From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Three: A Novel by Valérie Perrin, trans. by Hildegarde Serle (Europa Editions, $28, 9781609457556). "Spectacular! Perrin has written a masterpiece of friendship, love, loss and life, weaving the lives of three friends--Adrien, Etienne, and Nina--into a magnificent novel. There are no words to really describe; it's a must read! Love it!" --Stephanie Crowe, Page and Palette, Fairhope, Ala.
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting: A Novel by Clare Pooley (Pamela Dorman, $27, 9781984878649). "Everyone knows that you keep to yourself on a train. But Iona draws people like moths to a flame; suddenly she has the interest of her entire train car. A nice pocket of reality with vivid characters that you'll root for and want to take home." --Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser, Roswell, Ga.
Paperback
Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna So (Ecco, $18.99, 9780063049895). "These stories of the members of a compact Cambodian-American community, from the refugees to the business owners to the gay teenagers, seamlessly balance humor with hardships." --Sofia Silva Wright, Phoenix Books, Burlington, Vt.
For Ages 4 to 7
Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Monica Silvie, illus. by Elina Ellis (Kids Can Press, $18.99, 9781525303388). "Bird lovers, you need this picture book! I adored the chickadee narrating this story, and could imagine my own backyard chickadees as masterminds who steal my blueberries! This picture book offers plenty of fun for readers of all ages." --Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, N.C.
For Ages 8 to 12
The Lost Ryū by Emi Watanabe Cohen (Levine Querido, $17.99, 9781646141326). "The Lost Ryū is a gem of a debut; a lovely tale of family and secrets, trauma and hope. The emotions soar like the dragon flying over his grandfather in Kohei's treasured memory." --Suzi Hough, Hicklebee's, San Jose, Calif.
For Teen Readers: An Indies Introduce Title
TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo (Viking Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9780593403396). "When she and her cousin are the subjects of a cruel viral meme, TJ decides to prove that a woman's body hair (or lack thereof) doesn't impact her worth. An engrossing, powerful story exploring body positivity, Deo's debut will stick with you." --Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, Ga.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
