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 House Is on Fire: A Novel by Rachel Beanland (Simon & Schuster, $27.99, 9781982186142). "The House is on Fire captures the early 1800s in the United States through the lens of a theater fire in Richmond. Beanland reconstructs the story of the fire while discussing slavery and abuse, womanhood, misogyny, and child labor." --Kyle Churman, Werner Books, Erie, Pa.
Ozark Dogs: A Novel by Eli Cranor (Soho Crime, $26.95, 9781641294539). "Wow, this southern noir thriller is gripping! Blood is thicker than water in these Ozark towns, but family relationships are complicated and there are no easy answers, leading to hard--and surprising--choices. Absolutely unforgettable." --Lia Lent, WordsWorth Books, Little Rock, Ark.
Paperback: An Indies Introduce Title
Saltwater Demands a Psalm: Poems by Kweku Abimbola (Graywolf Press, $16, 9781644452271). "Kweku Abimbola's collection is a dazzling appreciation of Black life. It reaches both backwards, to Ghana and a pre-American cultural past, and forwards to a life beyond violence, where Blackness and joy coexist in a single, uninterrupted river." --Camden Avery, The Booksmith, San Francisco, Calif.
For Ages 4 to 8
Gustav Is Missing!: A Tale of Friendship and Bravery by Andrea Zuill (Random House Studio, $18.99, 9780593487471). "Little Cap overcomes his fears when he has to go and find his best friend Gustav. Zuill's last book Sweety captured our imaginations because it was quirky and cute. Little Cap will make readers smile as they explore his world." --Margaret Neville, The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, Utah
For Ages 8 to 12: An Indies Introduce Title
Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley (Scholastic Press, $18.99, 9781338855876). "This is a beautiful book with brave characters who fiercely guard friendship as a safe space filled with unconditional love--and set about to make the world that way. Jude Saves the World cracked my heart open and poured joy right in." --Justin Colussy-Estes, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, Ga.
For Teen Readers
Throwback by Maurene Goo (Zando Young Readers, $19.99, 9781638930204). "Much more than a Back to the Future story, Throwback is a story about mothers, daughters, the immigrant experience, high school, and finding your dreams. Maurene Goo tackles friendship and family set in the best of the '90s." --Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, N.C.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
