From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Helpless: A Novel by Jessica Knoll (Scribner, $28, 9781668062302). "Helpless was a wild ride in the best way. The story has it all--reuniting with the one that got away, kidnapping, murder, and Hollywood! I was hooked from the first few pages and stayed up way too late to finish." --Courtney Hyzer, Wonderland Bookshop, Shorewood, Wis.
Every Version of You: A Novel by Natalie Messier (Gallery Books, $29, 9781668213643). "I absolutely adored Every Version of You. Messier crafts a beautifully messy and compelling love story in a world where second chances aren't just wishful thinking. These characters are people you can root for with all your heart." --Sarah George, Bookish, Modesto, Calif.
Paperback (Indies Introduce)
70,000: Poems by Lenna Jawdat (Central Avenue Poetry, $22, 9781771684545). "I was so enraptured by Jawdat's project and her multi-media approach to exploring unspeakable loss, heartache, bewilderment, exile, identity, family, love, and yes, hope. A truly original and remarkable work." --Toni Thayer, Loganberry Books, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Ages 4-8
The Bats on the Bus by Alison Jackson, illus. Scott Magoon (Christy Ottaviano Books, $18.99, 9780316584180). "Boo, Hiss, GRRR! This absolute delight of a book becomes an instant classic with snazzy, bright illustrations and much to discover within each page spread as Jackson and Magoon create the next best storytime read." --Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, Calif.
Ages 8-12 (Indies Introduce)
Sneaks by Amy Tern (Holiday House, $18.99, 9780823461622). "An unlikely friendship, a set of binoculars, and clues are all it takes for imaginations to run wild while spying on neighbors! Great debut!" --Christina Coward, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex.
Ages 13+
The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham (Kokila, $21.99, 9798217113026). "In this richly detailed and emotional retelling of 'Sleeping Beauty,' two sisters jump through a magical portal and enter the dream world of the iconic princess. There, they must confront what it truly means to escape, and whether or not dealing with pain and grief makes life worth living in the first place. This book will leave readers with a small but important burst of hope that they may need." --Jason Mills, The Book Bungalow, St. George, Utah
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
