From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Separation Anxiety: A Novel by Laura Zigman (Ecco, $26.99, 9780062909077). "Told with humor, wit, and wisdom, Laura Zigman's novel explores the unexpected trials of middle age. We follow Judy Vogel, who is rebounding from the recent deaths of her parents, struggling with writer's block, juggling financial issues, coping with a failing marriage, and raising an adolescent son. When she comes across her son's old baby sling, she starts to wear the family dog as a unique form of support. This thought-provoking novel is full of heart, hope, and the strength to move forward." --Maxwell Gregory, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, Ill.
This Town Sleeps: A Novel by Dennis E. Staples (Counterpoint, $26, 9781640092846). "This Town Sleeps, set on an Ojibwe reservation in northern Minnesota, is not an elegiac or idyllic work but rather a direct, unblinking, poetic novel that draws the reader inexorably into the gray areas of the hearts of those in this story. A queer coming-of-age story bound up in a town mystery, this tale of Marion Lafournier, a young gay Ojibwe man, is a compelling debut. Dennis E. Staples is an author whose voice and storytelling will be appreciated in so many ways for years to come." --Christine Havens, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
Paperback
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (Berkley, $16, 9781984806116). "Steamy, spicy, and tender, if this book were a gourmet meal it would be worth a thousand bucks for sure. Lyssa Kay Adams has outdone herself; her sophomore novel in the Bromance Book Club collection is even better than her debut. Liv is a firecracker, taking nothing from nobody. Mack is a big softie with a heart of gold. When they team up to take down a famous and powerful chef with a history of abusing women, there is nothing these two won't risk--including their hearts. Please read this lovely romance; you will not regret it and it will make you a better person. And if you are a man, this should be required reading--study up, dudes." --Sam Butler, Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff, Ariz.
For Ages 4 to 8
No More Naps!: A Story for When You're Wide-Awake and Definitely NOT Tired by Chris Grabenstein, illus. by Leo Espinosa (Random House, $17.99, 9781524771287). "Being the mother of a toddler who often protests naptime, I laughed out loud when I saw No More Naps! A delightful premise (others taking the naps that Annalise won't take) and a satisfying ending (spoiler alert: there are zzzzzz's) make this a great read-aloud for story time or as a preamble to a good, long snooze (fingers crossed)." --Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop, Athens, Ga.
For Ages 9 to 12
Coo by Kaela Noel (Greenwillow, $16.99, 9780062955975) "Coo is a brilliant, fresh take on animal fantasy. Among the many things that make this book marvelous, the pigeons have their own set grammar, which greatly appealed to me as a linguistics nerd. The book also takes a stab at answering some pretty big questions, such as what it's like to experience your own humanity for the first time. With echoes of Julie of the Wolves and Silverwing, this book has moments of human (and pigeon) connection that will sweep you off your feet." --Laura Speake, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H.
For Teen Readers
Havenfall by Sara Holland (Bloomsbury, $18.99, 9781547603794). "Once again, Holland weaves a heady blend of magic and mayhem into words. Havenfall, an inn hidden in the mountains of our mortal world, acts as a gateway and protector to magical realms. When a door that was closed long ago suddenly cracks open, monsters begin roaming the tunnels and grounds of the inn, threatening the hard-won peace of Havenfall. Monsters aren't the only thing on the loose, as secrets and hidden agendas slowly permeate the one place Maddie always thought was the safest in the world. A wonderfully diverse and exciting start to a new series!" --Kate Towery, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
Hardcover
Separation Anxiety: A Novel by Laura Zigman (Ecco, $26.99, 9780062909077). "Told with humor, wit, and wisdom, Laura Zigman's novel explores the unexpected trials of middle age. We follow Judy Vogel, who is rebounding from the recent deaths of her parents, struggling with writer's block, juggling financial issues, coping with a failing marriage, and raising an adolescent son. When she comes across her son's old baby sling, she starts to wear the family dog as a unique form of support. This thought-provoking novel is full of heart, hope, and the strength to move forward." --Maxwell Gregory, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, Ill.
This Town Sleeps: A Novel by Dennis E. Staples (Counterpoint, $26, 9781640092846). "This Town Sleeps, set on an Ojibwe reservation in northern Minnesota, is not an elegiac or idyllic work but rather a direct, unblinking, poetic novel that draws the reader inexorably into the gray areas of the hearts of those in this story. A queer coming-of-age story bound up in a town mystery, this tale of Marion Lafournier, a young gay Ojibwe man, is a compelling debut. Dennis E. Staples is an author whose voice and storytelling will be appreciated in so many ways for years to come." --Christine Havens, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
Paperback
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (Berkley, $16, 9781984806116). "Steamy, spicy, and tender, if this book were a gourmet meal it would be worth a thousand bucks for sure. Lyssa Kay Adams has outdone herself; her sophomore novel in the Bromance Book Club collection is even better than her debut. Liv is a firecracker, taking nothing from nobody. Mack is a big softie with a heart of gold. When they team up to take down a famous and powerful chef with a history of abusing women, there is nothing these two won't risk--including their hearts. Please read this lovely romance; you will not regret it and it will make you a better person. And if you are a man, this should be required reading--study up, dudes." --Sam Butler, Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff, Ariz.
For Ages 4 to 8
No More Naps!: A Story for When You're Wide-Awake and Definitely NOT Tired by Chris Grabenstein, illus. by Leo Espinosa (Random House, $17.99, 9781524771287). "Being the mother of a toddler who often protests naptime, I laughed out loud when I saw No More Naps! A delightful premise (others taking the naps that Annalise won't take) and a satisfying ending (spoiler alert: there are zzzzzz's) make this a great read-aloud for story time or as a preamble to a good, long snooze (fingers crossed)." --Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop, Athens, Ga.
For Ages 9 to 12
Coo by Kaela Noel (Greenwillow, $16.99, 9780062955975) "Coo is a brilliant, fresh take on animal fantasy. Among the many things that make this book marvelous, the pigeons have their own set grammar, which greatly appealed to me as a linguistics nerd. The book also takes a stab at answering some pretty big questions, such as what it's like to experience your own humanity for the first time. With echoes of Julie of the Wolves and Silverwing, this book has moments of human (and pigeon) connection that will sweep you off your feet." --Laura Speake, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H.
For Teen Readers
Havenfall by Sara Holland (Bloomsbury, $18.99, 9781547603794). "Once again, Holland weaves a heady blend of magic and mayhem into words. Havenfall, an inn hidden in the mountains of our mortal world, acts as a gateway and protector to magical realms. When a door that was closed long ago suddenly cracks open, monsters begin roaming the tunnels and grounds of the inn, threatening the hard-won peace of Havenfall. Monsters aren't the only thing on the loose, as secrets and hidden agendas slowly permeate the one place Maddie always thought was the safest in the world. A wonderfully diverse and exciting start to a new series!" --Kate Towery, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]