From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
The River of Kings: A Novel by Taylor Brown (St. Martin's Press, $25.99, 9781250111753). "In his second novel, Taylor Brown takes us on a fascinating trip down the Altamaha River. Also called Georgia's 'Little Amazon,' the river is one of the most remote and wild places in the U.S. This is where the Loggins brothers, Hunter and Lawton, grew up with their abusive father. After he dies under mysterious conditions, they decide to kayak down the river to disperse his ashes and try to discover what really happened. Brown combines the story of the brothers' journey and descriptions of their father's rough life with a narrative of the 1564 French expedition and settlement at the river's mouth. Three stories in which nature takes center stage intertwine to give this superb novel an almost mythical dimension." --Pierre Camy, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Miss You: A Novel by Kate Eberlen (Harper, $25.99, 9780062460226). "Tess and Gus first cross paths in Florence as 18-year-olds with their futures stretching ahead of them. Back in England, they live their lives oblivious to all the near-misses and chances they have to encounter one another again. The meandering way their lives circle each other is charming rather than frustrating, but the heart of this book lies in the choices Tess and Gus make as their lives unfold in ways neither anticipated. Exceptionally poignant and filled with relatable and deeply human characters, this is a thoughtful story about how you can never quite guess what life has in store for you--and maybe that's for the best." --Kelly O'Sullivan, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, Conn.
Paperback
The Redemption of Galen Pike: Short Stories by Carys Davies (Biblioasis, $14.95, 9781771961394). "This is the most beautiful collection of short stories I have read in a long time. Each story feels perfect. The writing, the topic, and the resolution all left me completely satisfied. Their connecting theme is solitude or isolation and the struggle to move through it. The collection reminds me of some of Kevin Brockmeier's writing: beautiful, sometimes disturbing, and always memorable." --Lisa Sharp, Nightbird Books, Fayetteville, Ariz.
For Ages 4 to 8
BE QUIET! by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney-Hyperion, $17.99, 9781484731628). "I've been looking forward to a third book about Bruce, the bear who begrudgingly became the parent to a gaggle of goslings in Mother Bruce. But Bruce makes only a cameo in BE QUIET! Instead, the enterprising mice from Hotel Bruce are the stars. Rupert is going to write a wordless book, and his friends Nibbs and Thistle insist upon helping. Chaos and frustration ensue, resulting in a wordless book with lots of words--and tons of humor and hysterical pictures! Love, love, love!" --Ellen Richmond, Children's Book Cellar, Waterville, Me.
For Ages 9 to 12: An Indies Introduce Title
The Star Thief by Lindsey Becker (Little, Brown, $16.99, 9780316348560). "There is so much beautiful astronomy and astrology and adventure packed into this book! Pirates, stars that come alive, ships made from floating forests, sea monsters, talking wolves, and a heroine who can hold her own in this crazy world--The Star Thief has it all, and more. Never a dull moment!" --Beth Albrecht, The Magic Tree Bookstore, Oak Park, Ill.
For Teen Readers
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco (Sourcebooks Fire, $17.99, 9781492635826). "Think: geisha + magic + kaiju. I loved Chupeco's writing, as always, plus the magic and creature aspects of the world-building, the characters, and the past and present back-and-forth narrative. Tea, who's arguably an evil mess, is a capable and fast learner, as she has to be, considering her rare powers, but she is also deeply flawed in many ways (and terrible at singing). The Bone Witch is a very solid opening to a fantasy series that I hope to see blossom in the sequels." --Allison Senecal, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, Colo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
