From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Under the Eye of the Big Bird: A Novel by Hiromi Kawakami, trans. by Asa Yoneda (Soft Skull, $27, 9781593766115). "What will the world look like when humanity is near its end? In short glimpses, this book gives us insight into small groups of people and how they live and survive in an ever-changing, increasingly dystopian world. This is speculative fiction at its best." --Miranda Myers, Changing Hands, Tempe, Ariz.
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir, trans. by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor Nightfire, $19.99, 9781250322043). "Why are we all so tired all the time, even after sleeping for a full night? For one woman, the answer is much darker and tied into family history and the misdiagnosis of doctors. A compelling novella that demands to be read in a single sitting." --William Carl, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, Mass.
Paperback
Best Copy Available: A True Crime Memoir by Jay Baron Nicorvo (University of Georgia Press, $28.95, 9780820367361). "Do not shy away from this memoir. It's a hard read but it's so worth it. Nicorvo is masterful in his ability to share the trauma of his childhood. Part memoir, part true crime, completely unforgettable!" --Julie Slavinsky, Warwick's, La Jolla, Calif.
Ages 5-9
The Zebra's Great Escape by Katherine Rundell, illus. by Sara Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9781481491631). "Is there anyone who can resist a plucky zebra with zig-zaggy stripes and an adventurous girl who will go the extra mile to right a wrong? This fun story with beautiful illustrations from Sara Ogilvie is sure to be a favorite for years to come!" --Mary Patterson, The Little Bookshop, Midlothian, Va.
Ages 8-12: An Indies Introduce Title
The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9780316572989). "I was instantly delighted by The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night. Banbury does such a beautiful job creating a cozy-yet-lightly-spooky world. I felt transported to the Fall of my dreams. I can't wait to make everyone I know read this book!" --Nancy Eyre, Powell's Books, Portland, Ore.
Teen Readers
Morgana and Oz Volume One: A Graphic Novel by Miyuli (WEBTOON Unscrolled, $18.99, 9781998854837). "I loved this book! The art is fantastic and cute. I adored the story line of Morgana and Oz; it seemed simple but I loved how it flushed into this complex world. A 10/10!" --Kimmy Rocca, Your Brother's Bookstore, Evansville, Ind.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
