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 Caretakers: A Novel by Amanda Bestor-Siegal (Morrow, $27.99, 9780063138186). "This book took me completely by surprise as it wormed its way into my heart. An absolutely stunning portrayal of motherhood, wealth, and pretense told through the interconnected stories of the women in a small French neighborhood." --Courtney Ulrich Smith, Underbrush Books, Rogers, Ark.
A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention: A Memoir of Coming Home to My Neurodivergent Mind by Rebecca Schiller (The Experiment, $25.95, 9781615198801). "Rebecca Schiller's poignant insider view of life with ADHD will be a revelation to many, especially women. The definition of neurodivergence continues to expand, and A Thousand Ways to Pay Attention is a groundbreaking addition." --Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, Minn.
Paperback
On Lighthouses by Jazmina Barrera, trans. by Christina MacSweeney (Two Lines Press, $12.95, 9781949641349). "On Lighthouses is a thoughtful meditation on isolation and connection, seeking out lonely lighthouses to dig deep into a solitary 'collecting' process. The book is not urgent, but possibly the thing needed to keep us from the rocks." --Helen Zuckerman, Community Bookstore, Brooklyn, N.Y.
For Ages 4 to 8
I Was Born a Baby by Meg Fleming, illus. by Brandon James Scott (HarperCollins, $17.99, 9780063157217). "What a delightful and fun book! I had a great time learning about all of the names we have for baby animals. This book is the perfect gift for a baby shower or an emerging reader." --Cassidy Ochs, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, Tex.
For Ages 8 to 12
Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Disney-Hyperion, $17.99, 9781484728352). "Solimar is a compelling adventure story with a sweet cast of characters, including a quetzal and talking rag doll. Readers will love the monarch butterflies' unique magic, the worldbuilding, and the story's environmentalist themes." --Ellie Ray, Content Bookstore, Northfield, Minn.
For Teen Readers
And They Lived... by Steven Salvatore (Bloomsbury YA, $17.99, 9781547608195). "Salvatore captures those intense feelings from the first semester at college, especially for queer young adults. There's a sense that you can create the life you've dreamed of and find belonging. I loved relating to Chase's journey!" --Sara Wigglesworth, Green Apple Books & Music, San Francisco, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
