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 Liberators: A Novel by E.J. Koh (Tin House, $27.95, 9781959030157). "E.J. Koh tells an epic saga with poetic grace: four generations deal with the legacy of Japanese and American colonization in South Korea, divisions within Korea itself, and with various loves and betrayals along the way." --Rick Simonson, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, Wash.
The Happy Couple: A Novel by Naoise Dolan (Ecco, $28.99, 9780063330467). "A funny, perceptive study of a couple hurtling toward marriage for reasons unclear to everyone involved. Told by the couple as well as family and friends, The Happy Couple observes a (doomed) modern relationship from all sides." --Julia Lewis, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Va.
Paperback
We Are the Light: A Novel by Matthew Quick (Avid Reader Press, $17.99, 9781668005439). "Matthew Quick scores a perfect 10 in this deeply stirring, gorgeously hopeful novel that shines a brilliant beam on the path out of grief and toward healing. May we all learn the way to be such lights from this remarkable guide." --Beth Stroh, Viewpoint Books, Columbus, Ind.
Ages 4 to 8
The Wishing Machine by Jonathan Hillman, illus. Nadia Alam (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 9781665922302). "A tremendously sweet journey of wishing for things that are out of your control, hope, and what really matters. The Wishing Machine embraces reality in an honest way without feeling crushing, allowing for magic." --Carrie Koepke, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, Mo.
Ages 8 to 12: An Indies Introduce Title
Tagging Freedom by Rhonda Roumani (Union Square Kids, $16.99, 9781454950714). "Where Kareem is toying with jail and near-death, Sam is just trying to stay out of her bully's way. But art brings everyone together in a way that made me breathe a sigh of relief. A fantastic road map for useful activism, and great storytelling!" --Jamie McCauley, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, Conn.
Teen Readers
The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker (Inkyard Press, $19.99, 9781335458018). "I fell in love with The Scarlet Alchemist. Zilan was a wonderful, terrible delight to read. She is ambitious and unflinching; her callus personality stands out, yet she's someone I unerringly rooted for. I eagerly await another installment." --Anna Koennecke, The Open Door Bookstore, Schenectady, N.Y.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
