From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover: An Indies Introduce Title
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi (Forge Books, $27.99, 9781250904294). "I love this historical novel that is full of West African mythology. Epic in feel but self-contained, it runs the full range of emotions. I love the creativity and descriptive writing, and can't wait to see what Sangoyomi writes next." --Jamie Southern, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Hardcover: An Indies Introduce Title
Midnight Rooms: A Novel by Donyae Coles (Amistad, $28, 9780063228092). "I've never read horror like this before, and I'm excited to see more and more BIPOC authors step boldly into this genre. I can't wait to see what else Donyae Coles comes out with. Whatever it is, it's on my autobuy list!" --Shakeria Green, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, Tex.
Paperback
The Same Bright Stars: A Novel by Ethan Joella (Scribner, $17.99, 9781668024591). "With insight, empathy, and humor, Ethan Joella puts you right into the hearts and minds of his complicated, fully-formed characters. In The Same Bright Stars, Joella takes the every-day and turns it into something poignant and extraordinary." --Susan Kehoe, Browseabout Books, Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ages 4-8
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo (Penguin Workshop, $18.99, 9780593661345). "This story is brimming with rich and warm illustrations that invite you to discover the unifying power of food: how the simple act of sharing a meal with others can create and invoke belonging and community." --Courtney Roach, The Novel Neighbor, Webster Groves, Mo.
Ages 8-12
Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur (Labyrinth Road, $17.99, 9780593564417). "Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate takes Arab mythology to a whole new level: Jinn moms, jinn dads, jinn cities, jinn schools, and a whole mess of problems between jinns and the human world that Farrah has to fix if she ever wants to see her father again." --Chris Abouzeid, Belmont Books, Belmont, Mass.
Teen Readers
Age 16 by Rosena Fung (Annick Press, $24.99, 9781773218335). "This book made me cry several times. Rosena Fung has put together a beautiful and nuanced story about coming of age, accepting yourself, and intergenerational trauma. Absolutely devastating. You have to read this book." --Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, Mass.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
