From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
The Four Spent the Day Together: A Novel by Chris Kraus (Scribner, $29, 9781668098684). "Chris Kraus presents a sobering look at drug-addled rural America while pulling back the veil of rhetoric that we use to distance ourselves from a disease that is at the heart of this country's problems." --Gibran Graham, The Briar Patch, Bangor, Maine
The Zorg: A Tale of Greed and Murder That Inspired the Abolition of Slavery by Siddharth Kara (St. Martin's Press, $30, 9781250348227). "When you read the experiences in this horrific slavery voyage, you will not escape unmoved. The tragedy helped to trigger a more powerful movement towards abolition in recognition of the crimes against humanity from the transatlantic slave trade." --Todd Miller, Arcadia Books, Spring Green, Wis.
Paperback
The Blue Hour: A Novel by Paula Hawkins (Mariner Books, $18.99, 9780063396531). "A remote Scottish Island hides dark secrets as a young museum curator investigates a human bone in the work of the artist he exhibits. Drawn into an artistic world of love and jealousy, will he find the truth behind the lies?" --Benedict Tanter, Main Point Books, Wayne, Pa.
Ages 4-8
The Gift of Words (A Holiday Picture Book) by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books, $18.99, 9781339000343). "Reynolds's heart is made of something much more valuable than gold (or even chocolate)--it's made of love and joy. The Gift of Words, about a boy who invites friends, family, and neighbors to fill a tree with words of joy, should inspire everyone to have their own trees filled with joyful words." --Jen Wills Geraedts, Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery, Park Rapids, Minn.
Ages 8-12
Bunns Rabbit by Alan Barillaro (Candlewick, $18.99, 9781536214673). "Bunns Rabbit is the only rabbit in the meadow with short ears and wants nothing more than to look like everyone else. She sets off on a quest through the Great Forest to get her wish. A wonderful and heartfelt adventure about courage, friendship, and being true to yourself." --Jen Steele, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, Wis.
Ages 12+
Wavelength by Cale Plett (Groundwood Books, $17.99, 9781779460295). "Wavelength is a debut novel that the queer community will take to its heart. It's got the depth of understanding you'd hope for, while being lots of fun. With an emphasis on LGBTQ+ characters and young romance, this writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has gifted us with something fresh." --Linda Bond, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane, Wash.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
