From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Hot Desk: A Novel by Laura Dickerman (Gallery, $29, 9781668081099). "Part romance, part comedy, part multi-generational story of women in publishing, this was a fun and engaging read. Light and humorous, but also touching on themes of gender and power in the workplace." --Vanessa Gengler, The Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, Vt.
Happiness and Love: A Novel by Zoe Dubno (Scribner, $27, 9781668062951). "The stream-of-consciousness format intrigues as much as the premise of this novel. A dissection of the superficiality of the 'art world' that tenderly reminisces after a dear friend's death." --Emily Huettl, Avant Garden, Anoka, Minn.
Paperback
Discontent: A Novel by Beatriz Serrano, illus. by Mara Faye Lethem (Vintage, $17, 9798217006762). "Serrano proves that Millennial ennui transcends countries and languages. She so deftly captures the 'what are we doing here?' vibes of this moment, and then throws an unexpectedly hilarious and dark curveball (or two)." --Kelly Brown, Magic City Books, Tulsa, Okla.
Ages 4-8
Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illus. by Laan Cham (Bloomsbury Children's Books, $18.99, 9781547613625). "As soon as I saw this book, my heart had the same little flutter as Zeb! I knew it would not disappoint. A sweet, charming book with adorable illustrations that is perfect for story time!" --Kaitlyn Reed, Read Between the Lynes, Woodstock, Ill.
Ages 9-13: An Indies Introduce Title
Zeyna Lost and Found by Shafaq Khan (Carolrhoda Books, $19.99, 9798765639139). "Zeyna is an eminently relatable twelve-year-old in 1970, visiting Pakistan (and maybe some other countries, too!) who always wants a mystery to solve... and finds a real one. Shafaq's voice really comes through in such delightful ways in this super fun historical fiction mystery." --Grace Lane, Linden Tree Children's Books, Los Altos, Calif.
Ages 14+: An Indies Introduce Title
Reasons to Hate Me by Susan Metallo (Candlewick, $18.99, 9781536240351). "After months of being cyberbullied for hooking up with her best friend's boyfriend, unrepentant theater nerd Jess Lanza starts a retaliatory blog in this heartfelt, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking debut novel." --Matilda McNeely, Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, Ga.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
