IndieBound: Other Indie Favorites

From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:

Hardcover
Kill the Farm Boy: The Tales of Pell by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne (Del Rey, $27, 9781524797744). "Wildly unpredictable, tremendously goofy, and brilliantly inventive, Kill the Farm Boy is a laugh-out-loud fantasy trope extravaganza. A talking goat, a fierce warrior, a bumbling rogue, a wannabe dark wizard, and an enchanted bard set out on a quest full of adventure, mishaps, and lots of cheese. I can't count the number of times I giggled, snorted, and chuckled at a clever quip or ludicrous joke. Fans of Monty Python and Robin Hood: Men in Tights will definitely find Kill the Farm Boy to their liking." --Sami Thomason, Square Books, Oxford, Miss.

Baby Teeth: A Novel by Zoje Stage (St. Martin's Press, $26.99, 9781250170750). "I am a little afraid to write a review after finishing this book because I have the terrible feeling that I'm being watched, this due to the suspicion that seven-year-old Hannah has jumped from the pages of the book straight into my head--something she undoubtedly planned the entire time, despite the obvious impossibility of it all. I could not put this book down--simply fascinating." --Debra Barrett, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Chatham, Mass.

Paperback
Forest Dark: A Novel by Nicole Krauss (Harper Perennial, $16.99, 9780062431004). "No surprise: Forest Dark was worth the wait. Tapping into intellectual and deeply personal moments, the two main characters are ones to identify with even as the circumstances they find themselves in are fantastic. Krauss' reflections about marriage are poignant, and there is a lot to contemplate. At first, I enjoyed having moments when I wasn't reading to think, but toward the end I found myself not being able to put it down." --Kira Wizner, Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook, N.Y.

For Ages 4 to 8
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Candlewick, $16.99, 9780763690458). "A beautiful and light-hearted story for every kind of fanciful and imaginative kid! Jessica Love's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and perfectly portray Julián's wish to be a magical creature. This is a delightfully simple story that explores gender expression and individuality. Careful details also help communicate Julián's fear of revealing his identity to his abuela, an important representation of emotions that kids need to help them handle all kinds of situations." --Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre's Books, Pittsboro, N.C.

For Ages 9 to 12
Breakout by Kate Messner (Bloomsbury, $17.99, 9781681195360). "The format of Breakout--a collection of notes and recordings for a time capsule--was a great way to really get to know the book's characters. As a former English teacher, I know that this book will be beneficial for teaching voice and character development in English classes. By the end, I couldn't put it down for anything! I loved the poetry and history that swirled throughout--thank you, Kate Messner, yet again!" --Shelley Lowe, Monkey and Dog Books, Fort Worth, Tex.

For Teen Readers
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl (Delacorte, $18.99, 9780399553929). "Neverworld Wake begins like a young adult version of Groundhog Day, with a group of young people experiencing the same 11 hours over and over, trapped in a purgatory. One will be allowed to live while the others will die--and they must unanimously vote on it! Mysteries and secrets from the past intertwine with the dangers of the present in this wonderfully dark fantasy novel. Pessl really delves into the psyche of young people, exposing traumas and fears that are usually well-hidden. The finale is stunning--a brilliant piece of psychological drama that is both suspenseful and, ultimately, incredibly moving. This is a book adults and young adults will love." --William Carl, Wellesley Books, Wellesley, Mass.

[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]

Powered by: Xtenit