Indies Introduce
Adult
By Sophie Elmhirst
Riverhead Books
“An engaging and entertaining account of an unusual couple stranded at sea. Unique in its exploration of relationships with prose that churns and sucks you in like waves.”
— Marisa Spence, Ballast Book Company, Bremerton, WA
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“Each story in Make Your Way Home is absolutely remarkable. Like sinking into warm water, each story envelops you completely in the characters, bringing them and the setting to life. This is a book that aches with longing and with history.”
— Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
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“A young, directionless woman grieving the loss of a charismatic friend finds purpose as a postal worker during the darkest days of the COVID pandemic. Mendell Station is a matter-of-fact love letter with multiple addressees: female bonding and blue-collar government service. It delivers.”
— James Crossley, Leviathan Bookstore, St. Louis, MO
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“Lonely Crowds is a beautiful portrait of loneliness and codependence and jealousy and love. Ruth is such a singular and compelling character, denying herself genuine self-knowledge in order to maintain the comfort of what’s expected of her.”
— Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
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“The Hounding is an illusive heat wave, a silent but suffocating tale. Set in eighteenth-century England, this story captures the craze that falls over a small village when five young sisters are seemingly caught turning into dogs. If you enjoy books that make you feel like you’re walking through a fog that’s constantly blurring what’s right in front of you, keeping you from confirming that the whispers you’re hearing mean you’re in danger…read this book.”
— Nadi Hinojosa, Lark and Owl Booksellers, Georgetown, TX
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“My heart will always be with Priscilla and Diamond. Citchens is an absolute force in this debut about patriarchy, the church, and life in Mississippi. A phenomenal examination of how we hide who we are, and the inevitable outcomes when the truth comes to light.”
— Nahin Cano, Seminary Co-Op Bookstores, Chicago, IL
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“Set in the year 825 on the Isle of Iona, David Greig’s The Book of I tells a story of the three survivors: a mead wife, a very young monk, and a Viking left for dead. Packed with brutal action, budding romance, spiritual mysteries, and natural beauty, Greig’s story feels surprisingly contemporary.”
— Laurie Gillman, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
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“Sister Creatures is an arresting blend of dirty realism and Southern Gothic, telling multiple coming-of-age stories that intertwine in a wholly original way. It amuses, engages, and unsettles, defying and exceeding all readerly expectations.”
— James Crossley, Leviathan Bookstore, St. Louis, MO
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“We Survived the Night is an instant classic of new Indigenous writing. Julian Brave NoiseCat is a powerful storyteller who weaves history, memoir, myth, and journalism to offer us one of the essential books of the twenty-first century.”
— Stephen Sparks, Point Reyes Books, Point Reyes Station, CA
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“Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore not only delves into the intricacies of running a Black bookstore, but also explores the vibrant narratives and rich experiences within these spaces. It highlights the cultural importance of Black bookstores, showcasing their role in preserving and promoting Black literature and thought. I am one of the bookstores in this book and it was an honor to talk to Char Adams about my own struggle running a bookstore and working a full-time job. This book is a celebration of love, resilience, and enduring spirit.”
— VaLinda Miller, Turning Page Bookshop, Goose Creek, SC
Kids
By Juan E. Zambrano
Andrews McMeel Publishing
“In a lush world of shapeshifting witches, a thick jungle hides a cottage home to a disgraced witch. When she is found by a local fanboy, she is certain she does not need an apprentice. But Pacheco is persistent, sending them both on a path toward magical justice and restoring the balance of power.”
— Mara Luther, Chapter One Book Store (MT), Hamilton, MT
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“Magical, mysterious, and queer — some of my favorite words all in one place! Arcana: The Lost Heirs, with its beautiful and fluid illustrations, is full of cryptic clues, secret histories, and found family.”
— Heather Albinson, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN
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“What would you do to preserve your family traditions and livelihood? Rosa Coelho leads a band of magical misfits on a journey to reclaim what the wealthy have taken from her friends and family. This story invites you on a whirlwind adventure.”
— Nicole Johnson, Baltimore Read Aloud, Baltimore, MD
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“The Last Tiger is a fantastical epic inspired by a true story. Despite the odds of foreign occupation, class separation, and restricted magic, a love story blooms that has the power to change the course of history. A gift of a read!”
— Heather Albinson, Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis, MN
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“I can’t stop talking to people about this book. The explorations of grief — of the many kinds of grief we experience in our lives — the raw and real prose that just sucks you in, the realistic setting, all of it. It’s a book everyone can find themselves in, for better or worse.”
— Grace Lane, Linden Tree Children's Books, Los Altos, CA
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“A super creepy read based on a real location! The images of these dolls and the atmosphere of the island were exactly what I needed from a horror story, but it was also about the meaning of true strength, doing what’s right, and letting people care for you.”
— Frederick Rossero, Oblong Books, Millerton, NY
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“A hilariously relatable confession blog from an autistic theater kid after she’s accused of cheating with her best friend’s partner. An unflinchingly honest, uproarious, and sometimes gut-wrenching fictional account of surviving high school rumor mills and learning to trust yourself.”
— Lauren Pronger, Chapterhouse Books, Amarillo, TX
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“An Embroidery of Souls is a positively surprising fantasy with a rich meshing of cultures that threads in the magic of souls and embroidery in such a unique, magical way.”
— Keeley Malone, Ink Drinkers Anonymous, Muncie, IN
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“Filled with historical references, informational backmatter, and adventures in pre-revolution Iran and post-Partition Pakistan, this humorous anti-heist novel is the perfect introduction to historical events while reminding us that whether you’re from London or Kabul, we’re all just trying to protect the people we love.”
— Lauren Pronger, Chapterhouse Books, Amarillo, TX
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“This speculative story feels like a dystopia that is just within reach of the real world. Fans of Black Mirror and Squid Games will love this. Readers will learn to love our main character while she is on death row.”
— Erin Decker, White Rose Books & More, Kissimmee, FL
More Indie Next Lists
- May 2025 Indie Next List
- May/June 2025 Kids Indie Next List
- April 2025 Indie Next List
- Spring 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
- March 2025 Indie Next List
- March/April 2025 Kids Indie Next List
- February 2025 Indie Next List
- January 2025 Indie Next List
- Winter 2025 Reading Group Indie Next List
- January/February 2025 Kids Indie Next List