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
Great Black Hope: A Novel by Rob Franklin (S&S/Summit Books, $28.99, 9781668077436). "Great Black Hope is an immersive experience of the dilemmas faced by characters confronting a broken justice system and a society that still erects barriers to Black achievement. It is marvelous." --Shane Grebel, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, Kan.
Hardcover
The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd's Life by Helen Whybrow (Milkweed Editions, $26, 9781571311627). "One of the great gifts of writers is so delicately, artfully, placing characters in our minds that we can fully experience them. Read this for a shepherd's life and the landscapes they inhabit. Beautiful, telling, and human." --John Evans, Camino Books, San Diego, Calif.
Paperback
Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove (Bindery Books, $18.95, 9781964721132). "A delightful found family romp through space! Think if Murderbot was a creature feature. I really can't get over how fantastic and charming this is!" --Athena Palmer, Shelf Life Bookstore, Richmond, Va.
Ages 4-8
There's Something Odd About the Babysitter by Elayne Crain, illus. by John Ledda (Feiwel & Friends, $18.99, 9781250345141). "An adorable and clever book. This is sure to be a story time favorite. Kids and their grownups will both get a kick out of seeing what happens when raccoons decide to go into the childcare business." --Lea Bickerton, The Tiny Bookstore, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Ages 8-12
On Guard!: A Marshall Middle School Graphic Novel by Cassidy Wasserman
(Random House Graphic, $21.99, 9780593649985). "A story about a middle schooler who discovers fencing for the first time! It helps her make friends, gain confidence, and helps with her mental health while struggling with her parents' divorce. Kids navigating big feelings will feel seen in this." --Meghan Bousquet, Titcomb's Bookshop, East Sandwich, Mass.
Ages 12+
Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel (Scholastic Press, $19.99, 9781546158202). "Best of All Worlds is the book that I didn't know I needed right now. I'm still not sure how I walked away from this mind-bending and dystopian thriller full of hope. You will be DYING to talk to someone about it when you're finished. Hit me up." --Andrea King, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, Mo.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
