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 Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (Tor, $24.99, 9781250174666). "Just wow! I am so delighted that there are writers like Sarah Gailey producing science fiction of this caliber. Their latest novel, The Echo Wife, kept me riveted from beginning to end with elegant prose and a compelling, vulnerable protagonist who narrates the story in a wonderfully intimate first-person point of view. This is a refreshing, fast-paced thriller that gives center stage to questions of our humanity without asking them from a male-only perspective." --Christine Havens, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
The Smash-Up by Ali Benjamin (Random House, $27, 9780593229651). "Ali Benjamin's debut adult novel is an interesting portrayal of a contemporary marriage and the many pressures it faces. Through the lives of her main characters, Benjamin explores many present-day issues--the #MeToo movement, the place of social protests, the difficulties of childrearing, and the temptation of infidelity. As Zo and Ethan each face a moral dilemma, Benjamin shows us their individual struggles. While there is sadness and conflict in this book, there is also hope." --Jane Stiles, Wellesley Books, Wellesley, Mass.
Paperback
First Comes Like by Alisha Rai (Avon, $15.99, 9780062878151). "Alisha Rai has continued to deliver another relevant, swoon-worthy romance with First Comes Like. This book is perfect for readers who love a slow burn or fans of You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of a contemporary Muslim woman in a way that wasn't sensationalized or exoticized. Rai has written a book that is still sexy, even when the characters aren't having sex. Jia, the heroine, is a ball of sunshine toward whom I instantly gravitated for her open, generous heart, big dreams, and strong work ethic. Reading about her journey to conquer self-doubt taught me a little bit about reframing my own flaws and accepting myself, too." --Stephanie Otani-Sunamoto, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, Mo.
For Ages 4 to 8
Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt, illus. by Iacopo Bruno (Quill Tree Books, $17.99, 9780062908117). "Elbows in. Head down. Hoyt's writing puts us right in the saddle of this amazing true story. Striking compositions and sumptuous renderings illuminate the courageous experiences of a dedicated athlete and quiet hero who saved hundreds of lives in World War II but kept it a secret all his life. Sure to inspire another generation to keep their faces to the wind." --Julie Rowan-Zoch, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, Colo.
For Ages 9 to 12
Unsolved Case Files: Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivan (Balzer + Bray, $12.99, 9780062991515). "Tom Sullivan's Unsolved Case Files graphic novel series is sure to be a hit. First up is Escape at 10,000 Feet, the true story of the skyjacking of a flight to Seattle in November 1971 and the hijacker's jump from the plane into the frigid night with the ransom money. Illustrations include reproductions of FBI records, cockpit transcripts, and text boxes that explain technical details. The target audience is middle-grade readers, but readers of all ages will get caught up in the investigation and the possibility of solving the crime themselves--the $200,000 ransom has never been found and may still be out there!" --Susan Posch, The Book Shoppe, Boone, Iowa
For Teen Readers
Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft (Wednesday Books, $18.99, 9781250623638). "Down Comes the Night is a breathtaking debut. Brilliant, healing, and affirming, this gothic fantasy is simply unforgettable. Wren is one of the most empathetic characters I've had the pleasure of reading recently. In a country in the midst of a war, Wren is a healer who puts her predisposed biases behind her in order to save someone she isn't sure is worth saving. I loved every bit of this atmospheric book." --Cody Roecker, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, Mo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
