From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Abandon Me by Melissa Febos (Bloomsbury, $26, 9781632866578). "Melissa Febos has one of those minds that's as good at describing scenes as it is at clearly breaking down a complicated idea or articulating ambivalence. Abandon Me is a powerhouse collection--each essay can be enjoyed on its own, but taken together, they form a striking autobiographical portrait of a talented young writer and thinker. You won't want to abandon a voice this powerful, and you won't forget it either." --John Francisconi, Bank Square Books, Mystic, Conn.
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (Putnam, $27, 9780399574634). "In The Wanderers, Meg Howrey brilliantly weaves together the vastness of outer space with the intimacy of human nature. Howrey's characters are artfully drawn--full of strengths and failings and each yearning for something in their relationships with others. The Mars simulation at the center of the story represents an exciting new frontier for human beings, but Howrey's astronauts demonstrate that even those driving the larger quest for human greatness are flawed individuals leading complicated lives. This is a wonderfully introspective novel on the meaning of space exploration and what we learn about ourselves when facing the unknown." --Kelsey O'Rourke, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Paperback
Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline (St. Martin's Griffin, $15.99, 9781250010148). "An infertile couple decides to use a sperm donor to create the perfect family they have always wanted. When the wife sees a picture of a man who looks very similar to their donor on the evening news, the story is set in motion. Could their donor be a serial killer? Christine will stop at nothing to find out who the biological father is, even if it means the end of her marriage. This latest novel of suspense from the bestselling Scottoline is fast-paced and will keep readers guessing until the end!" --Sarah Harmuth Letke, Redbery Books, Cable, Wis.
For Ages 4 to 8
A Cat Named Swan by Holly Hobbie (Random House, $17.99, 9780553537444). "Holly Hobbie captures kitty cat Swan and his world perfectly. Even better, she shows us what home looks like! A Cat Named Swan is the perfect book for cat lovers." --Margaret Neville, The King's English, Salt Lake City, Utah
For Ages 9 to 12
Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere by Elise Gravel (HarperCollins, $12.99, 9780062351265). "Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere is funny and weird, with some scatological humor to appeal to kids without being excessive. Gravel's art is amusing and expressive, and I like the fact that this is a book about a young girl who's obsessed with science!" --Anna Kaufman, DIESEL, A Bookstore, Santa Monica, Calif.
For Teen Readers
Piper Perish by Kayla Cagan (Chronicle, $17.99, 9781452155838). "In a diary-plus-art format, Piper takes us from an awful New Year's Eve her senior year of high school until it's time to embark on a new adventure in August. This book is full of the ups and downs of friendships and relationships, the creative struggles of a young artist, and the unfortunate realities families face when trying to afford college. It's also inspiring at times, and each character's flaws are refreshingly clear as they all muddle their way through their own hangups. The best part is watching Piper evolve from a dramatic girl who wants to be Andy Warhol into someone who works toward a future that is entirely her own." --Danielle Borsch, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
