May 2025 Indie Next List
My Friends: A Novel
Fredrik Backman (Atria Books)
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“This coming-of-age story is funny, heartfelt, and wise. Four teens with fierce loyalty to one another bond over their unstable families and a painting done by one of their own. I could read this again and again.”
— Beth Mynhier, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest, IL
May 2025 Indie Next List
Inspired Recommendations from Indie Booksellers
By Florence Knapp
Pamela Dorman Books
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“A mother goes to register her baby son’s name on the birth certificate with three choices. The Names takes these three names and gives us three distinct stories of how life played out in a family living with domestic violence. Brilliant.”
— Mamie Potter, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC
By Milo Todd
Counterpoint
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“Focusing on the experiences of queer and trans people during World War II, Milo Todd tells stories of suffering, survival, and resilience without leaning into unnecessary trauma. A timely and powerful novel.”
— Hezekiah Olorode, Old Town Books, Alexandria, VA
By Annie Hartnett
Ballantine Books
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“How many bad decisions can one family make and still survive? What starts as the road trip from hell does, indeed, create tender hearts. Come along for a feel good read that takes no prisoners.”
— Anita Gett, Main Street Books (NC), Davidson, NC
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“The Pretender reads like Kurt Vonnegut wrote Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall by way of Ken Follett! A cousin of princes raised as a farm boy discovers he is an heir to the throne…if only Henry VII would die. Terrific!”
— William Carl, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA
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“The Correspondent is an homage to the written word. As Sybil writes her letters, we journey through her life. Through her grief, her friendships, her family, her loves, and her regrets, we are gifted an indelible character.”
— Mary McBride, Monstera's Books, Overland Park, KS
By Ocean Vuong
Penguin Press
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“Ocean Vuong’s sophomore novel is a societal epic as seen beneath a microscope. A lonely young man meets a lonely older woman, and after that? Everything. This book is a quiet marvel.”
— Laurel Rhame, Phoenix Books Essex, Essex Junction, VT
By Meryl Wilsner
St. Martin's Griffin
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“If you’re a sapphic who’s been in love with your best friend, have a seat. Wilsner paints a picture of exactly what that feels like and cranks up the spice. If you've ever been there, this book is beautiful catharsis.”
— Katey Salogar, Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
By Niko Stratis
University of Texas Press
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“Muddled by memory and alcohol, a picture of Niko’s life forms: she’s made you a mixtape in the form of an essay collection. The stories that make up her life gently remind us it’s never too late to recover or rebuild yourself.”
— Kitri Madera, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA
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“It’s 1996 and Genevieve’s family lives in a tiny apartment in Singapore. Her grandfather had a secret family, and her family is saddled with an unwanted daughter to raise, changing Genevieve’s world. An accomplished and absorbing debut.”
— Robin Glossner, Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, MA
By Annie B. Jones
HarperOne
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“Fans of Annie Jones will love this peek behind the scenes, but even for those unfamiliar with Annie’s story, these essays are deeply relatable. Perfect for people who stayed in their hometowns, who lead a quieter life, and who have struggled with their faith.”
— Claire McWhorter, River & Hill Books, Rome, GA
By Alex North
Celadon Books
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“Highly suspenseful, dark, and gritty, The Man Made of Smoke is a mystery and true crime must read. This explores how trauma informs and affects our present, and makes for a truly twisted, dark read.”
— Mirna Villeda, Timbre Books, Ventura, CA
By Anne Berest, Claire Berest, Tina Kover
Europa Editions
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“A beautiful book about the talented French musician Gabriële Buffet and her tumultuous relationship with the artist Francis Picabia. A wonderful book for art and history lovers, and anyone who wants a novel about a strong woman.”
— Kelly Evert, Village Books (WA), Bellingham, WA
By Christina Li
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
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“I was immersed in this lyrical world where dreams hold power and the past lingers. With rich atmosphere and heartfelt characters, the story explores identity, family, and the balance between holding on and letting go.”
— Jessica Porter, Inklings Book Shoppe, Lakeland, FL
By Ashley Flowers, Alex Kiester
Bantam
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“Ashley Flowers’ knowledge of true crime has lent to her ability to tell crime based thrillers. Two women seek justice for their missing sisters and embark on a thrilling journey with many twists and turns.”
— Kristen Shidemantle, The Little Green Bookstore, Zelienople, PA
By Aaron John Curtis
Zando - Hillman Grad Books
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“Curtis is a pugilist on the page, fighting tropes in a landscape that uses language to marginalize the Indigenous experience. Abe Jacobs wrestles colonization in the world and with the disease inside his body, forces that gnaw at his very existence.”
— Arvin Ramgoolam, Townie Books, Crested Butte, CO
By Jessica Anya Blau
Mariner Books
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“Shopgirls is a lovely and humorous coming-of-age story. Zippy experiences the ups and downs common to many young women as she learns more about her absent father, finds a partner, and navigates San Francisco in the age of AIDS.”
— Camille Kovach, Completely Booked, Murrysville, PA
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“A very well written knight’s tale about honor, oaths, and duty in the face of what is truly right. Subtle themes of geopolitics are set carefully alongside the disarming nature of real love. So easy to recommend.”
— Miranda Parman, Katy Budget Books, Houston, TX
By Catherine Mack
Minotaur Books
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“Catherine Mack is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and this book series is quickly climbing to one of my favorite reads! Another 10/10 read for Mack in this hilarious wedding vacation romp.”
— Tammy Klawitter, Lykke Books, New Ulm, MN
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“One woman caught between love and duty, another between her father’s dying wish and the deceit of her company. Both will have to use their wits, and give up a part of themselves, to surmount seemingly impossible hurdles.”
— Ariel Hardee, Ruby's Books, Folsom, CA
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“This creepy — or rather terrifying — novel connects everything one wants and needs from a great (if not horrific) read. Be prepared to find yourself tense all the way to the end! Not for the faint of heart!”
— Kirsten Hess, The End Bookstore, Allentown, PA
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“Seán Hewitt washes away time's silt to reveal cavernous torrents of desire long-withheld — now, blissfully, given voice. Open, Heaven captures the contradictions thrown into relief by first love, making this debut agonizing and euphoric and equally unforgettable.”
— Mathuson Anthony, Book Club, New York, NY
By Kylie Lee Baker
Mira Books
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“For anyone who enjoys 2000s Japanese horror movies. This is the only work of fiction I’ve read that has successfully incorporated the COVID pandemic without feeling contrived. The commentary about anti-Asian racism is poignant.”
— Jennifer Kirnec, Old Ways Books, Bluffton, IN
By Hilary Plum
Bloomsbury Publishing
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“When a doctor at a women’s health clinic is arrested for providing abortions post-Dobbs, Angela, the receptionist, goes on hunger strike in an attempt to free her. The angry, darkly funny prose hits like shards of shattered glass.”
— Grace Harper, Mac's Backs, Cleveland Heights, OH
By Molly Olguín
Red Hen Press
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“There is no getting away from death here. However, there’s a subtlety that resonates throughout the wonderfully smooth and lithe prose that makes these tales a joy to read. Absolutely fantastic!”
— Randy Schiller, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO
Now in Paperback
Indie Next List Selections Come to Paperback
