June 2023 Indie Next List
Yellowface: A Novel
R. F. Kuang (William Morrow)
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“Equal parts modern satire, indictment of the publishing industry, and twisted ghost story, R. F. Kuang’s first foray into literary fiction pulls no punches and will have you reading late into the night.”
— Abby Bennsky, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA
June 2023 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Luis Alberto Urrea
Little, Brown and Company
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“In this WWII epic, Luis Alberto Urrea captures the catastrophic scale of war through the eyes of Irene and Dorothy, two Red Cross enlistees. Their spry banter, secrets, and tender care make a story and a friendship you won’t forget.”
— Sarah Hollenbeck, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL
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“Love, Theoretically combines meme-based humor, sizzling romantic tension, soul-searching personal growth, and blazing critiques of the glaring disparities in academia. This book isn’t just awesome in theory — it’s a proven fact!”
— Sarah Knapp, Inkwood Books, Haddonfield, NJ
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“Another incredible historical fiction by Lisa See! I was jetted back to 15th-century China, where I knew little of foot binding and a woman’s role in medicine. See dives deep into a perfect mix of historical facts and mesmerizing story.”
— Penny Weiland, Birchbark Books & Native Arts, Minneapolis, MN
By Martha Wells
Tordotcom
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“Martha Wells’ specialty is charming antiheroes who triumph with violence and ample dark humor. Witch King centers on a demon prince and a powerful witch as they escape captivity and search for the witch’s missing wife. Highly recommend!”
— Carol Schneck Varner, Schuler Books (Okemos), Okemos, MI
By S. A. Cosby
Flatiron Books
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“This is an early favorite for the best crime fiction novel of the year. From the perspective of a town’s first Black sheriff and his descent into the mind of a serial killer, it’s riveting and explores issues of race, policing, and religion.”
— Jason Hafer, Reads & Company, Phoenixville, PA
By Rita Chang-Eppig
Bloomsbury Publishing
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“A beautiful, meditative, fascinating read. This is exquisitely written and while I knew that the subject would be fascinating, I was still unprepared. Perfect for fans of Four Treasures of the Sky.”
— Cari Quartuccio, Shakespeare & Co., New York, NY
By Emma Cline
Random House
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“I love everything from Emma Cline! Delightfully uncomfortable, her writing perfectly balances lethargy and desperation. You’re pushed to the edge of your seat with one hand, while gently pushed back and given a drink with the other.”
— Nikki Siclare, Newtonville Books, Newton Centre, MA
By Brandon Taylor
Riverhead Books
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“With writing that is equal parts piercing and tender, this novel shifts through a cast of grad students and laborers, lovers and friends — many of them queer men — as they navigate sex, money, art, and uncertain modern life in Iowa City.”
— Owen Elphick, Main Point Books, Wayne, PA
By Frieda Hughes
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
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“Frieda Hughes, poet, painter and home repair fanatic, moves to a broken-down home in Wales with a garden of despair. What more could a creative soul want? George, an endless source of fascination, as it turns out. What a wonderful tale!”
— Becky Milner, Vintage Books, Vancouver, WA
By Greg Marshall
Abrams Press
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“Fans of David Sedaris and R. Eric Thomas will love this memoir of a man who loved creating and acting from a young age. The family is hilarious, and I loved that Greg being gay was no big deal — just one part of a moving, touching story.”
— Sissy Gardner, Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN
By Steven Rowley
G.P. Putnam's Sons
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“Rowley pulls us in with humor and grace, tackling grief in precious ways. From Berkeley, Big Sur, Puerta Vallarta, and NYC, we become part of a special group of friends. All will be moved by this book and eager to plan their own living funerals.”
— Amy Traughber, pages: a bookstore, Manhattan Beach, CA
By David Von Drehle
Simon & Schuster
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“Charlie White’s life of 109 years reads like fiction! A story, not without tragedy, of the wild, heroic, and sometimes dangerous adventures of Charlie White. He lived his own advice: Work hard. Spread joy. Take a chance. Enjoy wonder.”
— Jeri Kay Thomas, 2 Dandelions Bookshop, Brighton, MI
By CJ Leede
Tor Nightfire
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“Such a wonderful, bizarre read. Maeve loves hard, asserts her place in the world, and takes on the spirit of Old Hollywood to wow at Halloween parties. It’s a funky, gory, sexy thrill; I was disturbed, shattered, and totally in love.”
— Pax Romana, Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, NY
By Cecilia Rabess
Simon & Schuster
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“It’s hard to step away from this wonderful debut. Part romance, part office politics, Everything’s Fine addresses race, class, money, ethics, and identity for two twenty-somethings, Josh and Jess, out navigating the world as adults.”
— Terry Gilman, Creating Conversations, Redondo Beach, CA
By Claire Fuller
Tin House Books
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“Claire Fuller never fails to deliver — The Memory of Animals is dark and hopeful all at once, with a hint of her trademark subversive humor added for good measure.”
— Pam Cady, University Book Store, Seattle, WA
By Katie Williams
Riverhead Books
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“In My Murder, you are made to feel the deep struggles of ordinary life which are then abruptly amplified by the quest for a killer. A mesmerizing, completely original story with futuristic elements that don’t feel far off.”
— Sierra Hollabaugh, The Bookery Cincy, Cincinnati, OH
By Kathleen Grissom
Atria Books
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“In the late 1800s, Goes First was one of the most determined Crow women of her time. Her marriage to a white fur trader forces Crow Mary to balance between two worlds and cultures while trying to protect both her family and her people.”
— Shannon Alden, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
By Debra Magpie Earling
Milkweed Editions
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“A much anticipated and gorgeous book from Debra Magpie Earling. The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is immersive and engaging, drawing the reader into a new way of seeing what we think of know of the story of Sacajewea.”
— Mara Panich, Fact & Fiction Downtown, Missoula, MT
By TJ Alexander
Atria/Emily Bestler Books
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“The perfect fake dating book does exist, and it is Chef’s Choice. I absolutely loved their banter throughout. This book has the perfect balance of humor and heart.”
— Laura Kendall, Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN
By Danielle Trussoni
Random House
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“Danielle Trussoni has written a page turner that I’m so excited to share with readers! The combination of the world of puzzles with beautiful writing, suspense, and fascinating characters make this a novel I can’t stop thinking about.”
— Sue Kowalski, The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn, IL
By Emma Törzs
William Morrow
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“There is magic of all kinds on each page of Ink Blood Sister Scribe: grisly body horror magic; romantic, confectionary fairy tale magic; and the binding, consuming magic of family and what it means to belong. I am still under its spell!”
— Sarah Jackson, The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, TN
By Katharine Beutner
Soho Crime
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“From the very first page, there’s this amazing creepy vibe that envelops the reader. Katharine Beutner has written a stunning historical mystery, based on a true missing person case. Killingly hits all the high notes!”
— Jayne Rowsam, Mystery to Me, Madison, WI
By Shannon Bowring
Europa Editions
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“This beautiful picture of life and love in rural Maine kept me engaged from the first page to the last. The sense of place was as strong as the characters’ connections. A book you don’t want to finish because you don’t want to say goodbye.”
— Terri Schurz, Mockingbird Bookshop, Bath, ME
By T. J. Newman
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
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“This book should come with its own oxygen mask. Numerous times I had to remind myself to keep breathing as I raced through the heart-pounding pages. No one does suspense like T. J. Newman and Drowning makes this a fact.”
— Mary O'Malley, Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, MO
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
