. Silly, sweet, and filled with hilarious giraffe-related ideas, this book will be a winner for kids and grown-ups alike." --Jennifer Oleinik, University Book Store, Seattle, Wash.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
