From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Sunrise: A Novel by Téa Obreht (Random House, $29, 9781984855534). "A clever, horror-adjacent thriller about a plane crash in the wilderness, a quest for survival, a ghost town, and the shared myths that make America. The small nightmarish details ratchet up the tension in this highly enjoyable tour-de force." --Timothy Benz, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, Ohio
Hardcover: Indies Introduce
All That's Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir by Emilee Hackney (Penguin Press, $32, 9780593831403). "Hackney digs into the real grit of her upbringing with a loving thoughtfulness no outsider could ever hope to capture. As someone with a similar background, this kind of honest reckoning is necessary for us to ever move forward." --Brooke Barber, The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, N.C.
Paperback
The Flayed Man: A Novel by Chloe Lauter (Soft Skull, $16.95, 9781593768256). "The Flayed Man is a compelling piece of queer, folkloric horror set in the Las Vegas desert, featuring the dual nightmares of caring for an ailing mother and trying to outrun a family curse that threatens to turn you into a literal monster." --Chloe Kirkpatrick, BookPeople, Austin, Tex.
Ages 4-8
Mr Crump, the Heartless Grump by Pog, illus. by Stephanie Leon, trans. by Katy Lockwood-Holmes (Floris Books, $18.99, 9781782509523). "Mr Crump has my heart, grump or not! A fall time Grinch with cozy sweaters and cute costumed kids? Why yes, I do need that. Thanks! Everyone will love the sweet message: kindness is better than candy." --Heather Weirich-Roy, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H.
Ages 8-12: Indies Introduce
The Ginghams by T.C. Kemper (Holt, $18.99, 9781250404152). "This is a fantastic, fast-paced middle grade mystery. I love the creepy vibe and great story about friendship. I loved this book and I can't wait to share it with my fellow mystery fans." --Amy Buren, Maggie Mae's Kids Bookshop, Gresham, Ore.
Ages 13+
Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay: A Novel by Lex Croucher (Wednesday Books, $20, 9781250404794). "Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay is a story of learning to live and love while an often cruel world continues to turn despite how much its main characters need it to stop for a while and give them a break. Heartwarming, fun, and tender. Croucher never fails to deliver beautiful and impactful queer stories." --Marlee Salas, Slow Burn Bookshop, Nashville, Tenn.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
