From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Life, and Death, and Giants: A Novel by Ron Rindo (St. Martin's Press, $29, 9781250375339). "Rindo weaves a thoughtful tale about the Amish and English communities in Wisconsin with football, professional wrestling, and what it means to understand who we are, where we come from, and what we want." --Lisa Baudoin, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Hardcover: An Indies Introduce Title
The Book of I by David Greig (Europa Editions, $24, 9798889661276). "The Book of I conjures the lonely, lush landscape of Iona during Viking raids and Gaelic monasticism. Examining love, death, and the mysteries of faith and myth, The Book of I reduces the 1,200 year distance between it and the reader." --Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop, Athens, Ga.
Paperback
Epic and Lovely: A Novel by Mo Daviau (West Virginia University Press, $19.99, 9781959000624). "A dark and beautiful book about motherhood, disability, and the sweetness of life inherent in its all-too-briefness. Mo Daviau's writing is smart, engaging, profound--I fell in love with her narrator from the start." --Gigi Little, Powell's Books, Portland, Ore.
Ages 3-8
Everything Grows in Jiddo's Garden by Jenan Matari, illus. by Aya Ghanameh (Crocodile Books, $19.95, 9781623716110). "A beautiful story perfect for new gardeners and green thumbs alike, or anyone intrigued by their family's history. Filled with fresh fruits and vegetables specific to Palestine, I loved the lyrical text and heart in this book." --Emma Kawecki, bbgb books, Richmond, Va.
Ages 8-12
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser (Allida, $19.99, 9780063284432). "Han Yu lives in China in the year 731. Luli lives in New York’s Chinatown in 1931. Karina Yan Glaser has cleverly woven the parallel stories of these children together. It is a story of bravery and resilience, friendship and family, and the gifts that rich ancestry continues to give--even over a thousand years." --Kami Diehl, Paragraphs Bookstore, Mount Vernon, Ohio
Ages 14+: An Indies Introduce Title
An Embroidery of Souls by Ruby Martinez (Knopf Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9780593901038). "An Embroidery of Souls weaves together a new form of magic in storytelling styles inspired by both Mexican and German heritage and lore. This romantasy is different from the other romantasy tales you’ve heard, but will delight dedicated readers of the genre." --Erin Decker, White Rose Books & More, Kissimmee, Fla.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
