From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Extraordinary Adventures: A Novel by Daniel Wallace (St. Martin's Press, $25.99, 9781250118455). "We are all Edsel Bronfman. Or at least those of us who have spent a substantial portion of our lives as terribly awkward introverts with no social skills and a complete lack of romantic experience or opportunity are. Daniel Wallace's new novel had me cringing with recognition and laughing out loud as his 34-year-old protagonist is launched on an absurd and hilarious journey of self-discovery and transformation initiated by a mysterious phone call from a timeshare saleswoman. Extraordinary Adventures is a quirky, sweet, heartfelt, and offbeat romance that displays the imaginative playfulness Wallace is known for." --Josh Niesse, Underground Books, Carrollton, Ga.
Touch: A Novel by Courtney Maum (Putnam, $26, 9780735212121). "Sloane is a strong, independent businesswoman working as a trend forecaster. While at an innovative company, Sloane finds that the very technology that is supposed to connect people to one another is actually tearing them apart. The entire story is both hilarious and slightly terrifying as it tells of a future where we outsource intimacy to strangers and lead very isolated lives. Touch is a warning about what can happen if we become too attached to the technology in our lives and a great reminder to put the phone down and connect with others in person." --Kristen Beverly, Half Price Books, Dallas, Tex.
Paperback
Broken River: A Novel by J. Robert Lennon (Graywolf Press, $16, 9781555977726). "Imagine a sentence that has the slow-burn intensity you feel when reading your favorite mystery novels and the nuance and music of your icons of prose style. Now imagine a whole book of them. Set that book in a small town in Upstate New York, move a family of city folk into a Shirley Jacksonian home, and tell part of the story from the point of view of an 'Observer' who could represent the reader, the author, a house spirit, God, or something else entirely. Now cede your imagination to J. Robert Lennon, whose new novel will transport and move you. A perfect union of breezy and deep, Broken River has something for everyone." --John Francisconi, Bank Square Books, Mystic, Conn.
For Ages 4 to 8
The Case of the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney (Sterling, $16.95, 9781454919605). "A delightfully delicious companion to one of my favorites, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast. This time around there's a dastardly odor coming from somewhere in the fridge and it's up to Inspector Croissant and Sir French Toast to uncover the stench or all of their foodie friends may be tossed or sauced. With great use of imagination and rhyme, The Case of the Stinky Stench makes a fun read-aloud for all ages, including the reader. Bon appétit!" --Holland Saltsman, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, Mo.
For Ages 9 to 12
Hamster Princess: Giant Trouble by Ursula Vernon (Dial, $12.99, 9780399186523). "Harriet is back, and she's as much fun as ever! In Ursula Vernon's fourth fairy tale twist (this time involving a very large beanstalk, a giant, and a magic harp), Harriet finds herself yet again in a larger-than-life adventure that readers won't want to put down. Smart, funny, exciting, and a bit ridiculous, this newest installment in the Hamster Princess series is sure to satisfy fans and newcomers alike." --Jennifer Oleinik, University Book Store, Seattle, Wash.
For Teen Readers
Grit by Gillian French (HarperTeen, $17.99, 9780062642554). "Incoming high school senior Darcy has a reputation as a bad girl, but there is so much more to her. Living with her widowed mom and her good-girl older sister in the pocket of a disapproving aunt, Darcy's life is complicated. She's used to ignoring the rumors, but the secret she is keeping for her cousin Nell weighs heavily on her and threatens to blow her world apart. This coming-of-age story is full of anger, betrayal, fear, and, ultimately, courage and hope. Not a happily-ever-after ending, but one full of promise." --Ellen Richmond, Children's Book Cellar, Waterville, Me.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
