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 Marsh King's Daughter: A Novel by Karen Dionne (Putnam, $26, 9780735213005). "After a childhood in the wilds of Northern Michigan, where her rugged, brutal father was the center of her world, Helena has made a new life with a family who doesn't know her past. Now she and her father are hunting each other and Helena must use all the skills he taught her to survive. Fascinating, dark, and disturbing, The Marsh King's Daughter is a psychological thriller most compelling in its rich descriptions of the survivalist training of a very tough little girl." --Patty Mullins, Oblong Books and Music, Millerton, N.Y.
Do Not Become Alarmed: A Novel by Maile Meloy (Riverhead, $27, 9780735216525). "All parents have had those moments when something happens and you think, 'This is it. The moment my life changes.' This is the story of two families that face the unimaginable: they lose their children in a foreign country. The tale alternates between characters, with each fully realized and fully drawn. Maile Meloy explores what happens to each family: the relationship between the wives, who are cousins and have been close since childhood, and between the children who are missing. The writing is incredible, and the story is such that you can't put it down. A satisfying read that makes you wonder about how you would react in the same situation." --Kym Havens, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, Mass.
Paperback
Lily and the Octopus: A Novel by Steven Rowley (Simon & Schuster, $16, 9781501126239). "Lily and the Octopus is a profound book about all the important things in life--love, how to let go, how important it is to live in the moment, and how one big love can lead to another. And Lily, dear Lily, is at the center--a smart, movie-loving dog who would never pass up the chance at some good ice cream, tofurkey dinner, or beaming her unconditional love at her human companion, Ted. Told with humor, compassion, and a quirky sense of life's possibilities, Lily and the Octopus will hold you by the heart long after the final page is turned." --Pam Cady, University Book Store, Seattle, Wash.
For Ages 4 to 8
Hattie & Hudson by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick, $16.99, 9780763665456). "A heartwarming tale of a brave, intrepid girl and her friendly neighborhood lake creature! Hattie loves nothing more than paddling her canoe around the lake near her house. While exploring one day, Hattie happens upon a curious creature who shares her love of the water. Unfortunately, the rest of her town is convinced the creature is actually a monster. Can Hattie change their hearts and minds? Told through Chris Van Dusen's signature lively illustrations, Hattie & Hudson is a delightful summer read full of wonder and heart." --Bill Grace, Buttonwood Books & Toys, Cohasset, Mass.
For Ages 9 to 12
This Would Make a Good Story Someday by Dana Alison Levy (Delacorte, $16.99, 9781101938171). "I absolutely loved this book. It is rich with thoughtfulness while still being a fun, engaging read. Sara's cross-country train trip with her family is bound to be chaotic when you factor in two moms, an activist older sister and her recycling-enthusiast boyfriend, and a little sister who cannot be contained. This entertaining story also touches on serious issues of our age: environmentalism, racism, class issues, and what it means to really make a difference. As usual, Levy does not talk down to her audience, but makes tough stuff relatable and digestible in context. Seriously, don't miss this." --Shoshana Smith, The Reading Bug, San Carlos, Calif.
For Teen Readers
Be True to Me by Adele Griffin (Algonquin, $18.95, 9781616206758). "Adele Griffin knows how to do flawed characters in an authentic way, as she shows with the alternating narrators of Be True to Me--petty, privileged Jean and rough, impulsive Fritz. The young women are spending another summer in Sunken Haven, a place where the elite gather for lazy days, drunken nights, and party traditions. Between them is Gil, a surprise addition to the close-knit community and a handsome, young rising star at his uncle's law firm. If you like stories of summertime, blossoming love, secrets, and betrayal, this is for you. But beware: Adele Griffin's tales come with a darker edge to all the glitter of a perfect private island." --Danielle Borsch, Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
