From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (St. Martin's Press, $29, 9781250284549). "Hepworth once again excels at pulling the rug out from under the reader's figurative feet with the story of octogenarian Elsie Fitzpatrick, whose quiet life on a small Melbourne street is blown up by her discovery of her next door neighbor dead." --Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva (SJP Lit, $28.95, 9781638932529). "A gripping multi-generational story that delves into messy relationships, motherhood struggles, inherited trauma, dreams for the future, AND the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence." --Rachel Burgoon, Brick & Mortar Books, Redmond, Wash.
Paperback
Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones (HarperOne, $18.99, 9780063411319). "Fans of Annie Jones will love this peek behind the scenes, but even for those unfamiliar with Annie's story, these essays are deeply relatable. Perfect for people who stayed in their hometowns, who lead a quieter life, and who have struggled with their faith." --Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books, Rome, Ga.
Ages 4-8
Wildspeak by Sangma Francis, illus. by Lexi Vangsnes (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $18.99, 9781464261299). "Featuring gorgeous illustrations and an inventive string of both real and imagined words alike, Wildspeak encourages young people to explore the world joyfully by using their vocabulary to describe what they find. A great choice for a classroom read-aloud!" --Brynn Artley, Content Bookstore, Northfield, Minn.
Age 9-12: An Indies Introduce Title
Little Bones by Sandy Bigna (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9781665985086). "A beautiful novel in verse about grief, love, family, friendship. Bones is trying to live through the grief of losing her little brother when one night, she makes a wish and brings a bird skeleton back to life. It's up to Bones and her new friend Tenny to try to put this right." --Katrina Bright-Yerges, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Age 12+
Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi (Knopf Books for Young Readers, $12.99, 9780593309100). "Somadina and her twin brother share a profound connection. Their newly-awakened magic shakes up their family, their village, and threatens their existence. Another phenomenal book from Akwaeke Emezi about identity, sacrifice, and ties that don't always bind." --Nichole Murphy, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, Mo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
