From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Open, Heaven: A Novel by Seán Hewitt (Knopf, $28, 9780593802847). "Seán Hewitt washes away time's silt to reveal cavernous torrents of desire long-withheld--now, blissfully, given voice. Open, Heaven captures the contradictions thrown into relief by first love, making this debut agonizing and euphoric and equally unforgettable." --Mathuson Anthony, Book Club, New York, N.Y.
Gabriële: A Novel by Anne Berest and Claire Berest, trans. by Tina Kover (Europa Editions, $28, 9798889660897). "A beautiful book about the talented French musician Gabriële Buffet and her tumultuous relationship with the artist Francis Picabia. A wonderful book for art and history lovers, and anyone who wants a novel about a strong woman." --Kelly Evert, Village Books, Bellingham, Wash.
Paperback
The Book of Doors: A Novel by Gareth Brown (Morrow Paperbacks, $19.99, 9780063323995). "We all know books are metaphoric doors--what if they were literal doors as well? Full of fascinating characters, mystery, and magical books, this debut novel will appeal to fans of The Starless Sea." --Keith Glaeske, East City Bookshop, Washington, D.C.
Ages 4-8
Otto and the Story Tree by Vivien Mildenberger (Random House Studio, $18.99, 9780593710784). "Gather round y'all, because this cranky old bird is not going to change! He didn't realize that letting a seed go and telling his stories to it would change his life this much. Turns out Otto had some pretty interesting adventures from his past to share, and the little seed was listening." --Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Ages 8-12
The Beat I Drum (Life of a Cactus #3) by Dusti Bowling (Union Square Kids, $16.99, 9781454957058). "There are few greater pleasures for lovers of realistic fiction than spending time with the friend groups Dusti creates: quirky, genuine, self-effacing, inclusive, and so much fun." --Melissa LaSalle, Old Town Books, Alexandria, Va.
Teen Readers
Holy Terrors (Little Thieves #3) by Margaret Owen (Holt, $21.99, 9781250831170). "Folklore, magic, and mystery pair perfectly with this exploration of mental health and the power of choice. In this trilogy conclusion, Vanja reflects on her choices and realizes that she would never have been ready for the future she craves without those choices." --Kaitlyn Reed, Read Between the Lynes, Woodstock, Ill.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
