From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Mazywood by Tananarive Due (S&S/Saga Press, $32, 9781668075142). "This is American Fiction meets Get Out; the best blend of social commentary mixed with horror. Mazelle Washington, an aspiring actress, makes a wish that brings her into childhood stardom. As she ages, she becomes part of Black Hollywood and all of its burdens." --Audrey I-Wei Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, Mass.
The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson (Slowburn, $32, 9781638935971). "Standalone fantasy is so hard to come by but this one checked all the boxes! Harlow is a woman full of poison who meets her worst nightmare: a man she cannot kill. I breezed through these 600+ pages!" --Elizabeth Gorby, Charter Books, Newport, R.I.
Paperback
A Study in Sparkling: A Novel by Jodi McAlister (Atria, $19, 9781668236338). "I loved the continuation of this universe through Fiona and Satoshi's story! The struggle and the stressors of their lives, coupled with differing life stages and ages make for a tension-filled story of yearning. It was a book I couldn't put down!" --Tess Starman, Shelf Love DSM, Des Moines, Iowa
Ages 4-8
Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy by Mac Barnett, illus. by X. Fang (Tundra Books, $19.99, 9781774885710). "Oh boy, oh boy! Mac Barnett understands that there's nothing worse than being an unpleasant grownup and nothing better than being an animal. X. Fang knows exactly how to make a scheming sheep look like a Bad Kid. Tom Nancy is a brain-swapping parable about the perils of getting what you want." --Alex Schaffner, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, Mass.
Ages 8-12
The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society by Lindsay Currie (Sourcebooks Young Readers, $17.99, 9781464241260). "Suspenseful, surprising, and with a little something for everyone! This book is a terrific middle grade mystery with an ending I didn't see coming! Fans of Fleur Bradley will love this new one by Lindsay Currie!" --Meagan Dallner, Books Are Awesome, Parker, Colo.
Ages 13+
The Secret to Belonging by Megan E. Freeman (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9781665988407). "A stunning novel-in-verse about dysfunctional family, finding your people, and freedom. You can truly feel the main character's frustration with how her parents respond to her brother's drug addiction, and the peace her new friends in Norway bring her. The second-person POV was a highly effective writing choice." --Kaylene Yandell, White Oak Books, Vancouver, Wash.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
