From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Sophie, Standing There: A Novel by Meg Mason (Harper, $30, 9780063493131). "Sophie, Standing There is about the numbing pain of losing yourself and your confidence and the steep climb to gain it back. For fans of Sally Rooney and Dolly Alderton and anyone who has ever awoken from a season of clouds and found their way back through the mist." --Jill Smith, Still North Books & Bar, Hanover, N.H.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman: A Novel by Deesha Philyaw (Mariner Books, $32, 9780063383074). "Deesha Philyaw explores the pressures of Black patriarchal church culture and its double standards of 'purity' for women and virility for men. Anyone who has ever rolled their eyes at a no-good, full of it Pastor will be shouting hallelujah by the end of this novel." --Errol Anderson, Charis Books & More, Atlanta, Ga.
Paperback (Indies Introduce)
Buzzard by Inez Ray (Left Unread, $19.95, 9781967967261). "A feminist dystopian that was a tense but relevant read. Its multi-timeline navigates the complexity and nuance of bodily autonomy well and with care. This book is fast-paced and doesn't shy away from the heavy topics." --Stephen Hayes, Fred & June's Bookstore, Mooresville, N.C.
Ages 4-8
Mia's Cheetah by Amelia Bothe (Clarion Books, $19.99, 9780063472662). "What a wonderful story of imagination with gorgeous illustrations and fabulous perspectives. As my mom used to say, 'only boring people get bored.' And Mia, her dad, and her Nana prove themselves to be decidedly NOT boring!" --Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, Wash.
Ages 8-12
The Lost Three by Annie Barrows (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9780316593908). "Magic, an orphan who gets rescued from a corrupt adoption by ghosts, a cat-like person, a funny narrator. Four very different people come together to become their own makeshift family. It's a classic orphan's tale with a happy ending, but the middle of the story is really funny and fully unexpected. Great for all those who love magic, fantasy, and mystery (also historical fiction?)." --Andrea Iriarte, Molly's Bookstore, Melrose, Mass.
Ages 13+
As I Dream of You by Jennifer Lee, illus. by LeUyen Pham (First Second, $27.99, 9781250862037). "I came for LeUyen Pham's art and stayed for the utterly heart-wrenching love story that turned my expectations upside down and caused me to read it again immediately after finishing. I dare you not to cry and gasp and wish for more. Stunning." --Leah Atlee, Bright Side Bookshop, Flagstaff, Ariz.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
