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 Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman's Legacy by Kim Michele Richardson (Sourcebooks Landmark, $18.99, 9781464239335). "Unjustly incarcerated, Cussy Lovett's steadfast courage is at the heart of this historical fiction novel set in 1950s Kentucky. As a believer in the power of literacy, and as a devoted wife and mother, Cussy stays forever hopeful even in the toughest of times." --Caroline Buchta, Andover Bookstore, Andover, Mass.
Ghost Town: A Novel by Tom Perrotta (Scribner, $28, 9781668080634). "On hearing that his father has been memorialized in his hometown of Creamwood, N.J., Jimmy Perrini recalls the fateful summer after his mother's death. Fast cars, Ouija boards, and strong weed all feature in this powerful story about grief, prejudice, and adolescence." --Daniel Goldin, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee, Wis.
Paperback
The Girls Who Grew Big: A Novel by Leila Mottley (Vintage, $19, 9780593686522). "Just as she did in Nightcrawling, Leila Mottley gives voice and understanding to parts of life that our culture often tells us to ignore. The book is full of life and heart and hope." --Beth Black, The Bookworm of Omaha, Omaha, Neb.
Ages 4-6
The Art of How Dogs Sleep by Alison Kim (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 9780316580281). "Dogs are incredible, but dogs sleeping? That's an art form. This book captures the glorious delight that is dogs sleeping. You'll find your dog here, your neighbor's dog, the dog you've been dreaming of." --Megan Howe, Alice, Ever After Books, Buffalo, N.Y.
Ages 7-11
Found Sound by Meg Wolitzer and Charlie Panek (Dutton Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 9781101994627). "This book is a lot of fun. Even if you don't think of yourself as someone who would geek out about reverb and anechoic chambers, you might be after reading this book. Hand this to kids who love a sibling story or a puzzle story with plenty of science and facts." --Amanda Grell, Pearl's Books, Fayetteville, Ark.
Ages 14+: An Indies Introduce Title
Until We Meet Again by Lily Kim Qian (First Second, $25.99, 9781250884237). "A gorgeous and moving meditation on childhood, mental illness, and finding your roots when you spent your childhood moving from place to place. The language is poetic and spare, the art is beautiful, and the story is unique. A perfect book for any kid who has a parent with mental illness." --Fisher Nash, Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, Ky.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
