From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Speed Kings: The 1932 Winter Olympics and the Fastest Men in the World by Andy Bull (Avery, $26.95, 9781592409099). "What a ride! And what unforgettable characters--a Rhodes scholar who boxed and won gold medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics; a high-society playboy; a Hollywood has-been; and the star of them all, who was born with a silver spoon and turned it into gold medals racing anything that went fast. Bull covers the lives of his speed kings from London, Hollywood, St. Moritz, and the Pacific with great depth and breadth, including the development of bobsled racing with all of its real dangers. An excellent read for anyone who loves sports, is interested in history, or simply appreciates well-crafted books." --Ann Carlson, Waterfront Books, Georgetown, S.C.
And West Is West: A Novel by Ron Childress (Algonquin, $26.95, 9781616205232). "Ethan is a young Wall Street quant who writes an algorithm that allows his company to profit from the financial upheaval caused by antiterrorist strikes. Jessica is a young Air Force drone pilot who is discharged because she has discussed a questionable UAV strike in a letter to her father. This book is a powerful wake-up call to understand how fear, greed, and war inform our technological advances. Childress has truly earned his PEN/Bellweather Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction." --Karen Tallant, Booksellers at Laurelwood, Memphis, Tenn.
Paperback
The Forgers: A Novel by Brad Morrow (Mysterious Press, $14, 9780802124272). "This literary thriller is all about book collectors, booksellers, old books and manuscripts, and, of course, forgers. A famous book collector is found murdered and one of the suspects is Will, his future brother-in-law, who was once arrested for forgery. Nothing is proven, but soon Will starts to receive threatening letters written in the hand of long-dead authors. Feeling challenged in his craftsmanship, Will goes into a forgery duel that will force him to the limits to save his livelihood and the love of his life. So well written, The Forgers will take some time to finish as readers might want to reread every sentence!" --Jean-Paul Adriaansen, Water Street Books, Exeter, N.H.
For Ages 4 to 8
It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf, $17.99, 9780385754798). "In this cheerful book, each child-sized calamity is brightened with a silver lining. Kids might wonder if the consolation prize is always worth the original loss, but parents will welcome this opportunity to demonstrate that a positive attitude truly is the key to happiness." --Jennifer Armstrong, Northshire Bookstore, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
For Ages 9 to 12
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier by Michelle Cuevas (Dial, $16.99, 9780525427551). "Meet Jacques Papier, friend to Fleur, an identity which he cherishes. Jacques has spent his entire life with Fleur, playing, learning, and enjoying their time together, except for one thing: Jacques is a product of Fleur's imagination. It's when he realizes this that things get complicated. Delightful, funny, sweet, and enjoyable, this new middle-reader from Cuevas is sure to delight, even as she touches on one of the hard things about growing up." --Melissa Fox, Watermark Books and Café, Wichita, Kan.
For Teen Readers
Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa (Balzer + Bray, $17.99, 9780062331755). "Jeremy, Mira, and Sebby are three of the most interesting and authentic Young Adult voices I have ever read. Life as a teenager is rarely as simple as the world might have us believe, and these three characters and their stories are a wonderful illustration of just how hard it feels some days to simply get out of bed in the morning and march out into your day as if everything is fine. Scelsa reminds readers that it's O.K. to feel unsure or afraid, and that true friends will accept you as you are and walk with you while you find your way." --Laura Donohoe, Malaprop's Bookstore/Café, Asheville, N.C.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
