From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Creatures: A Novel by Crissy Van Meter (Algonquin, $25.95, 9781616208592). "Creatures is a novel that invokes the senses most often left to the wayside in fiction: touch, taste, and smell. This imagery is unique to how Evie, our narrator, perceives her surroundings of Winter Island and the people who float in and out of her life. As readers experience Evie's past, present, and future concurrently, they are left with a stark and stunning tale of abandonment, betrayal, love, and healing. With a narrative style reminiscent of Ted Chiang's The Story of Your Life, this is a book I couldn't put down!" --Julia Long, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews, Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Magical Language of Others: A Memoir by E.J. Koh (Tin House, $22.95, 9781947793385). "A beautifully written memoir of history, culture, past, and present--this might be one of the best books I've read all year and a close second to Pachinko, one of my all-time favorites. The letters from a mother read from her daughter's perspective really give you a sense of the complexity of family relationships, and how certain events mold the consequences of what's to come. Just beautiful!" --Desirae Wilkerson, Paper Boat Booksellers, Seattle, Wash.
Paperback
Mouthful of Birds: Stories by Samanta Schweblin (Riverhead, $16, 9780399184635). "Samanta Schweblin set a high standard with her translated debut novel Fever Dream, a standard she has now miraculously surpassed with this unnerving new collection of short stories, a must-read for anyone who doubts the written word's ability to touch reality. Mouthful of Birds will rattle your bones, infiltrate your mind, and engulf you in a surreal dream-state of bewilderment and ferocity that will leave you fearing to turn the page, even as you beg for more." --Tianna Moxley, the river's end bookstore, Oswego, N.Y.
For Ages 4 to 8
The Old Truck by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey (Norton, $17.95, 9781324005193). "Full of nostalgia and wonder, this is a sweet and simple tale of determination and growth. I am absolutely in love with the stamp illustrations in The Old Truck and the young girl who lives, works, and dreams at the farm. A great addition to a home library, this is for fans of things that go and the work of illustrator Christian Robinson!" --Eugenia Vela, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
For Ages 9 to 12
Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek (Sterling, $16.95, 9781454935704). "Middle school seems daunting to shy and insecure Martin. To complicate his life, he's starting to wonder if he like likes girls or boys, and the class bully keeps makings digs about him being gay. Is he? He doesn't know and can't talk to anyone about his feelings. The one place he shines is Mathletes… until he discovers drag. Cue the Celia Cruz tunes and Martin's feeling confident and happy. But becoming a middle-school drag queen will not be without some crazy drama. A wonderful, laugh-out-loud debut." --Ellen Richmond, Children's Book Cellar, Waterville, Me.
For Teen Readers
The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord (Bloomsbury, 9781681199382, $17.99). "I absolutely adored this book. Emery Lord really understands what it is to be a teenager, especially one with anxiety. All of the overthinking, the nervous energy, the panic that goes on inside Paige's head over the drama surrounding college and boys and friendship is so relatable. I desperately wanted her to succeed despite her flaws, because Paige Hancock is an authentic teenager. This book is cute and funny, and it sometimes made me want to rip my hair out from sheer relatability. The romance between Max and Paige was my favorite part of the book, because Lord didn't shy away from the stumbles that come with first loves. I wish I'd had this one a few years ago!" --Ava Tusek, Second Star to the Right Children's Books, Denver, Colo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
Hardcover
Creatures: A Novel by Crissy Van Meter (Algonquin, $25.95, 9781616208592). "Creatures is a novel that invokes the senses most often left to the wayside in fiction: touch, taste, and smell. This imagery is unique to how Evie, our narrator, perceives her surroundings of Winter Island and the people who float in and out of her life. As readers experience Evie's past, present, and future concurrently, they are left with a stark and stunning tale of abandonment, betrayal, love, and healing. With a narrative style reminiscent of Ted Chiang's The Story of Your Life, this is a book I couldn't put down!" --Julia Long, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews, Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Magical Language of Others: A Memoir by E.J. Koh (Tin House, $22.95, 9781947793385). "A beautifully written memoir of history, culture, past, and present--this might be one of the best books I've read all year and a close second to Pachinko, one of my all-time favorites. The letters from a mother read from her daughter's perspective really give you a sense of the complexity of family relationships, and how certain events mold the consequences of what's to come. Just beautiful!" --Desirae Wilkerson, Paper Boat Booksellers, Seattle, Wash.
Paperback
Mouthful of Birds: Stories by Samanta Schweblin (Riverhead, $16, 9780399184635). "Samanta Schweblin set a high standard with her translated debut novel Fever Dream, a standard she has now miraculously surpassed with this unnerving new collection of short stories, a must-read for anyone who doubts the written word's ability to touch reality. Mouthful of Birds will rattle your bones, infiltrate your mind, and engulf you in a surreal dream-state of bewilderment and ferocity that will leave you fearing to turn the page, even as you beg for more." --Tianna Moxley, the river's end bookstore, Oswego, N.Y.
For Ages 4 to 8
The Old Truck by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey (Norton, $17.95, 9781324005193). "Full of nostalgia and wonder, this is a sweet and simple tale of determination and growth. I am absolutely in love with the stamp illustrations in The Old Truck and the young girl who lives, works, and dreams at the farm. A great addition to a home library, this is for fans of things that go and the work of illustrator Christian Robinson!" --Eugenia Vela, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
For Ages 9 to 12
Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek (Sterling, $16.95, 9781454935704). "Middle school seems daunting to shy and insecure Martin. To complicate his life, he's starting to wonder if he like likes girls or boys, and the class bully keeps makings digs about him being gay. Is he? He doesn't know and can't talk to anyone about his feelings. The one place he shines is Mathletes… until he discovers drag. Cue the Celia Cruz tunes and Martin's feeling confident and happy. But becoming a middle-school drag queen will not be without some crazy drama. A wonderful, laugh-out-loud debut." --Ellen Richmond, Children's Book Cellar, Waterville, Me.
For Teen Readers
The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord (Bloomsbury, 9781681199382, $17.99). "I absolutely adored this book. Emery Lord really understands what it is to be a teenager, especially one with anxiety. All of the overthinking, the nervous energy, the panic that goes on inside Paige's head over the drama surrounding college and boys and friendship is so relatable. I desperately wanted her to succeed despite her flaws, because Paige Hancock is an authentic teenager. This book is cute and funny, and it sometimes made me want to rip my hair out from sheer relatability. The romance between Max and Paige was my favorite part of the book, because Lord didn't shy away from the stumbles that come with first loves. I wish I'd had this one a few years ago!" --Ava Tusek, Second Star to the Right Children's Books, Denver, Colo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]