Fall 2021 Reading Group Indie Next List
Dazzling Debuts
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“A Burning lays bare the consequences and complexities of class, gender, politics, religion, and the social constructs that can empower or imprison, all while packaged in a propulsive narrative.”
— Melinda Powers, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
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“In Cherokee territory in 1974, 15-year-old Justine gets pregnant, putting her on a different spiritual path than her evangelical mother. Ford’s style is raw and quiet, gritty and emotionally powerful.”
— Carl Kranz, Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
By Dolores Reyes, Julia Sanches
“After the death of her mother, our narrator’s gift of seeing is manifested in visions brought on by eating earth from where a person lived. This book shows the tenacity and strength of character of someone living in a slum in Argentina.”
— Rebecca Dowling, Hockessin Book Shelf, Hockessin, DE
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“Grant, who wrote detective stories decades ago, lives quietly on a Mediterranean Island until Julia, an editor interested in reissuing the stories, tracks him down. An intriguing homage to some of the great mystery novels.”
— Deon Stonehouse, Sunriver Books & Music, Sunriver, OR
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“I absolutely loved this fast-paced, beautifully written novel about the underpaid, hardworking, under-appreciated employees of superheroes and villains. A perfect anti-capitalist romp!”
— Hillary Smith, Copperfield's Books Calistoga, Calistoga, CA
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“Raised with little money by her strict Chinese-American family in Boston, all her life Ivy’s been seen as an outsider. But as she grows up, she becomes obsessed with the lives of the privileged.”
— Cassie Riva, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA
Family and Coming of Age
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“Elena Ferrante is unparalleled when it comes to delving deep into the psychology of female relationships, be it between mothers and daughters, friends, relatives, or even within ourselves.”
— Emma Ramadan, Riffraff, Providence, RI
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“Two stories set 100 years apart, one in the Arctic and the other in Minnesota, tell of a family’s history of love and loss. This is a story of heroic survival but also the survival of the human heart.”
— Sandi Torkildson, A Room Of One's Own Bookstore, Madison, WI
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“As a family moves through the grief of a death both untimely and unjust, Cherokee myth and folklore are woven into each member’s way of coping. The story is rich with contemporary issues but steeped in heritage and history.”
— Tina Greene-Bevington, Bay Books (MI), Suttons Bay, MI
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“Gripping and beautifully written, this novel explores immigrant stories, art, gentrification, and identity as the present-day life of an artist and first-generation Syrian American mixes with a supernatural glimpse into the past.”
— Melissa Summers, Main Street Books (NC), Davidson, NC
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“This story is impossible to forget. Through one family’s journey, Transcendent Kingdom tells of addiction and loss, grief and hope, faith and science, wrapped in writing so powerful it will rip your heart out.”
— Eugenia Vela, BookPeople, Austin, TX
Historical Fiction
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“Equal parts folksy and hilarious, this memorable novel about the legendary hero Big Son is simply a must-read. Thoroughly enjoyable.”
— Lizy Coale, Copper Dog Books, Beverly, MA
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“Christina Baker Kline does not disappoint with this new novel! From the prologue, I was captivated with this story and read it in two days. So original! I’ve never read anything like it.”
— Sara Harjo, Best of Books, Edmond, OK
By Stephen Spotswood
Vintage Crime/Black Lizard
“This book hooked me from page one. Willowjean and Ms. Pentecost definitely rock the Watson/Sherlock tone very well, but with feminist undercurrents. I absolutely loved it.”
— Sarah Danforth, Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
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“Based on the real-life disappearance of the famous mystery writer, Marie Benedict’s fictional retelling looks at Agatha’s courtship, marriage, and fledgling writing career and the revelation of what transpired.”
— Gerard Villegas, Warwick's, La Jolla, CA
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“Based on true events, Kiernan’s novel illuminates the struggles that can plague scientists and those tasked with bringing about advancements in technology. Their humanness endures and ultimately redeems.”
— Beth Reynolds, Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
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“In this novel about the dark closing days of WWII in Germany, Binder heartbreakingly illustrates how there are no winners in war, at least not on the home front.”
— Barbara Lubin, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH
Nonfiction/Memoir
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“This debut memoir is unlike any other. Michele Harper brings to light what is often forgotten in medical TV shows: First you become a doctor, and then you discover how to become a healer.”
— Shannon Alden, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
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“Dancing with the Octopus is the most honest memoir I have ever read. Harding leaves nothing on the table. Told in crystal-clear prose, this story is set to become a classic in its genre.”
— Quentin Greif, Little City Books, Hoboken, NJ
By Connor Towne O'Neill
Algonquin Books
“A poignant exploration of the debate over Confederate monuments in America. O’Neill’s dive into the history of these items and their impact is a timely contribution to the conversation on memorializing hate and the persistence of extremism in America.”
— Maddie Collins, Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, MA
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“I’ve been a fan of Molly Wizenberg’s writing since she was a food blogger. In The Fixed Stars, she brings her considerable intellect and strong voice to an entirely new subject: her changing sexual orientation.”
— Lesley Rains, City of Asylum Bookstore, Pittsburgh, PA
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“This should appeal to a wider audience than Maise Dobbs fans, though they won’t be disappointed to learn of the inspiration for the series. Winspear is a wonderful storyteller.”
— Pat Rudebusch, Orinda Books, Orinda, CA
By Courtney Cook
Tin House Books
“The Way She Feels is probably the best read to shake whatever ideas are in your head about borderline personality disorder. Cook’s writing and drawings make it one of the most eloquent reads this year.”
— Anton Bogomazov, Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, DC
Small Bites
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“This brilliant collection of short stories from an Indigenous Tasmanian writer showed me a new perspective. I loved visiting Thompson’s Tasmania through the eyes of so many different characters.”
— Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
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“A gothic breeze blows through these stories, many beautifully conveying the ways trauma can uproot the human animal. These stories will endure and deserve to be recommended to everyone you know.”
— Wesley Minter, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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“This short story collection ending with a full novella is thoughtfully organized and deeply satisfying. The complexity of the stories and how they speak to each other makes this an enjoyable, thought-provoking read.”
— Emily Autenrieth, A Seat at the Table Books, Elk Grove, CA
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“A quick, inspiring read. As young workers at a cigarette factory in Eastern Europe, six women swim in the local river, learning a variety of moves for the new sport of synchronized swimming.”
— Linda Bond, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane, WA
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“Macdonald offers a little bit of everything for the reader of nature writing: wake-up calls, moments of recognition, and insights of bare-naked awe. The writing is gorgeous; the voice is singular.”
— Kelly Barth, Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS
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“Walking on Cowrie Shells adds the unique voice of Cameroonian people to the canon of literature telling the story of African immigrants in the U.S. Nkweti takes no shortcuts and gives no easy answers.”
— Miesha Headen, Loganberry Books, Shaker Heights, OH
More Indie Next Lists
- February 2024 Indie Next List
- January 2024 Indie Next List
- Winter 2024 Reading Group Indie Next List
- January/February 2024 Kids Indie Next List
- December 2023 Indie Next List
- November 2023 Indie Next List
- November/December 2023 Kids Indie Next List
- October 2023 Indie Next List
- Fall 2023 Reading Group Indie Next List
- September 2023 Indie Next List