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 Windsor Knot: A Novel by SJ Bennett (Morrow, $27.99, 9780063050006). "I love the idea of Queen Elizabeth sleuthing behind the scenes! As charmingly and convincingly portrayed by SJ Bennett, the Queen is an astute observer whose decades of experience serve her well in this role. When a Russian pianist is found dead at Windsor Castle, the new head of MI5 muddles the case and makes the mistake of treating the Queen like his doddering granny. It's up to the Queen to secretly and skillfully line up the pieces of the puzzle for MI5 to solve." --Margo Grimm Eule, East City Bookshop, Washington, D.C.
Infinite Country: A Novel by Patricia Engel (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, $25, 9781982159467). "Patricia Engel's new book is a true gem, a family story in which each voice is equally interesting and dynamic as well as a great examination on the brutish nature of the U.S. government and citizens toward people traveling stateside to start a new life. Your heart breaks and mends and breaks all over again for this family. In less than 200 pages, Engel works magic James Harrod, Malaprop's Bookstore/Café, Asheville, N.C.
Paperback
The Knockout Queen: A Novel by Rufi Thorpe (Vintage, $16, 9780525567295). "To say I admire The Knockout Queen feels inadequate, though I do admire a great deal of it: its voice, depth, structure--you name it. But it's more honest just to say I love The Knockout Queen; I loved reading it, I felt involved in it, and, finally, I was so moved by its ending. This is an epic tale of friendship, one where the magnitude sneaks up on you quietly--but when it strikes home, it rings so brilliantly true." --Will Walton, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, N.Y.
For Ages 4 to 8
The Little Library by Margaret McNamara, illus. by G. Brian Karas (Schwartz & Wade, $17.99, 9780525578338). "I love this book with the fire of a thousand suns--I, too, was a slow reader when I was a kid, and it's really nice to see this represented in a picture book in a positive way! Blending reading with woodworking is also a brilliant combination." --Kelsy April, Bank Square Books, Mystic, Conn.
For Ages 9 to 12
Across the Pond by Joy McCullough (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9781534471214). "This a wonderful story that makes you feel like the world is brimming with possibilities even when everything seems to be going wrong. A lovely coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and birding with a little history thrown in, Across the Pond will make you smile so wide your face will hurt and it will warm your heart so much you'll never want to stop grinning." --Marielle Orff, Towne Book Center and Wine Bar, Collegeville, Pa.
For Teen Readers
Namesake by Adrienne Young (Wednesday Books, $18.99, 9781250254399). "Namesake is a beautiful conclusion to the story begun in Fable. In Namesake, you get to see all the characters grow is such a perfect way. The descriptions are beautiful, and I loved diving below the sea with Fable again. In this book, we follow Fable as she tries to find her way back to the Marigold through new alliances as well as old and new enemies, but we don't know who will come through to help her. I didn't want this book to end." --Blair Bayless, Copperfield's Books, Calistoga, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
