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 Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell (Atria Books, $28, 9781982137366). "Lisa Jewell is indeed a master of suspense with The Night She Disappeared. Multiple timelines add to the suspense as the characters' lives began to interweave and the story builds to an unexpected climax." --Eileen McGervey, One More Page Books, Arlington, Va.
Graceland, At Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South by Margaret Renkl (Milkweed Editions, $26, 9781571311849). "Margaret Renkl's essays alternate between balm for the soul and outrage at the world with all of its injustices. She makes me think and see things in a different light, and for that I'm eternally grateful." --Jayne Rowsam, Mystery to Me, Madison, Wis.
Paperback
What Could Be Saved by Liese O'Halloran Schwarz (Washington Square Press, $17, 9781982150624). "What Could Be Saved is a moving, powerful story of loss and regret, loyalty and redemption. These beautifully drawn, tragically flawed characters will remain with me long after turning the last page." --Anderson McKean, Page and Palette, Fairhope, Ala.
For Ages 4 to 8
My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, illus. by Erika Meza (Kokila, $17.99, 9780593111048). "With vibrant illustrations and a message on using your privilege to advocate for and take care of those without the same privilege, this overwhelmingly sweet story is meant to ignite further discussion." --Claire Phelan, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, Wash.
For Ages 8 to 12
Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 9780316493833). "Addy suffers from the memory of the house fire that killed her parents, and then a forest fire overwhelms her at wilderness camp. A gripping and satisfying novel for middle-grade readers." --Carol Moyer, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, N.C.
For Teen Readers: An Indies Introduce Title
When We Make It by Elisabet Velasquez (Dial Books, $19.99, 9780593324486). "Elisabet Velasquez conjures her community into existence in a living, breathing narrative debut in verse that moved my soul. Her fiery, literary voice is echoing in my mind still." --Brein Lopez, Children's Book World, Los Angeles, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
