August 2022 Indie Next List
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: A Novel
Jamie Ford (Atria Books)
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“Jamie Ford explores the relationship of mind, spirit, and personal history in this gorgeous, multigenerational novel. The descendants of Afong Moy dig into their inherited pasts with astonishing results. A hopeful, beautiful read!”
— Beth Mynhier, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, IL
August 2022 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Katherine Center
St. Martin's Press
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“The Bodyguard is the perfect comfort read. You’ll feel your shoulders drop in the safety of the world of this book. There’s great chemistry between the characters and it’s a joy to get to know them. I’m already rooting for a movie version.”
— Tiffany Phillips, Wild Geese Bookshop, Franklin, IN
By Mohsin Hamid
Riverhead Books
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“I loved this book! Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West stands up as one of my favorites, even years later. His newest delivers just as brilliantly. Themes of race and bigotry, couched in almost fable-like storytelling, feel timely, yet enduring.”
— Rebekah Rine, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, KS
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“How far will a mother go to protect a son that is hungering for more than books? Sunyi Dean’s work of fantasy is frighteningly real. Think Hannibal Lecter: sit back, grab ‘a nice dry Chianti,’ and get ready to devour this debut masterpiece.”
— Bill Reilly, The River's End Bookstore, Oswego, NY
By Oscar Hokeah
Algonquin Books
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“This is an incredible family epic in sleek, unpretentious form. Hokeah uses his characters as crisp prisms through which we see the nature of family: vicious and precious, mournful and joyful, everything in-between. A remarkable debut!”
— Amanda Qassar, Warwick's, La Jolla, CA
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“Mercury Pictures Presents is an utterly satisfying novel, full of rich characters and a beautifully choreographed plot told with wry humor, great love, and writing so smart you’ll want to underline every paragraph. Read it!”
— Kris Kleindienst, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO
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“The Rabbit Hutch is an inventive and lyrical tale of Midwestern decay, environmental destruction, and toxic masculinity. John Brandon meets Lauren Groff with the occasional experimental aside. An ambitious and assured debut.”
— Matt Stowe, Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY
By Marianne Wiggins
Simon & Schuster
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“Words don’t do this book justice. A family tale, a moral novel of a shameful time in our history, and a love story built with care and humor. You won’t want to leave the Rhodes family when the novel ends. Grab this and fall under its spell.”
— Anne Whalen, Brown University Bookstore, Providence, RI
By Isaac Fitzgerald
Bloomsbury Publishing
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“Isaac Fitzgerald’s empathy shines while his conversational prose enthralls. We hear a lot about ‘nature versus nurture,’ but neither explains that rare ability to be dealt a rough hand and say ‘I will do better than this.’ He’s a gem.”
— Amy Van Keuren, Charter Books, Newport, RI
By Megan Miranda
Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books
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“I really enjoyed the mystery and how it unraveled for Abigail and Trey, and how the disappearances are connected. Megan Miranda is a great writer and I am always eager to read her new books — this didn’t disappoint!”
— Stephanie Rivera, Chapter Two...a Bookstore, Lompoc, CA
By George Dawes Green
Celadon Books
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“Totally immersed myself in the deep south and long-standing family secrets with this delightful read. An engaging story with a wealth of history. Very much looking forward to more of Jaq and Ransom!”
— Kappy Kling, HearthFire Books, Evergreen, CO
By Belinda Huijuan Tang
Penguin Press
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“A poignant exploration of home, love, and ambition, set against the backdrop of Cultural Revolutionary China. Tang has a keen eye for familial conflict, and portrays regret with deftness. This is a beautiful, bittersweet debut.”
— Ellen McLaren, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
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“From the first sentence, we are immersed in the cadence of Harlem. We are one of the tenants struggling with autonomy and groping for success. These engaging stories offer insight into the lives and aspirations of inner-city people.”
— Sarajane Giddings, Blue Door Books, Cedarhurst, NY
By Alexis Hall
Sourcebooks Casablanca
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“Achingly romantic and laugh-out-loud funny. Luc and Oliver, who fell in love in Boyfriend Material, reach the stage where everyone seems to be getting married. Will social pressure unite them, or drive them apart? A delightful read!”
— Carol Schneck Varner, Schuler Books (Okemos), Okemos, MI
By Sarah Gailey
Tor Books
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“Just Like Home grabs you and doesn’t let go. Vera returns to the home where her father committed a series of gruesome crimes. With her dying mother in a hostile small town, Vera grapples with her past — and something moving under her bed.”
— Jo Swenson, Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, NH
By Gabino Iglesias
Mulholland Books
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“The best authors are guides. If I’m going somewhere as dark and terrifying as this story, I’m glad Gabino Iglesias is taking me there. If you’re new to his work, get ready; he’s got both hands on the wheel and knows exactly what he’s doing.”
— Chelsea Bromley, Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI
By Clare Pollard
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
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“Delphi is my first, surprisingly urgent, foray into the new ‘Covid World’ genre. Written in snapshot chapters, Delphishows us a world from our nightmares through a lens of classical mythology. Sharp, labyrinthine, and unputdownable.”
— Scott Lange, The Bookman, Grand Haven, MI
By Susan Coll
Harper Muse
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“Coll captures the loveable mix of quirky customers, booksellers, and writers who bring a bookstore to life. Fast-paced, hilarious, and insightful — it’s sure to appeal to anyone who works, owns, or shops in an indie bookstore.”
— Jan Danielson Kaiser, Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, IA
By Kimberly Garza
Henry Holt and Co.
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“Galveston shimmers under the gifted writing of Kimberly Garza. Highly recommended for the richness of her characters — their community, hopes, dreams, and longings. I enjoyed the many voices necessary to create the book’s tapestry.”
— Nancy Scheemaker, Northshire Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY
By Ramona Emerson
Soho Crime
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“Rita Todacheene has seen ghosts since she was a child growing up in the Navajo Nation. Now a forensic photographer, Rita’s life is upended by spirits seeking justice for their murders. This thrilling mystery left me hoping for more of Rita.”
— Lia Lent, WordsWorth Books (AR), Little Rock, AR
By Emma Seckel
Tin House Books
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“Moody and atmospheric, the islanders are forced to confront tradition, ancient superstition, and the secrets submerged to preserve their normalcy. A taut tale full of otherworldly activities and the tension of daily existence.”
— Bill Cusumano , Square Books, Oxford, MS
By Alison B. Hart
Graydon House
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“Three women, a Hollywood high roller, and an explosive day set the stage for a novel that will blow you away. Any woman whose work has been overlooked, underestimated, uncredited, or unrewarded needs a copy of The Work Wife. Hear her roar!”
— Pamela Klinger-Horn, Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, MN
By Banana Yoshimoto, Asa Yoneda
Counterpoint
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“As far as I’m concerned, Banana Yoshimoto can do no wrong. I don’t think there’s anyone who can write a sweet love story about a charming oddball the way she can. If you’re a fan, you’ll find more of what you love; if you’re new, jump right in!”
— Jordan Pulaski, Small Friend Records & Books, Richmond, VA
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“A fascinating work of art that will make you think. What things and experiences make us who we are? Is any one of those things more important than the other? Is any one sentence more important than the next? There is no one quite like Jesse Ball.”
— Hannah Harlow, Book Shop of Beverly Farms, Beverly Farms, MA
By Elizabeth Crane
Counterpoint
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“Elizabeth Crane’s memoir exploring the end of her marriage and the beginning of a new platonic relationship is gorgeous. Her forms capture what it’s like to revisit old memories that might not be accurate. A beautiful one-sitting read.”
— Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
