July 2021 Indie Next List
Falling: A Novel
T. J. Newman (Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster)
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“Falling is an absolute masterclass in unique suspense fiction. From the first few lines, I could tell this was going to be a stunner, and boy, was I right. I'll be anxiously waiting until Newman releases her next novel!”
— Shelby Roth, Naughty Dog Books, Nashville, IN
July 2021 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Becky Chambers
Tordotcom
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“What do you do when you have everything you could ever need or want, but still aren't satisfied with what your life is? A Psalm for the Wild-Built is a short and sweet odd-couple road trip set in a beautiful world that could be our world — if we wanted it to be.”
— Joey Puente, DIESEL, A Bookstore, Santa Monica, CA
By Catherine Raven
Spiegel & Grau
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“On the surface, this is a story about a woman befriending a fox, which is in and of itself remarkable enough, but it is also a powerful meditation on nature, living in the world with and without people, as well as the power of literature.”
— Cody Morrison , Square Books, Oxford, MS
By Kristen Radtke
Pantheon Books
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“In Seek You, Kristen Radtke approaches the epidemic of American loneliness from a variety of angles. A thoughtful exploration of a complex problem that offers understanding, not easy answers.”
— Keith Mosman, Powell's Books, Portland, OR
By Emily Austin
Atria Books
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“Gilda never wants to disappoint anyone, which is exactly how she ends up with a job as a secretary at a Catholic church. As a gay atheist, it's problematic. Alternatively hilarious and tragic, Gilda’s story is one that stays with you.”
— Laura Cummings, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH
By Kate Moore
Sourcebooks
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“As this country waged war against slavery, a quiet heroine fought for the rights of women. A must read for all!”
— Fran Ziegler, Titcomb's Bookshop, East Sandwich, MA
By Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Berkley
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“I dearly loved this historical fiction based on the life of J.P. Morgan's personal librarian. My favorite combination of entertaining and educational!”
— Elizabeth Barnhill, Fabled Bookshop & Café, Waco, TX
By Cheryl Diamond
Algonquin Books
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“This was such a deftly paced story; often incredibly touching and funny, yet heavily laced with intrigue and terror. No memoir has gripped me more since Kiese Laymon's Heavy.”
— Rob Fuller, Seminary Co-Op Bookstores, Chicago, IL
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“Lynnette has been going to the same support group for years — only this isn't a normal support group. It’s a secret group for final girls. This is a fast-paced and shocking thriller that I couldn't put down!”
— Katie Cerqua, Gramercy Books, Bexley, OH
By Megan Miranda
Simon & Schuster
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“A once tranquil suburb is shocked by two horrible deaths. As the accused killer returns to live in the community, its residents are increasingly uneasy. Pick this book up and you won't want to put it down!”
— Jane Stiles, Wellesley Books, Wellesley, MA
By Miranda Cowley Heller
Riverhead Books
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“Elle and her family gather each summer at the ‘Paper Palace’ family cabins; but this one day will be anything but a relaxing vacation retreat. This will be the buzz of book clubs and a perfect traveling companion for summers by the seaside.”
— Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, MN
By B. A. Paris
St. Martin's Press
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“B.A. Paris is at the top of her game with her latest novel! I dare you to read just one chapter and try to put this twisty thriller down!”
— Toni Chase, Books & Company, Oconomowoc, WI
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“The concept of an app that offers custom-made rituals got me to pick up this new novel, but the fact that the protagonist is a woman of color leading a tech start up alongside her very charismatic husband got me to read it. A great summer read.”
— Amber Taylor, One More Page Books, Arlington, VA
By Carolyn Ferrell
Henry Holt and Co.
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“This novel is, in a word, heartbreaking. Dear Miss Metropolitan is going right to the top of my recommendation list for 2021.”
— Kelsey Jagneaux, Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg, FL
By Nathan Harris
Little, Brown and Company
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“I was holding my breath through this beautifully woven story of love, family, belonging, and loss set in the South at the end of the Civil War. There's so much heart and soul in this book. It is destined for awards.”
— Jamie Southern, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
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“Songs in Ursa Major is the perfect summer book recommendation. It should be read with music right out of Laurel Canyon playing in the background.”
— Linda McLoughlin Figel, pages: a bookstore, Manhattan Beach, CA
By Brandon Taylor
Riverhead Books
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“These stories about human relationships range from those between lovers, friends, and family. How is it that Taylor can write so that we can see the interior crevices of these characters’ souls?”
— Rachel Watkins, Avid Bookshop, Athens, GA
By Marissa Levien
Redhook
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“The World Gives Way gave me so many things: a crime novel, a science fiction epic, but also something that explores the beauties of love and the strive to survive through it all. This is an adventure that I won't be forgetting any time soon.”
— Christian Vega, The Astoria Bookshop, Astoria, NY
By Kristin Harmel
Gallery Books
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“A little girl is kidnapped from her parents and raised in the wilderness. As a young woman, she uses her skills to help Jewish refugees survive in the forests of Poland. From the first page, I didn't want to put the book down.”
— Jill Gregory, A Likely Story, Sykesville, MD
By Laura Lippman
William Morrow
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“Carve out a lot of time for when you start Dream Girl, because you're not going to want to stop! Haunting, atmospheric and often funny — this is one of Lippman's best, which is saying a lot!”
— Jason Hafer, Reads & Company, Phoenixville, PA
By Vanessa Riley
William Morrow
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“Both sweeping and intimate, beautiful and painful, this novel based on the life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas is exquisite. Riley’s research is palpable in the detail of each chapter, and readers will find themselves compulsively turning the pages until the end.”
— Destinee Hodge, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
By Krys Malcolm Belc
Counterpoint
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“One of the best memoirs I've ever read about the messiness of parenthood, especially as a parent who gives birth both outside of and within ‘motherhood.’ I — we — so needed this book.”
— Anna Weber, White Whale Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA
By Courtney Cook
Tin House Books
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“This memoir is vital in that it humanizes one of the most commonly misunderstood and highly stigmatized mental illnesses — borderline personality disorder. The Way She Feels beautifully illustrates the incredible strength and perseverance it can take to cope with mental illness.”
— Mary Wahlmeier, Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS
By Marjorie Liu
Tachyon Publications
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“These small bites of fantasy and dark magic and even more dangerous characters are the best. Whether you devour it all at once or take those small bites and relish each short story, you will thoroughly enjoy this short story collection.”
— Sandi Cararo, The Book Dragon, Staunton, VA
By Kim Hooper
Keylight Books
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“Following three women and their connection to a shooting, No Hiding in Boise is an excellent novel for recognizing growth in difficult circumstances and the human connection that lies beyond tragedy. All the feels.”
— Addy Bowman, Wild Geese Bookshop, Franklin, IN
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
