November 2022 Indie Next List
We Are the Light: A Novel
Matthew Quick (Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster)
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“Matthew Quick scores a perfect 10 in this deeply stirring, gorgeously hopeful novel that shines a brilliant beam on the path out of grief and toward healing. May we all learn the way to be such lights from this remarkable guide.”
— Beth Stroh, Viewpoint Books, Columbus, IN
November 2022 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
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“Now is Not the Time to Panic is a tender coming-of-age novel on the power of art, the short-lived innocence of adolescence, and the nostalgia of first loves. Wilson’s beautiful, funny, sad novel is one that I’ll recommend again and again.”
— Alex Brubaker, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA
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“This book will most likely be my favorite of the year! Dani Shapiro weaves together two families’ lives, telling their stories and secrets in nonlinear time. Between the gorgeous writing and perfect plotting, I didn’t want this to end.”
— Sue Kowalski, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL
By Barbara Kingsolver
Harper
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“Come for Kingsolver’s classic mastery of language and descriptions that leave you overwhelmed in the most soulful way. Stay for a heart-wrenching and compassionate story of survival that will go down as one of her best works of all time.”
— Libby Monaghan, Twice Told Tales, McPherson, KS
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“An atmospheric masterpiece! Ann Stillwell becomes increasingly obsessed with the occult after discovering a hidden 15th-century deck of tarot cards at The Cloisters. Hays creates a world so sinister that it is a character in itself.”
— Sharon Davis, Book Bound Bookstore, Blairsville, GA
By Ross Gay
Algonquin Books
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“The Book of Delights author returns with a new essay collection — a meditation on the ways ordinary life, and particularly a life of community and compassion, can spark joy. The writing is free-flowing and spontaneous — just as joy can be.”
— Barbara de WIlde, Frenchtown Bookshop, Frenchtown, NJ
By Travis Baldree
Tor Books
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“Legends & Lattes is the perfect low stakes, found family cozy fantasy. Viv, Cal, Tandri, and ESPECIALLY Thimble are such lovable characters. Who doesn’t want a latte from an Orc barista and a hot cinnamon bun from an adorable ratkin?!”
— Hannah Cloutier, The Bookery Manchester, Manchester, NH
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“An epic tale! Sylvie Pelletier is the daughter of a mine worker in early 1900’s Colorado. She glimpses at how the wealthy owners live and is changed forever. A full-bodied historical novel relatable to today’s issues of wage inequality.”
— Paula Frank, The Toadstool Bookshop, Nashua, NH
By Louise Kennedy
Riverhead Books
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“When Catholic teacher Cushla Lavery & Protestant barrister Michael Agnew meet, the spark is immediate. Set in 1970s Belfast, Louise Kennedy captures a time of fierce loyalties, suspicion, and bigotry that smolders from the first page.”
— Diana Van Vleck, Bloomsbury Books, Ashland, OR
By George Saunders
Random House
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“When I read this collection, I knew I was looking at one of the finest, most complete, most skillfully-created literary works I have ever experienced. A masterwork that will surely become one of the most noteworthy books of the decade.”
— Sophia Hardin, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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“Short, sweet, romantic, and full of secrets. This magical noir stars wonderful characters and so many twists and turns that I never knew quite what was going to happen next. A delightful ride, handbasket optional.”
— Lindsey Pattavina, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison, CT
By Catherine Newman
Harper
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“Catherine Newman’s writing brings poignancy, humor, insight, and joy to events both mundane and profound. For those who’ve lost a close friend or loved one in recent years, as so many of us have, this book is particularly meaningful.”
— Liz Whitelam, Whitelam Books, Reading, MA
By Claire Keegan
Grove Press
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“Claire Keegan has a way of telling a story where the space between words counts as much as the words themselves. Atmospheric and moving, one finishes her novels and sits in admiration of them. Easily as good as Small Things Like These.”
— Sheryl Cotleur, Copperfield's Books, Sebastopol, CA
By Claire Alexander
Grand Central Publishing
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“Meredith spent over three years alone in her house — she was not isolated due to a pandemic, but this book put my feelings into words. She made me giggle, cry, and root for her. A story we need after such a numbing time. I feel alive again.”
— Tahlia Moe, Bound to Happen Books, Stevens Point, WI
By Freya Marske
Tordotcom
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“A sexy, mysterious romp at sea! It was exciting to be reacquainted with some characters from A Marvellous Light and to meet some phenomenal new characters. I had a blast reading this!”
— Danny Cackley, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
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“The Passenger is Cormac McCarthy’s best novel. Not his best since The Road, not his best since The Border Trilogy, not his best since Blood Meridian; his best, ever. It’s an astonishing work of art, and I feel grateful to be alive to read it.”
— John Duvernoy, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
By Graeme MacRae Burnet
Biblioasis
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“Such a great, satisfying, smart read. This has it all: a psychological drama between therapist and client; swinging ‘60s London; a writer fully enjoying the storytelling; sharply observed moments of family. One of my favorites of 2022.”
— Toby Cox, Three Lives & Co., New York, NY
By Lynn Steger Strong
Mariner Books
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“An intimate exploration of complicated family dynamics with nuanced, distinct characters. A perfect book for anyone who has ever felt out of place going home for the holidays, Flight explores the nature of belonging and community.”
— David Vogel, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
By Erika T. Wurth
Flatiron Books
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“Such a great horror story about family, friendship, and facing your demons. After finishing this one, I have a strong desire to reread The Shining and blast some Megadeth. I’m excited to see what Erika T. Wurth writes next!”
— John Cauley, The Doylestown & Lahaska Bookshops, Doylestown, PA
By Shauna Robinson
Sourcebooks Landmark
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“I love a book about a bookstore! This was cute and funny, but also showed that we’re never too old to figure out what we want to do with our lives — or to not know what the heck we’re doing at any age. Loved it!”
— Kristin Prout, Gathering Volumes, Perrysburg, OH
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“Partners in Crime is Alisha Rai at her very best! This is an action-packed, swoon worthy second-chance romance with humor, heart, and fun. Perfect for fans of The Lost City, Lovebirds, or Date Night; this book is an absolute blast!”
— Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, DC
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“This has family drama, secrets and great characters — so clear your weekend. Every book establishes Lisa Unger as a fantastic thriller writer and storyteller. This will bring even more fans in her camp (or cabin?). She is in her prime!”
— Laura Taylor, The Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL
By Kate Baer
Harper Perennial
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“Baer captures our children growing before our eyes and slow reminders of our inevitable deaths. These poems grip you from the start and refuse to let you go. She explores womanhood and wholeness and what that even means. I can’t get enough!”
— Brittania Anoai-Gonzalez, Napa Bookmine, Napa, CA
By Dionne Irving
Catapult
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“The Jamaican diaspora is so diverse, far from the stereotypes of Bob Marley and marijuana. The Islands depict colonialism, migration, and the immigrant experience. For readers of Anthony Veasna So, Ye Chun, and Nicole Dennis-Benn.”
— Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA
By Sofia Samatar
Catapult
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“Samatar weaves together myths, faiths, histories, and memoir to tell the story of a 19th-century pilgrimage by Mennonites into Uzbekistan and her own trip along the same route. A wondrous book written by a writer whose sentences sing.”
— Sabir Sultan, Strand Bookstore, New York, NY
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
