From last week's Indie bestseller lists, available at IndieBound.org, here are the recommended titles, which are also Indie Next Great Reads:
Hardcover
Patient, Female: Stories by Julie Schumacher (Milkweed Editions, $26, 9781639551651). "All the wit and wry observation you expect from Julie Schumacher, but deeper, and darker. Some of these stories left me breathless and a little shocked, in awe of the courage it took to identify and embrace some very human and very ugly emotions." --Sharon Weinberg, The Chatham Bookstore, Chatham, N.Y.
Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth (Tor Books, $29.99, 9781250347909). "A stunning science fantasy novel with a virus that can kill or give superpowers, world-altering prophecies, mysterious aliens, secret dads, surprise romance, and a whole lot of trauma. If you're looking for a chunky book with high stakes, great characters, and a propulsive plot, you're in the right place." --Alex Schaffner, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, Mass.
Paperback: An Indies Introduce Title
Entomology of the Pin-Up Girl by Lauren Osborn (Dzanc Books, $17.95, 9781938603709). "A grotesquely satisfying book that will stick with you. Osborn has accomplished the perfect melding of 'good for her' with an unflinching stare down the barrel of some of society's most pressing problems." --Cassie Goodwin, Loudmouth Books, Indianapolis, Ind.
Ages 4-8
The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer, illus. by Charles Santoso (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99, 9781665955584). "In an age of morality tales, Sterer unleashes a furry menace of a boy upon his small town. A joyful celebration of childhood mischief, inviting kids to run amok in their imaginations." --Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Ages 8-12: An Indies Introduce Title
The Last Dragon House: A Novel by Liv Mae Morris (Amulet, $19.99, 9781419784613). "The most delightful middle-grade novel! The dragons were fantastic, the kids were daring and kind, the adventure was just the right amount of scary, and the ending has me needing book two ASAP. This is going to be a huge hit with middle-grade readers." --Kimberly McCraw, Old Town Books, Alexandria, Va.
Ages 13+: An Indies Introduce Title
Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai (Wednesday Books, $20, 9781250378927). "Get in, xianxia girlies--we're dispelling restless spirits, exploring the social consequences of empire and war, and falling in love with sweet, flirty reanimated princes. A spellbinding tale of family, duty, and compassion, and at its beating core is a heartfelt and unflinching relationship with death." --Lucky Pents, Meet Cute Romance Bookshop, San Diego, Calif.
[Many thanks to IndieBound and the ABA!]
