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 Big Door Prize: A Novel by M.O. Walsh (Putnam, $27, 9780735218482). "M.O. Walsh weaves quintessential Southern charm into a quirky scenario to produce The Big Door Prize, a novel that left me curious about the parts of myself I have yet to discover. You'll recognize the characters as your own next-door neighbors while being challenged to imagine the possibilities lying just past the periphery of a comfortably crafted trajectory. The novel questions what measures a life well-lived and answers with an entertaining tale of a grand machine in a modest town. Maybe potential is immeasurable. Perhaps that is exactly what gives us all hope." --Mary Garner Rees, Lemuria Bookstore, Jackson, Miss.
Mill Town: Reckoning with What Remains by Kerri Arsenault (St. Martin's Press, $27.99, 9781250155931). "This is a beautifully written story about two small towns in Maine and the paper mill that is the foundation of their economy. It tells the much bigger story of the sacrifice of the workers, and the injustices to them and the environment. Arsenault masters the nuances of family and history, which pulled me into the story in the first few pages and kept me there. A tender and honest reveal of her own family and hometown, and a truthful history of our nation. I'll be recommending this as a must-read to our customers." --Todd Miller, Arcadia Books, Spring Green, Wis.
Paperback
A Rogue of One's Own: A Novel by Evie Dunmore (Berkley, $16, 9781984805706). "Being excited about a follow-up to a debut novel can be fraught--will the second book live up to my expectations? A Rogue of One's Own absolutely did! Evie Dunmore's series (the first entry was Bringing Down the Duke) features a quartet of lively suffragettes and the men they fall in love with and bring over to The Cause. The characters are compelling and likable, the relationships solidly built. There are also some interesting tidbits for history buffs, like excerpts of actual letters written by women of the time." --Sandy Scott, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, Vt.
For Ages 4 to 8
Pea, Bee, & Jay: Stuck Together by Brian "Smitty" Smith (HarperAlley, $12.95, 9780062981172) "A pea, a strawberry, and a cherry roll into the garden... and dare the pea to see what lies beyond the farm's fence. On his quest, Pea befriends the studious Bee and shy bird Jay. What an unlikely trio! This short graphic novel is the first in a new series, and it's delightfully punny. I look forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for Pea, Bee, and Jay!" --Andrew King, University Book Store, Seattle, Wash.
For Ages 9 to 12: An Indies Introduce Title
Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo (Scholastic, $17.99, 9781338561593). "Cattywampus is filled with raccoon familiars, magic, and two kids aimed at saving their town from generations of zombie ancestors brought on by a spell gone bad! I loved the sense of place Ash Van Otterloo has brought to this book, plus the wonderful language and some beautiful representation." --Nathaniel Hattrick, Ballast Book Company, Bremerton, Wash.
For Teen Readers
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar (HarperTeen, $17.99, 9780062894625). "Star Daughter follows Sheetal, a half-star, half-mortal girl. When her star power injures her human father, Sheetal must seek the help of her mother, a star who returned to the heavens long ago. Sheetal soon finds herself representing her family in a magical competition that will decide the next ruling house of heaven. A standalone fantasy, Star Daughter reads like a diverse version of Stardust that is all its own, taking inspiration from Hindu mythology. With prose the likes of Laini Taylor and Margaret Rogerson, Shveta Thakrar has a bright future in YA literature." --Isabella Ogbolumani, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, N.Y.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
